The Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) does provide gift cards which may be used by Soldiers and family members at any AAFES location world wide.  These certificates are available in values from $25-$500.

The Commissary has cancelled their gift certificate programs.  Those wishing to provide assistance with food to First Team families at Fort Hood may contact the 1st Cavalry Division Association and we will do our best to assist you in providing support.  

You may wish to continue your support for the Troopers of the Division by adopting a Fort Hood unit.  The Central Texas Fort Hood Chapter of the Association of the United States Army has provided an opportunity for individuals, businesses and civic organizations to adopt units that are assigned to Fort Hood, Texas.  Information on this program is available at http://www.forthoodausa.org/adopt_a_unit.shtml.  The 1st Cavalry Division Association is a Corporate member of the Association of the United States Army.

Many of our single Troopers have pets and no where for them to stay during their deployment.  You may wish to contact http://guardianangelsforsoldierspet.org/ and volunteer to foster the pet of a deployed Trooper.  This helps to prevent the abandonment of pets and ensures that the Trooper can reunite with his/her pet at the end of the deployment.

Assist with lawn care for our deployed Troopers by signing up as a volunteer with Project EverGreen's GreenCare for Troops.  Project Evergreen is a non-profit organization that links volunteers who will care for the lawns of deployed Troopers with the family needing assistance.  Visit their web page http://www.projectevergreen.com/gcft/ to see more and sign up as a volunteer.

Donating blood is also a worthwhile project.  You may be able to specify it be used for our military personnel.  Start a blood donation drive in your area, school, church, business, or community.  Check with your local blood bank or the American Red Cross.

The Army has established a Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline to offer wounded, injured, and ill Soldiers and family members a way to share concerns on the quality of patient care and to provide senior Army leaders with visibility on medically-related issues.  Call (800) 984-8523 or e-mail wsfsupport@conus.army.mil.  

E-MAIL

E-mail is the preferred mode of communication for our military personnel and each Trooper has their own E-mail address provided by the Army.  The amount of time that each Trooper has at a computer varies on their individual location and position but all will have access to computers and will be able to communicate with family and friends using the Army Knowledge Online (AKO) account.  You may also be able to get an AKO account.  Visit the AKO web sit at https://www.us.army.mil/portal/portal_home.jhtml for additional information.  Anyone serving in the active Army, retired Army personnel, Department of the Army Civilians, National Guard and Army Reserve members may get a full AKO account.  The following people may be eligible for a Guest account: Army volunteers, family members of full AKO members, members of other services and some others.  You can send e-mail to an AKO account without being an AKO account holder.

SENDING REGULAR MAIL

The Department of Defense asks that all unsolicited mail to U.S. troops overseas stop!  Government officials say well-meaning groups and organizations usually set up such programs, but they can provide an avenue for dangerous substances and materials to enter into the military mail system.  

If you wish to provide support to our troops follow the guidelines that are below or select a web site from those listed that provides details, information and guidance for sending packages.  The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will no longer accept packages and mail addressed to "Any Soldier".  Mailed items must be addressed to a specific person by name, unit and APO AE mail address.  Any mail sent to APO's in Iraq will be returned if received after 17 November 2011.  This is due to withdrawal of U S forces from that locate by the end of this year.

If you are sending packages, remember to keep them small.  We recommend that they be "shoebox size" and that you send several small packages rather than sending one large box.  All boxes mailed to Troopers will require postage and a customs declaration label.  It is best to check with your local Post Office™ or visit the USPS web page at http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/ for specifics on mailing package before packaging your items and heading to the post office to mail them.  Getting familiar with the rules and getting the required forms beforehand helps to reduce your stress level.  There is a long list of items that are prohibited and we ask that you follow the rules.  For specific restrictions and mailing rates to an APO/FPO address, visit the Rate Calculator.  You can also call 1-800-ASK-USPS, consult your local Post Office™, or phone the Military Postal Service Agency at 1-800-810-6098.

Overseas Holiday Mail 2011: Overseas  mail-by dates for pre-Dec. 25 delivery of holiday cards, letters, and packages are as listed below.  For additional information check the USPS web site (https://www.usps.com/shippingdates/welcome.htm). The dates are as follows:  

Shore APO/FPO/DPO AE zips 090-098 (except 093); AA zips 340; AP zips 962-966

 Express Mail: December 17
 First-Class Mail (letters/cards and priority mail): December 10
 Parcel Airlift Mail: December 3
 Space Available Mail: November 26
 Parcel Post: November 12  

Shore APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIP 093
 Express mail Military Service: N/A
 First-Class Letters/Cards/Priority Mail: December 3
 Parcel Airlift Mail: December 1
 Space Available Mail: November 26
 Parcel Post: November 12

Thanks for supporting our Troopers!

Bob Tagge
1st Cavalry Division Association Trooper Support Program Coordinator
rwtagge@gmail.com 

External Links Disclaimer

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the 1st Cavalry Division Association of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than internal web pages, the 1st Cavalry Division Association does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations.

All links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of 1st Cavalry Division Association web site.

Please let us know about existing external links which you believe are inappropriate and about specific additional external links which you believe ought to be included.  E-mail the Association at firstcav@1cda.org.