CFB Shilo using military trucks for ‘morale mail’ delivery effort

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This article was published 14/12/2024 (277 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CFB SHILO — Canadian military family resource centres are using inter-base supply trucks as a temporary workaround for the protracted postal strike and to ensure delivery of holiday mail or postcards to its soldiers deployed abroad.

The second phase of soldier deployment under Operation Reassurance took place at CFB Shilo on Friday.

Officials at the local military base told the Sun that mail is now being transported via military shipment trucks to circumvent stalled mail deliveries in Canada.

Lori Truscott, who manages public affairs at CFB Shilo, told the Sun that organizers have been getting creative with finding alternatives for delivering mail to CFB Shilo soldiers.

She said on Friday that packages are being sent via inter-base supply trucks headed for Belleville, Ont., from where they will be sent overseas, rather than through the usual Canada Post delivery network.

“Morale mail,” as Truscott termed it, is a way to maintain soldiers’ connection with home and to keep their spirits high.

Inter-base trucks are typically used to transport vehicles, furniture and even large parcels, but not mail.

Currently, any available space on these trucks is being utilized to send mail shipments to offset the service disruptions caused by the postal strike.

Truscott also pointed out that Canada Post had been used earlier because it is faster than inter-base transportation.

She added that while the base is trying to work around the strike, finding enough space for all mail has been a challenge. Therefore, while she is confident that urgent packages are finding their way to the intended recipients, the full stream of deliveries from Shilo continues to remain impacted.

“I know it is a morale boost to get something from home,” Truscott said. “The feedback we have received is always very heartfelt and positive. One common theme is the warmth that comes from being remembered and supported.”

Canadian Military Family Magazine wrote in November that its holiday-package delivery program has also been impacted by the ongoing strike.

The Canada Post centre at CFB Trenton out of Belleville, which is the main hub for shipping packages overseas, has not been releasing mail to the care of the forces since the strike.

Families hoping to send packages overseas have been advised to hand deliver the package to Trenton or ship it via a military family resource centre, such as the one located at CFB Shilo.

These packages will then be placed on an inter-base transport to get to Belleville, rather than shipped directly via Canada Post.

“We are committed to maintaining the morale of our troops deployed on operations around the world and throughout the year, but especially during the holiday season when mail and care packages from home help lift spirits during a difficult time away from family and friends,” Lt. Justin Vandenberghe, public affairs officer of continental operations in the Canadian Joint Operations Command, was quoted as saying in the Canadian Military Family Magazine article.

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