My son is going to Iraq soon, my family wants to know what items are good to send to him?

Question

I have no idea to what to tell them, hopefully some mom's and dad's out there can tell me what the troops can use.

Answer 1

I'm a girlfriend, not a mom or dad, but I sent a package every other day when my boyfriend was there (7 months), and the thing him and his plattoon liked most was beef jerky, a little expensive, but if that is what matters to them, then it's the #1 thing I'll send. Also, he liked sunflower seeds and pictures from home. Since all men are different, but are kind of in the same group, I'm sure anything will do. Candy of course, but stay away from chocolate if possible in the Summer months because it gets scorching (120s). I just sent my brother-in law a package with pringles, gushers, sunflower seeds, jerky, rice krispy treats, and starbursts, and pictures from my sister and his wedding (a week before he left for Iraq). The easiest thing to do is to ask them what they would really like to have in a letter in your package. But guaranteed if they don't want what you send, SOMEBODY will, and it is nice for everyone to get something from home. Lastly, my Number 1 suggestion, if you can, is to make their favorte home made cookies, if you have a vacuum sealer. I sent dozens and dozens of chocolate chip and peanut butter to my boyfriend and his guys, and it was their favorite thing, cause with the vacuum sealer, the freshness lasted. Just remember, anything is good if it is from home and from the heart. :)

Answer 2

Depends on where he is going. If he is going to a main base, they pretty much have everything there. If he is going to a FOB (forward operating base) they don't really have much. When I was there, I found that anything my family sent me was good because it showed that they thought of me. But below are some common stuff people send and some that I / we really like:
- Baby wipes
- Nuts (peanuts, cashews, almonds,etc)
- Photos
- Letters
- Little toys / games (battleship handheld games, and that paddle with a ball tied to it)
- Chocolate candies (whatever his favorites are, but M&Ms are great because they don't melt easy)
- Microwaveable meals that don't need refrigeration
- Hot Cocoa
- Crystal Light / Sweet Tea single serves
- DVDs
- Homevideos (preferably on DVDs - it is hard to find a VCR over there, but DVD players are everywhere, e.g. computers at work)
- Capuccino powders and other coffee-based instant drinks that come in powder form
- Tea
- Beef Jerky
- Tuna
- Canned soup
- Ramen noodles
- Sachet soup powders
and other stuff. Above are just some of the things I can think off that I know I enjoyed when I received (or wished I received)Besides, he will either trade the stuff he does not like, or even more often is that a box goes to a common area for everyone to share. So you know it will be used.
Here is a site too that I found with a list of things.
http://operationmilitarypride.org/packages.html
Hope this helps.

Answer 3

First of all, God Bless Your Son. Okay, I'm part of a group that sends things over to the troops and based on what I know, you can find out from his unit what items are most needed and what is actually allowed. We send things that we know the soldiers really appreciate having... like wet wipes, gum and hard candy, magazines... things like that. Whatever you do, make sure to tell people not to send things like homemade cookies or other perishable foods. The mail system is kind of slow and you wouldn't want him getting spoiled treats. I hope I've been of some help.

Answer 4

Spray Bottle fan, deodorant, Powder, Cookies, Sun glasses, Lip Balm, Phone Cards (even dollar store 20 minute ones are great), beef jerky, beanie babies (no really),

Dunkin Donuts donates the coffee
Passed on by supporter Kelly Bishop on 4 Mar 05:
Dunkin Donuts will send a case (24 one pound bags) to service members serving in Iraq. Dunkin Donuts donates the coffee and pays all the shipping costs.
Go to www.dunkindonuts.com
Fill out the form in the "comments" section.
Put the soldiers name and APO address.
Also state you would like them to send your soldier coffee
Click on "submit"
They are getting a lot of requests so it may take a little time.
You can also write with the same info to:
Dunkin Brands
130 Royall Street
Canton, MA 02121
Or call customer relations at 781-737-3000 (they are very friendly and helpful)
From Dunkin' Donuts:
Dunkin' Brands, Inc. supports the brave men and woman of the United States military.
We are honored to send a taste of home to our troops overseas. We will hold a monthly lottery to randomly select 50 military members among those requests submitted. Each will receive a case of Dunkin' Donuts coffee. We will limit the offer to those who have not previously received any coffee. Please understand that because of the volume of requests, only recipients will be notified.

Answer 5

awww, this question I am well experienced in as my husband has been three times. Hard candy, probably a blanket as it is going to start getting cold within a few months, maybe a fan as it is really hot over there right now, electrical outlet converters as the Iraqi plugs are different (you can get a nice set for relativly cheap at a Brookstone store), video games and entertainment items (when they are not working they tend to get really board), an international calling card (they used to have one from a company called segovia (sp?) but that company no longer exists and I can not remember what they switched to but they have excellent rates and an almost one for one minute thing vice att cards where if they call for every minute they talk it charges like 9 minutes), shaving cream and razors (the exchange is rather pricey out there from what I hear), and cookies. They love cookies. Hope this helps.
P.S. the post office has this care kit that they call care kit 04 or something like that but you get free priority boxes, lables, tape, and custom forms all for free.

Answer 6

First of all, wish him well on my behalf and tell him that I support him.

I have a few very good friends that were just sent out to Mosul about 2 weeks ago.

I got a list of what they usually needed; first and fore most, sunscreen - and lots of it.

Next was non-perishable items - i.e, stuff that will not melt - snacks and such.

Load him up on underwear and socks - having the opportunity to take showers will be few and far between.

Finally, the stuff that he may need like razors, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste etc.

And don't forget material that he can spend time reading, magazines, books, etc.

Give him my best and I hope you are a proud parent, because I know I would be.

PS - you can always send him stuff, but don't forget, it'll take about 2 months to get to him and do NOT forget filling out any customs paperwork as it will cause the package to be returned to you.

Answer 7

My husband is in the Marines and I send him things like magazines, baby wipes (very important), gum, toiletries, basically think about what you use every day and think he can't just go to the store to buy it so he will need it sent. Also photos are a big deal, the guys (and girls) over there get home sick so a photo can mean a lot. Let me know if I can help you with anything else♥

Answer 8

My dad was over for 9 months two years ago. I would send underware, paper and pens, just basic everyday things that anyone would need. If you go to your sons base(or he could do it)there should be a list of things that you can't send which will help you out a lot.

Answer 9

I've been told to send stuff like:
Outdoor pictures or magazines
powder, soap, D.O, eyedrops, toothpaste etc...
Candy that Does NOT melt: jelly beans, butterscotch, gum, maybe some lollypops, tootsie rolls
Maybe batteries for a mp3 player or cd player(see if he's taking those items)
Chapstick, hand lotion, maybe misc pins, clippers

Other thoughts:
bed sheets, rope, pen and paper, books to read, board games.
Crackers-pretzels-popcorn-and send Ziplock bags of all sizes.

Answer 10

Well I was getting ready to go to the Marines a few days ago, but then they told me that I was going for training in middle AUGUST!!!!!!! But I would send smaller things so he doesn't have to carry alot around, like pictures, cheap glasses, and maybe,(It depends on where he's going in Iraq) a canteen. Lots of love and hope!