June Adoption - Yellow and Blue Barbecue

[Laura]

June marks the official beginning of summer so let’s have a

YELLOW AND BLUE BARBECUE

      Our June adoption is for a “crazy crew” of ABHs aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington CVN73. 

     The ABHs (Aviation Boatswain’s Mate – Handling) are the yellow shirts and blue shirts on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier.

     They launch and recover aircraft and work extremely long hours covering day and night flights.  Things get pretty hot working around “the birds” and this crew needs a bit of summertime fun to lift their spirits!  Bulk boxes filled with the ingredients for a fun summer picnic or barbecue would be great for this group!

     Based in Yokosuka, Japan, they are currently on patrol.  The ABH crew consisting of 165 males and 22 females.

They are requesting:

Food

beef jerkey, slim jims

energy/protein bars,breakfast bars, Pop Tarts, mini boxes of cereal, granola bars

dried fruit, canned fruit (easy open tops)

canned soup, cup of soup, tuna (in pouch or pop top can)

crackers, rice krispy treats, sunflower seeds, chips, pretzels, bean dip, cheese dip

cookies (any kind would be great) Jolly Ranchers, Smarties, Sweet Tarts, hard candy, gum

seasoning salt, hot sauce

Gatorade type mix for water bottles as well as the water bottles with straps

First Aid / Personal Care

aloe vera burn gel, lip balm, moisturizing/cleansing eye drops, saline nasal spray, throat drops

vaseline blister care, flexible & cloth bandages, surgical masks, bug repellent, pocket tissues

no-water aspirins, vitamins, cotton swabs, nail clippers, eye glass wipes, Avon Skin So Soft

"hoo-ahh" brand unscented pre-moistened field towels, waterless antibacterial soap, sunscreen

strong flashlight & batteries, air freshener, tablet laundry detergent, perfume, cologne

brushes, combs, foot powder, disposable razors, non aerosol shaving cream, deodorant

Fashion

cooling neck bands, good quality sunglasses, bandanas, black boot socks, padded insoles

Fun

deck of cards, DVDs, Nerf balls, and a big YES to pillowcases.

 

     I know that their list is long but these sailors really take a beating up there on the flight deck so let's send them some fun with a 

YELLOW AND BLUE BARBECUE

Please mail packages between June 23rd and June 26th.  Thank you!

 

[Kim (Ethan's Mom)]

So far my two boxes have become three! haha  I have cup o soup, Rice Krispy treats and banana chips in a larger box that is lighweight so will go parcel post. I have two boxes with Poptarts, raisins, cookies, Slim Jims, tuna packets, granola bars/energy, season salt, hot sauce, Breath Saver mints and a bag of Smarties If I can fit anything else in with my pillowcases I will. I have another box of protein bars but they are chocolate covered and probably won't travel well unless where they are it isn't that hot.

[Laura]

Our sailors will love it, me too!  Thank you!

[Pat L. in IL]

twilk21, You have been approved for "MAS We Ship Love."

[valeriejean]

I am sending two boxes, but when I went to enter the info online to print the labels I get an error message and it wont let me print the label online.....anyone have any ideas?

[Rosemary S.]

My sr is also on this ship so I send pkgs to this basic address all the time. What I have found to work is to drop the rate in the name - in this case the E-2. Also, I can never get a printed label using the last four zip code numbers. I have had to hand write them in. But to be honest, Ives shipped both with and without the last four zip code numbers and it doesn't seem to make a difference in shipping time. Also, be sure to put the ship info in the company/business line. Hope that helps.

[valeriejean]

It seems to be a zip code issue...says

We are unable to find any available service options for this label, please review your label and try again.

Please enter a valid ZIP Code™.

[Pat L. in IL]

Okay, everyone, I'm on it!! Will let you know as soon as I find something out!!

[Lorraine]

You have to pick the apo/fpo customs labels not the regular ones. The postal site is a little confusing when it comes to finding them but one of the menus lists them. Another way to get into them is a window that has two tabs and you have to switch to a different tab than what it defaults to. Also, if you are doing more than one box, you have to exit and go back in, unless I am missing a "clear all" button. I will try to bring this concern to someone at USPS - as a recently retired postmaster, I think I can find someone to share this with. I print mine online because I like the way they look but I still am not proficient at it.

[Pat L. in IL]

Frankly, guys, I think this is a Click-n-Ship issue at the post office site. According to the post office look up a zip code, the one listed is correct.

I have messages out to Kathrine and 2 GW moms.

For the last couple of months since the PO revamped their website, it has been giving us FITS with trying to print postage!

I will let everyone know as soon as I find out something. Pat

[Lorraine]

I will be working on mine Monday as I'm away this weekend. I'll see if I can shed more light on it.

[Pat L. in IL]

Okay, the address is correct. The zip code for the GW is 96650-2801. This has to be a post office website issue with Click-n-Ship. Either try again tomorrow or boxes will have to be taken to your post office. BE SURE TO SEND A COMPLAINT to the USPS!! And it wouldn't hurt to moan and groan a little if you have to go to the post office either!

[Laura]

Thank you Pat for the research.