Complaint Review: United States Postal Service USPS - Saint Louis Missouri

The Postal Service does not deliver mail directly to the servicepeople it is addressed to. We deliver to the military installation, at which point a mail agent signs for and takes responsibility for the mail. The mail is then put into the military mail system and is delivered to the addressee when and however possible. The person who signed for your computer most likely was a mail agent for that particular military installation. Surely the military should be able to locate him and investigate the whereabouts of your package. To all of the servicepersons out there - thank you for your courage and sacrifice.

The Postal Service does not deliver mail directly to the servicepeople it is addressed to. We deliver to the military installation, at which point a mail agent signs for and takes responsibility for the mail. The mail is then put into the military mail system and is delivered to the addressee when and however possible. The person who signed for your computer most likely was a mail agent for that particular military installation. Surely the military should be able to locate him and investigate the whereabouts of your package. To all of the servicepersons out there - thank you for your courage and sacrifice.

What you need to do is sue the person that signed for it.. After the package leaves the country it is not USPS's responsibilty it is the military's. What you should be doing is finding the guy that signed for and stole your stuff instead of going after people that had nothing to do with it.

Hello Rebecca, I was deployed as a Combat Engineer, and my Batallion was attached to the 1st Armored Division throughout the same general period your husband was. I was stationed in Baghdad, and it took quite a long time for mail to really kick in and work correctly. We would convoy daily to the mail house, and seeing the way mail was treated was not the prettiest thing. One of the people who responded to you before all the arguing broke out that was completely off point was correct. Insurance means nothing, as the USPS only hands the goods off to the Military. The gentleman who signed for the laptop did so when the handoff occured. We were briefed at Leonard Wood prior to being deployed that our packages would be coming at risk of losing whatever was sent without the possiblity of refund. It is a horrible system, and I know from seeing the system first hand that the mail is handled in ways it shouldn't be. They stack it several feet high on air force pallets and band it so tight boxes break. It gets to theatre and mail handlers toss it and throw it, as they have to to keep up with the amount of mail they have to move without any other technological means. They really need to revamp the military postal system during deployment; firstly by adding more help to the postal units. I am sorry that you lost out in this instance, and I feel your pain, as I have went through a similar occurance, albut it was only around $1000 lost as opposed to $3000. Drive on and send your husband a hooah! for me.

Well Pete, I see you are still working hard to run me down. I stand by everything I said, if I offended Rebecca in any way I am truly sorry. I stated more than once that I support and pray for our troops but that doesn't mean I have to agree with them being there. I want nothing more than to get them home as quickly as possible. I still think she should go to her local media, they might be able to shame the post office into doing the right thing. I notice that your big foul mouth made no mention of my idea of chipping in to buy Rebecca a new computer. Is that all you are good for, ignorant, foul mannered rantings? Step up to the plate and do the right thing for a change. You claim to support the troops, but I don't see you offering to help this particular military man and his family. If everyone that reads these reports chips in a few bucks, they should have a new laptop in no time. Well, is anyone interested in joining me?

(R, glad you reread my post. I surmised you misread it. Maybe it would be better if I discontinue starting in the title and finishing in the body.) Brenda, you opened your mouth, put your foot into its dung, and now you're trying to sanitize your 'big foul mouth.' Police action? The LA riots were a police action--this is a WAR! You're a perfect example of if you had sh*t for brains, you wouldn't have enough to let a good healthy f*rt. (My apologies to the other readers--but she epitomizes this old axiom.)

I do not understand how I got to be the bad guy in this discussion. I told Rebecca I was sorry her husband was wounded and I am sorry her computer got stolen. I do not understand why the insurance was not paid, since she is not in the service. I tried to give a couple of helpful ideas, such as going to the attorney general in her state, and going to the media and having them tell the story of how shabbily she has been treated. I support our servicepeople, and pray for them daily. However, that does not mean I support this "war." Somehow, if a person speaks out against this ill advised police action, they are branded a traitor. Yes. I am aware that "camel jockey" could be construed as a insult, although since they do ride camels, the term fits. Do you think I care if I hurt the feelings of some crazy Muslim killing and maiming our fellow Americans every day? So far all you have accomplished is bad mouthing me. Why don't you put your money where your big foul mouth is and chip in to replace Rebeccas computer? ED, is there a way for you to handle a project like this?

You're right. And I'm wrong, I did misread your post. Sorry.

I never said/inferred/implied that 'this police action in a foreign country needs to be shut down' came from you. It was a direct quote from one of witless Brenda's writings. The title of my response was 'R in Portland', (continuing the sentence with) 'didn't want to insult the many fine cornhuskers who reside in NE' in the body of the response. This was in answer to your reference to her as a hayseed. And I do indeed know a marvelous family of cornhuskers from Bellevue. He's a retired Lt.Col who's still a part-time flight instructor, probably much to Brenda's chagrin. Best she doesn't spew off in his vicinity--she'd be chewing her food after she swallowed it! (WTF am I doing trying to straighten out misunderstandings all started by some half-wit whose IQ is just a little below room temperature?) :) Rebecca, so sorry to go off-topic but there's one in every crowd and in this crowd its name is 'Brenda.' I hope some of the sensible suggestions here help you recoup the cost of the pilfered laptop.

All of this other nonsense is dribble, people may have friends or family members deployed but it is really different if it is a spouse (or a child). My husband is also deployed, (in Afghanistan though) but he was deployed to Iraq before. Your problem is with Cox, who signed for it. He STOLE it. My husband has always told me that when sending expensive things overseas do not put it into another box and then find a way to not entirely tell what it is on the customs form, because of people stealing when it gets to the mail room. My computer, flat panel moniter, keyboard, etc, was stolen when my mother mailed it to germany. She couldn't get the money off from the insurance either because someone at the mail room had signed for it. (My mother now sends important things certified so that only me or my husband can sign for them.) It costs more, but nothing else has been stolen from me. BTW, my computer turned up in the trash, and one of husbands SGTs found it, and returned it to, us and then started an investigation as to why my computer never made it to my mail box. GO ARMY!!!! GO ARMY!!! GO ARMY!!! (And Brenda I am NOT being sarcastic)

All of this other nonsense is dribble, people may have friends or family members deployed but it is really different if it is a spouse (or a child). My husband is also deployed, (in Afghanistan though) but he was deployed to Iraq before. Your problem is with Cox, who signed for it. He STOLE it. My husband has always told me that when sending expensive things overseas do not put it into another box and then find a way to not entirely tell what it is on the customs form, because of people stealing when it gets to the mail room. My computer, flat panel moniter, keyboard, etc, was stolen when my mother mailed it to germany. She couldn't get the money off from the insurance either because someone at the mail room had signed for it. (My mother now sends important things certified so that only me or my husband can sign for them.) It costs more, but nothing else has been stolen from me. BTW, my computer turned up in the trash, and one of husbands SGTs found it, and returned it to, us and then started an investigation as to why my computer never made it to my mail box. GO ARMY!!!! GO ARMY!!! GO ARMY!!! (And Brenda I am NOT being sarcastic)

All of this other nonsense is dribble, people may have friends or family members deployed but it is really different if it is a spouse (or a child). My husband is also deployed, (in Afghanistan though) but he was deployed to Iraq before. Your problem is with Cox, who signed for it. He STOLE it. My husband has always told me that when sending expensive things overseas do not put it into another box and then find a way to not entirely tell what it is on the customs form, because of people stealing when it gets to the mail room. My computer, flat panel moniter, keyboard, etc, was stolen when my mother mailed it to germany. She couldn't get the money off from the insurance either because someone at the mail room had signed for it. (My mother now sends important things certified so that only me or my husband can sign for them.) It costs more, but nothing else has been stolen from me. BTW, my computer turned up in the trash, and one of husbands SGTs found it, and returned it to, us and then started an investigation as to why my computer never made it to my mail box. GO ARMY!!!! GO ARMY!!! GO ARMY!!! (And Brenda I am NOT being sarcastic)

All of this other nonsense is dribble, people may have friends or family members deployed but it is really different if it is a spouse (or a child). My husband is also deployed, (in Afghanistan though) but he was deployed to Iraq before. Your problem is with Cox, who signed for it. He STOLE it. My husband has always told me that when sending expensive things overseas do not put it into another box and then find a way to not entirely tell what it is on the customs form, because of people stealing when it gets to the mail room. My computer, flat panel moniter, keyboard, etc, was stolen when my mother mailed it to germany. She couldn't get the money off from the insurance either because someone at the mail room had signed for it. (My mother now sends important things certified so that only me or my husband can sign for them.) It costs more, but nothing else has been stolen from me. BTW, my computer turned up in the trash, and one of husbands SGTs found it, and returned it to, us and then started an investigation as to why my computer never made it to my mail box. GO ARMY!!!! GO ARMY!!! GO ARMY!!! (And Brenda I am NOT being sarcastic)

I actually did not see any commentary by anyone indicating that they fathomed your indian story. Brenda did make a reference, but in no way showed support or understanding. You are correct about me though, I didn't fathom it because I didn't read it. I merely scrolled through it. I'm sure it's something you made up while drunk, like everything else you post. And Rebel Yell is a premium Kentucky Straight Bourbon. I guess I was giving you too much credit for having the good taste to drink it. I'm sure not many people at your Active Adult Trailer Park drink it though. And 1.75l is 1.75 litres, it's a metric unit of measure. Yeah, I'm stupid. I guess Oregon is the only place in the nation that measures liquor this way. I guess I'm just glad that Portland and Jacksonville are about as far apart geographically and socially as two US cities could be. HOWEVER, you did make a post that I agreed with where you condemned smoking. I despise smoking. Smoking is not allowed in any public building in Oregon. You can go to a bar or restaurant and dine and drink SMOKE-FREE. It's great. Well, it's off to the live sex show. Catch you later.

The article about Indians and Confederate Troops helping the settlers in Nebraska was meant to show how EVERYONE has relied on others to assure their safety and survival. Naturally, a dim bulb like yourself couldn't fathom that. Everyone else did, including Brenda. I have yet to read anything from you that doesn't scream out "I am a bedwetting crybaby, change me". I'll take your sad attempts at insulting me with a grain of salt. Rebel Yell? What is that? You must know. I sure as hell, don't. What is 1.75l? Are you talking about a "fifth"? Where are you from, you Ponce? Oh, I see...Oregon. A state that thinks live sex shows, and child molestation are just wonderful expressions of free speech. Piss off you wanker.

I would like for it to be known, that the comment, Go Army, at the end of my page, was in no way intended as sarcasm. I support my husband 100%, and am just looking forward to a safe return. I don't know how this all became switched around, but I don't like assumptions being made about what I think about our US Army. To me, there is no other man that could ever even come into existense, that is better than my husband, and I would hope that he,and all our other men, and women of the US Military were greatly appreciated for all that they do, because they at least deserve that. I would also like to let it be known, that there is USPS, in Germany, Italy, Britain, anywhere there is a military post, so they do not only run from coast to coast. And, on the back of the insurance purchase form, it does say that the USPS, is liable, for undelivered, damaged, stolen property, if it is, in fact, insured.

Well Brenda, I guess I owe you an apology. You didn't introduce the topic of Native Americans. The drunken loser from Jacksonville did. It looks like he copied a history book while downing a 1.75l of Rebel Yell. I typically don't read his posts because they're longwinded, rambling and pointless and don't address the main topic. So I guess you two have something in common.

The whole story, not just bits and pices about smallpox being spread amongst the Indians is NOT what you think...at all. It occurred BEFORE our Revolution, while we were still British subjects. Fort Pitt in PA was under seige by Pontiac Indians in 1763. The disease was running rampant in the Fort and the blankets were sent out to the Indians to attempt to eradicate them. At this point, the Pontiacs has already killed over 2000 civilians and 400 soldiers. That crap Ward Churchill claims happened, NEVER DID! In fact, the great Professor Ward Churchill(the guy who started spreading this inane rumor years ago) also claims to be an Indian. He is not. Accepting the lies of a liar as the truth does not do you any good. The USPS sucks, and it has nothing to do with anyone being in Iraq. If they were any better, people wouldn't use every other means of communication out there. All of them cost more than USPS, yet USPS gets less and less useful each year. I would suggest Rebecca get in contact with her local Postmaster. He/she should investigate and find out who Clarence Cox is. She should also contact the Army Quartermaster Corps for assistance. Semper Fi all you Devil Dogs. Everyone else, watch how it's done, there will be a "post-test" afterward.

Brenda, continuing on with your pointless, self-righteous posturing just confirms the fact that you are nothing but a blowhard who cares nothing about the poster's missing notebook. You're just using her misfortune as an excuse to espouse your political views. Unless I'm not getting it, the post is not about the army. It's about the USPS. The recipient of the USPS's service is in the army. He wants his notebook. Not commentary on the war. You are very insulting. He's doing a job that he probably takes his job very seriously. As you should as well. You're really criticizing him. So how do Native Americans figure in all of this? They don't, you just want to seize another opportunity to talk crap. This still isn't the right place. Also, I find it interesting that for all of your self righteous drivel, you appear to be a racist as well. Were you aware that "camel jockey" was a derogatory term? You're just a blowhard filled with hot air. Please do everyone a favor and throw yourself into a thresher.

I gave a few suggestions that might help her case. Such as contacting the Attorney General in her state. Also, her local media might do a piece on her treatment and rattle some cages to do the right things. I am not from NE, just moved here 3 years ago. You boys act like you are out on the playground trying to intimidate people with your foul language. As I already stated, I have nothing but respect for our fellow Americans embroiled in this "war" I have some family members there, as well as a couple of friends. I pray for them daily. That doesn't mean I have to like it. You don't want to get me started on the shameful treatment of the Native Americans by "our government" as well as private citizens. Just one incident in many was deliberatly handing out blankets infected with smallpox. Her husband and all the others over there are not protecting me or you, they are trying to protect Iraquis, and the main reason, the oil supply for B/C and cronies. I do not go to "every thread" and complain about the "war". I go to other threads and comment on whatever they happen to be about, buying pets from petstores, using ebay, whatever the case might be. This post is about the army and the post office cheating this woman out of her insurance settlement,which only occured BECAUSE he is in Iraq. And my point of view is he should not have to be there. I hope she does go to the media, maybe she will get a resolution to her problem.

I guess you're just an example of the feeble minded individuals that live in the midwest. Show me where I made the comment 'this police action in a foreign country needs to be shut down' Are you on meth?

Oh and Brenda, "camel jockey" is a derogative racial slur. Were you aware of that? The use of racial slurs are typical of ignorant, undeucated, unsophisticated white trash who live in trailers and husk corn for a living.

No, I meant hayseed. The definition of hayseed is below. n : not very intelligent or interested in culture. And it goes without saying that the person would be from a backwards, unspohisticated state like Nebraska or another midwestern state or the south. But I did look up the definition of Cornhusker, and it is as below: n 1: a worker who husks corn Gee, now that's really flattering. Is that what you do for a job? Are you paid per the ear? or by the hour? How much can a cornhusker expect to earn in the course of year?

didn't want to insult the many fine cornhuskers who reside in NE. Perhaps you can explain what your comment 'this police action in a foreign country needs to be shut down.' has to do with the fact that a $3,000 laptop is missing? Eat much fruit salad, do you? It seems you mix apples and oranges. Very appropriate your silliness comes through when we are clebrating our Veterans. You should thank God there are men like Rebecca's husband to protect you. Now, if only they could protect the rest of us from the likes of you. Perhaps the 'Go Army' comment was made because their game is being played today.

So, I shall eneavor to educate her. Here goes: Fort Kearny was operational near present day Kearney, Nebraska from 1848 until 1871. During this short period, soldiers at Fort Kearny played an important role in protecting and supplying overland travelers along the Platte River road. During the Civil War, when the Plains Indians stepped up their attacks on the Great Plains, Fort Kearny and its soldiers played a crucial role in protecting overland emigrants and Nebraska settlers. Although the fort was usually garrisoned by regular troops, a shortage of soldiers during the Civil War forced the military to send many unconventional military units to Fort Kearny, Nebraska volunteer militias, Galvanized Yankees (Confederate prisoners of war), and Indian scout units all called Fort Kearny home at one time or another. The unconventional units stationed at Fort Kearny were paramount in pacifying Nebraska and the Great Plains and opening the doors for settlement. Indian attacks were sparked by the massive migrations of overland travelers that swept across the Nebraska Territory from the late 1840's through the 1860's. As traffic increased along the overland trails, Native Americans became more hostile towards overland travelers. The travelers spread disease, decimated native grasses, and utilized nearly all the timber along the Platte River road, which had detrimental effects on Native Americans and caused the buffalo to disperse. The overland travelers, freight companies, and businessmen who operated road ranches along the Platte River lobbied the federal government to establish forts and a military presence to protect citizens and discourage hostile activities by the local indigenous population. As Indian attacks increased during the Civil War, the federal government realized a larger military presence was necessary along the Platte River road. Military man-power was limited and alternative policies for recruitment grew necessary. The three primary policies for garrisoning troops at Fort Kearny during the Civil War were the following: moving volunteer militias from eastern Nebraska to Fort Kearny, enlisting captured Confederate soldiers into the U.S. Army, and organizing Indians as scouts. The First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry Regiment was organized and led by Col. John Thayer and was attached to Second Brigade, Third Division, U.S. Army. Colonel Thayer had military experience and was appointed regimental commander by Governor Alvin Saunders. On October 4, 1862, Colonel Thayer was promoted to Brigadier General and Colonel R.R. Livingston was named the commander of the First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry. The original enlisted men of the First Nebraska Volunteers mustered out of service in Nebraska on August 13, 1864. Many reenlisted and were transferred to Fort Kearny where they were designated as the First Nebraska Veteran Cavalry. This unit and the Second Nebraska Cavalry protected settlers and freight companies along the Platte River Road and fought Indians who were at war with the United States. Some of the Nebraska Volunteers were sent to Minnesota to fight Santee Sioux who were waging war against local settlers. In 1864 Indian attacks along the Platte River road became epidemic. Cheyennes, Arapahos, and Lakota Sioux increased their attacks in the Republican and Platte valleys in retaliation for the federal government's war against the Santee Sioux in Minnesota and the massacre of Cheyenne Chief Black Kettle's people at Sand Creek, Colorado. The attacks became so severe and so frequent, that freighting companies ceased operations and settlers fled eastward in panic. The federal government decided to launch a military campaign against the hostile tribes and Fort Kearny would play a pivotal role in military operations. While on his way to Fort Kearny to organize an expedition against "hostile" Indians, General Sam Curtis, head of the Department of Kansas, stopped at Columbus, Nebraska to inquire about enlisting Pawnees. Two local interpreters, Frank North and Joseph McFadden, accompanied the general to the Pawnee Agency near Genoa, where they recruited seventy Pawnee warriors to serve as scouts on the expedition. General Curtis favored the idea of using Indians who were friendly with whites as allies against "hostile" Indians. Curtis believed the Pawnees might be inclined to ally with the U.S. since they were traditional enemies of the Lakota and they were on the verge of going to war with their enemies. The Pawnees agreed to join General Curtis who promised bonuses if they furnished their own horses. The Pawnees proceeded to Fort Kearny where they joined the mounting expedition. The officers at Fort Kearny were very interested in the Pawnees and curious to see how they would handle themselves. The Pawnees spent two weeks at Fort Kearny organizing with other units before they embarked on their campaign. The Pawnees impressed General Curtis, who, after returning to Fort Kearny, ordered Frank North to organize an entire company of Pawnee scouts and made North the commander. North went to the Pawnee Agency and, after visiting with Pawnee leaders, enlisted 100 Pawnee scouts. In the Fall of 1865 the Pawnees left Columbus for Fort Kearny where they wintered. Captain Lee Gillette commanded Fort Kearny and he ordered Frank North to drill the Pawnees in manual of arms. North attempted the training but it was a complete failure. The Pawnees did not understand the English commands and there were no words in their language that expressed such military orders. North informed Captain Gillette that the Pawnees would either need to learn English or new words would need to be added to the Pawnee language. Gillette did not like either proposition and conceded that the Pawnees would never become infantrymen. Instead of becoming regular soldiers, the Pawnees operated as scouts, a task they had trained for since childhood. An example of the scouting abilities of the Pawnees took place during the 5th Cavalry's Republican River Expedition in 1869. Buffalo Bill Cody accompanied this expedition and saw first hand the skills of the Pawnee scouts. During the expedition, the 5th Cavalry followed a horseshoe shaped trail that traversed more than 150 miles across Nebraska and Kansas. Leading the troops and following the trail was a young Pawnee scout. As the unit moved through the thick buffalo grass, Cody became frustrated and asked Luther North, the commanding officer of the Pawnee scouts, if the Pawnee scout was actually following an Indian trail. North told Cody that he believed the scout was on to something but he was not certain. Cody again complained, pointing out that he saw no signs of horse tracks or blemishes in the grass. Eventually Cody and North rode up to the scout and asked him what he was following. The Pawnee replied that he was following a fresh set of pony tracks. The young scout looked up and pointed to a distant ridge of sand hills, about three miles ahead. The Pawnee scout informed Cody and North that when they reached that point they would find a definitive Indian trail. When they finally reached the location, there it was...they found numerous pony tracks and a clear Indian trail. Cody was now convinced of the Pawnee's tracking skills and commented that he was one of the best that he had ever seen. The Pawnee scouts played a pivotal role over the next thirteen years in helping the U.S. Army defeat Indians at war with the U.S. The Pawnees usually rode in front of the regiment and when an enemy was discovered the scouts were the first, and sometimes only, soldiers to engage the enemy. If the opportunity permitted itself, the Pawnees stripped off their clothes and removed their saddles from their horses, making them faster so that they could engage the enemy before they dispersed. During their tenure, the Pawnees helped defeat the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers, protected the Union Pacific railroad, helped subjugate the Northern Cheyennes, and assisted in defeating their long-time enemy, the Lakotas. They fought gallantly and one scout, Angry Bear, was awarded the Medal of Honor. Arguably, the Pawnee scouts were the best military unit stationed at Fort Kearny. While the Pawnee scouts filled an important niche in the Civil War-era military, they could not be relied upon to carry out the duties of regular troops. The federal government, therefore, recruited Confederate prisoners of war in an effort to muster more soldiers onto the frontier to fight Indians and protect railroads, overland travelers, freighting companies, and settlers. The ex-Confederate soldiers, often called Galvanized Yankees or whitewashed Rebs, served from 1864 to November 1866. About 6,000 Confederate soldiers took an oath of allegiance to the United States. Known as the United States Volunteers, Galvanized Yankees filled out six regiments. The 3rd Regiment was commanded by Christopher H. McNally and saw action in the Platte Valley. Several units from the 3rd were garrisoned at Fort Kearny. The 3rd Regiment of the U.S. Volunteers was instrumental in re-establishing mail and stage services from the Missouri River, and fought gallantly in many battles against Indians. Units garrisoned at Fort Kearny provided protection for the Union Pacific Railroad and the freighting companies that ran through the Platte River valley. Often these soldiers served in a state of anonymity for fear of their Confederate ties being discovered. The Galvanized Yankees were instrumental in the federal government's defense of the western frontier during the Civil War. Several famous frontier personalities also briefly called Fort Kearney home. Buffalo Bill Cody, for example, stayed at Fort Kearny on numerous occasions during his years as a military scout. James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok was also an occasional visitor to the fort. Hickok worked for the Army from 1866-69, tracking down Army deserters, thieves, and other outlaws. While travelling through Nebraska he often stayed at Fort Kearny. Fort Kearny also hosted the famous 9th and 10th Cavalry. Known as the "Buffalo Soldiers," these all black cavalry units proved to be some of the best in the frontier-era military. The 1850's and 1860's were foundation years for Nebraska. In 1854 settlement was officially opened in the Nebraska Territory and in 1867 Nebraska became the 37th state. The Civil War was a trying time for all Amencans, even the people living on the outskirts of settlement in places like Nebraska. The need for all able-bodied men to serve in the Union Army left the western frontier exposed. Indian nations realized the United States' preoccupation with the Civil War provided the opportunity to protect their lands and homes with increased aggression. The federal government, therefore, was forced to improvise and find new policies for fighting Indians and protecting people on the western frontier. Unconventional units such as the Nebraska volunteers units, Pawnee Scouts, and Galvanized Yankees operated out of Fort Kearny in an effort to protect Nebraska's Platte Valley. The unconventional units that served at Fort Kearny were in many ways equal to or better than the regular troops. The Pawnee scouts, for example, were proven warriors and battle hardened from years of fighting the Lakotas, Cheyennes, and Arapahos. Moreover, the Pawnees were eager to wage war against their enemies, particularly when warfare was sanctioned by the federal government. The Galvanized Yankees were also experienced soldiers from their years of fighting in the Civil War. They were not experienced Indian fighters like the Pawnees, but they were not "raw" or "green" troops like some regular units. Many of the militias were ill-experienced and one could claim they were inferior to regular army soldiers. However, at least they were volunteers and they had as much experience at fighting Indians as regular soldiers from back east. These vastly different units from incredibly different backgrounds called Fort Kearny home during the Civil War. Their services and Fort Kearny's role in settling the West was paramount and helped connect old America with the new West. About the Author: Kevin Moeller finished his M.A. in History from UNK in May 2005. In the Fall of 2005 he will begin working on a Ph.D. in History at the University of New Mexico. Edited 5-15-2005 You see Brenda, if it wasn't for other people(Pawnee Indians, Confederate Troops, etc.) helping to create a safe, secure environment for Nebraskans, you would not be able to go into every thread in this site and badmouth the fighting going on in Iraq. Now, shut the hell up.

I believe the term you were looking for was "cornhusker" If we weren't embroiled in this nightmare police action in Iraq, she would never had the unfortunate experience with the post office. I don't understand why her claim is denied, she is not in the military. Perhaps she should get in touch with the attorney general in KS, and possibly with the local media. A little coverage of how shabbily she has been treated might shake up the system somehow. I understood her "Go Army" to be sarcastic, perhaps I was wrong. I have nothing but respect for our fellow Americans caught up in this war. I pray for them often, and I know some personally. That doesn't mean that I agree with it and I have the option of saying so. So, R, maybe you need to knock some of the rust and rain rot out of you head before you start insulting others.

Brenda, why don't you shut the F up with your nonsense. The OP wasn't looking for a pompous, self-righteous, political diatribe from a hayseed from Nebraska. She was not looking for your views on the war. What she wants is compensation for a notebook computer that was lost but insured. That was her complaint, plain and simple. And so who are you to jump on your high horse and criticize the country's military operations to the spouse of someone who's on military duty? This was not the correct forum for your blather. I suggest you file your own OP on this if it is such an issue with you

Pete, I do not spew hysterical drivel. I am simply stating the obvious. What happened to weapons of mass destruction? Why is Binladen still at large? Why if an American says they don't like what is going on it is somehow unpatriotic? Iraq has oil, why can't they fund their own "fight for freedom?" How many of our people need to be maimed and killed for no good reason? I would never yell fire in a crowded place, unless there was a fire, because I believe in telling the truth. And the truth is, this police action in a foreign country needs to be shut down.

First of all, you could sue considering you (not your hubby)haven't signed anything that states you wouldn't (while your husband's military). Second of all, why are you pursuing the USPS anyway? USPS only delivers the package to either San Francisco or some East Coast port. After that the Military assumes responsibility and delivers it to your FPO/APO address. The signature is from a person in one of those locations. Your husband would not have to sign for anything. I think your gripe is with the military, and considering you're not military I think you'd have a case.

Not only the military is constrained from bringing suit against a government agency, Federal Civil Service employees are also. Wish there were some way the fellow who signed for the package could be tracked down. Then the suit would be between two individuals and would not involve the U.S. government in any way. Rebecca, please thank your husband (and you, too) for his sacrifice in serving our country. He's continuing where many of us left off in the protection of all those within our borders. God speed to him and all the others who make it possible for ijuts like Brenda to spew her hysterical drivel. Let her try that in some other country like Iran, Syria, etc. I don't doubt she's such a believer in 'free speech' she'd even be ticked off when she got arrested for yelling fire in a crowded theatre.

god bless you and your husband!! I will tell you one thing, i do not believe that the USPS employees are all honest!! you think maybe it could have been one of them, alot of people that send packages, i being one of them, i sold a few things over the internet and packages got to the person, but was empty, huh, kinda fishy ,huh? Did the employee At USPS see you pack it? you might want to look into that! Sorry about your misfortune, 3,000.00 is alot of money, especially it being your own computer, that is like taking your diary or chheckbook, alot of personal information is stored in there!! I would fight this til the end, maam, you dont back down on this at all,,,,,,,,,,,,greatest luck to you and your husband!!

I am really sorry about your experience. I am more sorry that your husband was injured in this hellacious nightmare Bush/Chaney has gotten us into. The loss of life and the serious injuries are so needless. Freedom for Iraqies my %$#, it is all about greed from Bush/Cheney and their cronies. If the ^ camel jockeys want freedom, let them fight for it themselves. It is obvious they don't want it Saddam is in jail, pull our people out and let them finish the job themselves, or not, I really don't care. I do care about our people and resources being wasted in such a shameful way. For what has already been spent monetarily, every person in this country could have an electric car. But that would take some of the profit away from b/c and cronies. Greedy ^#(&#@!&, how rich do you need to be?