Mail to overseas soldiers faces restrictions

Be careful what you put inside that care package meant for a far off soldier, say U.S. Postal Service officials. While most items are fine to mail around the world, others can be dangerous or illegal.

The ever-increasing deployment of U.S. troops overseas has post offices reminding customers about shipping restrictions. Before packing and sealing up care packages, customers could save some time and frustration if they'd check on what can be sent, said Cape Girardeau postmaster Mike Keefe.

"You get it all packaged up, you get it down here and then you can't send it," he said. "It's frustrating."

Missouri is having an upsurge in the number of packages meant for military destinations, Keefe said. During a conference call with other area postmasters, he learned the region had accumulated three tractor-trailers worth of packages meant for military destinations on Monday alone. The postal region Cape Girardeau belongs to includes most of the state, except for the St. Louis area.

"We're already at the critical point to get stuff sent overseas for the holidays," Keefe said.

The threat of terrorism has changed what information the post office requires from customers, he said. Before packages are accepted, customers are asked about the contents.

"It used to be we didn't have to ask these questions, but now all our customers are being asked," Keefe said. "People are real good about answering the questions, but they're not happy with us when we say we won't take it."

But for those sending packages to the military, a few extra restrictions are in place. Packages must be addressed to a specific soldier. Those addressed to "any soldier" or to "all soldiers of" a platoon won't be accepted.

The U.S. Army Reserve's "Shoeboxes for Soldiers" campaign at the training center for the 348th Engineer Company in Cape Girardeau has collected a roomful of items destined to be mailed to the master sergeant of Iowa's 389th Engineer Battalion, now stationed in Iraq.

But items usually considered harmless, such as aerosol shaving cream, batteries and glass items, are prohibited, said local reserve unit administrator Pam Gray.

Shoeboxes program organizer Tina Pulaski speaks to her husband, John, a local company member who is serving with the 389th, almost daily through a satellite phone system.

"Right now they're really in a need for thermal underwear and thin gloves," she said. "They are also asking for flat sheets to spread on their cots and to help them keep the heat in at night."

So far, the donations include reading material, personal hygiene products, snacks. The goal is to mail 750 shoeboxes on Dec. 8 -- one for each battalion member.

mwells@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160