WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today introduced legislation to provide free postage to families and friends of American soldiers serving in combat zones. The Correspondence with Our Heroes Act creates a program to provide postal benefits in the form of coupons or vouchers to soldiers’ families and friends.

“I’ve traveled to the combat zones to speak directly to Montana soldiers serving overseas, and they tell me how uplifting and important it is for them to keep in close touch with their loved ones at home,” said Rehberg a member of the House State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee. “Letters from home brighten a soldier’s day, and help the soldiers and their families cope with long absences. My bill would make it easier for their family and friends to encourage and inform those on the battle front.”

Currently, members of the armed forces on duty in combat zones can send correspondence to addresses in the United States free of postal charges. There has yet to be a comparable provision for postage-free letters and packages sent from family members to their loved ones serving abroad.

The measure would direct the Department of Defense to initiate a reimbursement program with the U.S. Postal Service for mailings and packages under fifteen pounds. To be eligible, the recipient would need to be a member of the Armed Forces on active duty in a combat zone (Iraq or Afghanistan) or hospitalized in a facility under the jurisdiction of the Armed Forces with a combat related injury.

“I regularly hear from Montanans who have family members serving overseas that they want their loved ones to be encouraged by their support from home,” Rehberg said. “This is fitting way to say thanks.”