Neighbor going overseas..

[poohbear2]

and we thought we would give him a package to take with him. What things would be appreciated? He'll be stationed for over a year in Iraq
with the National Guard.

 

[PigletsPal2]

Pre-paid phone card, a roll of postage stamps (I know, I know, who uses snail-mail these days? LOL!), a favorite snapshot you might have of his family (parents, girlfriend, wife, kids?), CD of favorite artist(s)...if I think of more, I'll post again later.

Queen Colleen

 

[abdmom]

DVD movies? My ds' school did a package for soldiers a few years ago and this is what was asked for.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I would add some snacks like granola bars, nuts, bite-sized candy bars, gum and hard candy. It's great that you're sending him off with some goodies! Have you checked to make sure he'll be able to carry a box with him or does he have luggage restrictions? Just something to think about.

 

[golfgal]

I would actually mail it to him a week or two after he leaves. He will have enough stuff to tote around going over there and mail is ALWAYS appreciated. Maybe you could send it over in several smaller packages, maybe every other week so he gets some regular mail??

I would put in your title that he is military and some of the military families will be able to help. Just double click in the title box on the main page and you will be able to edit your title.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Except for phone cards which are small and flat, you're better off mailing it to him instead of giving him a package to take. Dh just left for Afghanistan and they were only allowed a very limited amount of baggage and were given a lot of required gear/uniforms, etc.. so he actually had to mail a package back home, they absolutely would not allow any more bags on the plane going there.

 

[honugirl]

I pack boxes for VFW troop support. We do the front line troops.

Here's some of the stuff we put in the boxes:

Jerky (any kind)
Kleenex
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Hand Sanitizer
Beanie Babies (those are the biggest hit of all)
Cans of Chef Boyardee or some other ready to eat food
Pringles
Hard candy
Notebook
Pen
Gallon size ziploc bags
Books
Magazines
Puzzle books
Handwitten letters/cards
Canned fruit
Oatmeal
Coffee
Hot Chocolate
NSAID's (aleve, tylenol, ibuprofen)
Fruit snacks
Gum
Tic-Tacs
First Aid items
Baby wipes/wet wipes (very good when you only get a shower once a month..)
Granola bars
Playing cards
Razors
Socks
Corn nuts


I know there's more, but that's what comes to mind. It's going to depend on what branch of the military and stuff. Air Force guys are generally on base and have more access to "creature comforts" such as DVD players and such. The Army and Marines (from my experience) tend to like more basic stuff because they can be at the end of the supply line, especially if they are on the front line, but if they're on base music and DVD's are excellent choices.

According to USPS if you mail to a military address you get $2 off per box. You can use the priority mail flat rate boxes and stuff as much as humanly possible in there (you won't believe the amount of stuff we can cram in there...) We've sent over 7000 boxes and they've only lost a handful.

Tell him thanks for his service! God bless him and may he come home safely.

 

[jsmith]

a roll of postage stamps (I know, I know, who uses snail-mail these days? LOL!), [/QUOTE
Soldiers writre tons of letters-and they love getting them-however dont spend money on stamps-mail from the combat theater to the USA is free.
Paper and envelopes are good. For a going away gift keep it small and light-a digital keychain that he can load with pictures of loves ones is a great idea-i sent my husband one at christmas and he loves it. as Someone else said photos are good-but as the spouse of a soldier im going to throw a couple of things out there-a gift certificate to a resturant so he can take his wife and family out before he leaves would be appreciated. Supporting his family-helping his wife out by doing things like watching her children when she as appointments or just needs to get out, helping her with home maintenance and yard work. All those things contribute to him being able to keep his mind on the mission and off what the folks at home might be struggling with.
One think to keep in mind if you are purchasing things for him to take with him or to send him-They are limited to 400 lbs of gear that they can carry with them on the plane-and that has to include their bodyweight kitted out in "full battle rattle" IE wearing body armor and carrying a weapon. My husband weighs roughly 220lbs-40 lbs for gear and hes down to 140 total weight for his luggage and gear-so lots of things have to get packed and sent sea lift and it will be sometime before they get them. So the previous poster who said mailing things is better was right. Homebaked goods carefully packed, portable snacks,reading material, drink mixes, video games and DVDs are all good choices of things to send. Anything that you send that can not be consumed has to be carried or shipped home.
While honugals list is very good-i would use that list for someone in Afghanistan rather than in iraq-as we draw down most troops are stationed on developed bases where they have PX facilities that rival what is on any US or European permanant installation.

 

[Silent1CB]

Keep it small or ship it too him once he arrives. They have enough gear to take over with them initially and only so much they can carry.

He may also take a while to get to his final destination and may not know what he needs or what he can use, and they only have so much space to keep things in.

Personally, I would wait.

Also be sure to check the list of restrictions. Certain products (pork) & media materials with subject matter are not allowed into Iraq.

You'll need customs forms also which you can get at the post office. Fill them out at home in advance. Its easier.

 

[honugirl]

While honugals list is very good-i would use that list for someone in Afghanistan rather than in iraq-as we draw down most troops are stationed on developed bases where they have PX facilities that rival what is on any US or European permanant installation.

We have been doing a lot of troops in Afghanistan lately. We only do front line guys with limited access to bases, so I can see where some of my list wouldn't apply to others.

Oh and on the customs forms, I think it's better to go generic with what's in the box than specific. For example: Candy instead of Snickers, Peeps, Nerds or DVD rather than list the name of the movie. I have a friend who's husband is stationed somewhere over there. Over Christmas they were confiscating anything that had to do with Christmas if it was listed on the customs declaration (something about it being offensive or something?). So I'm not sure I'd list "Easter Candy" or anything like that just in case...

 

[MJMouse]

This is based on input that I got from a few Soldiers... other experience may vary.

When I was getting ready to send a care package to a friend, I asked a few acquaintances who had been in Iraq... they said that for the most part they had all of the personal care items that they needed. What was most appreciated were:

1. home baked goodies to share with other Soldiers - make sure to package them well!!
2. notes and letters about what was going on at home (the mundane about the town, mutual friends, sports)
3. toys/games for the local kids... great for creating good will. Favorites were deflated soccer/playground balls (plenty of air pumps on base). They can play a quick game of pick-up soccer with the kids and then leave the ball.

If he is in charge of other Soldiers, you may want to ask in a few weeks if he has a Soldier that could use an "adoptive family." Too often there are young Soldiers that don't have anyone at home to send them packages, emails, Christmas/Birthday gifts.... having someone take the time to care and send packages can mean the world.

 

[samshane]

I agree with the others in sending something after he arrives... my DH is in Iraq right now and he took barely anything with him - he had a 3-day pack he took there and back for his 2 week R&R - he couldn't have fit anything in it. I mail him everything... right now he is getting 4 big priority boxes stuff with GS cookies. Hope they get there

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

If he is in charge of other Soldiers, you may want to ask in a few weeks if he has a Soldier that could use an "adoptive family." Too often there are young Soldiers that don't have anyone at home to send them packages, emails, Christmas/Birthday gifts.... having someone take the time to care and send packages can mean the world.

Is there anyway to find these guys? I don't know any soldiers I could ask, but I think I'd be interested in 'adopting' a soldier if I knew where to find one.

 

[MJMouse]

Is there anyway to find these guys? I don't know any soldiers I could ask, but I think I'd be interested in 'adopting' a soldier if I knew where to find one.

You might check with your local VFW, church, or other community group and ask if they know anyone who is there that they could ask

 

[jsmith]

if you want to be connected with somoene from your community call the local national guard armory and ask if there are soldiers deployed from your area-they can point you to someone.
If you live near an installation and you know the names of deployed units you can call their rear detachments.

but these two web sites are an excellent place to start
www.anysoldier.com

www.soldiersangels.com

 

[LuvOrlando]

No advice, I just think what you are doing is so very wonderful.

Thanks for the posts jsmith, I will be checking them out tomorrow.