Free Faxes Let Families ‘Reach Out’ to Troops

Saleswoman Sandy Jones doesn’t usually get teary-eyed when customers come into the AT&T; Phone Center at the Brea Mall. Buying a phone or an answering machine is pretty much an unemotional transaction.

But during the past two weeks, Jones has witnessed several touching moments as families and friends of military personnel in the Persian Gulf come into the store to use AT&T;’s free Desert Fax service.

“A mom and her little boy and newborn came in to send pictures to her husband,” Jones said. “The baby was just 1 month old, and the dad hadn’t even seen it. He didn’t even know what it was.”

That scenario and others like it since AT&T; initiated the service last month make Jones emotional. “I go mushy over this,” she admitted.

According to Phone Center manager Blanca Altamirano, the free service is offered to anyone who wishes to send a message to personnel based in the Persian Gulf. AT&T; has committed to sending $1 million worth of faxes from its 420 stores across the country.

“They can fax anytime the store is open,” Altamirano said. “The only thing we ask is that they use this form we give them.”

Bob and Sandy Brusa of Placentia had been mailing letters faithfully to their son, Petty Officer 2nd Class James Brusa, stationed aboard the hospital ship Mercy in the Persian Gulf.

But after discovering the free fax service, the thick, newsy letters have been replaced by fax transmittals. The problem with sending letters is the delay of up to two weeks before their son receives them, the Brusas said.

“This is a neat idea,” Sandy Brusa said. “Our letters keep crossing with his letters, but (the fax) is supposed to be there in 48 hours.”

Altamirano said that the faxes, which are sent to a fax center in an undisclosed location, are delivered to military bases in the Middle East within two days.

Although the Brea store has not had the fax volume of other Phone Centers, Altamirano said there has been a steady stream of regular senders.

Elizabeth Turnage of Fullerton has been faxing letters to her husband, Marine Corps Sgt. Christopher Turnage, every other day for the past two weeks. Although she continues to send letters through the postal system, she prefers the speed of the fax transmittals.

“I know he has a lot of free time to think, so I tell him the daily things going on here, and to think positive,” Turnage said. “I remind him that every day is one day closer to coming home.”

AT&T; Phone Centers are also located at: MainPlace/Santa Ana; the Westminster Mall; Anaheim Plaza; 3033 Bristol St. in Costa Mesa; and the Mission Viejo Mall.