As ex-military, I "kinda" know what it's like to be thousands of miles away from home and can "kinda" relate to what the boys are going thru over there.  I never slept in a tent, on the floor, or got shot at, but would like to try and help someone over there.  Would like to try and brighten someone's day a little.  

Would like to get something out in the mail to somebody overseas, but don't know the best way to go about it.  Not even sure what the boys would really like to receive.  Food, clothing, etc.  or what????

Any suggestions on how to get them something would be appreciated.  Thanks.

vmax84

Here's a great one:

www.adoptasniper.org/

One of our guys on AR15.com, brianksain, (and my buddy), is a big supporter and mails tons of stuff over to the guys.

IM him if you have any questions.

Check out the thread in the Halls of Heroes:
Troops need carepackages - AnySoldier.com
www.AnySoldier.com

Also check out my sig line.

Also IM fellow ARFCOM member GlockLuvinRedleg, he's in the middle of it, he will destribute whatever you want to send to him.

When I sent whatevers to the Middle East the USPS charged me roughly $1/lb, from So. Calif. and you have to fill out a customs declaration. Try to keep you pkgs under 10lb, and wrap very securely becasuse they get bounced around a LOT. I've also used bubble wrap from Wall-Mart.

Quoted: As ex-military, I "kinda" know what it's like to be thousands of miles away from home and can "kinda" relate to what the boys are going thru over there.  I never slept in a tent, on the floor, or got shot at, but would like to try and help someone over there.  Would like to try and brighten someone's day a little.   Would like to get something out in the mail to somebody overseas, but don't know the best way to go about it.  Not even sure what the boys would really like to receive.  Food, clothing, etc.  or what???? Any suggestions on how to get them something would be appreciated.  Thanks. vmax84

I've been in Iraq Twice now going for my 3ed time. Stuff to send it's easy powered drink mixes Beef jerky AA batteries. Drinking water for 7 months sucks and any type of flavor is great, Beef Jerky well just a little taste of home and its real meat. AA batteries we use them a lot for are NVG and personal use CD , and MP3.
We did have some person send us a package with Mountain house freeze dyed food and I'll tell you what that was some of the best food I had over there. You can also send U.S Smokes and Chewing tobacco I know that they will be used. I hope this helps if you need some more info please email me.

Thanks a lot!!!  

vmax84

We've been sending care packages to a good buddy of mine and his unit all year and the one thing that they all seem to consistently ask for in huge quantities is dry KoolAid mix ... Seems the stuff is like friggin' gold over there. Since they have to drink so much water, and the water all pretty much tastes like a dog took a bath in it, they like to be able to sweeten up the flavor to make it more palatable.

Also forgot to mention, it takes 3-4 weeks to arrive, so if you folks are thinking about sending any Xmas presents, plan ahead. It will probably take longer as we get closer to Christmas. Reminder, we in the northern hemisphere, are heading into winter and so are they.

I've sent sodas (Mug Root Beer) that they can't get over there along with baby wipes, Q-tips (for personal hygiene or weapons maintenance), hard mints and other hard candies.  Don't send chocolate or licorice or any other type of candy that will melt (even M&Ms will melt).  Packaged chips like Pringles that won't break are OK too.

Don't send booze or porn to Islamic countries.  All packages are examined and confiscated if they're found.

Ask around, you are bound to find a friend or neighbor who knows someone in Iraq now.  Get his APO address.

Sunday comics (the mostly honest section of the paper) and newspaper clippings from the hometown is a boost.

All sorts of goodies.  

AA's.

CD's.

Most importantly:

If you have a family member or close friend there, write a personal letter at least 3-4 times a week.

Years ago when my oldest son came home from overseas, in his stuff my wife had seen several shoeboxes.  He had saved ALL of our letters.  I found out later they would read their own mail, then as often as not, swap around letters and read each other's mail.  And he later told me, "No matter how shitty my day was, I knew that come mail call, every other day there'd be something in there for me."

You have NO idea how important your letters are.  Do it.


BTW, I found out you can mail up to 5 pages of paper in one envelope with no extra postage.  You can type, or now, via printer, BOTH SIDES of those 5 pages.  You just start a file, you don't have to type it all at once.  Add stuff as it occurs to you.

Want to donate to a troop?

Then just send me a check

Quoted: hard mints and other hard candies.  Don't send chocolate or licorice or any other type of candy that will melt (even M&Ms will melt).  Packaged chips like Pringles that won't break are OK

Since Halloween is only a few days away, the discount stores such as Wall-Mart have stocked up tremendous on different varieties of candies, now would be perfect time to buy candies.

www.adoptaplatoon.org/

Also, don't forget to see what your local VFW or American Legion Post is doing.