How to Request a Birthday Greeting for the Elderly in the US Navy
Unlike the general public, who do not qualify for birthday greetings until reaching 80 years of age, veterans can start getting birthday greetings from the Commander-in-Chief at the age of 70. From their 70th birthday onward, veterans can receive a birthday greeting from the President of the United States if a written request is made at least six to eight weeks before the event.
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Instructions
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Requesting Presidential Greetings
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On a sheet of paper, type or print your full name as the person making the request. Include your phone number so if any question arises, you can be called for verification.
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Give the full name of the person receiving the greeting. Do not use nicknames.
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Give the complete address of the recipient. Be sure to include apartment unit and zip code.
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Write that this is a birthday greeting for a veteran. You must be specific. The White House sends out approximately 20 kinds of greetings. Only veterans can get the birthday greeting before age 80.
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Indicate the date of the event. You cannot request greetings for an event that has already occurred, and you should request the greeting at least six weeks before the event.
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Submit the request to the Greetings Department Office of Presidential Correspondence by e-mail, fax or postal mail. Because all postal mail is physically screened, this method is the least popular. This screening process adds four weeks to the time before the Greetings Department receives it. E-mail submission is to www.whitehouse.gov/contact. Fax submission is to 202-456-2461. Postal submission is to The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington D.C. 20502.
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Tips & Warnings
If you fax or e-mail, you can call the comment line at 202-456-1111 to see if the information was received.
Although you are told to submit the request at least six to eight weeks in advance of the event, to ensure that the greeting is there on time, submit the request at least eight to twelve weeks in advance. It will be sent out about two weeks before the event.
White House operators do not usually answer questions. They ask for your inquiry and then connect you to either a recorded message or the office where your question may be answered. When you inquire about a greeting, you will be given a recording.
No greetings are given for any event that has already passed or is too soon to be realistically acknowledged. For example, don't request a greeting two days before the event.
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