Important Information for Penpal Requests

In the last couple weeks we have been inundated with requests for penpals/adoptions so we are running a little behind our normal schedule to get them set up. Please hang in there and we will get to everyone as quickly as possible. We have more troops than ever on our lists. We want to make sure that all of them have penpals or adopters signed up for the holiday season coming up. Keep checking back for our holiday project which will be announced later this week!

I also wanted to take this opportunity to review some of the regulations for the security of all of the troops involved.

1) Anyone who wants a name and address from us MUST go through the standard procedure. NO exceptions. The troops we have listed have been entrusted to us by their families and loved ones or by the marines and soldiers themselves. Their security is our primary concern. No names go out unless the person receiving the information is logged in our database. Even if you are a family member of someone deployed we still have to log your name when you are assigned to another marine or soldier. We will not just hand out a group of names to someone to pass out to their friends.

2) Please do not share the information you receive with others. If someone wants a penpal encourage them to sign up so that there are no problems or issues later on. It takes five minutes to get the information to us to keep everyone safe. It also ensures that the mail gets spread around to those who need it and not just to a select few. That is the purpose of organizations like ours.

3) The information we receive is confidential and is not sold or used to send you spam or beg for donations. It is used only for the protection of those who are serving our country. We may use it to notify you in case of a problem with or a change in the mailing address of someone assigned to you. Our newsletter is only emailed out to those who sign up for it using the sign up box on the front page.

4) The information we need to get you set up as a penpal or adopter is: Full Name, Mailing Address and Phone Number. You should include a brief statement about why you are interested in being a penpal but it is not required.

5) Keep in mind that you are the penpal. This means that it is your job to keep writing every week. This is a commitment to show our troops that we support them. When should you expect to hear from your marine/soldier? In just one word....Never! We do not do this with the expectation of having chatty letters as if they were at a beach party. These troops are in dangerous situations and under tremendous stress. Our job is to keep their spirits up and let them know that we care and are there for them if and when they have the time or energy to write back.

6) We do not give out email addresses for penpals unless the marine/soldiers asks us to. Most email in the combat zones is very limited and we feel that should be for family use. You are welcome to include your email address in your letter to your penpal and if they want to communicate that way they will let you know. If they do give you an email address please be considerate. Do not clog up their email with jokes and forwards. Again, their space and time is limited and they also need some room in the mailbox for email from family.

7) If you are in doubt please ASK! We are here to provide a service to the troops and their families. As such we want to make sure that all your questions are answered as quickly and efficiently as possible. We are almost always available to help. Our email address is posted all over the websites and in the contact us blocks on the front page. There is no reason to be frustrated or lost. Just contact us and we will get back to you pronto! keystonemilitary@yahoo.com

We want this to be a rewarding experience for everyone involved. Thank you all for being part of it!

~Keystone