My son was deployed to Afghanistan on February 27. On March 10, 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 Defence run a program for the holiday season that 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're still fighting a war before and after the holiday season.
Let's 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 — and the Minister of National Defence, Peter Mackay at mackay.p@parl.gc.ca.
