DEAR ABBY: My family and I participated in last year's Operation Dear Abby. It was a blessing to us. We sent a box of 40 cards to each address you listed. We realize that is an insignificant number when compared to the number of military personnel who are away from home, but my children are 12 and 7, so that was as many as we could handle. They were not happy when I asked them to sign so many cards, but we did one box each week to keep us from getting writer's cramp and to keep the postage costs manageable.
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As we sent out each batch of cards, we looked on the Internet for information about that area. This "activated" my kids. They talked about their new knowledge with their classmates and teachers.
I sent the addresses to their teachers, and the classes sent out cards, too. We didn't do it for recognition, but we received three thank-you cards from commanders.
This "family time" turned out to be so much more than just that -- my children learned a valuable life lesson: the importance of our military and the fact that these people are real, not fictitious characters in a distant place. The kids have begun asking me if we can do it again this year. Abby, when will you be printing the addresses for 2000? -- AMANDA ENNIS, LITHIA SPRINGS, GA.
DEAR AMANDA: Now is the hour, and thank you for giving me this chance to announce the launch of Operation Dear Abby XVI.
Once again I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make Operation Dear Abby the smashing success it is every year. The cards and letters you send remind our servicemen and women that although they are stationed far away, they are in our hearts. Many schools and clubs make this a group project. I can't think of a better morale booster.
In order to ensure that the mail is received within the required time frame -- and that it falls within the Department of Defense security guidelines -- this year mail is being limited to ONLY first-class letters and cards, 13 ounces or less. No packages will be accepted.
Operation Dear Abby has been assigned four addresses for use during the 2000 holiday season. Specific units and countries are not being targeted -- only major U.S. military aerial mail terminals and fleet mail centers overseas. Once the mail is received, these hubs will distribute it on a fair-share basis to all branches of the armed forces. This means a letter addressed to a "soldier" may be distributed to an airman, sailor or Marine, allowing for wider distribution. This will also prevent the transportation system or specific units from being inundated.
To send mail to a specific area, address it to the closest geographic hub:
FOR EUROPE AND SOUTHWEST ASIA:
Any Service Member
OPERATION DEAR ABBY
APO AE 09135
FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN BASIN:
Any Service Member
OPERATION DEAR ABBY
FPO AE 09646
FOR THE FAR EAST:
Any Service Member
OPERATION DEAR ABBY
APO AP 96285
FOR THE PACIFIC BASIN:
Any Service Member
OPERATION DEAR ABBY
FPO AP 96385
The U.S. Postal Service will begin accepting this mail on Nov. 15, 2000. After Jan. 15, 2001, mail will no longer be accepted for these addresses.
Readers, because Operation Dear Abby ZIP codes are temporary, they are not always entered into postal computers, and clerks may not be aware that they are valid. If you encounter difficulty at your local post office, ask the clerk to check postal bulletins 22035 (Oct. 19, 2000) and/or 22036 (Nov. 2, 2000).