Dear Editor;
My son was deployed to Afghanistan on Feb. 27, 2008. On Monday the 10th of March I mailed him two packages for a total cost of $39.68. Unfortunately I don't live close enough to a military base or reserve unit to take advantage of free parcel delivery, which is available to family members if they're able to drop parcels off in person. Canada Post and the Ministry of National Defense run a program for the holiday season which allows all parcels to be shipped free of charge from late October through early January.
I commend both parties for offering this service but would like it to be a year round venture. It's great that we can send our troops parcels free of charge for the holidays, however, they are still fighting a war before and after the holiday season ends.
Lets try to make it easier for family members to show their support year round by offering free postal service to all family members of deployed troops, regardless of their geographical location. I encourage you to show support for the families of troops that are deployed by contacting your local MP - e-mail addresses can be found at www.canada.gc.ca (follow the link to "contact your MP") and the Minister of National Defense, Peter Mackay - mackay.p@parl.gc.ca.
Sincerely,
Jennie Frost,
Kimberley, BC