Contact Information

I sent this to some people I had in my email book, but I'm reprinting it here.  I will once again be deploying this fall on October 16th.  We will likely be in the Western Pacific Theater.  For those of you who don’t know, things have been really in flux.  We were deploying on Oct 2, and that was pushed 2 weeks.  Still not sure how long we’ll be gone, but it will likely be between 6 and 9 months. I’m writing this to let you all know how to contact me.  (See bottom of email for info.)

People have asked me what to send.  Some ideas are below.
- Beef Jerky
- Crackers
- Protein bars
- Dunkin donuts coffee
- Loose leaf tea
- Popcorn
- Pictures
- Holiday-themed things.  Since we’ll be deployed for the holidays, I’m going to go all out, so any help you can give would be great!
-       Music

Some people have said they want to send homemade food.  I’ve heard it spoiling, so you have to be selective in what to send.  I know for a fact that puppy chow works well.  Other things might work if sent in airtight containers.  Only send things that you think will keep for a couple of weeks.  The U.S. Postal Service has a deployed military member’s special box that you can get that is free (http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/nothing/militarykit.asp) with reduced shipping costs.

You don’t have to buy me stuff in a care package, but I would really love to at least receive letters from you.  There is nothing more exciting than when you hear “mail call” and get packages, letters, post cards and the like from loved ones.  A quick note with updates and a picture would be great!

I’m excited for all that the next six months will bring, and I’ll be back home (most likely) in April.  I expect people to visit me before I (again, likely) move out of San Diego for good in July so you can experience a bit of paradise.

Cheers,
Jack

Via e-mail: wrayjo@ddg111.navy.mil
Via snail mail:
LTJG John Wray
USS Spruance (DDG 111)
FPO AP 96678-1203