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Postal brings home to frontlines of Iraq

Courtesy Photo | AR RAMADI, Iraq (Oct. 21, 2005) -- (From left) Pfc. Brandon A. Hill, Lance Cpl. Carlos...... read more read more

RAMADI, IRAQ

10.25.2005

Courtesy Story

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By Sgt. Josh H. Hauser
2nd FSSG (FWD) Public Affairs Office

AR RAMADI, Iraq (Oct. 21, 2005) -- It is believed that the first pieces of mail to be delivered in history were carried by Persians on horseback as early as 500 b.c. Since then the world has utilized mail delivery for everything from simple correspondence to business transactions totaling untold amounts of money.

The United States Postal Service delivers mail to some 350 million Americans alone and some of the most valued pieces of mail are those received by men and women serving overseas.

For those serving throughout the area of Al Anbar's provincial capital here, receiving mail can take anywhere from one to three weeks, and the Marines assigned to the Ar Ramadi Post Office are in charge of ensuring that each piece of mail gets to its intended recipients.

"Our mission is to support the postal needs of War-fighting Expeditionary Service Teams, Army units and [infantry] located in this area," Sgt. Addam C. Baker, Ar Ramadi Postal Chief said. "Mail is an incredible morale booster. It's so important to have that line of communication with your loved ones when you're so far from them."

A military post office is run exactly the same as any other post office back in the States, but with a twist, according to Baker.

"We're an extension of the U.S. Postal Service and follow their standards," the 26-year-old Wichita, Kan., native said. "However, in order to get mail to our people we have to go to them no matter where they are."

Many know the saying that neither hail, nor sleet, nor rain or snow can stop the postal service from delivering back home, but in today's combat environment improvised explosive devices and sniper fire can fittingly be added to that list. Baker and his Marines travel regularly to Ramadi's forward operating bases and set up mobile postal units in order to deliver incoming mail and collect letters and parcels from individuals wishing to send items home.

"We also act as a sort of customs agency," Baker said. "There are certain things that are prohibited from being sent through the mail so we have to inspect all parcels being mailed by our customers."

Although items sent through the mail take a little longer than most are used to, receiving a small piece of home is a welcome break from the daily routine for those deployed noted Pfc. Brandon A. Hill, a postal clerk here and 19-year-old native of Aberdeen, Md.

"It's easy to get down out here real quick," Hill said, "but you wouldn't believe how the look on someone's face changes when you hand them a piece of mail."

Having joined the Marine Corps this past January, Hill knows firsthand the stress of rapid-deployment and relief of keeping in touch with loved ones at home and letting them know he's okay.

"It's better than I expected here," Hill said. "Back home the news boosts it up to be so bad. There are bad times but there's a lot of good going on here and it's great to be able to share that with family."

Since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, hundreds of thousands of parcels have passed through the military postal services to troops throughout Iraq. Many are from family and friends and many more from fellow Americans who simply wish to say thank you and let the troops know that someone is thinking and praying for them.

"I got a care package from the American Legion in my hometown," Lance Cpl. Adam J. Westenberg, a 21-year-old Apple Valley, Minn., native and motor transportation mechanic assigned to Task Force Roadrunner, Combat Logistics Battalion-8, 2nd Force Service Support Group (Forward) said. "It was the first package I got since being here. It's motivating to get something in the mail and makes you feel proud to be a part of what's going on here."

America's National Archives are filled with the personal thoughts, emotions and history of our men and women on the front lines dating as far back as the Revolutionary War and in years to come the efforts of service members fighting the global war on terrorism will surely find their way into those same halls. Helping to make that happen and ease the minds of service members and those awaiting their return are Marines such as Baker and his men, bringing a piece of home to those serving a world away.