European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 30, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 2 the stars and stripes thursday August 30,1990 crisis in the Gull a a i l a \ k a a. 1 Dpi v a . Serviceman  v. It. A a r it Quot a s it. V t 0. S f fold a a a a it stationed in the saudi desert finds a precious Patch of Shade to write a letter Home monday. A so some letters rheingau West Germany a amps a not All letters deployed to the adopt a service member program in the persian Gulf found a Home. The defense depart men set up the program last week so that americans could show their support by writing to soldiers sailors airmen and marines Partick paling in operation desert shield. Unfortunately some letters were mailed to military Post offices before postal workers were told about the program and the letters were returned said Bill Tyler postal service analyst with the . Army postal group Europe. Postal workers now have been notified about the new Apo numbers Tyler said. To reach service members aboard ships write any service Mem her operation desert shield Fpo new York 09866-0006. To reach service members on the ground write any Servic member operation desert shield apr new York 09848-0006. Roi letters mailed within Europe and the Middle East do not need the words a new York As part of the address. If new York is included the letter could be sent from Europe to new York and Back to Europe before reaching its destination. Those entitled to use the Apo system in Europe do not have to  postage to Send mail within the system to the Middle East or within Europe. The letters a amps Quot should be written in the envelope Comer where a stamp usually is placed. There is a 12-ounce weight limit for letters and tapes to the Middle East. A american top 40�?T to expand dedications for military families by Chuck v1nch Washington Bureau Washington a service members in the persian Gulf and their families Back Home can Tell the world How much they mean to each other through a special radio program. A american top 40.&Quot heard on 400 stations in 78 countries As Well As on the armed forces radio network is giving families separated by operation desert shield the Chance to relate personal messages and dedicate a top 40 song to their loved ones. The radio show hosted by Shaddoe Stevens always has featured a Long distance dedication segment in which a listener writes in with a personal Story about a Friend or family member and dedicates a song. But the show soon will expand  feature to highlight families affected by the military operation in the persian Gulf said Pio Dueer Bruce Goldberg. A Well be featuring one letter a week until All the troops come Home from saudi Arabia Quot he said. Considering the hundreds of letters the regular Lon distance dedication gets each week. Goldberg expects a heavy response Lor the new initials c. Adieu Early since american i of 40 is Well known to military audiences. A a limited number of letters will get on the air. Of Shandoo Stevens piously he said. A usually we look for letters that Are personal yet touch on situations that a lot of people can relate to. With the regular Long distance dedication it could be a kid with a Friend who died from a drug overdose for  the defense department is not broadcasting radio or television signals in saudi Arabia although Central come has approached armed forces radio and television service of Iesals to ask about their capabilities to do so. Mel Russell chief of arts said it would not be a problem to beam radio and television signals into the Region if Central come makes the request and the saudi government approves. In the interim american top 40 will reach oops in the persian Gulf via tapes that Are being sent to units and ships in the area. Goldberg said. Anyone interested in dedicating a song should write to mid East Long distance dedication  american top 40, as7s Cahuenga blvd. West suite 555. Los Angeles Calif pot his. Of vaccine by Chuck Vinch Washington Bureau Washington a the army and Navy have run Low on the meningitis vaccine normally required for military personnel going to the Middle East. But officials in both services say there should be sufficient stocks in local medical facilities to ensure that everyone who needs a shot gets before going to the persian Gulf. Meningitis a disease that attacks the brain and spinal Cord and can be. Fatal flared into epidemic proportions in some regions of saudi arabians recently As 1987, according to the centers for disease control in Atlanta. A yes there is a Supply crunch Quot said Pete Esker a spokesman for the army surgeon general. The army health services come can meet immediate demand by shifting available stocks to facilities where they Are needed most Esker said. A a it a not a critical situation but we have stepped up our orders from the manufacturer a he said. A a Connaught laboratories of Swiftwater pa., is the Only supplier of the vaccine for the defense department. More than 100 employees Are working overtime to fill military orders said spokeswoman Sheila Fagan. The defense department usually orders about 4,300 vials of the vaccine which is marketed under the name Menehune every three months. Each vial holds enough vaccine for 50 doses. A the military ordered 6,800 vials last week Fagan said. A partial Menehune shipment will be sent out next week with the rest due for delivery the third week of september said Lorraine Netzel a spokeswoman for the defense personnel support Center in Philadelphia. The Navy Trout of Stock at the higher Supply Levels although some quantities of the vaccine should be available locally said it. Joy Hopkins a spokeswoman for the Navy medical come. The command which also handles immunizations for the Marine corps has authorized subordinate elements to Purchase additional supplies directly from Connaught Hopkins said. A but we done to think that will be necessary a she said a a we re not looking at this As a crisis. The Navy does no to routinely administer the meningitis vaccine except for personnel who expect to come in close Contact with Middle easterners. Close contacts defined As sharing quarters or an office for Efren ded periods she said. A that will rarely be the Case in this situation for the Navy Quot which will keep most of its personnel aboard ships Hopkins said. A a we la probably have a number of people who deploy without getting the  but Marine corps ground units will receive shots As needed Hopkins said. The air Force which is deploying fewer personnel than the other services does not have vaccine shortages and will also give Menehune shots to everyone who needs them said Patty Turner a spokeswoman for the air Force surgeon general. The vaccine prevents four types of the disease including one known As group a meningitis said or. Anne Schuchat a medical epidemiologist with the cd. That Strain of the disease reached epidemic proportions in saudi Arabia during the annual pilgrimage to the moslem holy shrine at Mecca m 1987, Schuchat said. A since then it has been recommended that everyone travelling to the persian Gulf get a Beningo Coucal vaccination a she said. A the risk for . Forces in saudi Arabia at this time of year is hard to say Quot she said. A generally 1 think there Are other health risks that would be More important to worry about m the Short term like heat injuries for