Posted on 10/27/2003 7:43:53 AM PST by Michael.SF.
I had not heard that.
Can anyone confirm?
When you fill out the Customs form, keep it simple. Just list "stationery, personal grooming items, books" and make sure you list them as GIFTS or the PO will try to get some money out of you!!! GIFTS.
I've sent tobacoo products (chewing tobacco requested by a soldier), cigarettes (also requested) and never listed them on the Customs label and they were very happily received at the other end.
Also - the guys are really eager for BROWNIES!!! After I've written to someone, and they've gotten to know me, I ask them if they'd like some chocolate-chip cookies or brownies? If you don't want to bake them yourselves, Sam's makes pre-packaged brownies, and the whatever-they-are Softbakes Chocolate-Chip Cookies. ?Mrs. Fields? Can't remember. These are good to send if you want to send edibles before they've gotten to know and trust you. Frankly, since 9/11, the Military is concerned about sending home-baked items and soldiers who don't know you, receiving them. These baked items are almost as good as home-made and don't bring up the trust issues.
I had a request from a Crew Chief on the Connie who was from Hawaii for anything with Macadamias in them, and even Kona coffee if I had some. I bought some white chocolate Macadamia-nut cookies (Peppridge Farm makes 3 different kinds with Macadamias), and put some Kona coffee (from my personal restricted-use stash!!!) in a resealable baggie. He wrote back that he thought he'd died and gone to Heaven! These guys are so appreciative of anything you do for them.
In fact, I started writing to the guys on the Connie, just to send them the current news, and also to let them know that we loved them and supported them because the pilots "control the TV in the break room" and they always had it on CNN. These poor guys, working 18-hours shifts during "Shock and Awe" thought we hated them, and they were going to come home to something resembling the welcome that the guys got after Viet Nam.
In fact, AF_Blue, a member of FR, sent me lots of good stuff from the AF Times, and finally after about 2 weeks of email, they were finally convinced that CNN had it all wrong and was only reporting part of the news. I also printed out and mailed them "Support Our Troops" threads especially those from the DC Chapter. I finally won them over and convinced them that they were NOT being called baby-killers or war-mongerers.
Another tip. If you have children, or can get kids at school, Brownies, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts or Church Sunday School to draw pictures for these guys, they are the biggest softies, and love pictures from kids. One guy reported that he wanted some Scotch tape, so he could tape his pictures at the creases (he'd had to fold them up to move so many times, they were falling apart) and hang them in his "new" tent. If the kids draw pictures of support, something showing yellow ribbons around the trees, flags flying, Blue Mom's flags - they really love them. In fact, these guys love anything you take the time to send them.
I have one more suggestion as the holidays approach. How about sending a box with wrapping paper, Clear sticky tape (you know, the Scotch stuff), and ribbon so these guys can wrap some packages to send home? Don't need to send postage - they can use "free" if they're in a warzone.
One more suggestion. I lied when I said the above was the last one. If you know there are women where you are sending packages, try to get the name and address for them. They are desperate for sanitary supplies when they are not near a PX, and frankly, like being in Baghdad, they are NOT. And if you desire - some makeup, shampoo, conditioner (the sand and wind is hard on their hair), hand lotion, body oil, complexion bar soaps, Q-Tips, packets of Kleenex, makeup remover, hair stretchies, pony tail ribbons, bobby pins and last but not least, Handiwipes. I sent some "travelling packs" of Handiwipes, a large container of Baby wipes with aloe. I also sent, at personal request, contact lens cleaner and kit. Some of our Military never thought about not being around water, and needing cleaners and enzymatic stuff that can be used without having water.
OK, I'll go away quietly now.
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