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Send
a Letter to "A Recovering American Soldier" at Walter Reed Army Medical
Center-Fiction!
Summary of the eRumor: The brief email gives the
address for the famous Walter Reed Army Medical Center and suggests that
you include "A Recovering American Soldier" on your Christmas card list.
The Truth: The Walter Reed Army Medical Center will not
receive letters that are not addressed to a particular soldier by name.
In a statement, the facility said "Walter
Reed cannot accept these packages in support of the decision by then
Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Transportation Policy in 2001. This
decision was made to ensure the safety and well being of patients and
staff at medical centers throughout the Department of Defense."
The decision applies to packages, letters, Christmas cards, or any other
mail not addressed to a soldier by name.
Additionally the U.S. Postal Service has stopped delivering any mail that
is addressed to "A Recovering American Soldier" or "Any Wounded Soldier,"
which are the most common recommendations in the eRumors that circulate
about sending messages to soldiers at Walter Reed.
Instead, Water Reed suggests making a donation to
www.americasupportsyou.mil
which is a site representing more than 300 organizations helping the
troops in various ways.
Updated 11/7/07
A real example of the eRumor as it has
appeared on the Internet:
A Great
Idea!!!
When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:
A
Recovering American soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center 6900 Georgia Avenue NW Washington D.C.
20307-5001
