Dear Ann Landers, I am a postal clerk, and every day, I see many cards, letters and packages sent to our mail recovery center (formerly known as the dead letter branch) because people do not put return addresses on the items they mail.
I find it disturbing when mail that is undeliverable cannot be returned to the senders to let them know it didn't reach its destination. Think of the thank you notes, love letters, invitations and condolence cards that never got delivered because of illegible addresses. And imagine the hard feelings, disappointment, misunderstandings and broken relationships that resulted because senders didn't take the time to write their return addresses. When there is no acknowledgment of having received the gift, the sender assumes the recipient has poor manners.
This problem could be remedied so easily. Return address labels are inexpensive, and it takes only a minute to affix them. Please, Ann, do your readers and the Postal Service a favor by printing this letter. It really IS important. -- Concerned Postal Clerk in N. Dakota
Dear N. Dakota, I know a little something about mail and can sympathize with you. I hope your letter produces the desired results. Please, dear readers, pay attention to what this postal clerk is saying. It takes just a minute to print your return address in the upper left corner of the envelope or package or slap on the sticker. DO IT!
Hi! It's Margo here. I'd love to know what you think of the letters -- and the answers!
Also, any additional thoughts you might have. Thanks!
Cliff's Comment
Sound advice.
Reader Comment
"Lola" sounds very narrow minded and wants to do things as she feels is right. I doubt very much if she will accept the charge involved with restoring the creamer handle. I would approach the matter by telling her I am having it restored and will present her with the bill since she was so adamant on helping when she was already requested to sit down and stay out of the way. Idiot!
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Our Reader to Reader Question of the Week:
Dear Readers, , I was a supply officer for an artillery battery. My clerk was an enlisted man. His name was Kevin Howard Dugan. He was from Blue Point, N.Y. Kevin was extremely kind and helpful to this young, apprehensive first lieutenant. He was rather shy at first, but after a while, he opened up and was one of the friendliest and nicest guys I had ever met. He was low-key, understated and extremely competent. Kevin never forgot a thing. We were stationed at an isolated post, miles from the nearest city, and spent many long hours discussing New Tdbrk, the Army and sports and, of course, talked endlessly about the meaning of life, death and war. After 50 days, I was transferred to another artillery battery in a town 17 miles away. Three weeks later, Kevin was coming to pick up sup-plies, and we planned to get together. I waited. Kevin never showed up. He was not a guy who would just fold out. I worried and thought about him a lot. I never heard from him again. Last week as I stood in front of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, I prayed that Kevin’s name would not be there, but of course, it was. It is now 20 years later, and I want to let Kevin’s parents know that their son is remembered by this lieutenant as a kind, loving young man who went out of his way to be helpful. Everyone who worked with him respected his competence and will-ingness to do more than was expected. Kevin would have made a terrific husband and father. What a shame that he never lived long enough to enhance the lives of so many peo- pie. His parents are aware of all this, of course, but I hope they will see my letter and get some pleasure out of knowing how much their son was admired and respected by all the men he served with. Please, Ann, help me convey this message to Kevin’s parents through your column. Thank you. -Gil Noble, Vista, Calif.
