hwaldron
Posts: 3597
Score: 264
Joined: 9/12/2002
From: Roanoke VA, USA
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I received a copy of this email chain letter circulating and initially thought it was a wonderful idea. When I saw the "Pass it on" phrase, I automatically check Snopes and was surprised to discover these cards would not be delivered randomly to our wounded service men and women (as the Red Cross has a better solution noted below).
The key reason this email approach won't work has to do with security concerns. The US Post Office will NOT accept mail addressed to "Any Soldier". They feel random mail of this nature could be potentially misused to cause further harm for our troops.
A copy of this email message is noted below:
SUBJECT: A Great Idea
EMAIL TEXT: GREAT IDEA!! When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get.
When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:
A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001
If you approve, please pass it on.
However, there is REAL and SAFE way we can show our concerns and appreciation:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
http://www.redcross.org/email/saf/
http://www.snopes.com/politics/christmas/soldiercards.asp
Please follow these guidelines when mailing a card to ensure that your card will quickly reach service members, veterans and their families:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
Card Guidelines -- Every card received will first be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working in one of 16 sorting stations around the country.
-- All cards must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, December 10, 2008. Cards sent after this date will be returned to sender.
-- Participants are encouraged to limit the number of cards they submit to 25 from any one person or 50 from any one class or group. If you are mailing a larger quantity, please bundle the cards and place them in large mailing envelopes. Each card does not need its own envelope or postage.
-- Please ensure that all cards are signed.
-- Please use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.” Cards addressed to specific individuals can not be delivered through this program.
-- Please send cards as opposed to long letters which delay a quick review process.
-- Please do not include email or home addresses on the cards, as the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
-- Please do not include inserts of any kind, including photos, as these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
-- All cards received may be used in program publicity efforts, including appearing in broadcast, print or online mediums.
< Message edited by hwaldron -- 11/24/2008 11:05:35 AM >
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Harry Waldron - Security News & Best Practices Blog
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