Support the troops by sending holiday cards

WASHINGTON - Are you planning family gatherings for the holidays?

There won't be any break for many of those who defend our country.

But you can send them some good cheer by participating in the Holiday Mail for Heroes program.

"It's an opportunity to thank the men and women who every day, wear a uniform and take a risk on behalf of the rest of us," says Jonathan Aiken of the American Red Cross.

All you have to do is buy a holiday card, address it generically to any serviceman or woman, include some words of encouragement, stamp it and mail it to this special post office box address:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Next month, the cards will be distributed to members of the military and veterans in the U.S. and overseas.

Cards will only be accepted now through Dec. 7.

Cards received after that date will be returned to sender.

You shouldn't send care packages, monetary gifts, use glitter or include any inserts with the cards.

This holiday season marks the third year of the Holiday Mail for Heroes program.

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