[jfh]

As some of you know, my business is selling custom computer cases, and I just got an order for one of our custom cases to go to Iraq.

Since the computer case itself is largely empty, I could send along some goodies for him. Needless to say, I'm asking the buyer what else he might want/need, but I am also thinking of the kind of goodie box I could include, of my own volition.

There's a space about 8" wide by 12" high by 16" long that I could put a package in.

Any of you who have done this, give me some ideas. The only younger guy I know in the Services right now is back here in the States, about to get married, and he doesn't need a 'care' package.

[edit: moderator, maybe I shouldn't have put this in legal and political--if so, feel free to move it--and let's consider it about guns since I would ship guns or ammo to him if I could--just keep me linked to it. TIA. Jim H]

[hillbilly]

Here's what a friend of mine who was a Marine in Iraq told me.

1) Beef Jerky. MREs get really old really quickly. Beef jerky doesn't spoil in the desert and is a welcome treat.

2) Pre-moistened baby wipes in the large economy size container.

3) And he said one of the most memorable things he got in Iraq was a group of parents sent cases of Coca-Cola to the unit.

I have another friend who is Army and in Iraq right now.

His requests are once a month, a copy of Maxim or FHM or similar magazine, and one good cigar.

hillbilly

[ThreadKiller]

OperationAC (http://www.operationac.com)

This website was established to "adopt" soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have lists there with suggestions of what the soldiers like and want.

A worthy project.

Tim

[Sean Smith]

A good thing to do is to find out what they can and can't get in that area. It can very ALOT. When I was in the Army, I went on on 3rd world deployments where buying a six-pack of Coke and some Doritos was no problem, and I'd been on all MRE, all the time diets for a long time, too.

Main thing is to not send anything that can go bad, delivery times for mail can vary wildly.

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

DO NOT send oranges and pita bread (or goat meat). :uhoh:

[jfh]

I just e-mailed him again about the order, and asked him for a list of what he wants--and thanks for the link, Threadkiller. He's in communications there, so it looks like he can get his e-mail regularly.

[RatFink]

I know someone that is in Haiti right now, and when asked what he would like he said that they were lucky enough to have a freezer to use so he wanted "Otter Pops" and that all of his guys loved them.

If you don't know what they are here's a pic;

http://www.webraw.com/blog/otter_pop.gif

It's kind of a popsicle in a bag.

So maybe you can see if he has a freezer available.

[El Rojo]

I would concentrate on the junk goodies. I have heard about the baby wipes too, but if the guy is in some communication truck all day long, there is a chance he has it better than others. The junk food would be good no matter who you are. Plus the Maxims and other near skin mags are good. Even if he doesn't like them, I bet he can trade em for something he likes. And send him a copy of 2 Form 1040 tax forms and tell him to shoot in the April THR Virtual Match! (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=74183) Tell him we will grant him an extension just in case he gets the package in June. :D

[Gewehr98]

Pork rinds would probably be a no-no. :p

[Ohen Cepel]

Often reading material (no porn or even something that could be seen as porn) is the best thing.

Sunflower seeds.

Snack foods are usually good.

[Echo23TC]

Believe it or not, some of my friends have actually requested flea/tick collars.

They want to put them on their cots to keep vermin away from their sleeping arrangements.

[RKCheung]

Don't do the flea/tick collar thing. They are actually really dangerous for human use. We got a few sent to us by well-meaning family members, but there is actually an order out to not use them because so many people have gotten bad reactions from them.

[Lennyjoe]

Copenhagen. Even if he doesnt chew, he will be the most popular fellah in his unit. That and he can use that to trade for what he needs.

That stuff is like Gold in the desert;)

[cidirkona]

Well... not in the Arizona desert... ;)

What about disposable rasors? Toothbrushes/toothpaste? Or really nice, soft toilet tissue...

-Colin

[ID_shooting]

When i was there the first time, I couldnt get my hands on enough AA batteries (walkman) , also TV shows. Put your TV on ESPN and record as many CD's as you can of it. The troops will just die from gratitude. Use VCD or Windows Media player format. Books are ok, so are news papers. Go to the airport and get one from as many cities as you can. The wipes are a god send over there, not to mention foot powder. Just dont send wepons, booze, porn, or perishable food. they will all get confiscated by the time they get there.

[mercedesrules]

Would a one-way ticket to Switzerland fit in that thing?

[ducktapehero]

The Copenhagan was a good idea, either that or a carton of Marlboro reds or Newports. When I was in those were the 2 most popular cigarettes. Like was mentioned, even if they don't use them they could trade them for something they would.

[KenW.]

When I was there for the first go-around, powdered gatorade and pre-sweetened kool-aid mix was in high demand. We had plenty of water, but nothing to flavor it!

Ken

[Drizzt]

Whatever you do, do NOT put bars of soap in the same box as food. I don't care how tightly each is sealed, that food will taste like soap.

Happened to my Senior Chief on my last WestPac. His wife sent him a whole bunch of stuff, including Dial soap and homemade cookies. He threatened each of us if we ever told his wife what happened, because then she might not try sending anything anymore....

[c_yeager]

Tobacco products are always welcome. Last i heard they were all in short supply. And even if the guy your sending it too doesnt smoke i bet he knows a ton of guys who do. Under the right circumstances you can trade a pack of smokes for virtually anything.

[general]

This place (http://www.mikescigars.com/products.cfm?product=cigars) has excellent deals on cigars.... and real good service too. I used to order a few boxes every few months before I quit smoking.... (yeah - got a humidor full.. but don't trust myself to smoke any this soon after quitting cigarettes)
If you don't know what he likes... check the sampler packs or closeouts or my personal favorite for when I have a few hours to just relax... La Gloria Cubana Crown Imperial / Maduro.... 9X49.

[El Rojo]

The TP sounds like a good idea. It takes up space, but it is light. Make it the best damn TP money can buy and just send one roll. I really like that idea that you are doing this JFH. Class act and a great way to thank the troops.

[Sisco]

Asked the same question at the start of the war when my Nephew was about to ship out.
Sent him a care package with several cans of Skoal, jerky, paperback books and a Leatherman Wave tool.
Long after the other items had been used up the Leatherman was still getting plenty of use.

[trapshooter]

I'd skip chocolate stuff. Probably melt before he gets it. It's starting to get hot over there, I think.

Jerky is good, but lots of the stuff is available in some places, not in others. It is really contingent on where he's at.

[UnknownSailor]

As a computer geek, PLEASE don't send anything that will FUBAR his spanking new case while in shipment.

;)

Speaking as a currently deployed sailor browsing via MILSTAR satelite (and through MS Proxy 2.0), and, like I mentioned before, a computer geek, would a 7,000 mile T-1 line fit inside? :D

Jokes aside, chew would probably make the most sense, since it's nearly unobtainable over in the big sandbox. Dippers have been known to do almost anything when they run out and are craving a pinch.

[Desertdog]

My son spent a year in Iraq and some of the things we sent were magazines about automobiles(his request), beef jerky, fruit roll-ups, hard candies, breath mints, local newspapers, cookies, Avon Skin So Soft for bug repellent (DO Not Put With Food Stuff except canned), TP, cookies and other things.
For shipping cookies,we hot air popped popcorn to use as packing. We would alternate a layer of popcorn and a layer of cookies in a box lined with a plastic bag. Couldn't send any butter but could send salt. I think he enjoyed the popcorn more than the cookies. He is not a big sweet eater.
He told us that he could get his own personal hygiene items.
They could buy many things, especially drinks, ice and candy from Iraqi traders.

[thefitzvh]

As a dipper, I can vouch for the fact that, while in the field with my unit, if I ran out of cope, I would give ANYTHING for a pinch...

"Damn... it's cold..."

"Specialist fitzer... where the F**K did your field jacket go...."

"um..... *spit*"




James

[Hal Romberg]

Go ahead and send porn. Just burn it onto an unmarked disk. That's way better trade goods than bakky. I'm wishing I'd brought some with me......For aaaah,...... trading purposes only ya know.......:D :D :D

[WingZero]

if you haven't checked out this site, they do care packages to troops.... you might get an idea here, and anyone else that wants to.... might like to send something themselves.
My band has this link posted on our website, it is a great group.
http://www.treatsfortroops.com

[Bobarino]

i own one of those mailing/shipping centers near Ft. Lewis and McChord AFB. i send tons and tons of stuff for the troops' familites. the favorites lately have been:

beef jerky
chips (in a container like Pringles, Torrengas, or "Stax") no bags, they almost alway burst open creating a mess.
Stuff/Maxim/FHM
sun screen
baby wipes or Old Spice "cool contact" patches (available next to the deodorant in the store)
deodorant
chapsitck with SPF
decent socks
powdered Gator-ade mix
powdered Crystal Light mix
AA batteries for walkman and the like
those cheesy little handheld battery powered personal fans.
if you decide to send soap or shampoo, quadruble bag it in zip-lock freezer bags or vacuum seal it if you have the capability.

Bobby