How It Began

In the Beginning The idea for Operation Dear Abby started in 1967 when Sgt. Billy Thompson wrote Abby to tell her that 100,000 South Vietnamese orphans needed help. He also mentioned that a wonderful Christmas present for our armed forces personnel would be "just a letter from home." When "Dear Abby" readers saw the letter, the response was overwhelming. That was the start of what the United States Department of Defense has dubbed "Operation Dear Abby." "It grew like wildfire," said Abby. "The exciting part is how the people feel thrilled to do this." When she mentioned in her column a few years ago that U.S. Marines stationed on Okinawa needed Christmas mail, the result was more than 30,000 letters and cards in two weeks. When they wrote to Abby to express their thanks, they said they were sorry they couldn't write back to each person.

  What To Mail

The mail is limited to First Class letter mail, 13 ounces or less.

Where To Mail

 

For holiday greeting to Europe and South West Asia: Any Service Member Operation Dear Abby APO AE 09135

For holiday greeting to the Far East: Any Service Member Operation Dear Abby APO AP 96285

For holiday greeting to the Mediterranean Basin: Any Service Member Operation Dear Abby FPO AE 09646

For holiday greeting to the Pacific Basin: Any Service Member Operation Dear Abby FPO AP 96385

For more information about Operation Dear Abby please visit the following website address http://christmas.grotto.homepage.com