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How to send flat rate packages to our troops!!

By
Real Estate Agent with Results Realty

Award of Merit from PhotobloggersSending flat rate packages to our troopsIt is hard for out troops being away from friends and family during the holiday season.  This makes it an ideal time to send them a flat rate package. Last year at this time our son was in the middle of his second tour of Iraq and he loved getting goodies from home.  With him doing two tours I learned the ins and outs of sending him flat rate packages. On our son's first tour he was based at a town called Hit just northwest of Ramadi; the base was so small they really didn't even have a PX to speak of.  For 6 months of his tour he was on the graveyard shift so if we didn't send food he was pretty much stuck eating MRE's.  Needless to say I became an expert at sending care packages so I am going to pass my knowledge forward as I know there are many other soldiers like him who would love some extra care packages.   

If you don't know a soldier but  would like to help a soldier you can adopt a soldier through Soldiers Angels. You adopt them for the duration of their tour though, it is not just a one time thing. Our son told me there are a lot of soldiers that are alienated from families for one reason or another and don't receive much.  Soldier's Angels sounds like the remedy for that problem. 

You must mail your package to a particular soldier. You cannot send a package without a soldier's name or it will be just discarded.  Another way to find a soldier is to ask friends and family if they know anyone.  You will be amazed at how many people know of someone that has been deployed.

Flat Rate shipping to our troopsFiguring out how to send these packages was a learning experience. The first time I sent one I arrived at the post office with this big heavy box and spent something like $30 in shipping. I happened upon a really nice postal worker.  He saw I was shipping to an APO in Iraq and turned me on to Flat rate shipping provided by our USPS.  He told me that I could send several of the flat rate boxes for less than it would cost me to send the one big box. 

When I sent him boxes on his first tour there were only two sizes available but there are now four different sizes of flat rate boxes.  The two smaller boxes hold about the same amount but are made totally different. One is long and narrow and the other is short and squatty.  The new larger box holds about 50% more and since I found out about it I have used it exclusively. It cost me $10.95 to ship using this box and I can make it as heavy as I want to.  Normally this flat rate box cost $12.95 but the postal service gives a $2.00 discount when you ship to an APO.  To be quite honest I'm not even sure what the current charge is on the smaller box as I now only use the large one. Any amount of material may be enCustoms declarations for flat rate shipping to our troopsclosed as long as the box is not modified and the contents fit inside.  .

These boxes are provided to us free from our USPS and you can pick them up at most post offices prior to shipping. The only time I had trouble finding them was the Christmas season as the post office was having problems keeping them in stock. At the same time you pick the flat rate boxes up you will also want to pick up some "Customs Declaration and Dispatch Notices" and some priority mail address labels.  You will need to fill out the Customs Declaration and you are going to need to put in a description of what you are sending.  It says detailed but you can just write things like 6 cans of soup, 2 packages of crackers, candy, 3 cans of tuna etc.  That will suffice for detailed.  You will need to put in a value and I always marked treat as abandoned. You will then need to date and sign the form.  You have to press hard as there are 6 copies to go through. I always filled out an address label also and put it on the box.  I had a postal worker tell me to fill both out just in case the customs declaration came off. 

I am sorry but there are no short cuts to standing in line. YOU CAN NOT USE THE SPEEDY CHECK OUT MACHINE.  My neighbor did that the first time she sent a package to her son and it came back to her because she had not added the customs declaration page. 

Chirstmas with our US Army TroopsThe soldiers love getting useful stuff.  Our daughter is a flight attendant for a charter company that moves our troops and she told me that someone sent some marines off with lei's which they proceeded to give to the flight attendants. The thought was nice but I think they would have preferred something that was useful to them. I sent things like soup, tuna, crackers, summer sausage, non-perishable cheese, candy.  You get the idea anything that is non-perishable. At Christmas I always sent homemade cookies and candy to our son.  He isn't that crazy about sweets but he always shared them. You can be assured that if the soldier you are sending to doesn't like what you sent they will pass it on to someone that does. 

So should you hear about someone that is stationed over in Iraq or Afghanistan you now know how to mail them a box of goodies using these wonderful flat rate boxes provided to us by our postal service. 

Amazingly I found these packages typically got to their destination in less than a week. Whether I was sending them to Germany (as that was where our son was first stationed) or Iraq they always arrived. One time I sent the package to his old Germany APO address and the package went back to Fort Hood and then on to Iraq (it took about a month but it arrived safe and sound).  About the only time I did not us the flat rate boxes was when I sent Ramon noodles or the time I sent an air mattress bed as it didn't fit.

 

Copyright © 2009 Marchel Peterson, All Rights Reserved. *How to send flat rate packages to our troops!!*

Comments (52)

Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

ROBIN, Thanks for re-blogging my post.  I hope this helps to get some extra care packages to our troops.  My soldier is now out of the Army and a college student but with more soldiers being deployed I plan on finding someone to send packages to.

KAREN, Thanks for stopping by. I hope the details make it easier to send packages.

RUSSELL, My soldier is now a college student.  He is presently going to Lonestar College here locally but is applying to Rice and A & M Galveston.  Rice is a bit of a long shot but they want people with varied life experiences so who knows.

LANE, Thanks for stopping by.  I hope it helps more soldiers get packages.

BOB and CAROLIN, They do need all the support we can give them.  We have our freedom because of our wonderful military.

 

Dec 05, 2009 01:31 PM
Brandon Clark
UTAH INFRARED Home and Building Inspections - Ogden, UT

I did two tours to Iraq myself and I know first hand how a care package can make the difference between a terrible day to a great day. While deployed you often feel as if your forgotten. You realize that back in the states the majority of people are going on about their normal lives without a clue or a care as to what you are having to endure.

When you receive a care package that is personally addressed to you it reminds you that there still are people that care and realize what your going through vs. feeling forgotten. It doesn't really matter what's in the package because the contents will never outweigh the feelings of receiving the package itself.

 

I would definitely send the package to a specific deployed person vs. a squadron, unit, or shop. Although it's still great people take the time to send packages to deployed groups, it doesn't have near the impact as an individual seeing their own name on the package.

 

If your wondering what to send then you can never go wrong with beef jerky and magazines. I know it's kinda expensive but beef Jerky in Iraq is like gold. Toothbrushes, floss, soap, and lotion seems to be a favorite among care packages and is often over supplied.

A pack of beef jerky and a magazine sent to a specific name will do more than you'll ever know.

 

Dec 05, 2009 01:50 PM
James Lyon
Vista Pacific Realty - Sacramento, CA

Perfect timing on this, we are sending a package to my wifes brother in Iraq next week.

Dec 05, 2009 02:03 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Congraulations Marchel, I was delighted to see that our group Award of Merit for this post and it certainly deserves to be featured as well. The award looks so great on your post and it make me double proud. Great Job!!

Dec 05, 2009 05:05 PM
Terrylynn Fisher
Dudum Real Estate Group - BuyStageSell.com - Walnut Creek, CA
HAFA Certified, EcoBroker, CRS, CSP Realtor, Etc.

Marchel, what a nice post and nice idea.  It is unlikely that too much would arrive and there wouldn't be people to give the goodies to.  It is heartwarming to think about everyone sending something and what a nice Christmas family project that can be carried on every month.  THANKS for sharing with such detail, I think you may have spurred some movement in this project and that's great. 

Dec 05, 2009 05:33 PM
R.E. Renée Hoover, Salesperson
Century 21 Geba Realty, Milford, PA; Licensed in PA & NYS - Milford, PA
Poconos, Pike, Wayne, Monroe Counties, PA; PA/NYS

Marchel, a beautifully created post!  Not meant in any way to benefit by your feature post, but only to spread word about another great service to remember the troops this holiday season, I am posting a link to a blog I just did about a program Zerox is promoting - few clicks of a finger and one can send a card to an American soldier serving overseas.  I'm not interested in collecting comments, but only driving people to the website put up by Zerox, and hoping they will forward the link onto others.

For a holiday card to a soldier serving overseas, with a big THANK YOU, just click this link.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1367361/support-our-troops-and-send-a-card-thank-you-zerox-and-here-is-a-link

Dec 06, 2009 01:07 AM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

DAWN, What a very cool story.  Thank your family for all their service to our country.  Without people like your family we would not have the wonderful free country that we have.

KYLE AARON, We do need to gather the troops and send goodies to the troops.

IRENE, You actually still have plenty of time.  It only requires about a week to get there.

BRANDON, Thanks for your service.  When our son was serving I would go to a used bookstore and go through their free magazines to send to him.  He loves Scientific magazines and magazines like Discovery and ever once in a while I would hit the jackpot.  I sent a lot of beef jerky also.  He did tell me that he loved getting the packages and he also told me that some guys didn't get much.

JAMES, I hope this helps you with the mailing process. I found it to be a learning process.

WILLIAM, I was excited to get my first merit award.  Now I need to work on getting one of those blue ones.  I grew up in 4-H and was always going for those blue ribbons (some things never change LOL).

TERRYLYNN, I posted something similar last year and I know that one of our AR buddies adopted a soldier and she said it was great for her boys.

RENEE, I did email Brad asking him to feature my post but it was not for the points but because I thought this was information that could be beneficial for our troops.  Thanks for adding the link for the thank you cards.  I know our troops like getting stuff from home.

Dec 06, 2009 01:41 PM
Sheldon Neal
Bergen County, NJ - RE/MAX Real Estate Limited - Maywood, NJ
That British Agent Bergen County NJ

This is such a caring and valuable blog to help some very special people. Great job Marchal, and thank you for posting this great information.

Dec 06, 2009 02:34 PM
Diane Rice
Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL
SFR, SRES, CNC

I'm glad to see it featured!

Dec 07, 2009 05:33 AM
Brandon Clark
UTAH INFRARED Home and Building Inspections - Ogden, UT

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR PACKAGE

Marchel, Your son is right. There were those that had family or friends that flooded them with packages nearly every other day while there were some who didn't even receive a letter on their birthday.

You could easily try an help out and end up adding packages to the troop that receives a package every other day from his fiancé while the other troop that has never received anything continues to never receive anything. 

If you already know someone deployed in Iraq then ask them to email you their Chaplains email. The Chaplain is often the most informed of which troops are struggling and going through the hardest times.

Email the chaplain and ask how you can be of the most help to a troop in need. He may say you can just mail a care package to the Chaplain address. If you do that then your care package contents will most likely just be added to a big community pile of care package items that anybody can grab. This is still great but it doesn't have the effect of giving to a specific troop in need.

Ask the Chaplain for a specific name or ask the Chaplain if he can be sure that the package gets to a specific name.

Include a small note telling the troop that someone had recommended them as being a great asset to their unit and in return you, your church, your family, etc.. wanted to help support them. Ask the troop to send (email) you a bit more about what they do so you can continue to pray for and help support them..

In return they will send you all the info you need to know about them so you can then skip having to deal with the Chaplain.

Your package will have the biggest impact and you may very well make a friend for life.

 

Most packages will make it to Iraq in 4-7 days. I was always quite shocked to see how fast packages arrived. If your wondering if you can can send cookies, brownies, chocolate, etc.. Absolutely!!  

 

 

Dec 07, 2009 11:15 AM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

SHELDON, Thanks for stopping by.  We are free because they serve!!

DIANE, For the first time ever I emailed Brad and asked him if he would consider featuring my post.  I just wanted this information to go out; this year more than ever.

BRANDON, WOW, you have been such a wonderful bonus to this post!!  What branch of the service were you in?  Our son was an Intelligence Analyst with the Army.  I was also shocked at how fast he got the packages that I sent him. 

Dec 07, 2009 12:27 PM
Bob & Leilani Souza
Souza Realty 916.408.5500 - Roseville, CA
Greater Sacramento Area Homes, Land & Investments

What a fantastic post, Marchel...congrats on the PBG Award of Merit and the feature!!! :)

Leilani

P.S. I'm re-blogging this!

Dec 07, 2009 09:42 PM
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com

Marchel,

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.  I know there are many people who will appreciate it.

Ann Hayden in windy Wildwood, MO

I am going to re-blog it too. 

Dec 09, 2009 01:07 AM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Marchel this is a great post and I am going to use for a reblog.   You did a great job on it!   We should get this out to as many people as possible so no one goes without a package this holiday. I love your new picture!

 

Dec 09, 2009 04:36 AM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Marchel,

You put a lot of work into this post to help facilitate getting packages to the armed forces.  Thank you for having such a giving heart.  It shows.

Dec 09, 2009 06:23 AM
Nathan Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Davenport, FL
Your Central Florida Real Estate Expert

Great idea for a post Marchel.

I just left the U.S. Marine Corps recently so this subject is close to my heart.

You have no idea how good it feels to get something from home when you are deployed. Being gone can be extremely stressful, but when you get something from someone you love it's a great break from reality.

For those of you who aren't sure what to send to the troops; take it from an old Marine Staff Sergeant. Send them baby wipes. No, your eyes aren't deceiving you, when Marines and Soldiers are deployed one of the luxuries they lose is a decent shower. Trust me they will love you for it.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone. And Marchel, thank you for caring about the troops.

Dec 09, 2009 06:37 AM
Steve Hoffacker
Steve Hoffacker LLC - West Palm Beach, FL
Certified Aging In Place Specialist-Instructor

Marchel,

Wow, look at all of the comments. I saw your post when Ann Hayden reblogged it. Great job. :)

Steve

Dec 09, 2009 06:42 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Marhel....I reblogged this tio help get the word out.  What a terrific idea and post.  Thanks so much for sharing.

Dec 09, 2009 07:40 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Marchel, I have been seeing this blog re-blogged all over the place today.  GREAT JOB!!!

Dec 09, 2009 01:41 PM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

SOUZA, I hope this helps more of our troops get some extra goodies this Christmas.

DEBRA, Thank you!  I learned this through trial and error so I hope it makes sending those packages easier.  I think sometimes packages don't get sent because it is so darn complicated.

JUDI, I have written a version of this post for the last three years.  I typically don't get many comments on it so this year emailed Brad and asked him if he would feature it.  I hope it helps to get a few more packages to our troops as they are away from their families during the holidays.

NATHAN, Thanks for your service to our country.  Our sons first tour was in a little town called Hit which was northwest of Ramadi.  I remember him asking me to send him baby wipes.  I sent little bitty ones the first time and he told me he wanted big containers of them.

STEVE, I'm excited that this information is getting out because it is a complicated process. It can be a little initimidating trying to figure out how to send these packages but just like anything it gets easier when you know what you are doing.

REBECCA, Thanks for re-blogging.  I'm excited to see all the interest.  I hope it gets some extra goodies to our troops.

GEORGE,I'm thrilled that my post is being re-blogged and the word is going out on how to easily send a package. 

Dec 09, 2009 02:09 PM