[Cannoneer No. 4]

Stryker Brigade Combat Team Tactical Studies Group (Chairborne)

[Cannoneer No. 4]

ping

[snippy_about_it]

Finnerty had another idea.

"I would very much like a conjugal visit. ... Even prisoners get a conjugal visit."

Gotta love the humor of American Soldiers Ping!

[secret garden]

bump for a care package reminder

[LisaMalia]

I'm going to email this article to family and friends..however.......!

I've never sent a care package before. Could someone post instructions on how to wrap properly, where to send, etc. Thanks!!!!!

[Polybius]

My brother-in-law is currently in Iraq flying helicopter air cover in support of raids targeting pro-Saddam loyalists.

Since his days consist of periods of stress between periods of sheer boredom, he requested games that they could play between what I call "missions" and what my more irreverant brother-in-law calls "raping and pillaging the enemy".

My wife also mailed off some boxes of his favorite childhood cereal that he still likes.......You don't want to know what is is.

[4mycountry]

LOL. I may just make one of those myself and send it over there. :)

[eyespysomething]

I am hoping our soldier got his package in time for Christmas. We are waiting to hear back from him. Maybe we will go ahead and send another package without waiting to hear back.

Does anyone know the turnaround time for packages to make it to Iraq? We sent ours on the 5th, thinking it would be enough time. Gosh I hope he got it!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

CLICK HERE for 03/22/03 Department of Defense
Press Release.
TROOP SUPPORT MAIL POLICY STRESSED
To bolster force protection, the general public is urged not to send unsolicited mail, care packages or donations to service members forward deployed unless you are a family member, loved one or personal friend.

Please DO NOT post any military snail mail addresses on
public internet message boards, forums etc.
This puts Military personnel at risk
and often causes them problems
receiving packages from their family and friends.

“Operation USO Care Package”
Delivers Needed Items and Personal Messages to
Service Members Deployed Overseas
You, Too, Can Show a Service Member You Care

With thousands of U.S. troops deployed around the world, still actively engaged in Operation Enduring Freedom and the fight against terrorism, the United Service Organizations (USO) is offering a unique way for individuals and corporations to let our nation's defenders know we haven't forgotten them. “Operation USO Care Package,” sponsored by the USO World Headquarters and administered by the USO of Metropolitan Washington (USO-Metro), enables individuals to write a personal message and financially support care packages that will be delivered to service members participating in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Because of heightened security, individuals can no longer send letters and packages to 'Any Service Member.' Operation USO Care Package is approved by the Department of Defense, providing a safe, easy way for individuals and corporations to show their prayers and thoughts are with our men and women in uniform.

Corporations may also contribute to this program through financial contributions, items donated in bulk for the care packages, or through implementation of an employee participation program. AT&T is a major supporter of this program, providing a complimentary toll free number for individuals to call for further information (1-866-USO-GIVE) and donating thousands of prepaid international phone cards to be included in the packages for the troops. “Our men and women in uniform give so much to the country, we wanted to give something in return as a token of our appreciation that would allow their separation from their loved ones to be a little easier,” according to Paul McQuillan, Defense Sales Vice President, AT&T Government Solutions.

“These Care Packages help the USO bring a touch of home to our men and women in uniform,” said Edward A. Powell, President and CEO of USO World Headquarters. The care packages contain an assortment of items the military have specifically requested, such as prepaid international calling cards, disposable cameras, toiletries, and sunscreen. They also include greetings from the American public, transcribed onto official “Operation USO Care Package” post cards by volunteers and USO staff members.

“Operation USO Care Package will continue for as long as our country is at war,” according to Elaine Rogers, USO-Metro President. “This program is possible because of the support from individuals, corporations and organizations that donate funds to sponsor these care packages.”

Individuals and corporations can learn more about how to get involved and support “Operation USO Care Package” through donations of product or funds, by calling 866-USO-GIVE.

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT OPERATION USO CARE PACKAGE?

• Individuals may donate $25, which goes toward sponsorship of an “Operation USO Care Package.” Personal greetings may be forwarded to our post office box with the contribution. USO will transcribe the message onto an official “Operation USO Care Package” postcard, available for preview here.
• Corporations may make a tax-deductible financial donation to support “Operation USO Care Package.” A $25 donation goes toward sponsorship of one care package. Each care package will recognize corporate sponsors.
• Corporations may donate items listed on the “Service Members’ Wish List” to USO-Metro, many of which may be branded with your corporate logo. These items must be sent in bulk from the manufacturer. Please call (703) 696-2628 for advance coordination of deliveries.
• Corporations may delegate an employee to serve as its “Operation USO Care Package” liaison. The liaison will communicate your corporate involvement and enlist employees to participate. Employee participants could sponsor an individual care package, which would include their personal message. Corporations interested in participating in this option or willing to match their employees’ support should call (703) 696-2628 for further information.

Please send all checks and personal greetings for “Operation USO Care Package” to:
USO-Operation USO Care Package
C/O Pentagon Federal Credit Union
P.O. Box 19221
Alexandria, VA 22320-9998

Due to the threat of anthrax following September 11, DoD suspended its practice of forwarding personal care packages and correspondence by the American public to “Any Service Member.” In its place, USO created a care package program. Through sponsorship of an “Operation USO Care Package,” an individual’s personal greeting will be transcribed onto an official postcard and included in the care package going to a service member.

MAKE YOUR DONATION NOW!

SERVICE MEMBERS' WISH LIST
Travel Size Personal Items*	Miscellaneous Items*
Disposable Razors	Playing Cards and Board Games
Toothbrushes	Compact Discs
Toothpaste	Current Movies on DVD
Tissues	Crossword Puzzle Books
Shampoo/Conditioner	Disposable Cameras
Shower Gel	Pre-paid Global Calling Cards
Sunscreen	Stationery and Journals
Baby Wipes	Sunglasses
Hand Lotion	Small Footballs, Softballs
Lip Balm	CD/DVD Cases with Zipper
Cotton Swabs	Individually Wrapped Snack Items
Sewing Kits	Shoe Polish Kits
*Many of these items may be imprinted with your corporate logo and /or the USO logo.

[McGavin999]

I've got 4 huge boxes packed in the other room ready to go out but I've hesitated to send them. I don't know if they'll arrive in Iraq before my guys are transferred out. I haven't heard a word about them rotating out yet but the rumors over here aren't clear who is going and when. I'd hate to send all that stuff and have it either arrive the day before they leave (and they'd either have to pack it or give it away which wouldn't be too bad) or worse, have it arrive the day after they leave and have the whole thing shipped back to me for another $100 in postage.

[VOA]

thanks for post...I've got to get something in the mail for somebody who deployed
to Afghanistan just before Chirstmas.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Some good ideas for the next package I sent "over there". I'm takin' notes.

[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.

[PleaseNoMore]

"Toilet paper is always good, the nice soft kind," he added. "The Cottonelle with aloe, in the little green package. We get toilet paper - it's not like we're out or anything - but the Army kind is scratchy."

LOL. My neighbor, a former commander in the 82nd, calls this "John Wayne" toilet paper. He says that because it is "tough as hell and don't take $hit off anyone".

I would love to do a package for a soldier or soldiers who don't get any. How would I go about doing that?

[oceanperch]

Where is an address? We make good care packages according to King's Dad who lives in another state and loves the stuff we send that is personal.


A good one would be a shirt worn by a wife or husband with all the smells.

Really. Me and a guy fell for each other last summer and chose not to stay together but remain close in heart every now and then we change shirts to have the smell.

I bet his new girlfriends wonder why he has a stash of womans oversized shirts. LOL Every now and then a family friend sees one of his shirts around the house and rolls their eyes.

Hey we were smart enough to relize a long term marraige was not going to work as we both are committed to being single/chaste for life so this is a special little thing we do.

[Eagle Eye]

Twizzlers! The px brand is tough and hard.

Coffee! In cans or vac bricks. PX's generally don't have it and Starbucks or other specialty coffees are especially welcome.

Cigars! For those who enjoy cigars, get them something decent and moderately priced. Yes, we can get select Cubans, but not everyone wants to pay $6 and more per stick. On the other end is Swisher Sweets. Some decent Dominicans of Hondurans would be appreciated.

DVDs and CD's! Some PX's have ok selection, others don't.

Current favorite magazines! The PX selection doesn't have much without pictures. 'nuff said on that.

Lightweight gloves-black or tan--The supply system is still the supply system and those guys and despite popular conceptions of the region, it's frickin' cold!

Bore snakes--Sometimes the PX has them, often not. Makes life a lot easier.

Copenhagen!! I don't dip, but lots do and there's always a shortage. Send it by the roll or log.

Shades! The PX is really limited. Sometimes a few cheapies are better than a $60 pair.

That's what I can tell you off the top of my head.


Oh, slow up on the books. That's not an official order, just an observation. There's a back log. They don't know what to do with them all. They don't have places for them at all the camps yet and there's buku at Baghdad just waiting around.