Every now and then, a letter will come back marked RTS – Unable to Deliver, usually because the addressee has redeployed stateside or moved to another location in Iraq or A’stan. Twice I’ve received a letter back, double checked the address with the recipient via e-mail, put the letter in a new envelope and addressed it to the exact same address, and they got it the second time. I have never gotten a care package back, but I mark the box on the customs form that says “If undeliverable as addressed forward to:” and I write “Local Chaplain” at the APO/FPO address.
Well, in yesterday’s mail, we got back a padded envelope that contained a CD slideshow we’d sent out to all our troops in July…of 2008. It had several different “FWD to” addresses marked on it, and finally I guess they just gave up and sent it back to us. I have to give them credit for making an effort. But, that CD certainly went the long way around the barn to get back to the house, for sure! That’s a first, and hopefully a last, for me. LOL!
October 25th, 2009 - 7:11 pm
Well that was quite a journey for the CD! And kudos to the APO peeps who kept it going for 15 mos! I’m currently waiting for Care Package Kits from USPS to do a large order for one lad’s unit who will re-deploy in mid March. Glad you had email access to your contact; that was a major trump card for you. Keep ‘em going, Tracy! Maddog