Soldiers would love late gifts of candy, coffee, Cottonelle

The News Tribune - Tacoma, WA ^ | December 28th, 2003 | MICHAEL GILBERT

[Radix]

Great thread here. You have given me some ideas about things that I have not considered before. I am always looking for new ideas. I try to be innovative.

I believe that one important thing to send in any package is a note of encouragement. I always include a personal note with something that they would find interesting or curious. I also like to include an up to date newspaper so that they can see the sports, and other things.

I tend to use the USPS boxes which measure 12" X 10" X 8", they cost $1.98 each.

[A Navy Vet]

Operation Gratitude has sent out thousands of packages, and will continue to do so while there are American servicemembers overseas.

[pbear8]

Can books be shipped to Iraq?

Try www.booksforsoldiers.com website, I think you'll find the information there.

[Hunble]

Each and everyone of you have answered my original question and provided some outstanding information.

I can assure you, those books will be shipped to Iraq this week.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Got this off of Flame Turns Blue Holiday Open Thread

Hi fellow Stryker families. I received a phone call from my Nephew last night and was thrilled to hear his voice. I asked him what he needed most. He said everyone needed black socks(they have to be black.) They all had holes in their socks. He also said that most of the DVD players were not working, everyone having problems with the sand. Baby wipes, Shick triple edge razors, magazines and self addressed envelopes for those back home. No need to add postage to the envelopes, the army will do that. Also, disposable cameras with postage on the return box. My newphew is in company A. They don't have laundry services but are using a scrub board so I am sending him a bar of Fels Naptha. He also said that laptops with DVD card would be terrific if anyone out there had a spare. I was afraid to ask too much about what and where he was (for security) because I don't know if the calls are monitored, but hearing his voice gave me great comfort. He sounded good, no complaints about anything. He said the care packages from home are appreciated by everyone. Some of the mail sent before Thanksgiving has not been received but they did get their first mail on Christmas Day. We at home mean everything to them and our letters are the best support possible. I am the Aunt, not the wife or mother. I can't imagine how hard it is for you wives, husbands and parents of our soldiers. My heart is with you as with my Nephew. Thank you for allowing me the comfort of sharing in this family.

Posted by: Auntie at December 28, 2003 10:40 AM

[Darksheare]

I think my coffee is banned by the Geneva convention.

[snippy_about_it]

We don't need no stinkin' Geneva convention. LOL.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

We also had both an e-mail and a call this morning from our son in the 1/23. He sounded in good spirits, said mail had finally arrived. In line with the earlier thread about what to send the guys, he mentioned that laundry was a problem and that more socks (warm, black or green) would be welcome. Also thin but warm gloves (we found him some cross-country skiing gloves), any kind of hot drink mixes (cider, instant coffee, etc.), and an adjustable-power headlamp for reading that uses AA or AAA batteries. He said those batteries are the easiest to find over there. He said everyone has been very busy and there wasn't much time for e-mail. He was using a satellite phone some Air Force guys had, and we had a great connection.

So anyway, everyone, keep up with the packages and letters, the guys really appreciate it.

Happy holidays to everyone.

Posted by: Carla at December 24, 2003 05:02 PM

[Calpernia]

Pro Military, Pro Coalition News

Suggestions in this thread on what our military needs if anyone is involved with sending care packages! Thanks for the ping Cannoneer!

He said everyone needed black socks(they have to be black.) They all had holes in their socks. He also said that most of the DVD players were not working, everyone having problems with the sand. Baby wipes, Shick triple edge razors, magazines and self addressed envelopes for those back home. No need to add postage to the envelopes, the army will do that. Also, disposable cameras with postage on the return box. They don't have laundry services but are using a scrub board so I am sending him a bar of Fels Naptha. He also said that laptops with DVD card would be terrific if anyone out there had a spare.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

My husband is a SSG in 1-23 IN and I was able to hear from him early Christmas morning 12:51 am. :) I was told by him that they are needing hiking socks since they are on their feet a lot and don't take their boots off much. Hope everyone had great Holidays and that you have a Happy New Year as well. My hubby had to leave me, our son 6, daughter 2 1/2 years and daughter 3 mos.. (was 1 month when left). We miss him terribly and think of him often. Fortunately we were able to move home to Oregon and be around family and friends during this deployment.

Posted by: Amber at December 27, 2003 01:10 AM

[Darksheare]

Well, it DOES dissolve stuff on contact.
*Chuckle*

[SAMWolf]

I think my coffee is banned by the Geneva convention

Darn! He's right!!!

CONVENTION (IV) RESPECTING THE LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND

Signed at The Hague, 18 October 1907.

CHAPTER I

Means of Injuring the Enemy,
Sieges, and bombardments

Art. 22. The right of belligerents to adopt means of injuring the enemy is not unlimited.

Art. 23. In addition to the prohibitions provided by special Conventions, it is especially forbidden -

(a) To employ poison or poisoned weapons;

(b) to kill or wound treacherously individuals belonging to the hostile nation or army;

(c) To kill or wound an enemy who, having laid down his arms, or having no longer means of defence, has surrendered at discretion;

(d) To declare that no quarter will be given;

(e) To force any military or civilian personnel to drink Darksheare's coffee;

(f) To employ arms, projectiles, or material calculated to cause unnecessary suffering;

(g) To make improper use of a flag of truce, of the national flag or of the military insignia and uniform of the enemy, as well as the distinctive badges of the Geneva Convention;

(h) To destroy or seize the enemy's property, unless such destruction or seizure be imperatively demanded by the necessities of war;

(i) To declare abolished, suspended, or inadmissible in a court of law the rights and actions of the nationals of the hostile party. A belligerent is likewise forbidden to compel the nationals of the hostile party to take part in the operations of war directed against their own country, even if they were in the belligerent's service before the commencement of the war.

[mystery-ak]

I send my hubby a box full of coffee and canned fruit(peaches-fruit cocktail) each month....other items they miss are pudding, dinty moore side dishes,ramen noodles, tuna/tuna salad, canned chicken salad, peanut butter, crackers, cheese(good time of the year,like Hickory Farms) microwave popcorn, caramel popcorn......socks, boxer shorts.....my hubby drinks coffee everyday all day no matter how hot it is, so he goes through a lot of coffee and he tells me that Army coffee is terrible...include also dry creamers and sugar packs.

My packages are averaging about 10 days now....Mike told me a little trick...under his address and on the corner of the package to print the city he is in, in black felt-tip pin...it makes sorting easier and faster.

anybody that needs any other ideas let me know.....don't forget Valentine's Day will be here shortly.

[Radix]

I send my hubby a box full of coffee and canned fruit(peaches-fruit cocktail) each month,,

The LT R jr, advised me to lay off on the canned fruit. He also said that they do not need the foot powder and the hand soaps, toilet paper, and certain other such things as these products are now in plentiful supply.

I no longer am certain what to send, so I go for the junk. The Dinty Moore, and the Beefaroni, and such things is a hit according to the LT! I always include some stuff called Red Bull (an energy drink?).

The magazines are I believe a good idea, but now, I always ask for them to tell me what to send. I anxiously await their requests. I only send to a handful of Troops, but it means a lot to me to be able to do what I can.

[mystery-ak]

LOL...Mike has enough personal items to last two tours...but he still wants his fruit and coffee....and all the little surprise goodies I include in his box.

[radu]

HEY! I didn't see Darksheare's coffee on this list.

Now, SAM, that would be cruel! LOL!

[SAMWolf]

Well I was thinking of throwing it at the enemy and making them melt. ;-)

[Samwise]

http://www.booksforsoldiers.com/

Here's some info I got from another freeper.

[radu]

Thanks for the ping, Calpernia!

I'm always looking for more ideas for things to tuck into the care packages I send. The longer the list gets, the better. :-)