NAVSUP CFAY RS2 Gonzales supports Hearts from Home care package event

Official Statements

• NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka, November 8: “YOKOSUKA, Japan — Retail Services Specialist 2nd Class Luke Gonzales supported military families of deployed Sailors during the Navy Exchange Command’s NEXCares “Hearts from Home” event Oct. 24 by helping ensure care packages were properly prepared for mailing.

  Held in recognition of National Day of the Deployed, the event gave children age 17 and younger, accompanied by a parent or guardian, an opportunity to assemble and ship a care package to a deployed loved one at no cost. Each registered family received a $25 Navy Exchange gift card to purchase items for a care package.

  After shopping, families decorated and packed boxes for their deployed loved ones. The Navy Exchange team collected the completed packages for shipment.

  The Yokosuka Post Office assigned Gonzales as a postal representative to assist families and the Navy Exchange team with customs forms and mailing requirements.

  “I am excited to have had the opportunity to help and be part of NEX Hearts from Home,” Gonzales said. “It was amazing to see families send care packages with products their loved ones are familiar with and miss.”

  Gonzales reviewed packages to help ensure only mailable items were included and that customs forms contained the required details, supporting efficient processing and delivery.

  “As a Sailor, I know my morale jumps when mail comes in and my name is called for a package,” Gonzales said. “Knowing it is from family makes it even more memorable. I would gladly review customs forms and process packages anytime, knowing it helps families send packages to their loved ones and fellow Sailors.”

  On Oct. 28, the Yokosuka Post Office coordinated a special mail-out outside normal operating hours to process the packages collected during the event. Postal personnel processed and mailed 26 care packages for deployed Sailors assigned to Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka ships and embarked units.

  NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Yokosuka is one of eight fleet logistics centers under Commander, Naval Supply Systems Command. The command oversees 13 sites across a 52-million-square-mile area of responsibility stretching from Misawa, Japan, to Stirling, Australia, and from Guam to Diego Garcia. Sailors and civilian employees provide supply and logistics support that enables maritime warfighter readiness throughout the Indo-Pacific. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, NAVSUP employs military and civilian personnel around the world. NAVSUP and the Navy Supply Corps provide global supply chain management, acquisition, operational logistics, and Sailor and family support in partnership with the fleet to sustain naval forces worldwide.”