We wish to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to Bill Knapp, and our other service men and women, for their
dedication and service to our country.
God bless you and Merry Christmas!

William Joseph Knapp Jr.

Bill is a 2007 graduate from Northridge High School. He enlisted after graduation and completed Basic Training at Fort Knox, KY. He was then stationed at Fort Hood, TX awaiting deployment. Bill has been serving in Mosul, Iraq at FOB Marez since December of 2008. Bill’s specialty is an Operation Iraqi Freedom Bradley Mechanic. While serving, Bill has been awarded the Achievement Honor Medal and Certificate for his service and dedication to his fellow soldiers and country. Bill will be on leave at his parents home at 51551 CR 133, Bristol from December 20th through mid-January before returning to Ft Hood. Bill would be happy to receive visitors at any time.

The Bristol Bugle is seeking assistance from its readers in gathering information and photographs about community members who are serving in our nation’s military services.

This material will form the basis of a tribute to local residents and their families in the January issue of The Bristol Bugle.

Relevant information and pictures can be sent by e-mail to bristolnews@aol. com or by regular mail to P.O. Box 414, Bristol, IN 46507. The deadline for sending material is Wednesday, January 6, 2010.

Profiles should include name, rank, branch of service, current location, and areas of special expertise or training. Family connections in the Bristol area will be of interest to many readers also. A military post office address will assist persons wishing to send letters or packages to those on active duty.

For those who may want to communicate with friends or relatives in the military during the holiday season, some deadlines may be helpful. The U.S. Postal Service deadline for first class and priority mail is December 11 for postings to reach most APO and FPO addresses before Christmas. (One exception is ZIP codes beginning in “093,” for which the deadline was December 4.)

The post office requires customs forms to be filled out for packages sent overseas. They cannot contain any aerosol products, flammables, pork by-products, or items that can melt. Suggestions for useful and desired personal care and food items can be obtained on websites such as www.ustroopcare package.com.

Greg Duncan of the Bristol post office relates that the most economical way to send packages overseas is by using the priority mail boxes, which are provided free in various sizes. One of the “most popular,” he says, is the 12 x 12 x 6 box, which can hold up to 70 lbs. and costs a flat rate of $11.95. For more information, call the Bristol post office at 848-4713.