Need help for gifts to Soldiers in Iraq?

[jrsooner]

I need help, or really my Sunday School class does, and since my snot nose little nephew who served over there isn't answering his phone right now I thought I'd ask here.

One of the guys from our sunday school class is being sent over there for his second tour. My class wants suggestions on what could would be good items to send over there for the guys serving. My nephew always wanted phone cards.

For those that have gone or know of some over there... you got any suggestions that I can pass on to the class? The wives in the class got his wife covered but we were wondering if there is anything (besides a vest!) that is needed by the guys over there?

[jk the sooner fan]

they need toiletries the most, baby wipes, lotion, soap, etc.....magazines are a good thing, dvd movies (they do have equipment for that)

just for starters

[olevetonahill]

Food , The kinda stuff that wont spoil , cheeze whis , crackers , jerky ,summer sausage ,etc
I just talked to My little buddies Mom , her son is there now
Like JK said Magizines , News papers from home ,
She said the food there is not bad its just the same stuff everyday . I ask her have you ever eaten an mre :eek:
Gag a maggot , Makes the C-rats we had in nam taste gourmet .
Good luck

[Okieflyer]

they need toiletries the most, baby wipes, lotion, soap, etc.....magazines are a good thing, dvd movies (they do have equipment for that)

just for starters

I AGREE, YES SIR!!!!

and the phone cards. The phone cards are the best!

[usmc-sooner]

magazines,(Maxim, Stuff, but I doubt that would be appropriate for a Sunday school class) letters (I read every letter and even responded to all that I got, I got several from kids as part of school projects), candy, phonecards

a lot of guys like tobacco (cigerettes, dip, not my thing but they make for good trade for candy or MRE's)

to be honest just having your name called at mail call or knowing you had mail made you feel good.

[soonerloyal]

Hoo-boy...got a few minutes? ;)
Here's a partial list from our Marine Moms group. If you want more ideas, I can email 'em. For holidays, we even send themed care packages.
Tabletop-size trees, ornaments (they LOVE light strings), stockings with movies, candy, etc.
:D Yeah, we're incorrigible...

Like USMCSooner said, not everything is suitable for the churches to send, but here they are anyoldhow.

DEPLOYMENT BOX IDEAS LIST

This list is by no means complete, but is a good starting point. Many of our troops are grunts, and can't lug around much. Think light, compact and disposable. Don't send glass containers. Poptop cans are easiest.


FOOD ITEMS

Note: Skittles & jerky are glutting the "market" over there. No one wants to trade for them. Chocolate is usually sent during winter months only - but if sent in a ziplock bag, many grunts we know just snip off the corner and suck out the melted chocolate - If they want chocolate, send it!

Chewing gum (preferably sugar free)
Breath mints
Hard candies (Lifesavers, Jolly Ranchers and Aqua Drops are very popular)
Candy bars
Gummy bears, etc.
Single serving canned fruit
Fruit leathers
Single serving pudding (may want to include plastic spoons)
Mixed nuts
Single serving cracker packs with cheese
Single serving chip and dip packs
Canned nacho cheese/salsa (canned)
Snack crackers
Pringles or other chips in sturdy containers
Protein bars
Poptarts, cereal bars, "milk & cereal" bars, granola bars
Single serving sweet cereal boxes
Tuna (preferably the tuna in an envelope rather than a can, but the poptop cans are great), chicken salad, etc. However, probably not a good idea to send ham salad. LOL
Canned smoked salmon
Dried soup mixes
Dehydrated foods
Pre-packaged, pre-cooked ground beef (can be used to create "taco kits")
Spice blends
Condiment packets from fast food restaurants
Gatorade powder
Instant hot chocolate
Instant flavored coffee mixes
Presweetened drink mixes (Kool-Aid, Crystal Light, sweetened teas)
Russian tea mix for winter (recipes available on internet)
Tea bags
Flavored coffee creamer

On a side note, NEVER ever, send apricots in any form to Tankers/Trackers. It's a "bad juu-juu" thing!

ENTERTAINMENT & Extras

Crossword puzzle books
Seek-A-Word books, brain teaser type games
Playing cards
Nerf type footballs or other throwing items
Footballs, soccer balls (regular)
Items from their favorite sports team!
Stress balls (hand-held soft balls)
Magazines - Sports, Cars & Trucks, etc. -- NO PORNOGRAPHY (Not supposed to send things like Maxim, but some do get through covered up ;) )
Books, fiction & nonfiction
Water guns - make them the obvious toy type, brightly colored
DVDs, CDs
Scripture cards
Writing paper, envelopes, pens
Blank journals
Charcoal pencils for rubbings, colored pencils
Small sketch pads
Batteries (especially AA) (YES, it's OK to send these types of batteries!)
Disposable cameras (cheap)& digivideo recorders (about $20-25 for 20 minutes)
Inexpensive voice-activated recorders; recorded message greeting cards
Padded, postage-paid envelopes to mail camera homes
In summer, cheap hand-held misting fans

International phone cards
http://www.consumer.att.com/prepaidcard/fy/#
(Note: many bases offer phone cards, like Segovia for Segovia phone banks, at .02-.03 cents per minute, a better rate than we can get)

MISCELLANEOUS

Ziplock bags (quart & gallon sizes; Glad now makes Blanket-size bags as well)
Sealable/disposable containers, small plastic containers with lids
Magnetic picture frames
Cheap sunglasses
Clothesline with small clothespins
Camping pillows (small)*
Bed sheets*
Flannel bed sheets for winter*
Bed pillow*
Thin blankets - fleece, dark green/camo*
Inflatable air mattress (like those used in pools)*
Beach balls (can be used as pillows)
Disposable foot/hand warmer packs for winter
Can opener,
Dryer fabric softener sheets
Travel size Febreeze spray
Laundromat-sized laundry detergent
Posters
Stick-up air fresheners
Memorabilia of favorite teams

*Again, think inexpensive and expendable

"VICES"

Chewing tobacco/Copenhagen/Skoal
Cigars/Cigarettes, Marlboros are very popular My oldest says he thinks the domestic "Hadji smokes" have camel s*** in 'em.

NEVER, NEVER send alcoholic beverages!! Yeah, they really could use a cold beer, but nope.

CLOTHING

Camo Bandanas
Thermal underwear for winter
Boot socks - black or green
http://www.thorlo.com
www.blackhawkindustries.com
http://www.sockcompany.com/stronwesmil.html
White socks (inexpensive ones)
Black/white combo socks for military use (found at military bases)
Nomex gloves
Soffee green PT shorts
Cooling neck ties for summer
Head wraps (biker type)

http://www.usmc-mccs.org/uniforms/index.htm
Sgt. Grit's: www.grunt.com

Not all units will allow troops to wear certain optional gear items like the above.

[critical_phil]

that list is way too long.


copenhagen.


seriously, it's worth it's weight in gold.

[soonerloyal]

I almost forgot...believe it or not...

SILLY STRING.

Seriously. They use it to spray from a dozen feet away to detect wires strung across doors before they clear buildings. It makes them visible so the guys don't trip 'em. And it's lightweight enough that it won't trip the explosives, either.

Hey, anything to help our guys stay safer. It's hell, you know.

[soonerloyal]

that list is way too long.

Waaahhhh. Then save your eyes & don't read it, dude. :texan:

[jrsooner]

THANKS!!!!!

[usmc-sooner]

might I add lip balm

Soonerloyal, thanks to you and all the Marine Moms,

go easy on phil he's a Marine in a Navy uniform. :D

[soonerloyal]

Well, why didn't you say so? We love our squids!

Ya know, we moms fuss like this because we can't be over there ourselves.
If they won't issue us M16s, they'll have to put up with us smothering 'em with food and other crap.

[critical_phil]

Waaahhhh. Then save your eyes & don't read it, dude. :texan:

i spent about 9 months in that giant ****ing litter box. i'm just trying to share some insight.


and while we're on this topic, i've got another suggestion. make sure these gift boxes are going to someone who's actually in the ****. the supply pukes and REMF's will steal ALL of that stuff unless it's addressed to a specific individual.

[olevetonahill]

I almost forgot...believe it or not...

SILLY STRING.

Seriously. They use it to spray from a dozen feet away to detect wires before they clear buildings. It makes them visible so the guys don't trip 'em. And it's lightweight enough that it won't trip the explosives, either.

Hey, anything to help our guys stay safer. It's hell, you know.

Damn Bro thats a great Idea I think , wish we had some back in the day