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Across the Fence:  What do you send a soldier??  |
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MsCwick
True Blue Farmgirl
775 Posts
Cristine
Farmville
Virginia
USA
775 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 26 2007 : 08:38:47 AM
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| My husband's best friend is in Iraq until June or July of next year. This is his second tour. He is 24 years old. His wife and I are pretty good friend, and she's in the National Guard as well. Steven is an Army Ranger in an Infantry division. His first tour he was just guarding prisoners at Abu Graib. Now they are patrolling the streets. His wife said their convoy encountered a roadside bomb, but no one was hurt. I've been saving little boxes so that Josh and I can send a care packages. I would like to send him one box every two weeks, so I have to be creative, and not send the same things over and over. I jsut sent him an email asking him what he wants. I'm sure I'll send some cookies or something baked, but what else would you send??!? |
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nut4fabric
True Blue Farmgirl
885 Posts
Kathy
Morgan Hill
CA
USA
885 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2007 : 08:52:15 AM
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Hi Cristine I send "care packages" every month to a unit of marines and a unit of army soliders. They always seem to need hygiene items but if you are sending liquids put them in two zip lock baggies. Powdered drink mixes, gatorade, crystal lite that sort of thing. Beef Jerky, power bars, hand sanitizer, foot powder, tuna in the foil packets, hand held games, really anything that you send will be appreciated and shared. The website www.anysoldier.com has some great suggestions.
Hugs Kathy |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2007 : 08:58:04 AM
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I agree with Kathy about the hygiene items, but I also send books and things like that. Sounds kindof strange, but a friend of ours is in Iraq, and he has a "wish list" posted on Amazon.com (you can create it there) and it helps me to get him something he would really like to read, eat, etc....
I've never sent food items that I make because I'm just not sure how to package them.
"She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian. |
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MustangSuzie
True Blue Farmgirl
634 Posts
Sarah
New London
Missouri
USA
634 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2007 : 10:13:00 AM
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The also like books, magazines etc. it gets very boring over there for them at times. Be sure if you are sending dried meat that it doesn't contain pork, big muslim thing. Canned food products that they can heat/cook in the microwave are good, they usually have access to those. Those individual packets of crystal lite/gatorade etc are nice. Around the holidays I'm sure that sending them greeting cards for them to send out to loved ones would be appreciated. Anysoldier.com does have some great ideas.
Blessings....
Sarah
www.mustangsuzie.blogspot.com
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2007 : 10:27:01 AM
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Kathy
Thank you so much for the link to "Anysoldier.com". It took a very few minutes for my family to rally behind the idea and this is what we are doing for Christmas instead of amassing heaps of gifts for ourselves. I am considering doing a beanie baby drop off project to send to the units as well. A lot of the troops are also mommies and daddies and it is healing for both sides for them to be able to give a toy to a child caught up in the war.
Thank you with all of my heart for the link
Hugs back
Annika |
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FarmGirl~K
True Blue Farmgirl
512 Posts
Kelly
TX
USA
512 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2007 : 10:29:04 AM
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We collect things for them here at work too. Individually wrapped snack packages, trail mix, chapstick, feminine products, hard candy, handheld games, cards, calling cards, letters & cards.
This web site also has a list of requested items from the troops. You can get some ideas for your friend there.
http://www.operationshoebox.com/
"Work as if you were to live a hundred years, pray as if you were to die tomorrow." ~Benjamin Franklin~
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AFMom
True Blue Farmgirl
100 Posts
Erica
North Dakota
USA
100 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2007 : 12:46:32 PM
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| My husband is in Iraq as we speak for an entire year. I have been sending him lots of goodies monthly. The men like hard candy, because it will not melt. Chips and crackers are good and ship well. He also likes slim jims, dried jerky, just anything that will not melt. As far as books and magazines, be sure of the content before you ship. There can be no mention of in the title, pages or pictures of any type of affection or religious beliefs other than there own. So, when my husband receives magazines or books for his unit, he has to go through and rip out articles with any sexual conotation, ads with half naked woman (ex. hanes underwear ads, cosemtic ads, etc), even a man and woman hugging is not acceptable. It is very important that nothing be offensive or go against the beliefs of the local communities. He appreciates socks, underwear, soft sheets and pillow cases, baby wipes are big because it is so hot and wiping off everyonce in a while is good if a shower is not available ASAP. Everyone here has awesome ideas...thanks for remembering the soldiers...I know they really appreciate the gifts and communication....Thanks:) Erica |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2007 : 1:33:02 PM
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I know that power in many areas is unpredictable at best and it can get pretty cold at night. Has anyone sent blankets? I was thinking of getting some of the microfleece ones to send because they clean and dry so easy. And at many of the large discount stores Costco, wal-mart etc, you can buy things in bulk, such as travel packs of baby wipes and socks, etc. They would be easily re-packaged into smaller more manageable "from home" boxes.
LOL! don't get me started on helping people. I'm sight impaired with some other medical problems and am stuck at home a lot of the time, so I am always chafing at the bit for something to do to help others.
Many blessings to all
Annika |
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nut4fabric
True Blue Farmgirl
885 Posts
Kathy
Morgan Hill
CA
USA
885 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2007 : 2:30:01 PM
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KUDOS to your family for making such a wonderful decision about Christmas!!!!Believe it or not last winter not all of our troops had blankets or pillows and they also don't have helmet liners so blankets are a great idea. Hand warmers are also a good idea to send. I also have included a box of small ziplock baggies so they can repackage things easily. Homemade cookies travel well in Pringles cans, but heck you know that even if it is just crumbs when it arrives they are going to eat it. When our son was overseas I used bags of popcorn to cushion things. Really it's alot of fun sending packages I buy a few things everytime I go to the store that way it's not a huge expense all at once and before I know it I have a box full and ready to go. I am a little nuts about doing things for our troops...my son has been in the Navy for 12 years and our daughter was in the Air Force for almost 6 years, through them I have met so many military guys and girls and I just want them all to have a little taste of home where ever they are.
Hugs, Kathy |
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babysmama
True Blue Farmgirl
931 Posts
Elizabeth
Iowa
931 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2007 : 5:04:31 PM
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It might be best to use the flat rate priority mail boxes from the post office. It costs around $9 to mail and you can fill it full and it doesn't matter how much it weighs. It can be expensive to mail a box so this is usually a cheaper way to mail.
-Elizabeth |
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MustangSuzie
True Blue Farmgirl
634 Posts
Sarah
New London
Missouri
USA
634 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2007 : 5:39:36 PM
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My guy over there likes flannel PJ's to wear at night, so that would be an idea. Even in the summer sometimes the a/c going full blast freezes him out.
I think rechargeable batteries with a charger would also be a great idea.
Blessings....
Sarah
www.mustangsuzie.blogspot.com
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Edited by - MustangSuzie on Sep 26 2007 6:49:21 PM |
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kissmekate
True Blue Farmgirl
890 Posts
Kate
Delano
Minnesota
890 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2007 : 7:40:03 PM
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I have heard they love the Gold Bond medicated powder too.
And the baby wipes! Send lots of those.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
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Across the Fence: What do you send a soldier?? |
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What do you send a soldier??
