The Whidbey News-Times is making it easy for people to send messages to friends and loved ones involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“Many service people from NAS Whidbey depend on the Whidbey News-Times’ Web site (www.whidbeynewstimes.com) for news from home,” said Marcia Van Dyke, publisher. “If we publish messages from home online, they’ll know the people back home wish them well and appreciate their efforts.” But it’s not just for Navy personnel. Anyone living on Whidbey Island with a loved one in the military may participate.

Messages will appear in both the online and print (space available) versions of the News-Times, under the heading “Messages from Home.” Please limit them to 200 words or less.

The entire community is welcome to participate and there is no cost involved. Please include a phone number for verification, not publication.

The messages will appear in the Saturday and Wednesday issues of the paper, and will appear online the day the paper comes out.

Messages may be sent by e-mail to the News-Times at the following address: editor@whidbeynewstimes.com. They may also be dropped off at the newspaper office at 800 SE Barrington Drive, or mailed to the News-Times at P.O. Box 10, Oak Harbor WA 98277.