We need cards and letters from you, the American people who support our troops.

Please consider working with your office, school, church or organization to make cards or write letters to include in care packages sent overseas. Marines are especially touched by homemade cards from children, or letters that let them know what's going on back home: what books, movies, and music are coming out, or what your day-to-day life is like. Or write a letter to let them know what you're doing here at home to support the troops!

Mail letters to:

	Thank You from a Marine: "We enjoy reading letters and looking at the drawings from the kids. It brightens our day to see all the people who stand behind us back home." A Marine in Afghanistan "...Thank you for everything and thank Brianna especially, who made the beautiful heart card for me." A Marine in Iraq "We all thank you so much for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. I especially liked the homemade card from Andrew..." A Marine in Iraq

MarineParents.com, Inc.
Attn: Dear Marine
P O Box 1115
Columbia, MO 65205-1115

Guidelines:

• Address cards and letters to "Dear Marine."
• Please do not seal cards and letters in individual envelopes for delivery to the Marines. Instead, place cards and letters inside a larger mailing envelope to send to MarineParents.com.
• Cards and letters must be handwritten, not typed.
• Photo copies of the same letter will not be accepted. One copy of the “Dear Marine” letter will be included in a care package and the duplicates will be discarded.
• Please send cards and letters of support that are unique and thoughtful; it means so much to the men and women defending our freedom.

Your help and commitment is greatly appreciated by Marines deployed to combat zones like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa. Thank you for your support!

We ask for your understanding when sending “Dear Marine” cards and letters.

Each Marine receives roughly five cards and/or letters in his or her care package. Please be mindful of the fact that Marines receive your cards and letters in a combat zone and they may not have an opportunity to respond to you personally.

Marines make tremendous sacrifices to serve and your cards and letters boost their morale and touch their hearts. We ask that you send support overseas knowing that you are sending our servicemen and women a priceless gift: your appreciation.

Remember, our aim is to express our gratitude without expecting anything in return.

We do not recommend sending cards and letters for inclusion in the care packages for specific holidays. Marines need our support throughout the year. They receive a large volume of mail during the holidays and the mailing system overseas is overloaded just as it is elsewhere during the holiday season.

If you choose to send holiday-specific cards or letters, we must receive them 60 days prior to the specific holiday for screening and to assure inclusion for those specific care packages. Please note that holiday mail that does not make it through the screening process prior to the packing day will be held and sent in care packages the following holiday season.

Some letters and cards we've received from children for combat-deployed Marines: