2007-01-06 16:15:53 · 14 answers · asked by Femme Fatale 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Phone cards.
Those little tubes of Kool-aid that you mix into your bottled water to make it taste good.
Candy.
Gatoraid
Batteries. Soldiers have lots of personal things that run on batteries, and they can't always get to the PX to get them.
If you send cookies or candy make sure it is well packaged. Sometimes the chocolate melts and when you open the package you just find a puddle of chocolate mess at the bottom, or a zip lock bag full of cookie crumbs.
DONT send anything that can get them into trouble. (Liquor, porn, etc.).
I've heard that silly string is now in demand... they use it to check for tripwires. However I dont know if you can mail it as it comes in pressurized cans. Check with the post office.
Sports magazines. Comic books.
Hot sauce. MREs get kind of bland after the first week, and even chow hall food leaves a bit to be desired. Hot sauce and other sauces can be a real treat. Some of the Marines I know like those fancy flavored creamers to put into their coffee. The coffee can get kind of icky too, so that those things can brighten it up. Just make sure it is the kind that doesn't have to be refrigerated.
DVDs. You send DVDs they will scrounge up a DVD player, trust me.
Little bottles of hand sanitzer, and baby wipes. You don't always have access to bathrooms, so these things can come in handy.
Make sure to get the pocket size or purse size. These things have to fit into the cargo pocket of his uniform.
2007-01-06 16:33:40 · answer #1 · answered by Larry R 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on where the soldier is. Even within a country such as Afghanistan or Iraq, there is very different weather. Northern Iraq is much different than the desert south, even getting snow in some places. Check out the many websites dedicated to helping the troops, such as http://operationmilitarypride.org/ or many others. (Just make sure it is a legit site...there might be a few fraudulent ones)
Good Luck and Thank you for supporting the troops.
2007-01-07 00:23:08 · answer #2 · answered by spacecase544 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Write letters. Every day. Even if it is just a few lines about nothing in particular. Write and send one letter every single day. Food and sweets are nice but they don't mean crap compared to a letter from home. Talk about anything. Tell them how proud you are of them. Don't tell them you miss them - tell them how eager you are to see them again. What's the difference? One is a negative emotion and the other is positive. Pictures are nice too. Especially if you are holding a sign that says something nice like "I love you." If you are sending this package to your significant other do NOT send pictures of yourself with other members of the opposite sex in the picture as well. Even if they are just friends and it is all perfectly innocent. The mind can and will play tricks on you. True story, while in boot camp the drill instructor would come up to a buddy of mine every single morning that he was on duty and say, "I f@#ed your wife last night!" This guy was from Denver, CO, and we were in San Diego, CA. His wife was still in Denver waiting faithfully for her man to come home. Obviously, the DI was pulling his chain but you know what? After about 8 weeks of being told the same thing day after day, my buddy started to believe it. He started getting really agitated and started to question his wife's loyalty to him. We talked about it often and even though he knew it was irrational he couldn't shake this idea that his wife was having an affair with the DI. So, ladies, no other guys in the picture!
When sending food, make sure it is something that doesn't melt, freeze, or spoil. Send enough for the recipient to share with their buddies and clearly label what it is inside the package. The last thing you want your soldier, sailor, or Marine to say when opening the package is, "what the hell is that?"
Other things that are good are small items to keep the boredom away. Playing cards, those pocket-sized chess sets for traveling in the car, and other small and easily portable entertainments are good choices. Try for something that can be used over and over again. Books are not a bad choice as they can be shared around the squad once the owner has finished it. Unless you are sending your package to someone in garrison do not assume that they have electricity. If they are a line unit like an infantry unit try to avoid things that make noise or light up.
No porn, no alcohol, no contraband. Don't get them into trouble. If you decide to send a picture of yourself scantily clad in some sexy pose then be aware that every guy in the unit is going to see and comment on that picture. Once seen this picture cannot be unseen so unless you are prepared to deal with the looks from your lover's squad buddies when they all get home you should probably stick to something a little less revealing.
2007-01-07 01:57:33 · answer #3 · answered by cbruscas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Things that remind them of home. They get homesick.
When I was away with the AirForce all I wanted was a snap shot of home to look at. THen you know what you are working for.
2007-01-07 00:23:58 · answer #4 · answered by caz_v8 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Baby wipes(washing when there is no water), magazines, cookies, candy, pictures...little pieces of home. Think about what makes them feel at home...a little bit of Mom, Dad, siblings...and friends.
2007-01-07 01:04:48 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IF this is your man.........lover husband etc then special letters, songs that mean something to you two............food that does NOT go off etc.............if for some one random then again food that does not perish, socks soap baby wipes etc are good plus a letter of thanks..................basically from what I have been told then ANYTHING from home is more than welcome,...............DVD are also good but it depends what you can afford........my son knows how much I have to spare the day I sent his parcel off by whats in it LOL LOL,
regards and hopes that they ALL come home safe
2007-01-07 00:21:58 · answer #6 · answered by candy g 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your local VFW post should be able to help you. I know they send care packages all the time. Also, the American Leagon, if they don't know, they may know who would.
2007-01-08 14:01:48 · answer #7 · answered by gigglings 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you know them, snacks you know they like, pictures from home. Little trinkets that mean something from all members of family and friends.
I sent underwear, socks, favorite snacks, magazines, or favorite books. I even sent a little container of dirt from home.
If you don't know them, just general things like varieties of candy, snacks, deodorant, etc...
Trust me, anything is appreciated and welcomed
2007-01-07 00:27:10 · answer #8 · answered by time_wounds_all_heelz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Food is usually welcome - cookies, snacks, etc. NO ALCOHOL. Books and magazines are welcome, but think PG rated, otherwise they could get in trouble. Also, think of things that help you pass slow times - chewing gum, deck of cards, paper/pens/stamps for writing home, small electronic games. Pictures are always enjoyed.
2007-01-07 00:20:40 · answer #9 · answered by physicsmom04 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
nude pics, youself, candy (stripers). a box they can ship themselves home in, cookies, and janies, and mary's, and whatever else they can't get in the desert. but they have to be old enough. (at least 18).
(at least that's what i'd want if i was in the desert. preferably in all colors and great numbers. it gets cold at night.)
2007-01-07 00:23:15 · answer #10 · answered by de bossy one 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋