It's "Mail Call" in the Arabian Gulf - US Navy - Brief Article

All Hands, Feb, 2001 by David Rush

There are certain things Sailors look forward throughout the day. Some of the obvious include getting in the chow line for a delicious meal, doing laundry, or perhaps enjoying some quiet time reading a book or listening to music.

The true highlight of any day, however, is hearing two words over the 1-MC announcing system in the passageways, hangar bays and workspaces.

"Mail call."

Morale is instantly improved following the announcement and as mail orderlies make their way from locations all over the aircraft carrier to the mailroom. Eagerly standing in line, they present their orderly cards and identification. Some walk away with a handful of letters, others haul overstuffed orange mailbags to their workspaces where shipmates are standing by in anticipation.

The availability of telephones and the Internet allows personnel to makes calls home and to send and receive e-mail on a fairly regular basis. Still, nothing compares to getting letters or opening care packages and sorting through the contents.

A bag of cookies, compact discs, clothing, photos of the family -- you name it and it's probably in there.

So, who are the unsung heroes who brighten the lives of so many by delivering the highly anticipated letters and care packages? The Sailors working in USS Abraham Lincoln's (CVN 72) very own post office, that's who -- the 12 postal clerks responsible for ensuring that mail leaves the ship and gets to where it's supposed to go.

Perhaps more importantly, they also receive thousands of pounds of mail on a weekly basis and must separate it box-by-box, letter-by-letter, for every single recipient.

According to Postal Clerk 1st Class Darrin Williams, doing the job right is extremely important.

"A lot of things can go in the mail, including care packages, bills and official mail," Williams said. "People are depending on us for personal mail and official business."

Sorting through all the mail is a constant effort. Every day, mail is coming and going.

"We receive up to approximately 15,000 pounds of mail for ship's company and the air wing, more if we get mail for the battle group. We send about 4,000 pounds per week," said Williams.

The bottom line -- all mail is considered important. For Sailors far from home, away from friends and family, letters and care packages take on even greater significance.

"Sometimes e-mail and the phone lines aren't working, so to get that letter or care package from home gives people that sense that they are not so far away. When you actually have something tangible in your hands, it makes a big difference," added Williams.

Story by JO1 David Rush, assigned to the public affairs office, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)