Stars and Stripes

April 30, 2004 -- Service members who don't have access to the Stars and Stripes newspaper but do have access to a computer can now go online to read or download an exact replica of the paper at no charge. Stars and Stripes officials said the electronic version of the newspaper is an effort to reach readers in remote areas. Stars and Stripes launched the free service just in time to salute service members during Military Appreciation Month, which is celebrated in May.

Free online versions of the newspaper's European, Pacific and Middle East editions became available starting April 26. Tom Kelsch, the newspaper's publisher, said the free online newspaper is geared to service members in remote locations, but that any service member anywhere in the world, as well as family members, can use the service. "We have many military (people) stationed in places where it just isn't practical to get the printed edition to them, and this is a way to be able to reach (them) wherever in the world they're stationed," Kelsch explained, as long as they have a computer and Internet access so they can access the electronic version. Service members and their families can read the paper online or download it in the .pdf file format at the estripes.osd.mil Web site. Officials recommend that readers who want to print the paper and read it that way use the "fit to paper" option when printing. The site also offers free access to past newspapers up to seven days. Related Sites: Free Electronic Stars and Stripes [http://estripes.osd.mil] Stars and Stripes
[http://www.stripes.com/]