Care packages to Soldiers in Iraq

[Sinsaba]

... btw: ive been told that the "to any american soldier" stuff will just get your package blown up because supposedly terrorists might do that to send random bombs.

Told by who? If that is the case why does the web site have recent letters from soldiers who have received them? If the letters are fake, why aren't the operators in jail for fraud? Do think that no group would get wise and expose them?

I really don't know the answers to any of those questions, I really would like to know. I ask simply because it seems improbable to me.

 

[shermacman]

I have sent the http://anysoldier.com link to everyone in my office. There are some Democrats and predictably I got some snarky responses. What is the matter with Leftoids anyway?

In any event, my donation has been made. I hope others follow suit.

 

[1911 guy]

Things I found useful

From 14 years ago, baby wipes, Gold Bond foot powder, bite valves for Kamel-Baks, tobacco of any kind, bore-snakes, non-lubricated condoms (sometimes the muzzle caps are hard to get via supply), canned fruit, crackers, boot insoles, good socks, playing cards, portable music and batteries, Barbasol lemon lime shave cream is the best IMO for shaving in hot dry climate over there.

 

[middy]

GSMD Fan and other vets.

I sent a care package to a Marine last year and never received a reply to my note. You know what? I doesn't bother me a bit. I'm sure he had better things to do, I was just happy to help. I sent another package anyway.

This thread reminds me that it's time to send more...

 

[KBL]

Hi all, first post here.

Here's a list that I compiled and distributed after participating in an "Adopt a Platoon" group on another web site.

Items For “Adopt a Platoon” Packages


“AA” & “AAA” Batteries
Sunglasses
Insect Repellent, Unscented
Dog Flea & Tick Collars
Ziplock Plastic Bags, Storage Type
Eye Wash
Chapstick
Toothpaste
Tooth Brushes
Disposable Razors
Shaving Cream
Wet Wipes, Unscented
Gold Bond Foot Powder
Tylenol/Aspirin/Motrin, etc.
Hard Candy
Slim Jims, Beef Jerky, etc.
Peanut Butter Cheese Crackers
Energy Bars, Granola Bars, etc.
Peanuts
Potato Chips, Doritos, Fritos, Cheese Nips, etc.
Tuna In Pop Top Cans or in Vacuum Pouches
Fresh Coffee
Chewing Gum
Cookies
Sports Drink Mix Like Gatorade
Tobasco Sauce
Season Salt (Lawry’s, McCormick, Morton)
Current Newspapers
Paperback Books - Fiction, Science Fiction
Current Magazines
CD’s Of Popular Music – Pop, Country, Rock, Rap/Hip Hop, etc.
Copenhagen – Long Cut, Fresh. This stuff is like gold over there.
Small Portable Water Filters, Like Britta w/extra filters.
Sharpening Stone
“Flip-Flops”


One of the most important items that you should include is a hand written letter addressed to “Dear Soldier”. In your own words express your support and pride for the job they’re doing and let them know that there are people at home who care and are thinking about them. Leave politics out of the letter, the troops don’t need to hear from you about any political debates here at home which could affect them as they do their jobs.

Some of the troops get no mail and a letter from “home” can make all the difference to them. Expect to get a reply from a thankful soldier as they really appreciate these efforts.

Use your imagination for additional items. Don’t buy any food stuff that will spoil quickly or that requires refrigeration. Don’t send chocolate or similar items that will melt into a pile of goo and ruin the rest of the contents of your package. Remember, everyday things that we take for granted are in short supply or are non-existent in the sandbox.

DO NOT SEND PORN, ALCOHOL, OR PORK ITEMS. These items will only be confiscated and may jeopardize the program.

In order to send a package, you will have to fill out a Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note to include with the package. There is one form that is for packages 4 lbs. and under, and another for packages over 4 lbs. (PS Form 2976-A, October 2001, CP 72). Reports from others indicate that packages that are kept in the 4-8 lb. range, get to the field with the fewest problems. Packages over 10 lbs. are the most likely to arrive late, if at all.


I hope this helps...

 

[Hemicuda]

Pics from home (recent) and other minor memto's were among the top things a buddy over there liked, when his wife and I would put together a care package... (i also included a few skin mags, what the locals don't know, didn't hurt us!)

hard candy was his weakness, and cigs & chewing tobacco were GREAT as trade items... he was forever well stocked with wertwipes, toilet paper (soft, good stuff) that he "bought" with tobacco...

also managed to sneak a half-dozen cans of spam luncheon meat to him... he ate one, BUT... they traded off faster then the tobaco... (warning, spam contains pork, i do believe)

a vacuum packer worked VERY well, and EVERYTHING in the box was vacuum packed...

 

[EmGeeGeorge]

portable dvd players...

thermoses(sp) (it's cold over there at night)

my wife sent me a nice fleece blanket when I was in the Gulf and it was nice to have on cold nights...

 

[1911 guy]

Silverlance

PM sent regarding finding address for your friend.

 

[1911Tuner]

Care

Dip...Chew...Smokes...Texas Pete hot sauce in small bottles( Vital if they have powdered eggs or Ham'n'Limas in those MREs)...Hard candy...Socks...Small bottles of fruit juice...Gum...Individually wrapped cookies...Letters from anybody addressed to any grunt in the theater...
(Dear John letter senders will be tracked down and harrassed by old grunts. Let'em get home before they get slammed.) Words of support and encouragement and gratitude mean a lot more than most people know...
Stationery and Bic pens...A small vial of dirt from the yard of the wife, girlfriend/boyfriend or parents if you know who you're sending to. Taped messages with every familiar voice you can arrange...and prayers.

Don't tell'em that you understand what they're goin' through unless you've been there and done that. If you haven't been, you can't understand it. When they get home, if they want to talk...listen, but don't press for details. There's a line there that they won't cross.

Did I mention prayers?

 

[1911_sfca]

I was thinking of donating my Trijicon reflex sight with flattop mount that used to be on my shotguns.

- Is that too much of a gift? Would it be useful? How would I get it to the person that can use it most?

- I want to route it, and some other stuff, through a 501(c)(3) so I can get a receipt and write it off (yeah, I know.. but it's a lot of $)... who should I go through?

Thanks...

 

[NukemJim]

I was thinking of donating my Trijicon reflex sight with flattop mount that used to be on my shotguns.

- Is that too much of a gift? Would it be useful? How would I get it to the person that can use it most?

- I want to route it, and some other stuff, through a 501(c)(3) so I can get a receipt and write it off (yeah, I know.. but it's a lot of $)... who should I go through?

IANAL (Mandatory disclaimer )

Not sure about this but check the legalities very closely. Many items are not allowed by law to be exported without paperwork from feds. Doing so and then documenting to another fed agency may not be a good idea.

Terms to google: Export adminstration regulations, International traffic in arms regulation.

You might want to consider selling the scope on the open market/E-Bay ( If you list why you are selling it you may get more ) and then buying phone cards and sending them overseas.

NukemJim