The 27th District of Texas Supports our Troops
 Throughout Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, the 27th District has supported our brave men and women. Congressman Ortiz has worked with local schools and organizations to send Valentine’s, thank you and support letters and items to our soldiers. Our troops appreciate your support.
Congressman Ortiz receives frequent inquiries on what citizens can do to support our troops. We encourage you to work with local organizations, such as churches and schools to support South Texas soldiers and their families.
Below you will find answers to some frequently asked questions as well as some information on non profit organizations provided by the Department of Defense that are dedicated to supporting our military personnel. It is important to note, however, that neither Congressman Ortiz nor the Department of Defense endorse any of these organizations. We encourage you to do your research before sending any contributions.
Is there anywhere an active duty, Reserve or National Guard military member can go for deployment related questions?
Can I send a general package to an anonymous soldier overseas?
I want to send a message of support to our troops – where do I send it? Can I send goodies/books/etc?
I have a family member/friend deployed overseas. Do you have any suggestions of items to send him/her?
Are there prohibited items?
What is the average transit time for mail?
Is there any reason why mail would not be delivered?
Q: Is there anywhere an active duty, Reserve or National Guard military member can go for deployment related questions?
Answer: Yes, Military OneSource is a 24-hour, 7-days-a-week, toll-free information and referral telephone service – 1-800-342-9647 – available worldwide to active duty, Reserve, and National Guard military members and their families; and to deployed civilians and their families. Military OneSource provides information ranging from everyday concerns to deployment-related issues. Also, if there is a need for face-to-face counseling, Military OneSource can provide a referral for six sessions per issue to professional civilian counselors at no cost to the service member or family member (please note in-person counseling is only available in the United States and Puerto Rico). Overseas, Military OneSource can help access the existing services provided through the Medical Treatment Facilities.
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Q: Can I send a general package to an anonymous soldier overseas?
Answer: Unlike past conflicts, the general public can’t send care packages to anonymous soldiers overseas. Due to security concerns and transportation constraints, the Defense Department can't accept items mailed to "Any Servicemember”. Families and friends may still send packages to service members if they have a name and address.
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Q: What can I do to support our troops?
Answer: There are numerous ways in which you can show your support for our troops. The following are websites for several organizations sponsoring programs for members of the Armed Forces overseas. While it would be inappropriate for Congressman Ortiz or the Department of Defense to endorse any specifically, service members do value and appreciate such expressions of support:
Donate a calling card to help keep service members in touch with their families at Operation Uplink at http://www.operationuplink.org/
Donate Frequent Flyer Miles through Operation Hero Miles
Donate a gift certificate from "Gifts from the Home front" at http://www.aafes.com/docs/homefront.htm
Donate to "Operation USO Care Package" or sponsor a Care Package through:
Adopt a Platoon
Operation Military Support
Operation Paperback
Operation Shoebox
USO Care Packages
Donate to one of the military relief societies at:
Army Emergency Relief at http://www.aerhq.org/
Navy/Marine Relief Society at http://www.nmcrs.org/
Air Force Aid Society at http://www.afas.org/
Send a greeting via e-mail through http://anyservicemember.org/ or http://www.OperationDearAbby.net
Sign a virtual thank you card at the Defense America web site at http://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html
Support the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services at http://www.redcross.org/services/afes/
Support families whose loved ones are being treated at military and VA hospitals through a donation to the Fisher House or the Yellow Ribbon Fund
Support military families in your community, especially those with a loved one deployed.
Volunteer at a VA Hospital http://www.va.gov/vetsday/ to honor veterans who bore the lamp of freedom in past conflicts.
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Q: I have a family member/friend deployed overseas. Do you have any suggestions of items to send him/her?
Answer: The military provides for the troops basic needs, but the following items will be deeply appreciated and are quickly found to be in short supply.
Prepaid Phone Cards
Food and Food Related Items:
Ready to Eat Tuna or Chicken Salad kits
Breakfast-type foods and drinks
Instant & regular coffee, filters, powdered creamer and hot chocolate packets
Canned soup
Individual packets of Trail Mix, Beef Jerky, Slim Jims, peanuts, pretzels, cookies, sunflower seeds and canned nuts
Canned chips or potato sticks
Cereal bars, granola bars, Energy Bars
Pre-sweetened powdered drinks, Kool-Aid, Gatorade
Packs of candy, gum, Twizzlers, tootsie rolls, Skittles, sweet tarts
Personal Items:
New Knit Hats, Gloves and t-shirts
Antibacterial wipes (baby wipes), lotion, travel size toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, shampoo, tissues, etc.
Eye drops
Small containers of Tylenol, Motrin, Advil
Band Aids, cough drops, dental floss, combs, chapstick, lip balm, q-tips, nail clippers, disposable razors, shaving cream, toilet paper
Paper, pens, postcards, envelopes
Black Shoe Polish
Feminine products
Entertainment:
Batteries
DVDs, CDs & players
Disposable Cameras
Handheld electronic games
Puzzle, Word Game & Crossword books
Beanie Babies for the soldiers to give to kids
Magazines, local papers, comics, paperbacks - mystery, action, drama, science fiction Board Games and playing cards
Baseballs, footballs, gloves, Frisbees
Miscellaneous:
Blank greeting cards
Wrap around sunglasses
Film (35 mm)
Paper Towels, Windex, Laundry Detergent (travel size powder or cubes - no liquid), Febreze
Duct tape, Ziploc bags, and Styrofoam cups
Glasses wipes
Battery Operated Fans, Misty Mates
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Q: Are there prohibited items?
Answer: Yes, there are items that are prohibited such as firearms; any matter depicting nude or semi nude persons, pornographic or sexual items; unauthorized political materials; bulk quantities of religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith (items for the personal use of the addressee are permissible); pork or pork by-products; fruits, animals and living plants; alcohol or materials used in the production of alcoholic beverages (i.e., distilling material, hops, malts, yeast, etc.)
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Q: What is the average transit time for mail?
Answer: The United States Postal Service (USPS) is currently sending mail 7 days per week, with approximately 8-10 flights per week. Mail for Iraq is flown to Bahrain, and is flown daily to Baghdad (and to various other locations in Iraq) on DHL aircraft. The average transit time is 12.51 days for letters and 13.05 days for parcels.
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Q: Is there any reason why mail would not be delivered?
Answer: The major cause of late delivery of mail to outlying posts is the threat of attacks. If the roads are at condition RED, no trucks move: this could last anywhere from 24-72 hours.
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