Gun magazines for soldiers - question

[meef]

First off - I mean the kind you read and drool over, not the kind you insert into your firearm.

I've been doing some cleaning around my house and many found stacks of gun magazines that I read and enjoyed, now they're mostly so much clutter to me. I figure our soldiers stationed overseas would like to have them.

Probably an easy question.....

How do I found out how to ship these things to where they'd be new to others who'd like to have them?

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Probably easiest way is to wait for a THR member stationed overseas (or who has a friend stationed overseas) to send you the APO address for said serviceman.

Do note that magazines are pretty heavy, so bear the cost of postage in mind. You also have to fill out a customs declaration when sending packages to overseas APOs, but that only takes a minute or two down at the Post Office.


If any servicemen are reading this, I'll also mention that some gun companies will send a stack of catalogs if you email them and ask nicely. Bushmaster sent us about 40 catalogs, and those were snatched up and distributed all over Camp Ramadi in a matter of days. I'm surprised gun companies don't do that more often. You'd think that M16-carrying young men (and some women) with a year's worth of combat pay piling up = good audience for catalogs.

-MV

 

[AndyC]

http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/AmericaSupportsYou/send_packages.html

http://www.operationpaperback.org/

 

[AZTOY]

http://www.give2thetroops.org/





Thank You, Sir

 

[meef]

Thanks for the info Matthew, I'll be here waiting for contact from anyone interested...

As to the postage cost of sending a heavy package of magazines overseas - it's nothing compared to what the soldiers are paying by being there, for sure.




And while I was composing this, replies already popped up.

Thanks folks.

 

[CajunBass]

Not trying to discourage sending them overseas, my step-son just got back from Iraq, and I'm sure they'd be appreciated over there, but another option is to take them to your local VA hospital. My ex wife and I used to do that with magazines, and paperback books. They were always well received. Contact your local DAV.

My (current) wife and I collected kids clothing and sent them to a fellow we knew in Iraq who had requested them on another board. We put a box in the entrance to our church, and figured we'd get enough for one shipment. We collected 19 boxes I think it was. The postage does add up.

 

[meef]

Learning by leaps and bounds.....

For anyone else who might have a stack or so of gun magazines (or anything else) you might want to send and cost is an issue, I discovered this:

"Mailing information and Instructions:
The Department of Defense does not accept mail addressed to “any service member.” Use the U.S. Postal Service when mailing packages and flat mail to the troops. You can mail all packages by Priority Mail or by Parcel Post or a new flat mail box rate described below."

"Priority mail and flat rate boxes and other shipping supplies can be ordered free of charge by calling 1-800-222-1811. The priority mail boxes come in various sizes and can be seen by visiting the USPS online: http://www.usps.com."

"Flat rate boxes are now available from the USPS in two different sizes. Maximum weight is 70 pounds shipped for $7.70. Priority Mail Flat rate boxes come in two sizes: “Item No: O-FRB2” is 12" X 3.5" X 14”and ‘Item No: O-FRB1” is 11" X 8.5" X 5.5". A supply of boxes and other mailing supplies can be delivered free of charge to your door by calling the toll free number above."

What a deal!!!

 

[4v50 Gary]

Priority Mail. It's a flat rate of $8.10 for the box. I've shipped packages that were about 12 pounds overseas. If you've got space left over, don't forget hard candy, jerkey, Q-tips, batteries, etc. Pick up the box at the Post Office and fill it up.

 

[ArmyCop119]

Priority Mail. It's a flat rate of $8.10 for the box.

We have a winner! As long as the box is under 70 lbs(OSHA 1 person lift) it's good.

I really appreciated the care packages from home when I was in the sand.

An addition- get ahold of your home state's national guard office. They will give you the units that are deployed from your area, and the mailing address of the commander, if you don't know an individual troop.

Local stuff is always appeciated. You might not know how much someone in Iraq or Afghanistan would like that newspaper you just finished, or some local delicacy that's only available in your area.

We've had Dunkin' Donuts coffee in seven countries.

 

[1 old 0311]

The Post Office has flat rate boxes that are 9x11x6. There is no weight limit on these. If you can fit it in, the cost is $7.70 anywhere. I sent my old gun mags to my Nephew in Afganistan till he was med-vaced to Walter Reed. The guys love them. DON'T send porn.

 

[Dr. Dickie]

Another good source for APO's is:
http://www.shootingusa.com/LATEST_UPDATES/IRAQ/Operation_Thank_You/operation_thank_you.html
All the info you need.

 

[nvcdl]

media rate is pretty cheap. magazines qualify.

 

[inthemoss]

Anyone need some guitar strings? Im sure all the sand is killer on the finish.

 

[Pilgrim]

When you fill out the customs declaration form, there is a question of what you want done if the package can't be delivered to the person you mailed it to. I suggest you put down, "Deliver to any soldier/Marine, etc. same unit."

Pilgrim

 

[possum]

meef,
i am to deploy pretty soon, and i get mags mailed to me, my subscriptions but there are many of my infantry brothers tha love shooting, and they would probally really appreciate the gift. things like that go a long way to shoe you care!

 

[rero360]

SGT Stevens, Craig
240th MP Co.
TF 759th MP Bn.
APO AE 09390


there is my address, and I know there are a good number of other gunnies here in my platoon and company.

INTHEMOSS: you are correct, the environment is pretty harsh on guitar strings, the ones on my martin backpacker are in pretty good condition, but I keep it in the case as much as possible. I know in my platoon we have at least two steel string and one nylon string guitar, and a violin.

 

[meef]

For those interested in sending goodies overseas, here's another link from a Gun Magazine article.

http://gunsmagazine.com/05gifts.html

I've got a package going in the mail this week. It's little enough to do for our soldiers.

Anybody else feel free to take a bit of time to scrounge your stash of old magazines or whatever and send them off.

 

[Damien45]

http://anysoldier.com/

They also have a site for Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guard.

 

[Damien45]

Since we do have fellow THR members overseas, and at sea, what would be some good suggestions/requests for general support packages?

Magazines (of what nature? I have a HUGE stack of old guitar magazines)
Guitar Strings (noticed that one!)

Anything else? I am sure there are plenty who would be happy to send/support.

 

[rero360]

hygiene products are always good, I myself am det on it all but I'm sure there are troops in need of one thing or another. foot powder is a good item especially with the hot weather approaching, as well as beverage powder packets, like propel or gateraid, anything to add to water to help keep electrolites and salt levels up as we start sweating more and more. It was only 79 degrees here yesterday and just sitting in the truck with all the body armor on I sweated right through my uniform and soaked the armor

 

[meef]

It's been a few days since this thread was last posted in and I've decided I'm not going to let it fade into obscurity.....

I started out originally to find a good use for my old gun magazines but have since found that this has grown a bit for me.

While packing the magazines (that didn't fill the box) I kept finding other stuff that could/should go too. Pretty soon my wife got into the act and we found that one box wasn't enough. Eventually, I'm not quite sure just how many boxes will be enough. Maybe as long as there are soldiers serving our country in unpleasant faraway places there won't ever be enough boxes.

I frequently see/hear folks say or write "Thank you for your service" to the soldiers.

"Thanks" is a fine thing and no doubt appreciated, but.... take it to another level. Put your time and effort where your gratitude is. Taking the time to assemble a package for someone, whether you know them or not, is one heck of a lot easier than serving in the sandbox.

What've you got to lose....?

Excuse me while I step down from my mini-soapbox now. I've got some more packing to do.