Wednesday, December 18, 2002

Red Cross explains how to send military greetings Security concerns stop cards and boxes; e-mails encouraged In past years, the American Red Cross was instrumental in channeling thousands of holiday greetings and quality of life boxes from school children and other citizens to military personnel stationed worldwide. Due to increased security concerns, that tradition has been suspended. According to Tim Turner, director of Armed Forces Emergency Services and International Services for the Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter of the American Red Cross, security threats such as anthrax placed in "Any Service Member" greetings has stopped Red Cross staff and the military from accepting this mail. Turner suggests an option. "We know how important it is both to send these greetings and receive them," he explained. "We recommend sending an 'Any Service Member' e-mail through Operation Dear Abby, a web based system to send messages to deployed military personnel." The Web site is http://anyservicemember.navy.mil. What do you think of this story? Click here to send a message to the editor. Back to the News Home Page| Back to the top of the page