The Ely miner., 1943-09-09
MAIL GIFTS TO
SOLDIERS SOON
'Long Time, No Get" If Folks
at Home Wait Too Long
to Post Packages.

Mailing of Christmas gifts for army
and navy personnel overseas must be-
gin by next Wednesday if many OF
the local boys in the armed forces are
not to be disappointed, according to
information sent Postmaster Stuart
Schaefer by the postoffice department
Christmas gifts may be mailed by
parcel post to ARMY personnel over
seas only between Sept. Is and Oct.
Is.
After the latter date, such parcels
may not be mailed unless a written
request from the soldier for the article
is presented with each parcel. 1t is
not necessary, however, for servicemen
to ask for Christmas gifts, but the
parcels must be mailed during the
period specified.
The navy also urges that gifts be
sent between Sept. Is and Oct. Is.
The vast distances that parcels must
travel to reach men at war fronts and
stations the world over is one reason
for the early mailing. Then, frequently
men are transferred thousands of miles
from one location to another, which
means forwarding of mail It is neceS-
sary to give preference to reinforce
ments, arms, munitions, medicine, and
food in allotment OF shipping space,
which often means that the ship
ment of gifts must wait.
1t is urgent that gifts be delivered
to the men in time for Christmas to
keep their spirit high.
This area has men in Australia, New
Guinea, India, Iran, North Africa, and
now probably Italy as well, to mention
a few countries where u. S. forces are
stationed. Weeks are required for
ship to reach these distant points.
Rules for Christmas mailing to the
fighting forces overseas follow:
The parcel must not exceed pounds,
and must not be more than Is inches
in length or SO inches in length and
girth combined.
Mark the package Christmas parcel"
so that it may be given special at
tention to assure arrival by Dec. Is.
Not more than one parcel may be
mailed in any one week to the same
member of the armed forces by or in
behalf of the same mailer.
The parcel must be well and strong
ly packed in container OF metal,
wood, strong fiber board, or similar
material, and then wrapped in strong
paper and tied with twine. The cover
should be such that it can be opened
readily for censorship. The contents
should be packed tightly.
Pershible goods, such as fruit and
meat that may spoil, are prohibited.
Intoxicants, inflammable materials
such as matches or lighter fluids, pois-
ons, and anything that may damage
other mail also are prohibited. Gifts
enclosed in glass should be subStan-
TALLY packed to avoid breakage. Sharp
instruments, such as razors and knives,
must have their edges and points pro-
tected so that they cannot cut through
the coverings and inJure postal per-
sonnel or damage other packages.
Since the armed forces are being
plentifully supplied with food and
clothing, the army and navy recon-
mend against these as gifts.
Addresses must be printed or writ
ten clearly and completely. The parcel
must bear the return address Of the
sender.
The parcel for an army man should
show the name, rank, army serial num-
Der, branch of service, organization,
army postoffice number, and name OF
postoffice through which parcel is
routed.
A navy mans address should include
the name and rank or rating, the naval
unit to which he is assigned and the
navy number assigned thereto, or the
name of his ship, and the fleet post
office through which the parcel is
routed.