Postal delivers to Fallujah servicemembers
FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 11, 2007) -- Marines are often willing to make many sacrifices to ensure the mission is accomplished. Comfort items such as receiving hot chow and a hot shower are often overlooked. No matter how many deployments, and regardless of the location or the situation Marines are placed in, one thing they can count on is there is a mounted effort to maintain morale by ensuring that mail is delivered in frequency and on time.
http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/lookupstoryref/2007415104932
April 11, 2007; Submitted on: 04/15/2007 10:49:32 AM ; Story ID#: 2007415104932
By Lance Cpl. Thomas J. Griffith, 2nd Marine Logistics Group
Postal Marines with Headquarters Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), work long hours at the Camp Fallujah Post Office to provide mail services to Marines here and all the area’s forward operating bases.
“We provide services to approximately 12,000 people,” said Gunnery Sgt. William C. Elver, the postal detachment chief. “That includes Marines, sailors, soldiers, airmen, and (Department of Defense) civilians and contractors.”
The detachment provides multiple services including shipping, money orders and picking up or dropping off mail and packages.
In addition to receiving packages to be sent elsewhere, the postal Marines must inspect all packages prior to being shipped.
“We have to make sure nothing illegal is going out,” said Elver, a Mount Horeb, Wis., native.
According to Elver, there is a long list of contraband items, which include weapons systems.
“Sand also can’t go – it’s an (Environmental Protection Agency) issue,” he said sarcastically.
The postal detachment here receives its mail on a regular basis from Al Taqaddum.
“We get four (large shipping) containers on average,” said Lance Cpl. Michael Carter, a postal clerk and Jackson, Miss., native, with the detachment. “Even when it’s raining.”
The detachment has even established a wet-weather plan to ensure the safety of the mail they receive.
The Marines at the post office receive so much mail they require the assistance of other servicemembers from all the units in Fallujah to help out when a shipment arrives.
“We get eight to 12 people on average,” said Elver. “We send an e-mail out the day prior requesting people for the working party.”
The Marines are well aware that their job is pivotal to the morale of the Marines and personnel assigned to the area.
“Just seeing the customer smile, knowing they can send their mail home or pick mail up – I know we’re doing a good thing,” said Sgt. Andre D. Gibbs, the detachment’s noncommissioned officer in charge.
Gibbs continued by saying he is very confident in the abilities of his Marines who handle thousands of pounds of mail daily.
“They are doing an exceptional job. They’re in here seven days a week with no set hours,” said the Cleveland, Ohio, native. “When the doors close, we’re still working. There’s no problem we couldn’t overcome or solve.
“We’re here for the people – to provide a service and make sure it’s being done.”