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Postal Service Lowers Rates For Packages Sent To Troops Overseas
By Bill McLaughlin
The postal service will soon be offering lower rates for packages sent to armed service personnel overseas.
"You can send a larger box of goodies at a cheaper rate: $2 less to ship," Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders member Gerry Little said in announcing the March 3 change.
In some cases, Little added, the cost may be lower than sending a similar package to a stateside address.
Little expressed delight that the needs and wants of service men and women, especially in combat zones, were being addressed.
"You can't imagine how much these care packages mean to the troops," Little said. "Each is like a little piece of home."
The new flat box priority rate is $2 less to ship overseas, but is 50 percent larger than the old box.
Freeholder Director Joseph Vicari encouraged county residents to remember our service personnel overseas.
While all packages must have a specific name and address to take advantage of the discount, local recruiting offices, military bases and National Guard armories will provide information on sending packages.
With the entire New Jersey state contingent of the National Guard up for deployment to Iraq this year, it has never been more imperative to lend a helping hand to those men and women sacrificing so much for our country, said Vicari.
"If you know someone serving in the Middle East, send a package," Vicari said. "If you don't have a friend or family member serving, ask friends or neighbors if they know anyone who could use an extra package from home."
Items most frequently asked for include toiletries such as razors and other personal hygiene products, beef jerky, sun block, lip gloss and sun glasses.
Little said these items could also be given to the National Guard, as they begin to stage their departure from New Jersey this summer.
"Why wait? If you know someone who is ready to ship out, then give them a special care package before they leave," said Little.
As liaison to the county veterans' services bureau, Little acknowledged that "security is still very tight."
"Packages with a specific address probably will not be delivered," he noted.
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