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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/4/2008 11:32:22 PM | aftermidnite, sdjuls, whatsallthis and the rest of you, thank you for the good ideas.
Kmanni3 This is the most fantastic idea I have heard of. Thank YOU so much for this. I had no idea we could send jars and glass and so forth. I can send pretty much anything that has to be cooked hot this way, right? I mean this is canning 101, isn't it? Can I bake bread right in the jars and send? What about turkey and dressing at Thanksgiving? His favorite cake is German Chocolate, boy am I gonna surprise him! Is there anything that won't work?
ashley, Thank you for starting this post. I have had this on my mind because my son goes to Iraq in a few months and I was wondereing what I could send. I wanted to start getting boxes ready now, so I could keep up with my goal of one a week. I am afraid with school and work and I will fall behind. We have a new preist at church and I am hoping to get her behind getting a group together to pack boxes for the troops once a month. I want to do everything in my power to keep my son and the rest of his platoon in good spirits while they are there. They have to go through hell. If this is all we can do, maybe it can make all the difference. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/4/2008 11:58:23 PM | I checked earlier this afternoon on the Canadian Forces website.
NO CARE PACKAGES.
there are alternative ways you can contribute to the troops. Check out the site...sorry didn't make note of it. But you can make a contribution to official groups to purchase things or to assist family.
You can send messages to the troops too. There is an Open Board to post messages.
apparently sending packages takes up space....and it is not something that is manageble.
Friends and Family ...they are allowed to correspond and send items.
I love the alphabetical list btw...it is marvelous...great idea. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 4:59:49 AM | | I don't know about turkey and dressing but the german choc cake would work. Just send the can of frosting with the cake. One mother in my Blue Star Mothers group did that and the soldiers loved to eat the frosting just by the spoon full. I guess our boys never grow up. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 5:07:15 AM | | For my son's birthday I took 2 Boxes of Twinkies and on of the cup cakes. I stood the twinkies on their short end and put them on a 10 inch round cake plate from the bakery. I taped them together with double sided tape to form the round sides of the "cake" In the center I put kazoos, birthday napkins and then covered it all with the cup cakes making the top of the "cake" I put birthday stickers on each twinkie and cupcake and put Happy Birthday ribbon around it to help it stay together. It fit perfectly in one of the square boxes from the post office. The woman at the shipping store put peanuts around it for me to help with the shipping so it would stay together. I put the 20 candles in it and shipped to my son's best friend who had all the guys sing happy birthday to him and then they got to eat the cake too. It was just moments of fun in a bad time. I have since made 3 more for other in his unit. Hopefully, he will be home by birthday 21 if not I guess he will get another one. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 5:30:03 AM | kmanni, that sounds pretty cool. I may have to steal the idea. I will talk to some of the older canning experts in my church about the turkey. I am still wondering about the bread, but if it works for cakes, it should work for breads. I wish I could send him cold stuff LOL I can see it now...all moms are sending bags of ice LOLOL
My son recently made sergeant and he is always working to keep his unit in good spirits and taking pride in their job. I hope to help him in my small way by sending as much as I can and by getting others to do the same. I loaded a couple of hundred pictures onto a flash drive for him and got him fixed up with every possible compact want for his laptop. I got him things that I didn't even know existed until I went shopping for things, like a miniature wireless mouse, a miniature fold up printer, etc... I also got him a chill pad, a case, a 5 port hub, mini stick-0n speakers, an extra flash drive, a camera and wireless headset and microphone and some movies and music cd/dvd. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 5:47:18 AM | guyincus
How about a conscience to stop them killing innocent civilians.
keep ur tw@ty sh!tty comments like that to urself or to ur mates if u have any!!! which l very much doubt.
Hope u sleep safe in ur bed, just think who helps u sleep that safe before u start talkin out ur ass again. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 8:32:34 AM |
Posted By: acranger on 7/4/2008 9  34 AM Troll.
Simply answering the question, acranger. I'd rather be thought of as a troll than a potential killer. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 8:47:07 AM | It's ok Guyincns. We all have our opinions about war. Believe me, our kids are good kids. We are good parents who want to make their lives a bit more normal while they are in lousy conditions.
The statistics are scary about the soldier suicides; the rehabilitation numbers; the long after affects of this war.... we are just going to go about our business of trying to make our family members feel the love...
Continue to feel Free to have your opinions.
I am going to be researching these "canned" food ideas. Fantastic concept. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 8:53:30 AM | ashley1861,
Please do not get me wrong and I do feel for the individuals and I realise there must be many on this site directly associated with troops by direct family or friendships.
It's the whole war machine I despise. You've lost young soldiers. I've lost civilian friends.
Here's to peace. Now I'll say no more. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 9:00:22 AM |
Simply answering the question, acranger. I'd rather be thought of as a troll than a potential killer.
Whatever loser. You are a troll. And a lousy one at that. You obvisouly don't know many American soldiers. I would wager to say you don't know any. Safe to say as well, that you have never been to Iraq, and probably have never met an Iraqi.
And to make a post like that in a thread that was started by a woman trying to support soldiers, just shows you also lack any sense of social decency. This was not a war debate thread, or anything political. It is a thread where people are sharing what they send their deployed loved ones, and you stepped in to typecast all of them as murderers.
Obviously designed to rile people up and get some responses such as this. You are obvisously in need of attention and probably a lonely guy, and posts like this give you the stimulus you need to compensate for your lack of real world interaction.
Back to my first point, whatever loser. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 9:13:27 AM | | After reading this thread, I was really inspired to see if I could find someone in need of a care package overseas . And was dissapointed to learn that Canadians are not allowed to send care packages. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 9:14:26 AM | Ashley: My son is over there on his 3rd Tour with the 3 rd ID. I have sent him care packages and sometimes, it can take up tp a month. Usually 2-3 weeks. His wife made the mistake of sending chocolate. BIG MISTAKE, he got chocolate, alright. And big ball of it
Any way they like Kool-aid to put in their bottled water. Get the variety packs of chips fritos corn chip,etc. They like chewing gum and mints.
Go to Wal-Mart and get the 50 cent samples of baby powder or shower to shower. Any time I go to a Motel or Hotel, I bring my own soap and shampoo, so take the small samples in their.Get the Bic white and orange razors for the guys and send the bic pink razors for a woman that might be in their squadron, as my son has one in his. He is a SGT.Get the lip balsm instaed of the chap stick because they share everything. They can put the lip balsm on their finger and pass the tube, around. Of course alot of Sun Screen, it can get to 140 degrees or better, over there.The guys like car and truck Nascar,and motorcycle and sports magazines. The girls like the gossip stuff and Cosmo. And like I said, they all share things, so, the woman might read some of the guys mags.
My son is coming Home very soon but, because of security, I can't say when. He had to tell me in code.
Anything else, I can help you with, feel free to contact me, on here and I'll do my best to help. And Thanks from a Vietnam Veteran for supporting our troops.
Doc | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 9:15:11 AM | "keep ur tw@ty sh!tty comments like that to urself or to ur mates if u have any!!!"
Thanx for the mail lol....
such a nice guy lmfto w@nker
Just thought I'd drop you a line to let you know I have great mates and the best thing is, I didn't need to open my legs up to a whole battalion to find some.
Keep smiling! | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 9:37:13 AM | The post office now has special flat rate boxes that ship for 2.00 less to military overseas. Look for the boxes with APO on the side or you can order them online for free.
Check out bake a wish dot com, there is a section there where you can send needed supplies to anonymous soldiers, there are different price packages, that way many of those receiving nothing from home can get something.
As for the rudeness, give me a break, there is a time & a place for stating ones negative opinions on war, this is not it and any adult with an ounce of manners would know that. The narcissistic need to hurt others and call it something else has not gone unnoticed. You sleep well because you are too self-absorbed to know what harm you cause others, nor do you care because, well, it just doesn't serve your needs. I realize you will never get it, because it is beyond your understanding, but be assured, what you said and where you said it was horribly uncalled for and rude. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 11:16:47 AM | | You know in reading all the nastyness from some who have no clue what parents of soldiers go through it reminds me of what my son always says. "He fights for the freedom of all the people of the US even though some are so stupid" He gives you the right to voice your opion no matter how hurtful you choose to be. Instead of being so rude and mean maybe a simple THANK YOU for a free country would be in order. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 11:40:23 AM | It may be a good idea to send them energy trail mixes, something that gives them energy, is a bit sweet and will provide them with protein.
Dried fruits, banana chips, cranberries, apricots, peanuts. Beef jerky is another great idea, maybe some instant oatmeal that has cinnamon, raisins, where they can have something different than there normal rations or mess hall meals. Something that takes water, how about some of the individual ice teas or energy drink mixes that come in individual servings, where they could add to a glass of water and enjoy. They have ice and lemonade. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 12:30:08 PM | | From the USO website: "Through Operation USO Care Package, you can sponsor a care package for just $25 and a personal message of support and thanks to a service member. Care packages can contain prepaid international phone cards, snacks, sunscreen, toiletries, compact discs and other items requested by service men and women." Seems to me it would actually come out cheaper to send a care package this way, and besides, it is tax-deductible. However, about a year ago, my coworkers and I volunteered through our employer to put together care packages at the office one weekend; we sent socks, gum, jerky, candy, dried fruit, sunscreen, lotion, feminine products, pens, notepads, crossword puzzle books, playing cards, drink mixes. We were so glad to hear they got the packages when they sent us appreciation notes, which we shared at the next company assembly. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 12:58:48 PM | | Great question - Have been to two groups that were packaging and sending stuff to the troops, and they mainly consisted of socks, magazines, and beef jerky or nuts. I have a son going there too, and if you have any ideas of how to maintain more sanity would be appreciated, as I have a real problem with it. Nothing cooked was asked for, as I remember. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 4:27:41 PM | Hi,
I volunteer with the USO in USA..I am part of the welcome home group. We are the First America's to wish the troops ., a welcome home & a hot meal...I don't think I'll ever get used to it, there is always a tear in my eye, I always try to give all the folks a hug & a kiss..
The folks that come back tell me they miss real cheese... so if you could find .. the cheese & cracker snacks. This would be a good one.
God bless your son, he is a hero to me.. Be safe.
My blessing & prayers are with him..
Marilyn | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 4:32:11 PM | First I would like to start by saying that I appreciate all that they do and they are all my heros.
Secondly, If you got something real ignorant or negative to say about the soldiers keep your mouth shut. If it werent for them you wouldnt be aloud to have an opinion anyway. Our soldiers dont fight so that you can betray them. I dont care what your opinion is on this war, you stand behind your troops regardless. They didnt create the war, they are just going to work like you and me. It's the only job left in this country with some kind of job security and guaranteed pay. And if you cant support the people that fight for you, then throw on a turban and stand in the desert, one of our guys will get you soon enough.
I have family that gets deployed constantly, so I know how you worry and I know how you feel. When my family is deployed, I find out how many men/women are in their group and I send enough for each, I even make everyone their own little box. I usually put in:
Vitamin C drops
Gum
Small Candy that they can carry with them
Granola Bars
Powdered Drinks, they can mix them with the water there..i usually get powdered gatorade, but its kind of hard to find
tea
coffee
deck of cards
I can't think of everything i put in but honestly, if you go to the dollar store you can save a few bucks and get enough for everyone. i usually go there for things like razors vitamin c drops tea coffee....
sorry i went on a tangent up there, but i really have a problem with people having a problem with the troops...seriously bash the people that started the war and not the people who are just going to work. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 5:06:02 PM | ...it reminds me of what my son always says. "He fights for the freedom of all the people of the US even though some are so stupid" He gives you the right to voice your opion no matter how hurtful you choose to be. Instead of being so rude and mean maybe a simple THANK YOU for a free country would be in order.
I'm very sure that sending cake in glass jars is not an acceptable item to send so, before you do it, better make sure. First, I think you are only supposed to send pre-packaged items--and that's for the security of the soldiers. Please don't endanger their security any more than it is at risk.
Second....glass in a package? I don't know if glass is acceptable for shipping. It's pretty heavy, too, so that might make sending packages get a little cost prohibitive. I know! I know! The cost shouldn't matter! But I bet a soldier would prefer getting twice the packages over cake in glass.
Something funny (ironic funny): my daughter, who was serving in the Army in Iraq, said all her soldier friends would dream out loud about the first meal they would have when they got out of Iraq...steak and potato...roast beef and potatoes....steak and lobster....gumbo....grilled shrimp.....and then it would end up that their first meal outside of Iraq would be a Big Mac at the airport during their transport home.
As to the quote above, GuyInCNS is in Queensland so, actually, I don't think that a thank you from him WOULD be in order. (We haven't imperialized Queesnland yet, right, Guy?)
GuyInCNS, do you think that tiger chained in your photo is enjoying its captivity? Maybe the tiger is in temporary captivity because it's been injured or something but he sure looks comfortable with being in close quarters to human, so it doesn't have a temporary feel to it.I bet a lot of animal activists who would be horribly offended by that photo.
My point is this. As distasteful as the US military presence in Iraq is to you, well, examine your own life and what you do before you throw out barbed remarks to others about what they do.
What is it that you wanted to accomplish with your posting in this particular thread? How could it be anything but enflaming to those reading it? Kind of a mean thing to do.
GuyInCNS, I'm sorry for the losses you have suffered. I hope you find a more constructive outlet for your pain. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 5:48:29 PM | | for the us soldiers wudnt it just be easier to check with ur goverment wot u can send, the bristish army u can not send glass or jars, l normally send sweets like chocoate eclairs as they dont melt, wine gums liquiarce allsorts, chewing gum, crisps, most sugary things as it gives them the energy but they burn it off, mints, sun creams, toiletries, magazines, dvd's, cards, things to keep them sane, there is also nothing better than reciving letters, and dont forget tampax and sanitry towels for the woman, | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 6:26:03 PM | Hello,
My nephew just got back to the States in Dec, 2007. I sent chapped lip balm, everyone loved the big marsh mellows, jerkey, dried fruit including bananas, apples, pineapple, nuts of all kinds, baby wipes, pens, paper, envelopes, eye drops, finger and toe nail clippers, KoolAid, gum, chocolate melts before arriving, Zip Loc bags, really good hand cream/lotion. Another product is tobacco even if your son doesn't smoke, he can give it to his buddies. My nephew, earned a purple heart while being in Baghdad and is getting an honorable, medical discharge next month. I hope your son is doing well and I hope you will be able to use some of these ideas. My nephew said they roasted the marsh mellows on their bayonets. Author66 | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/5/2008 6:48:23 PM | I think the flavored drink powders might be exceptionally useful, given the amount of water that they must drink to avoid dehydration in periods of high heat. Water gets pretty old after a while, so adding some flavor to it might make the task a little easier. Those individual "straw" type ones could even be used like packing peanuts, to fill every last space left over after all the other things are added.
Books and DVD's are another good choice, and allow one to relax and think of other things.
A solar cell battery charger might be a real godsend, if you include some batteries in the package. Those are available, and you can certainly count on sun in Iraq most days.
A couple of small mylar emergency blankets might be another thing to think about. They can add a lot of warmth in those colder periods in Iraq, and it DOES get pretty cold there at night in such times. If you happen to be off base somewhere, in an area without heating, then one or two of them can really make that night's sleep a lot more enjoyable.
One of those "NASA" pens can be a conversation piece, those "write upside down" ones. The best bet is a pencil, as it ALWAYS works and can be sharpened with a combat knife. | |
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