Since the Sept. 11 attacks and the anthrax scare, the Pentagon and the Postal Service have refused to deliver mail addressed simply to "Any Wounded Soldier" for fear terrorists or opponents of the war might send toxic substances or demoralizing messages. Mail must be addressed to a specific member of the armed forces -- a rule that some well-meaning Americans find particularly painful during the holiday season. But fortunately, there are plenty of message boards and e-mail sites to help fill the void. A search for "e-mail troops" brings up dozens of options. Here are a few that can help you get your holidays messages to our military members:
-- At www4.army.mil/ocpa/tooursoldiers, you can post and read messages to troops.
-- You can do the same at www.emailtroops.com, which also allows troops to respond.
-- And if you register at www.emailourmilitary.com/index.html, you will then be assigned a registered service member -- some of whom may not have access to online message boards -- to correspond with.
