1. Contest begins Labor Day (9/6/04) and ends on Veterans Day (11/11/04).   Letters will be accepted beginning 8/1/04.  No purchase necessary.

2. WRITE A LETTER TO AN AMERICAN SERVICE MEMBER on a sheet of paper no larger than 8 1/2" x 11," between 100 - 200 words in length beginning with "Dear Service Member, I just want to say thanks for . . ." Letter must be legible and will be judged on sincerity of content.  Inappropriate letters will be discarded.  PLEASE SEE "TIPS ON HOW TO WRITE A WINNING LETTER" BELOW.

3. Complete the OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM (photocopies of the form are accepted).  STAPLE (best) OR TAPE the ENTRY FORM to your LETTER OF SUPPORT and mail it directly to: Letters To The Front, P. O. BOX 25348, Alexandria, VA 22313 (no paper clips please).  All entries must be postmarked by November 11, 2004.  Sponsors are not responsible for lost, late, damaged, postage due, incomplete, undelivered or ineligible entries. ENTRY FORMS SUBMITTED WITHOUT AN ATTACHED LETTER OF SUPPORT WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

4. LOCAL PRIZES: Winners will be judged in 3 categories: under 12, 12 - 18, and 19 and above. There will be winners chosen in each category.  Mail-in entries will be judged by Rector*Roberts Productions. Winners of the local and regional contests (including entry letters received from overseas locations) will be announced by 12/31/04 and will be automatically advanced to the Worldwide Contest.

5. GRAND PRIZES: Grand Prize Winners will be announced by 1/31/05. Three Grand Prizes will be awarded: under 12 Grand Prize of $3,000 scholarship fund; 12 - 18 Grand Prize of $3,000 scholarship fund; 19 and above Grand Prize of computer system valued at $3,000. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received.

6. ELIGIBILITY: Contest is open to legal citizens of the United States, except employees (and members of their immediate families/households) of the Defense Commissary Agency, General Mills, Inc., and Rector*Roberts Productions, Inc.

7. PUBLICITY and LIABILITY RELEASE: All participants agree to these Official Contest Rules and the decisions of the judges, which are final in all respects. Participants agree that sponsors may use name, entry letter, likeness and/or prize-related biographical information for, but not limited to, promotional purposes without compensation. Grand Prize Winners will be required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability and Publicity Release form within 30 days of notification, or prize will be forfeited. Prizes won by minors will be awarded to the minor’s parent or guardian, who must sign the Affidavit and Release.