Sending the right 'care packages' to our troops

Some of the care packages Oklahomans sent to soldiers have come back - deemed unacceptable by strict military security and international customs. <br><br>News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan says the military

Tuesday, March 25th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Some of the care packages Oklahomans sent to soldiers have come back - deemed unacceptable by strict military security and international customs.

News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan says the military mail is an old tradition, but new worries have made it important to follow the rules to make sure a care package gets where you want it to go.

The care package is so popular - companies on the home front make special boxes decorated with flags just to dress them up. But with a war on - the Department of Defense wants people to limit the size and number of packages they send to soldiers. And they won't accept packages unless they're addressed to a specific individual.

Since the US Post Office is the first stop for military mail - it's helping enforce the rules. It may take weeks - or months for mail to travel from the United States to the front lines of war. With soldiers on the move in the heat of the desert - a package with anything other than the correct address - probably won't make it.

And for complete directions on sending packages - and a collection other ways to support the troops - either through email or donations to the USO - which assembles their own packages - click on the Support Our Troops icon on KOTV's front page.