What stuff do our soldiers want/need? (Vanity)

[chaosagent]

What kind of different things do our soldiers in Iraq want/need?

I've heard the following:

Neutragena Skin Cream Beef Jerky Carmex Lip Balm Writing pads & pens Baby Wipes

Is there a more complete list somewhere? Or can we start one here?

Also, I've heard someone say they need postage stamps, but I thought mail from a war area went postage-free.

Surely some Freeper has the info we need.

Thanks

[Theresa]

You are not supposed to send them stuff like that. FOX had a spot where they said that there's no way to actually get stuff like that down through the supply lines. Send an e-mail or find an organization that specializes in helping soldiers and thier families.

[Michael Barnes]

I've heard toothbrushes (for cleaning weapons), batteries, condoms (non-lube, for covering muzzels) <--serious. Check out warroom.com, I believe they have a list.

[mom4kittys]

Eye wash due to the sand storms there.

[Corin Stormhands]

2Jedismom has a pretty complete list. 2J, can you re-post here? Thanks.

[chaosagent]

Thanks. I checked out warroom.com. If there's a list buried here, I can't find it.

[chaosagent]

Well, I don't know. I've seen stories on TV about the troops receiving these packages and how happy they were. And plenty of people seem to be sending them.

[2Jedismom]

The DoD came out with an email stating if you didn't have a family member or friend to actually send the items to, they really didn't want you to send them. They are trying to discourage people from sending items to complete strangers.

What you should do is find someone who has someone in the military and give the items to them, with a card from you or something. Give them the items, a card and some cash to cover the postage and I'm sure they'd be happy to pass the items on to their loved ones, who in turn can pass extras on to their pals. A couple in my Sunday school class has TWO children in the Persian Gulf area and everyone in my class brings items to them for them to mail...plus a little to cover the postage. Postage is VERY expensive...a box can get up to 10lbs pretty quick and that can cost over $15 just to mail!

Here is my list...I got it here:

http://www.operationmilitarypride.org/packages.html


Food Items
*Instant coffee. There are many flavored coffees that are very good.
*Powdered Gatorade.
*Powdered hot chocolate
*Kool-Aid (presweetened of course)
*Tea bags
*Slim Jim's
*Crackers and Easy Cheese. Triscuits and Ritz crackers are
great.
*Single servings of bagged chips. (The small bags stay fresh longer.)
*Candy, of course. (M &amp; M's are great, hard candy-anything that won't
melt.)
*Little Debbie snack cakes
*Bubble gum
*Rice Krispie Treats
*Dry cereal. (The small, individual serving boxes stay very fresh.)
*Kraft Easy Mac
*Microwave popcorn
*Beef jerky
*Granola bars
*Power bars
*Dried fruit
*Chex mix
*Canned soup
*Tuna
*Spices (Onion powder, garlic powder, spice all, ect )
*Summer sausage
*Oatmeal
*Salsa
*Lollipops
*Marshmallows
*Gum
*Chips
*Ragu Express
*Canned chicken
*Salad dressing
*Instant soup
*Fast food condiments (Hot sauce, ketchup, mustard, salt and pepper
packets, relish, Mayo)

The Kids
* Have the kids draw a picture or write a story every day. Put them all
in a big envelope and send them with the care packages.
* Take video of the kids playing at the park, any school activities or
just sitting down and saying a personal message.
* Get some computer printer magnetic paper. Let the kids use paint
markers to draw a picture on it so the parent can easily hang it on the
metal rack that they sleep in.
* Let the kids do their very own care package. Let them put in whatever
they want.
*Use a casting kit to create a miniature plaster "sculpture" of a
new baby's foot or hand for a new daddy.




Practical
*Clorox wipes
*Baby wipes
*Razors, shaving cream
*Shampoo, conditioner
*After shave lotion
*Soap or body wash
*Mouth wash
*Deodorant
*T-shirts, underwear and socks, monthly.
*A big fluffy towel
*Eye drops, especially for those in the desert.
*Chapstick
*Lip balm
*Sun block
*Skin so soft (Avon)
*Lotion
*Dental floss
*Baby powder
*Foot powder
*Combs /brushes
*Cotton balls
*Liquid hand sanitizer
*Breath mints
*Contact lens cleaner
*Eye drops
*Nail files

For Females
*Feminine hygiene products (Tampons, panty liners)
*Hair bands
*Hair clips
*Nail polish
*Nail clippers
*Q-tips
*Small mirrors
*body sprays
*Candles
*Hair spray (Pump)
*Hair gel
*Perfume

Just for fun
*Send batteries. It sounds simple, but people forget.
*Sunblock
*A stress ball.
*Stamps, paper and envelopes with a nice writing pen might inspire a
few more letters home.
*Phone cards (AT&amp;T work best from Kuwait)
*Paperback book or magazines
*Disposable cameras
*Puzzles
*Film
*Journals
*Yo Yo's
*Squirt guns
*Frisbees
*Dart boards
*Small flash lights
*Hackie sacks
*Jump ropes
*Electronics hand held games
*Post cards from your home state
*Handmade items
*Radio head sets
*Portable CD players
*Mini fans
*Jokes and comics
*Balloons
*Hats (Baseball)
*Bandannas
*Socks
*Blankets
*Bug off
*Single sheet sets
*Birthday decorations
*Banners
*Send board games-the ones they have made into key chains.
*Send his favorite magazines
*If they're gone over a holiday, do up one box with just holiday
stuff. Be creative!
*With a CD burner, make a CD of favorite songs.
*Always write letters, but in addition you might record your letters
onto a tape.
*Send a few toys. Slinky, sidewalk chalk, squirt guns...anything
extra silly.
*Send electronic games.
*Make a miniature scrapbook.
*Foam footballs and basketballs, the miniature size. These will be
used constantly!

[chaosagent]

Thanks for the great list. My wife's office has two sons in Kuwait and Iraq, so we have someone to send them to.

Re: Stamps. I thought mail from a warzone was postage-free and have seen references to this. I notice you list stamps. I can't believe that they expect soldiers to come up with stamps to mail letters home.

Any thoughts.

[2Jedismom]

Re: Stamps. I thought mail from a warzone was postage-free and have seen references to this.

I don't know! I think you are right, but I'm not sure.

g'nad...do you know about this issue?

[g'nad]

mail put of a war zone doesn't require a stamp.... I've written a post on a cardboard sleeve from an MRE and it was delivered...no stamps...

[g'nad]

mail out of a war zone...

sorry...

[J.C.S MOM]

MY SON HAS JUST FOUND OUT HE WILL BE DEPLOYED...ANY WORDS OF WISDOM OUT THERE AS FAR AS WHAT SUPPLIES HE MIGHT NEED TO PACK

[Indy Pendance]

He'll be told what's essential, how much weight they can transport. My daughter is leaving next week. She's taking a lot of lotion for dry skin, a digital camera and a portable dvd player. Don't fret, I know I was for awhile, people here have been really helpful. He's trained and capable. Oh, all capital letters is considered shouting. Welcome aboard.

[g'nad]

What's his MOS?... branch of Service?... that makes a difference...

Freepmail me his unit... and his APO/FPO...

my wife posted yesterday... catching up now...