Victory Base Complex mail clerks deliver smiles and packages to service members

Photo By Spc. Karin Leach | Pfc. Datrick Robinson, mail clerk, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, carries mail out of a truck to be sorted and distributed at Camp Victory, Aug. 15.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

08.18.2009

Story by Pvt. Karin Leach 

114th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - A smile spreads across the face of a service member as he discovers a letter addressed to him among the pile of mail he picks up for the section.

The mail clerks of Camp Victory sort through hundreds of packages and letters to ensure that each person expecting mail receives it as soon as possible.

While the mailroom is only open to have service members and civilians pick-up mail from 3 - 6 p.m., the mail clerks work longer than just the short three hours.

The mail clerks arrive to work at 8 a.m. and leave for the Joint Military Mail Terminal about 30 minutes later to get the mail. They return around 10 a.m. and normally spend a few hours sorting out the mail for the 50 different units who they pick-up mail for. After opening up the mailroom for service members and civilians they close at 6 p.m. and leave around 6:30 p.m, Spc. Peter Owings, mail clerk, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, said.

The time and effort put into distributing mail is appreciated by many service members waiting for packages from home.

"I'm always excited to get mail," Pfc. Mario Ramirez, chaplain assistant, MNC-I said. "I miss home sometimes, but when I get mail it's like a little piece of home is here with me."

Though many service members are enthused by mail there is a somber aspect as well.

"There's another side to the mailroom; we send out condolence letters," Spc. Raven Telkain, mail clerk, Multi-National Corps-Iraq said. "Whenever I see condolence letters sitting there it hits me that people are still out there dying."

Airmail began May 15, 1918, when the first scheduled airmail route was initiated by the Army Air Service. The 218 mile route consisted of a stop at New York, Washington and Philadelphia.

Mail headed to an overseas location is sent to an Army Post Office. The three different possibilities are APO Armed Forces Europe (AE), APO Armed Forces Pacific (AP) and APO Armed Forces Americas (AA). For each different APO there is a different main office state side that the mail is sent to. After reaching the APO location in the U.S. the package is then shipped to its' owner.

"I like seeing the reactions people have when they get mail, especially seeing stuff from their children. Sometimes e-mails and phone calls aren't enough; mail offers a whole new meaning to things," Telakain said.

• Date Taken: 08.18.2009
• Date Posted: 08.24.2009 04:15
• Story ID: 37873
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ