Canada Post Will Continue Program of Free Delivery to Deployed Troops

I'd like to thank Canada Post and the Canadian Forces for conjunctively bringing families and friends closer to their families and friends closer through the holiday season through this service. I know there are many families through Canada who have shown deep appreciation for this service. All the best to you for a warm holiday.
To families and friends: a reminder - when sending a letter, to benefit from this free service, remember to take it to a postal office to mail rather than depositing it in a mailbox. The staff need to stamp the envelope. Some families who have deposited their cherished letters in the mailbox, have had them returned, which is unfortunate.
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Canada Post will continue program of free delivery to deployed troops

Oct. 26, 2009
OTTAWA (October 26, 2009)—Canada Post announced today it will again provide free delivery of letters and parcels from family and friends to Canadian troops deployed in Afghanistan and elsewhere overseas. This will be the fourth year that Canada Post has offered this service. Free parcel service for family and friends of deployed Canadian troops will be provided from October 26, 2009 to January 15, 2010.
Last year Canada Post forwarded more than 21,000 parcels to our Canadian troops serving in Afghanistan and elsewhere overseas, an increase of 60 per cent over the previous year. Family and friends of deployed troops will also be able to continue sending letters free throughout 2010. At the end of this period, Canada Post and the Department of National Defence will jointly evaluate the program.
"We are pleased to be able to show our continued support for our troops serving overseas and their families," said Moya Greene, president and chief executive officer of Canada Post.
“This program allows Canadians at home to extend their best wishes to loved ones far away in the service of Canada, often in dangerous places,” said the Honourable Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport). “It is an excellent initiative and one I very much support.”
With capacity limitations on military aircraft carrying supplies and munitions to deployed forces, this offer is restricted to family and friends of the deployed service men and women serving overseas in war zones. That includes members of the Canadian Forces serving in Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sinai and Jerusalem. Troops serving on any of the deployed Her Majesty's Canadian Ships are also included in the offer.
To ensure the proper customs declaration form and addressing information, the letters and parcels will need to be deposited at one of Canada Post's more than 6,600 full-service retail outlets across the country (letters and packages dropped in regular street letter boxes will not qualify). They will then be forwarded to Canadian Forces Bases in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Victoria, British Columbia and Belleville, Ontario. Once delivered to the military bases, the Department of National Defence will take charge of the letters and parcels and ensure their delivery overseas. All mail must be addressed to a specific soldier, including rank and mission information.

With Dusty Sands of the Afghan Desert

The other day, I dragged my feet through the door after a long day. I turned to check my mail and there it was buried between the ads and the bills - a Canada Post Parcel Pick up tag. Ignoring the other mail, I quickly picked it up, examining the tag for clues. No clues. Coming to intimately know the hours of the Postal Outlet I checked my watch - closed. I returned to my car and affixed the tag to my shifter knob - a keen reminder for the next day.

Feeling as though I again was a child in the early mornings of Christmas day, I just couldn't wait. My day at work finally finished and I swiftly jumped into my car and drove to the Post Office.

As soon as the staff saw me enter their outlet, they quickly became very bubbly and so excited!

Dave soon re-entered the counter area caring a brown paper wrapped parcel - just a beaming!

"It's for YOU this time... this time YOU are getting a parcel!" he exclaimed. I recognized the handwriting on the parcel... it was from my son!! Running my hand on it, I soon felt the dustiness of the Afghan sand. Together we looked it over - looking at the stamps - the HUGE $8 stamp on it - as well as the others. A heart and "Happy V-Day" was written on the one side.

The staff asked if I was going to rip it open in the car. I said, "Are you kidding? I need to take pictures of it first!" (if you know me, you'll know how me that statement is) As well, I noticed it also had my husband's name on it, so I knew I should wait.... some more. Promising the staff that I'd return to disclose to them what treasures were inside, I strode out to the car, beaming yet nervously caring the parcel. Was it the replies for the children's letters? hmm.

That evening, we sat on the sofa in the living room. I set up the camera for a picture when the dogs both jumped on the sofa with us - just as curious if not more. Carefully, trying not to tear the lettering, I proceeded in opening the parcel. First we opened the card - it was so beautiful.

Somehow I felt as though lots of love and a hug enveloped us as we read it. I then wept.

I love you too my son. We're so very proud of you. Happy V-Day to you too.

Love always, Mom

When I open my eyes,

I can clearly see

The colour of the Canadian sky looking back at me

Within a parcel dusted with Afghan sand

A Valentine card clutched tightly in my hands

I can feel a huge tear rolling down to my chin

I can only feel the pride from deep within

The words he wrote with such amazing grace

I wipe the tears falling from my face,

For the love from my son I received from away

Fills my heart full of love on Valentines Day.

~ Military Mom

The other day, I went to my neighbourhood Canada Post Outlet to send a care package off to my son (and his section) With effort, I got the 1st parcel onto the counter and advised them I had one more in the car. When I returned with the second one, my fav. Canada Post manager awaited my return with a big smile. He said to me... "it's starting again soon! Canada Post will be offering free postage to families of soldiers in a few days... Can it wait?"
I looked at him. I looked at the parcels adorned with pumpkin stickers and black cats and said, "No D., these ones have to go now... but you know me.. I'll be back." He said, "And I know it."
I paid for my parcels, patted each with a kiss.. then I turned to go shopping.

Effective October 20th, 2008, Canada Post will start providing free delivery of letters and parcels from family and friends to Canadian troops deployed overseas until the start of 2009.This free delivery offer extends to family and friends of the deployed troops serving overseas. They have to be posted to certain addresses only. (check with your local post office for qualification)

We strongly support our women and men in uniform, and we welcome this very positive initiative to help our troops overseas remain connected with their loved ones in Canada. I am thrilled that the Canada Post has decided to undertake this initiative, and I hope that many Canadian families will take advantage of this opportunity.

To ensure the proper postage, customs declaration and addressing information are used, the letters and parcels need to be sent from one of Canada Post's more than 6,600 full service retail outlets across the country - letters dropped in regular street letter boxes will not qualify for free delivery. They will then be forwarded to Canadian Forces Bases. Once delivered to the military bases, the Department of National Defense will take charge of the parcels and letters and ensure their delivery overseas. All mail must be addressed to a specific soldier, including rank and mission information.

A BIG HUA for Canada Post!!

Free mail to Deployed Canadian Troops

MANY MANY thanks and appreciation goes out to Canada Post again this year. They are doing it again for military families! Free shipping to Canadian troops serving in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sinai and Jerusalem and Afghanistan from October 27th to January 11th!

Here is the memo from their site. I might suggest printing it off and taking it with you to your local outlet when shipping out those care packages. You can tell... Christmas is in the air. Getttttt.... packing! :)





Canada Post Press Release

October 23, 2007
Free mail to deployed troops starts Friday
Ottawa - As of October 26th, Canada Post will begin providing free delivery of letters and parcels from family and friends to Canadian troops deployed in Afghanistan and elsewhere overseas. While the free parcel service will be for the holiday season only (ending January 11th, 2008), letters will continue to be sent postage-free throughout 2008.
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister responsible for Canada Post, said he hopes the family and friends of Canadian soldiers serving in Afghanistan and elsewhere overseas take advantage of this special initiative by sending words of encouragement and support. "Canadian men and women serving our country overseas will find joy, love and support in every delivery they receive, while friends and family members will be able to enjoy the benefit of free delivery."
“At Canada Post we want our troops to know how much we appreciate their dedication to our country” said Moya Greene, president and Chief Executive Officer of Canada Post. “Providing free delivery of letters and parcels from their family and friends reinforces our belief in each and every one of those troop members. For family and friends back in Canada, the opportunity to send the many letters and parcels free of charge by Canada Post, is a small blessing when loved ones are so far away from home” she added.
With capacity limitations on military aircraft carrying supplies and munitions to deployed forces, this offer is restricted to family and friends of the deployed service men and women serving overseas in war zones. This includes members of the Canadian Forces serving in Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sinai and Jerusalem. Canadian troops serving on any of the deployed Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships are also included in the offer.
To ensure the proper custom declaration form and addressing information are used, the letters and parcels must be deposited at one of Canada Post’s more than 6,600 full service retail outlets across the country. Letters and packages dropped in regular street letter boxes will be returned to sender as they will not qualify. Once an item has been accepted, it will be forwarded to Canadian Forces bases in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Victoria, British Columbia and Belleville, Ontario. Once delivered to the military bases, the Department of National Defence will take charge of the letters and parcels and ensure their delivery overseas.

All mail must be addressed to a specific soldier, including rank and mission information.

Petition To Canada Post For A Support Our Troops Stamp

A new petition has come to fruition. It has been initiated by the same group that started the Tim Hortons for Our Troops Drive. It sent tears to my eyes and warmed my heart as it will all military families.


Bless them for thinking of the families and of our dedicated soldiers. ~m.m.
Thank you Dave Murphy! Here is it is:

This is a Petition to Canada Post Corporation to Dedicate a Stamp to Soldiers and Their Family Members. This group is about showing Support To our Soldiers and their family members at home who stand by them 100% and go through long periods of time without their wives, husbands, sons & daughters with them.


By signing the above petition you are asking Canada Post to Issue a New Stamp with a Support Our Troops Decal on it and also a salute to the family members of the Military.


By issuing this stamp, imagine the pride our soldiers will feel when they get a letter from home with a Support Our Troops Stamp on it


Lets Do This!


CLICK HERE TO SIGN: http://www.petitiononline.com/SOT/petition.html

Thank you Canada Post!

A HUGE "THANK YOU" goes out to Canada Post as they are offering free parcel service to familes and friends of deployed troops from Oct 26 - Jan 15, 2007 (remember to still label your address as before)

This will make sending our care packages a lot easier! Thank you Canada Post! You have aided in making many soldiers' Christmases a little brighter. Friends and Familes... Let's get sending!

A Copy of the Release from Canada Post as follows:

Newsroom

October 24, 2006
Canada Post offers free parcel service to families of deployed troops
Ottawa - Canada Post today announced it will provide free parcel service for family and friends of deployed Canadian troops for the holiday season. Effective October 26 through January 15, 2007 Canada Post will deliver parcels free of charge to designated Canadian Forces Bases, where they will be forwarded through the Canadian Forces postal system to our troops overseas.
"We are pleased the Department of National Defense accepted our offer to send regular parcels, free of charge, from anywhere in Canada to members of the Canadian Forces deployed overseas during the holiday season", said Moya Greene, president and Chief Executive Officer of Canada Post. "It is our way of recognizing and supporting our troops and their families during this special time of year when separation is often most keenly felt."
With capacity limitations on military aircraft carrying supplies to deployed forces, this offer is restricted to family and friends of the servicemen and women serving in Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sinai and Jerusalem. Troops serving on any of the deployed Her Majesty's Canadian Ships are also included in the offer.
"We sincerely appreciate Canada Post's generosity in offering this free parcel service," said the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Rick Hillier. "The importance of helping our troops overseas remain connected with their loved ones in Canada cannot be understated, especially during this time of year."
To ensure the proper customs declaration form and addressing information, the parcels will need to be deposited at a Canada Post or dealer retail outlet (not a street letter box) where they will be forwarded to Canadian Forces Bases in Halifax, NS, Victoria, BC and Belleville, ON. Once delivered to the military bases, the Department of National Defence will take charge of the parcels and ensure their delivery overseas. Parcels must be addressed to a specific soldier, including rank and mission information.

A special note to Dave and his staff at Canada Post Office @ Guardian Drugstore :
You have truly been MY guardians through tour. Thank you for helping me to sort, lift, post, holding the door open and letting me throw one more kiss onto my many parcels to my son. Thank you for your smiles and your compassion. HUA!