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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/3/2008 10:47:44 PM | The question is: What food items will keep for a two week shipping window?
I am shipping food gifts to my son and his guys in Iraq. I have been sending jars of pickled veggies and prepackaged snacks from the grocery. I have ordered goodies from a mail order bakery.
What can you guys think of that will blow the combat boots off the guys in Iraq??
Anything from Snacks to Preserves appreciated! | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/3/2008 11:10:06 PM | | Jerky and dried fruits are a big hit when we send my brother packages. also cereals and things like yogos, those yogurt snacks. cookies and pretty much anything prepackaged. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/3/2008 11:32:08 PM | Because I have no friends or family in the service, I have no answer.
However, I have a question . . . .
It has been my understanding that because of Homeland Security concerns. nothing from the public (homemade or cards or whatever) has been allowed to be shipped to our troops. Is that not true anymore?
And if it is possible to send cookies or whatever to anyone who may not hear from home, how is one to do that?
Great post!! Please tell us what we can do!
Rx | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/4/2008 1:44:16 AM | In re-reading the original post . . . .
. . . "BLOW THE COMBAT BOOTS OFF THE GUYS IN IRAQ"???
Send them some IEDs.
Sadly, I thought you were serious.
Rx | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/4/2008 4:41:21 AM | Great thread!!
I, personally, do not know anyone in Iraq, but, signed on to an organization started by two women. Interested folks are given the name of a soldier and then gather some goodies and things of interest to send to the soldier in Iraq. The soldiers then often share the package with the others.
Besides goodies, I have sent sudoku puzzle books, crossword puzzles, word search, medicated lip balm, wet towelettes, hand sanitizers, playing cards, etc.
During some down time, the soldiers put their sense of humour to work and created the following list of things they miss:
Taste Of Home A to Z
A-Apple Pies(individually sized), Applejacks cereal, A-1-sauce
B-Bazooka bubble gum,
C-cracker Jacks, Chocolate Chips Ahoy cookies, Crunch & Munch
D-Dried Fruit, Delmonte Fruit to-go,Doritos
E-Easy Mac, Easy Cheese
F-Fruit Loops, Fritos
G-Girl Scout Cookies, Goldfish crackers
H-Hershey bar, Hawaiian Fruit punch
I-Idaho Instant potato mix, Instant specialty coffees
J-Junior Mints, Juicy Fruit juice Box, Jerky
K Kool-Aid singles,Kellogg's cereal single sized boxes
L-Lipton Onion soup mix, lemonade mix
M-M&M's
N-Nabisco graham crackers,Nilla wafers
O-Oreos, Ovaltine
P-Pop Tarts, Power bars, Prunes
R-Ritz crackers, Rice Krispie Treats
S-Spaghetti O's, Spices, Sardines & Salmon(canned)
T-Triscuits, Twisters, Tabasco Sauce, Twinkies, Tuna, Tostitos Snack Packs
U-Utz potato chips &pretzels
V-V-8 Juice, veggie Chips
W-whoppers malted milk balls, Whoopie Pies, Wriggley's gum
X-CheX MiX, Trail Mix
Y-York Peppermint Patty, Yoodles
Z-Zagnut Candy bar, Zweiback
Keep in mind the apple pies might spoil before reaching the soldiers.
Chocolate is not recommended, because of the heat, but, M&Ms will usually survive. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/4/2008 4:50:25 AM | | as a ex British solider who was in the army when the first gulf was on i would suggest chewing gum chewy sweets in the uk we have pot noddles not sure if you have them in the us but they were a big hit too biscuts too but with no choclate i used to to the px in germany and would always get the jars of salsa thats good with cripes too dont forget the cd of music too !!! also remmber the soilders trade to so send some stuff for that !!!! hope he comes home safe x | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/4/2008 5:13:40 AM | The American Legion back home was sending out boxes, and they said no chocolate. It melts immediately in the heat.
http://www.airborneangelcadets.com/whatisrequested.html
CLOTHING - white or black socks, plain color clothes (do not want anything that would make you stand out as an American in a crowd), caps, underwear, scarves.
FOOD - beef jerky, drink mixes, tuna packs, canned fruit, fruit bars, candy, coffee.
TOILETRIES - lip balm, suntan lotion, moisturizing lotion, shampoo, soap, feminine hygiene products, deodorant.
RECREATION - Batteries, DVD's, CD's, phone cards, books, magazines, books of puzzles, games.
OFFICE SUPPLIES - Greeting cards, stationery, pens, journal books, diaries, small storage containers.
MEDICAL / FIRST AID SUPPLIES - Bandaids, knee and ankle braces, foot powder, insect repellant, disinfectant.
DAILY LIVING - Consider soldiers in close quarters who sometimes cannot take showers for weeks on end - room fresheners, deodorants, car fresheners, and wipes are some of our most consistently requested items. Fans, heaters, containers and bottles of all kind, power converters, blankets, sheets, towels.
*FOR KIDS AND ADULTS IN THE MIDEAST - Many, many items are requested by our kind-hearted soldiers specifically to give to the kids and adults in Iraq and Afghanistan. Backpacks, toys, candy, school supplies, shoes, socks, soccer balls. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/4/2008 5:28:28 AM | I suggested earlier to another gal that the sweet and hot jerky from walmart would be good to send to the troops..
Shortly afterwards this jerky was no longer available in the store here.
Do you think that all supplies of this was diverted to Irack?? | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/4/2008 5:33:18 AM | | The jerky and dried fruit are a great idea. I can imagine the choco would melt pretty quickly. How about granola bars? They would stand up to heat and wouldn't be as breakable as say cookies?? | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/4/2008 5:58:37 AM | | My kid brother is in iraq and my best friends hubby is in afganistan, m&ms are ok mostly because the concept was created by the military during i beleve viatmame. I might be wrong on the time tho. Scotty loves to get romen noodles and cup o soup noodles. As well as deoderent. He says they go thrugh it like mad. The little fruit pies are good as well and like the people before me have said, tolitres and socks and lots of them. You can get a list of approved items at your post office or at the USO. great thread by the way | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/4/2008 8:58:46 AM | I have a very good friend who has been in Iraq and Kuwait for almost a year. His wife sent out a list of requested things that are really appreciated over there.
Food: anything small and light that will stand up to the trip. Ex. jerky, slim jims, dried fruit, cereal, granola, trail mix, hard candy.
Batteries: all sizes and as many as you can fit in.
Clothes: light and plain. T-shirts, socks (lots), and one most people don't think of...pillow insoles (like Dr. Scholl's). Can make a world of difference for people on their feet a lot. Army boots aren't exactly built for comfort.
Deodorants and air fresheners - Lots of bodies, confined space, not always a chance to shower...nuff said. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/4/2008 9:51:21 AM | I typically send (among other things):
individually powdered drink mix (like Propel or Crystal Light)
beef jerkey/slim jim's
dvd's/cd's
candy
magazines
books
cup o'noodles
tuna/chicken salad lunch kits
Betty Crocker Warm Delights (A HUGE hit!)
Please thank your son for his service! | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/4/2008 10:03:54 AM | Great Ideas - thanks all for your input.
Roxanne I will clarify my comment on "Blowing their boots off"... I meant it like "Blow your socks off"... surprise them with something unexpected or something that will WOW them.
Thanks (!) for reminding me that my conversational lingo doesn't translate to POF as it is intended.
RoseBoots - great list from the guys (and I say that as both male and female).
Thanks Whatsalthis for the batteries - I hadn't thought of that! and also to
Vbxtc for the Dr. Scholls idea.
Thank you Sdjuls for the Betty Crocker - I bet those are good with just the sun's heat.
While shopping around I found a meat sauce called Bone Suckin Sauce. That's the kind of funny stuff I am looking for. I want to throw in at least one humourous or fun thing in each package. I'm guessing their MRE's and mess hall meals are rather bland.
Rarely do I hear what my son Needs.... he says the guys look forward to any packages sent, as so many don't get anything at all. They don't have access to electric kitchen items, so he is eating PopTarts cold, as brunch.
Sorry I don't know where to get lists of soldiers to send things to.
I will personally email my son's address, so he can pass more around. Their accommodations are compact, so no room to store things.
My Son picks through his packages for what he wants and puts the rest in a common room and invites the guys to dig in.
It's all about sharing - they are a band of brothers.
Thanks to All those who answered! Keep the ideas commin'. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/4/2008 10:32:21 AM | Hello
My daugter is a US Marine deployed overseas for 14 months now. God Bless her. She asks for the following from me anyway.
1. lip balm/lip gloss
2. facial mosturizer
3. shampoo and conditioner
4. dried fruit snacks or fruit cups, nuts, crackers, instant soups/coffee/tea bags
5. phone cards/batteries/gum/hard candy/twizzlers/
6. baby wipes/q-tips/nail clippers/ emory boards/
7. mac and cheese & those type microwaved (like they let the females eat them)
8. instant drink mixes especially Chrstal light and others with electrolites
9. playing cards and word games/blank DVD and CD /cd-r
10. suntan protection/razors/liquid bath soaps/toothpaste
11. stamps/envelopes/pens/bug repelliant
12. white ankle socks/hair bands no metal on them/wife beaters white in color
13. bible and photos from home
14. stationary/stickers/blamk cards
15. small samples of hand sanitizers/mucho lotions/cotton balls/bandaids/deodrant
16. new movies or music CD's
17. vitamins and supplements/tylenol/advil/ perfumes/aftershave/shaving creams
18. and cash of course you know the good ole American Dollars
Anything is very appreciated by the men and women. I have a list of both men and women who need to be adopted/written to/ and care packages sent to. If you are interested just drop me a line. They say to let you know that the children over there need books and such things as soccer balls and basketballs, and they give them the hard candy and balloons. Anything to negotiate our troops safety.
Thanks for any support you might give our troops! Over seas or not! | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/4/2008 11:28:41 AM | All of these are great ideas! As for the apple pie - you might be able to send the individually packaged ones. Its not exactly like home-made, but still not bad. As for sending cookies - pack them in an empty Pringles can and they will have less breakage.
If you would like to help support the troops, this website can help connect you with the service men and women.
www.anysoldier.com | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/4/2008 1:16:28 PM | Well, in the UK we have pot noodles, basically dehydrated noodles, which go down a treat
Or vacuum packed smoked sausages
It really depends on what they like. There was a time when one of the most eagerly sought after items was........ Baby wipes! :) Times may have changed however.
I recently got a request for a pipe and tobacco :)
Best idea is to think of things that'll remind them of home, and if practical send them out.
As many people have said though...no chocolate, it melts!
PM me if I can be of any further help | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/4/2008 5:32:32 PM | Here is an idea that works for my sons.
The Cake in a Jar:
LARGE MOUTH pint canning jars, about 5
Cake mix, any kind
pan spray Sterilize the jars, lids & rings. Wipe jars dry, and spray
well with Pam. Prepare cake mix according to directions. You can
add chips, sprinkles, or anything to it you like. I used white
cake mix, and added white chocolate chips & a few walnuts to each
jar. Put 1 cup in each jar.
Bake at 340 degrees for 30-40 minutes, or until toothpick comes
out clean. Seal with hot sterile lids immediately after carefully
removing the jars from the oven. Keeps up to 3 months when sealed.
Longer, if you keep them in the frig.
To send them in a care pkg. Surround jar with double layer of
bubble wrap, then wrap in double layer of newspaper. Surround the
cake with other items. I used styrofoam peanuts, and crushed
newspapers, plus a few other snacks. good luck! let me know how
they turn out.
Notes About Jar Cakes
Use only wide-mouth jars. Filling the jars can be tricky because you
want the cakes to bake to within one-quarter to one-half inch of the
rim. Make one test cake by filling one jar halfway to ensure you
have the right time and temperature. Do this at higher altitudes,
too.
For half-pint jars, use one-half cup batter and bake at 325 degrees
F for about 30 minutes. For pint jars, use 1 cup batter and bake at
325 for 55 to 60 minutes. For 1-1/2-pint jars, try 1-3/4 cups batter
and bake an hour or longer at 300 degrees F. A long cake tester is
useful to verify doneness.
Adapt your favorite baking recipes to jars. Pound cakes or nut/fruit
breads work best. Reduce the temperature 25 degrees because glass
bakes hotter than metal.
Make sure there are no nicks or cracks on the lips of the canning
jars. Wash jars, lids and rings in hot soapy water, then sterilize
by boiling them for 15 minutes. The lids and rings are kept in hot
water until you're ready to use them, but the jars are moved from
the water and placed on a towel to air dry while you mix the batter.
The jars must be well greased with shortening or oil so the cake
will slide out. After the cakes are done, you take them out of the
oven, one by one, and put the lids and rings on them. Screw the lid
tightly. As they cool on a bath towel on your counter, you should
hear a "plink" sound indicating that they have sealed. If you don't
hear it, check cooled jars by pressing down on the lid. It shouldn't
move at all.
Refrigerate unsealed cakes or freeze them. Sealed cakes will keep in
a cool, dry place for about six months. You can send one with a
candle as a birthday cake. | |
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| What to send to Service Personnel in Iraq
Posted: 7/4/2008 9:59:46 PM | This is definitely a new twist on the old fashioned cake. This is wonderful... for camping or my re-enactments too! Thanks so much. This should be a real test of my cooking skills (haha). | |
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