System Set Up to Radio Messages to Troops in Mideast
For families with relatives stationed in the Persian Gulf, a local group of amateur radio operators is offering to send messages to the front line free of charge.
Based at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in West Los Angeles, the radio network hopes to gear up to 20 outgoing messages per half hour, said Frank Collins, one of several volunteers running the service.
Any member of a military family from all branches may call in a message no longer than 25 words and it will be relayed to the overseas relative. Families should be able to provide their relative’s Social Security number, APO or FPO city and last known mailing address.
Collins said return messages from the person stationed overseas will be relayed to the family, though it may take a week or more.
“It does take a little time,” Collins said. “They are in a war situation.”
The service operates under the auspices of the Department of Defense and is part of a network know as the Military Affiliated Radio Systems (MARS).
The telephone number to call for free radiogram relay is (213) 824-6991.
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