What do our soldiers in Iraq need?

[Jenmarie]

Rachel,

That's a wonderful idea! I know last Christmas my kids that I work with loved the thought of making a difference in the servicemen and women's days. I had a huge stack of pictures they spent hours on to send out. The kids do really care - plus the idea of pizza doesn't hurt!

 

[schmuckatelli]

Although sending care packages to "any servicemember" is a nice gesture, it clogs up the mail system, which is already horribly slow, and delays us from receiving stuff from people we actually know. If you know somebody on deployment, great, send them a care package, but if you are just sending things to "any servicemember", please don't.

 

[VarmintShooter]

I didn't think that (post 9/11) they would deliver "Any Servicemember" mail. Are they doing that again?

 

[bennett4362]

someone posted something a couple of weeks ago from the navy that requested not to send any servicemember mail for the reasons schmukatelli mentioned.

however, several of us were asking if anyone knew of someone specific we could send stuff to.

 

[NFOwife]

Not related to the ground troops, but you might want to contact the family support centers of the bases in Norfolk and San Diego for contacts to help with ships returning from deployment. When my husband went on his last deployment, when the guys returned we did a ton of stuff for the enlisted guys in the squadron, many of whom didn't have family to meet them at the pier or anywhere to live, etc. We made up welcome home baggies (soliciting businesses for donations and buying stuff ourselves), made signs, and went to the enlisted barracks and made their beds up for them to give them a nice welcome home and to thank them for taking care of our hubbies. I bet if you called and got into contact with some of the spouse's clubs for the deployed squadrons or ship's company and expressed an interest in donating items or $$, they'd love it! You'd still be able to contribute but wouldn't be clogging up the mail system with the "any serviceman" type of mail. Just another idea.

 

[sonshine]

We aren't sending then to "any servicemember;" cause it's not allowed. We would be working in conjunction with the Blue Star Mothers of America, who already have addresses for the troops. We would just be collecting the stuff for them so they don't run out of supplies. I talked to one of the Blue Star Mothers about it today and she was really excited. I wouldn't do it if it would clog up the mail system!
NFOwife, I'm in Oklahoma, so I don't really think I could do much to help out in Norfolk or San Diego. But I'll check with the other bases here.
Thanks for all the input guys...

 

[gagirl]

Hey Sonshine,

It sounds like a great idea! I think I put in one of my previous posts that the guys really enjoyed getting something from children. I think it just emphasizes another reason why they are there. For all of our children and secure a safe future for them and our grandchildren etc.
My girls class did their handprints and then put stars on it with glue and glitter. I even heard that the troops brought them home with them. I figured they threw them out, but they didn't.

I just wish I could do more and tell everyone over there how much I appreciate what they're doing.
I'm in VA, but let me know if there is anything I can do to help you.

God Bless our troops and protect them!
Anne

 

[sonshine]

Hey gagirl,
You could always look into doing the same sort of thing in VA with the Blue Star Mothers... I'm sure there's lots of people who'd love to help you. It's wierd, spending time, doing stuff like this doesn't seem like work at all. I'ts fun and rewarding. I feel privileged to be able to help out.

 

[snow85]

here in houston, we're organizing a citywide project to take place in april '05. it will incorporate just about everyone who wants to participate (Marine Moms, professional sports teams, schools, corporations.... you name it.) houston has a large reserve contingent, so they will be the target group. if there's any advice you need, just let me know.

 

[BigWorm]

This is a list my buddy put together before he went of to Iraq a year ago. Just some basic things for family/friends to send over. I just copied and pasted, so don't mind the spelling - his profession ain't Inglish.

--Gear List--
electirical tape
550 cord/ parachuters cord
duct tape
boot socks- black or green
black nylon socks
flea collars
no doz(caffeine pills)
razor blades
baby wipes
double A batteries
vitamens
advil
underwear
nonchafing lotion
hand sanitizer
foot powder
cigarettes
chewing tabacco/dip
old books/magazines
news paper clippings
beef jerkey
trailmix
tootsie rolls(to give to little kids while patrolling)
instant coffee
letters
protein bars

 

[DCLegal]

Sorry to resurface this old post, but I just recently "adopted" (through my sorority alum chapter) a Marine who has been deployed to Iraq. Since he is a helo pilot I wondered if anyone could offer some ideas on items to send him. In addition to all the items already listed, I was not sure if there were things that pilots might need or want that a non-pilot wouldn't (i.e. career specific items needed/wanted). Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thank you so much for your help!

 

[skidkid]

Honestly liqour sent in nalgene bottles or well cleaned out mouthwash bottles are always welcome. That is kinda career specific. Magazines like SI, newsweek, menshealth, esquire, gq etc are always welcome. Other than that the before mentioned are good though Im not sure a flea collar is necessary.

 

[DCLegal]

Thank you for the response. Those little inside tips are exactly what I am looking for. Keep 'em coming.

 

[bennett4362]

i have a friend serving in iraq right now; i just got an email from him letting me know what things he'd like in a package...all snacks (mini chocolate candy bars and crackers like club, wheat things, etc) as well as zip lock baggies to help keep the sand out of everything.

 

[KBayDog]

Sorry to resurface this old post, but I just recently "adopted" (through my sorority alum chapter) a Marine who has been deployed to Iraq. Since he is a helo pilot I wondered if anyone could offer some ideas on items to send him. In addition to all the items already listed, I was not sure if there were things that pilots might need or want that a non-pilot wouldn't (i.e. career specific items needed/wanted). Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thank you so much for your help!

You could send him my Aero II and Wx tests (as long as he could have them completed and back to me within 50 minutes ) Only five weeks to go...*sigh*

Seriously, though, I'm sure he'd appreciate it if you made it "Nudie Magazine Day."

You could also send him a set of 2004-2005 New Jersey Devils season tix