CARE PACKAGES for our Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, 2006

patriciaruth ^ | 1-21-06 | patriciaruth

[maine-iac7]

Packages mailed to Battle Company in Afghanistan by 4Godsoloved..Hegave (post 2145) Mailed December 8, 2007, to Battle Company in Afghanistan (near Pakistan border) 1 box, insured $95.61, postage $11.40 with confirmation 14 sticks 14 oz Hickory Farms beef summer sausage 11 tea bags Earl Grey 5 flavor packets (4 beef, 1 chicken) 3 individ packs 1.75 oz Whoppers 2 Christmas cards (one from cshnorthcarolina, one from Enterprise) Ordered December 8, 2007, to be mailed direct to Battle Company from Hickory Farms: 5 boxes cheeses (each box with 6 cheese bricks- 7 oz natural edam, new york cheddar, sharp cheddar; 6.5 oz apple pie cheddar; 6 oz smoked gouda; 4 oz smokey bar. And 6 strawberry hard candies). Cost $160.45

I am in awe of all of you - and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

For anyone who saw the NIGHTLINE film on BATTLE COMPANY or have seen the VANITY FAIR magazine article on BATTLE CO in the current issue (Jan) titled "The Valley of Death", you will realize how much this is going to mean to these troops, isolated in the high mountains of the Hindu Kish - which has one of the most brutal winters on earth, you will understand.

They are in the northeastern Kunar Province of Afghanistan - up against the Pakistan border - where the Taliban are holed up and BATTLE CO have been in over 500 firefights since getting there in June. It is brutal, terrifying = and the military, politicians and most media are being very quiet about it.

This little band of "Sky Soldiers" in BATTLE Co (the Paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne) well - if you haven't seen the VAnity FAir article or the film - you can see them both on line by going to the military web page for the 173rd -

http://www.setaf.army.mil/

They have no running water - they have no warm buildings to get into

These foods you wonderful, generous people are sending to them are going to be such a boon to them.

Surely, God does have many Angels on earth -

[maine-iac7]

I am looking at this simple little camp stove that they could take out on patrol with them? This sems to be the simplest and then there's this non-alcohol fuel?

at

http://www.campingsurvival.com/sinburfolsto.html

http://www.campingsurvival.com/magicheat.html

Do you think this fuel would ship ok?

I'm going to try sending one along with a tin cup and cocoa mix packs

[patriciaruth]

I assume the fuel is flammable.

You can’t send flammable items by USPS.

[maine-iac7]

I wonder about these hand warmers? Is anyone familiar with them? They burn solid 'fuel sticks" could these be shipped?

? http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(c5cmmz55wudweifcp4ga3dit)/ProductDetails.aspx?SKU=8063166

I can't find a time for how long they keep heat...but at $2.29 per 12 sticks to refuel a reusable warmer would be considerably less expensive than the plastic pouch throwaways?

They aren't that big, but they're better than nothing - and easier to carry, space wise than several throways

[maine-iac7]

What do you think about these?

also uses a solid fuel tablet

http://www.wildernessdining.com/cg9565.html

[patriciaruth]

I suggest you ask your local post office if they would accept the items if they were in a package.

I just tried to find some way to mail butane fuel canisters for a camp stove to my step daughter, and UPS, FedEx, as well as the post office wouldn’t take them. So I bought her a Big 5 gift certificate, and will just mail the camp stove.

They had an ice storm there last year and were out of power for a week.

[patriciaruth]

maine-iac7 wants to know if there are any fuels for hand warmers and camp stoves that the post office will accept for mailing in care packages to the troops. See picture posts above.

Mailed December 19, 2007, to Stryker at Baqubah
1 box, value $18.92, postage $8.95
6 packs of 8 large Pepperidge Farms cookies (3 dark choc pecan, 3 white choc macadamia)
8 individual wrapped Russell Stover chocolate raspberry cream filled Santas.

[4Godsoloved..Hegave]

Received reply from Iraq Stryker at Baqubah

Dear***
From the bottom of my FOB Warhorse heart, I want to thank you for the box of DVD’s and Baby Wipes. I will distribute these to the Soldiers of my platoon. I am sure they will appreciate your kind gift.
We have entered our eighth month here in Iraq. Our journeys have taken us from Baghdad to Baqubah. The fight was very direct in Baghdad, but here in Baqubah they resort to cowardly tactics. Instead of standing up and fighting they hide behind suicide bombers and roadside IED’s. Our boys continue to fight the good fight and go from handing out pencils to engaging the enemy in the blink of an eye.
The current area we are in is mainly Sunni, so the people are working to keep AQI (Al Queda in Iraq) out of their neighborhood. We continue to build schools, secure water facilities and keep the power going everyday. The role of an Infantryman is just as much a fighter as municipal worker at times.
Some personal sidenotes in this paragraph.
Thanks again for the package and have a wonderful holiday season.

LT***

[4Godsoloved..Hegave]

Sent to Battle Company Afghanistan Dec. 21, 2007

Priority Flat Rate box Insured $200, rate $11.40

10 Giant Handwarmers
4- 1/2 lb Big John’s Beef Jerky
Several boxes of hot tamale candies

[patriciaruth]

Those goodies in your package to Battle Company will be so very welcome.

Where did you find the hand warmers?

[4Godsoloved..Hegave]

This is where we bought it from:

http://store.scottsbt.com/701-Giant-Handwarmer-P12C32.aspx

[maine-iac7]

Just WOW. I just read this, well, some minutes ago - I had a bit of a tears of utter amazement and thankfulness for what the two of you are doing for BATTLE CO. I also just got through reading this weeks Christmas column, in our local paper, by my cousin (He's also a columnist) recalling a long ago Christmas as a Marine on the "Frozen Chosin" - 1950, Korea = in a battle that left 50% of the company KIA/MIA/wounded. He writes:

But then came the Chosin campaign, an epic in the annals of military battles. From November 27 to December 24, 1950, the casualties of the First Marine Division numbered 11,733 either killed, wounded, missing or sub-zero frozen and severe frostbite. This was nearly half of the 23,000 Marines committed to that battle.

I remember so vividly one brutally cold night sitting in Chesty Puller’s blackout tent deciphering a code message from division stating that Puller and his First Marines were to cover the division’s withdrawal from the Chosin. I remember saying to my boss that reaching the coast by December 15 would be a good birthday present for me. Puller looked at me and said in his Virginia drawl that I could count on it. I had Xenophon on my side. Maybe it was code, I thought.

The next morning as fellow Marines, the walking wounded, straggled into Koto-ri from Hagaru and Korean points north, we gathered at a gravesite beside a small hut hidden from the NK snipers on the hillside. Bulldozers had scraped a shallow trench that was all they could do with the frozen soil of the Chosin. We laid our dead comrades in battle death clothes in neat rows in the common grave and said, each of us to our own, a silent prayer, betrayed only by the frosty whispered breath of we the living.

Over the next few days we fought our way through ten Chinese divisions down a 78-mile mountain road in sometimes minus 30-degree weather. The 15-foot wide road had a steep cliff on one side and at the other a chasm.

and so it went. Dates change. Places change. War doesn't. Battle Company's winter is in a place even colder - (Winter in the Hindu Kish gets to minus 40) and they, too, are in the open.

These hand-warmers - that can also be hung from the neck to rest on the chest and keep the body core warm - are going to be a God-send, from his angels here.

My grandson got back to Jalalbad for a 2-3 day respite and HOT SHOWERS! HOT FOOD! and a quick message to gramma - in which he wanted to quickly pass on that He and the rest of BATTLE CO are " ... blown away with what the response has been, and can't believe how supportive so many people have been with what trying to accomplish over there.

It's so great to know we are not forgotten by the people, even if it sometimes feels we are by others. We can't thank them enough..."

I had sent them 3 disposable cameras with return postage pack = and he said he's sending his back with pics - so when I get it, I will get them developed and post. I have given hime a heads up to grab lighter fluid for the handwarmers while in jalalabad - as can others periodically.

Oh - patriciaruth You asked about where to get the hand warmers - they are the jon-e Giant by Aladdin and online at:

http://www.libertymountain.com/catalog.php?type=product&id=395

The Giants burn for 24+ hours, ideal for them as they are 'outside the wire" on patrols that often last days - and nights.

I cannot even imagine. I have only been able to get my car dug out of the snow and ice one time this last 9 days - and hibernate here in my snug house by my wood stove...every time I hear myself start to mumble something about the cold, I bring myself up short, thinking about the cold this handful of troops are going through - outside. And getting shot at in the bargain. Thank you, Angels-on-Earth. Thank you!

[maine-iac7]

Oh right - I had that link too - it is the best one...

http://store.scottsbt.com/701-Giant-Handwarmer-P12C32.aspx

[4Godsoloved..Hegave]

http://store.scottsbt.com/701-Giant-Handwarmer-P12C32.aspx

http://www.libertymountain.com/catalog.php?type=product&id=395

http://www.11milesports.com/catalog.php?type=product&id=395

Had trouble finding the links when I posted my last message. Yes these are the three links you gave me. Prices better than I could find while searching the WWW. The one is cheaper at $15 or so but they are out of stock. Shipping for the ten was very reasonable @ $8.70 total. There is someone selling them for 12.95 on ebay but they want $8 shipping for each warmer.

I really hope they work out for them and they can keep them fueled. Was so glad to hear you talked with your grandson and that the issue with the lighter fluid could be solved.

Thanks for keeping us posted. We are keeping them all in our prayers. Oh I also made a copy of the Vanity Fair article and sent it in the box also.

[patriciaruth]

Maine men are experienced fighters with indomitable spirit.

I love the movie Gettysburg and the focus on Colonel Chamberlain, winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor, and played brilliantly by Jeff Daniels.

I’m assuming Battle Company can’t watch DVD movies while they are on walkabout, but how about while at base camp?

I’d love to send them Gettysburg, although I would assume they are already very familiar with the epic.

[maine-iac7]

I’ll get an answer as soon as I can...I hope they can as it would provide some relief...

[patriciaruth]

EMAIL from HHC of NPTT in Baghdad:

Patty,
Recieved the 4th Box today, and the timing is impeccable (the 24th). The box actually arrived a few days ago, but due to mission requirements and the mailroom changing their hours we didn’t get a chance to pick it up until today. The tree is already set up and partially decorated, we’ll spend the rest of the day decorating in time for our Christmas BBQ tonight. With some creative planning we’ve managed to adjust our schedule so that we have [time for] Christmas ....
Thank you and all of the Merry Band of Patriots for your thoughts, prayers and gifts and wishing everyone a very Merry and Safe Christmas.

V/R
MAJ

[PGalt]

Thanks for everything that you do, Patty, and thanks to all contributors on this thread.

Merry Christmas to FR’s finest and America’s finest.

[Enterprise]

Outstanding!!

[maine-iac7]

And EVERY ONE

O'Reilly, has a special on Afghanistan tonite - 8 EST