MAIL IT EARLY

To be sure it gets down range before Christmas.

Me, I'll have CPT Patti's packages in the mail by Thanksgiving.

Send early, often and in smaller packages in order to get presents to their intended recipients on time for the holiday season, said Mark DeDomenic, chief of Operations for the Military Postal Service Agency.

“The thing I stress … is mail early. The earlier you make it, the better,” DeDomenic said. “Mail early and mail small packages rather than large boxes. … Generally speaking, smaller packages move through faster because they’re easier to handle.”

At the latest, packages being sent to or from military addresses should be at the post office by Nov. 13. First-class letters and cards should be out the door no later than Dec. 11, according to recommendations by the United States Postal Service.