A couple of hours ago, I went to the grocery store to mail a letter to my step-son in Kuwait. I just got back. "We can't send mail to an APO address from here. You have to take it directly to the Post Office."

I took the letter to the Post Office, where I had to certify that it was safe to mail, and did not contain any liquids or explosives.

I was using surface mail, because e-mail requires the use of a computer, and he is charged for personal computer time.

I worked with a lot of vets over the years, and one of the consistent messages that I heard was, "Letters from home boosted morale a lot more than any visit from Bob Hope."

It occurred to me on the way home that perhaps we should be able, as family, to send "Franked Mail" to service men and women; at least to those in a combat zone. As I am writing this, why can't they send Franked mail home?

"Franked Mail" is a concept developed by Ben Franklin as our first Postmaster General. He didn't want to be bothered with buying stamps for official mail, so he simply signed his name where the stamp would otherwise go. It was a concept that Congress liked so much, they accorded the same privilege to themselves, the President, and certain other government officials and functions.

I don't mean to complain because I had to go an hour out of my way to spend 60 cents to mail a letter. I do mean to complain that they shouldn't charge servicemen to receive e-mail; at least until better SPAM filters are developed.

Still, I am thinking that one or two letters a week from (and/or to) home should be able to reach a soldier at no charge; details to be worked out by Congress.

I am looking at a computer addressed envelope and I am thinking...

A bar code could be used as a stamp. It would be generated by accessing a "confirm military address" program with a special code or password, and would require a signature above or below the computer generated bar code, which could then be compared by computer to a "Signature on File" for spouses, children, and parents. If I can fit the letter in a white, #10 envelope, and print the address out, and countersign the "stamp;" the United States should be able to deliver it.

That's the background. The topics to discuss:

1) Do you think, in an age of personals computers, this is a feasible thing to do?

2) If you think this is an idea whose time has come, would you contact your congressman? (And give credit to America's Debate for starting the idea...)

I would support this wholeheartedly. I know that in the past at least, unless it has changed, one could mail a letter from one base to another (including APO's) by simply writing MPS (Military Postal System) where the stamp would go.

I'm curious as to why your step-son is being charged for internet time. Just about every unit in the Iraqi theater that has net capability has set up mini 'internet cafe's' for soldiers to check E-mail, free of charge.

And you're exactly right, from my personal experience, getting a letter from home, or cookies and newspapers, or whatever raises morale tenfold.

What we know about his situation is what we hear from his wife. Ken is stationed as a truck driver in Kuwait. He is driving supplies into Iraq. She has asked us to use surface mail, and provided us with an APO address because, she told us, he is limited to about thirty minutes a week Internet access at a $12/hour access fee.

P.E.'s sons were kidnapped by their father when they were 3 and 5 years old. Frankly, I'm glad that we have an address where we can write and verify that he is alive.

Our Post Office is currently surrounded on three sides by construction or demolition projects. Parking is limited. Access is limited. By the time that I got into the Post Office, I still had to deal with a long line. I just thought, there's got to be a better way, and where else is better to spread the idea?

I sent e-mail already to my Congressmen, but I posted it here first, because experience has shown that what is posted on America's Debate gets read.

(Edited to correct the boy's ages at the time they were kidnapped.)

I was amazed to read of this situation. I also have a Son in Kuwait and have often mailed letters to him from a local store that collects mail and straight from my post office. The only problem that I have had was when I mailed packages, then I have to answer those questions and fill out a "customs" slip.

Best of luck to you and your Step Son. Thank him, for me, for his service to our Nation.