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In the Race

Now, here, you see, it takes all the blogging I can do to keep in the same place.
If I want to get somewhere else, I must blog twice as fast as that!
You see, I'm in the Red Queen's Race...

Don't Forget our Troops

By Janet Evans
Thursday, Feb 14 2008, 04:45 PM



I read Monday, in the paper, that postage rates will be going up AGAIN, in May.

Another penny, to 42 cents for a letter.

I went to the Franklin Post Office on Tuesday.

As I was standing in line, waiting to pick up a package, an elderly woman was at the counter, trying to buy postage for the many stamps she already had, so she would be prepared for the postage rate increase.

The clerk at the desk had no clue as to what she was talking about.

She said, "They never tell us anything."

Hmmm.....

-----------------------------------------------------

Well, to why I was writing this post in the first place....

With all this snow, it seems like Christmas was so long ago...which was the last time I reminded people to think about our troops and the need to send them care packages.

Have you ever done that?

Such a simple thing to do.

While the postage rates will be going up for citizens, they will actually be going down for you to send a flat rate box to troops overseas. 

Read the U.S. Department of Defense News Bulletin below, and please, think about sending something to our troops now, or at Easter, which is early this year.


And here is a photo showing how happy a simple letter can make a soldier:




VALENTINE'S DAY SURPRISE - U.S. Air Force Airmen
1st Class Kathleen Sullivan and Lindsay Judkins are surprised
to receive Valentine's Day cards from Texas elementary school
students, Feb. 13, 2008, at a Southwest Asia air base. Both
airmen are assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces.
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Domonique Simmons   



Happy Valentine's Day to our Troops! 





 

America Supports You: Postal Service Offers Discount

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2008 – Military families have long used the U.S. Postal Service’s flat-rate shipping boxes to send care packages around the globe. Beginning March 3, they’ll get a price break.

The discount applies only to the new “Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box,” which normally carries a $12.95 price tag for shipping. However, when the 12-by-12-by-5.5-inch box is sent to an AFO or FPO address, a $2 discount applies, dropping the cost to $10.95.

“This is the first time the Postal Service has offered a special price for our armed forces serving overseas,” said Postmaster General John Potter. “We’re proud that family and friends will be able to use the new, larger-sized box to send much-appreciated packages from home to our dedicated troops overseas.”

The new boxes will be available in post offices nationwide on March 3. Those who can’t wait to start packing the boxes, however, can order them from www.usps.com/supplies beginning Feb. 20. They’re also available by calling 1-800-610-8734.

Some of the new boxes carry the America Supports You logo. America Supports You is a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with service members and their families serving at home and abroad.

“It’s terrific that the Postal Service continues to think of ways to help Americans support our troops and their families,” said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communication, community relations and public liaison. “Postage is always a concern when shipping care packages, and this new flat-rate box means our home-front groups and supportive citizens can do more with their resources.

“We’re especially pleased that some of the boxes will bear the America Supports You logo, reminding our service members that they have our nation’s support,” she added.

The boxes bearing the America Supports You logo will be available only online or at select post offices near military bases. All flat-rate boxes are available for international shipping, though the discount applies only to the large flat-rate box, and only if it’s being shipped to an APO or FPO address.

Related Sites:
U.S. Postal Service


Comments

Karen123   

That is good news.  I was going to send another package later this month to my friends in the Middle East.  The last one I sent only took six days to get there and that was the week before Christmas!  The flat rate boxes are the best for sending care packages to our troops.    

February 14, 2008 6:05 PM

Scott Thinnes   

I don't understand why anyone would buy anything else but the "forever stamps" anymore. Why waste your time with the denominational flat rate and have to buy make-up stamps whenever the rate increases? The forever stamps are always good and when the postage increases you can save a few cents until you need to reload.

February 14, 2008 9:57 PM

Janet Evans   

Good for you Karen!  

Scott, I think the senior citizen was buying  larger denominations of stamps, but you are right regarding the regular letter "forever stamps."  It would be crazy to buy anything else!

February 15, 2008 7:22 AM

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