What are some things you would have really enjoyed getting in a package from home? I'm sending one out soon and I'm wondering if there's anything I'm not thinking of. We have all the basic stuff, but I'm sure there's something you couldn't think of unless you're there.
Oh, not including cigars and booze, he doesn't smoke or drink.
"Think for a moment about whether it is ethical to throw a living creature into boiling water before sucking it down with a cup of melted butter"
Originally posted by jms2788: Oh, not including cigars and booze, he doesn't smoke or drink.
Give it a few weeks, and the booze and stogies will be welcome
Haha, yeah, that's what I'm thinking. He has been there for two months now and still hasn't started drinking or smoking, so I guess he's hanging in there.
"Think for a moment about whether it is ethical to throw a living creature into boiling water before sucking it down with a cup of melted butter"
You got any idea what level of support is at their location?
I always appreciated home baked goods and letters with photos to remind me there was an outside. one of the coolest ever a teacher asked the students to make cards to send that I got and passed around.
We could go over things such as a favorite personal hygiene item, baby wipes, trail mix, cup of soup, instant noodles, cool aid, gator aid, reading material, sun glasses, phone calling cards to call home...etc
It all really depends on the level of support at their location and the op tempo.
Feel free to drop an email if you want to in greater detail.
"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway." - John wayne
Posts: 187 | Location: Stationed overseas at this time. Netherlands. | Registered: October 17, 2007
It looks like we have it pretty well covered then. We have baked goods, cards from some kids at a school, personal hygiene items, phone cards, cough drops(for the dry air), etc. Thanks guys!
"Think for a moment about whether it is ethical to throw a living creature into boiling water before sucking it down with a cup of melted butter"
Haha. I like Kechke's idea. There isn't anything I need Larzz. Thanks for the offer. If you want my APO anyways just email me at rbbrtn@yahoo.com and I'll give it to you. Thanks to you and your wife for all the support.
Posts: 132 | Location: Baghdad,Iraq | Registered: August 18, 2007
Most places in the AOR (Iraq/Afghanistan) will be under "General Order #1", which forbids booze, porn, and sex. The few exceptions are usually the R&R places (Camp Asaliyah outside Doha Qatar) and Aeriel Ports like Manas AB near Bishkek Kyrgyzstan.
Not to say the GIs always follow this order, but if they get caught it's usually an article 15. So I usually don't send friends anything they can get busted for. The cigars/accessories/humidors and double stuff oreo cookies usaully get rave reviews.
------------------- "Every prohibitionist movement is essentially about power and profit, dressed up as health and morality." - Joe Jackson
Posts: 298 | Location: Las Vegas, NV | Registered: June 18, 2004
Second what Samrtman said about GO#1, although I have sent (and received) Playboy magazines - but only to buddies I knew well.
Another suggestion are those small, tube shaped water flavor packets. You have to drink so much water - in order to stay properly hydrated - that plain water gets old real quick and the small pacekts are about perfect for the average size water bottle.
A final sugestion is some good coffee. The PXs will usually have a couple basic brands, but nothing too exciting.
Great idea jms! Thank you for keeping us troops in your thoughts.
We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made. -M. Acklam
Posts: 1031 | Location: New England | Registered: August 03, 2007
Look like I'm pretty well covered them. I picked up some of those powdered sport drink packets, packed up everything this morning and put it in the mail.
Hey, it's my pleasure. If I didn't have so many damn medical problems, I'd be in the military no question about it, but I tried every which way and was told I couldn't join . It will always bother me, but there's nothing I can do about it, unfortunatly.
"Think for a moment about whether it is ethical to throw a living creature into boiling water before sucking it down with a cup of melted butter"
I have another question which I don't know if any of you guys can answer. My step-brother is in Recon, can anybody tell me what those guys are doing in Iraq. I mean, I assuming it's different than what the regular soliders are doing because it's special forces, but I could be wrong.
"Think for a moment about whether it is ethical to throw a living creature into boiling water before sucking it down with a cup of melted butter"
Originally posted by jms2788: I have another question which I don't know if any of you guys can answer. My step-brother is in Recon, can anybody tell me what those guys are doing in Iraq. I mean, I assuming it's different than what the regular soliders are doing because it's special forces, but I could be wrong.
There is no way to tell what your brother is doing.every units mission is different.
Posts: 132 | Location: Baghdad,Iraq | Registered: August 18, 2007
Sounds like your step-brother is practicing good OPSEC, good for him!
If he's being evasive and vague about were he's at or what he's doing, it's for a good reason. I'd recommend you keep sending packages on a regular basis and making sure he's plenty stocked on calling cards.
------------------- "Every prohibitionist movement is essentially about power and profit, dressed up as health and morality." - Joe Jackson
Posts: 298 | Location: Las Vegas, NV | Registered: June 18, 2004
JMS- I send care packages to soldiers through AnySoldier.com... so knowing what people want is even tougher because they are not personal friends/family... but- between suggestions in their updates and gut instinct- I think we do OK. This one may shock you- a pillow is always appreciated. I have sent several pillows/cases along with the suggestion to pass it on to anyone who needs it- but the person who gets the package first always seems to keep the pillow. Novelty sheets superman/spongebob etc... are surprisingly popular.
You may want to go to AnySoldier.com and read some of the updates on the "where to send page" and see what other soldiers are saying, your brother may not be willing to be honest with his family about what the conditions are really like- you might get some insight this way.
Also there sometimes are small touches from home that you might not even appreciate how nice it is till you are in the sandbox... but something like a free AutoMart classified magazine from your home region... if a guy is a gear head... you know it could just be a little escape to home and dreams. Also I've heard that news is hard to come by save for Stars and Stripes... so local or regional newspapers may be interesting.
Electronics- thumbdrives, iPod, games...
Loofahs for showers .. and personally- I really dig "Dr. Bronner's" brand liquid peppermint soap... it's all natural and washes VERY clean no matter how hard the water is... some of the other commercial liquid soaps like irish spring and axe are really slimy... liquid soaps seem more popular because you don't have to manage a gooey wet bar. Most soldiers seem to really like stuff that smells good and help you smell good- so anything from scented soaps to stick-ups, febreeze, foot powders, odereaters.. etc... you get the idea- it F-ing stinks over there.
. It will always bother me, but there's nothing I can do about it, unfortunatly.
