My Son Just Went to Iraq, and I Need Advice.

[Hogarth]

I know his unit number and all that, but I'm brain-poor as to how to send packages and letters. I understand that it can be done with regular U.S. postage through some domestic fort, but I'm not clear as to the details. All he wants is some candy and his baseball glove and a memory card for his digital camera.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[roguevalley]

1. See if SoCalDem is on. You pack up stuff that won't melt, honey, and

you send it to him through an APO box number. He
should be able to give it to you or you can get
it from his post. If you want, some of us send
stuff and we'd be delighted to add your boy and
his unit to our list. Feel free to vent, talk and
keep us posted. I feel like my own boy just left
hearing this about yours.

Hugs!

[SoCalDem]

2. All you need his his APO address

and take it to the post office..

Here's a list of some of the things we have been sending to the unit we adopted..

We would love to have some names of your son's fellow soldiers.. Ours are rotating back to Germany this Saturday..

We had lots of people here who were happy to send the guys care packages.. We would love to do it for your son too..

When he gets there and gets settled, have him sent you a list of some of his pals who would like to get some packages.. We have been very slim on the female soldiers, so if there are women in his unit, have him include some of them too..

---

*Foot Powder

*Lip balm w/ sunscreen

*Lotion (perfume free)

*Moist Wipes

*Personal Message

(*These items are most requested)



Other great things are:

Decks of cards
Small handheld games
Letters of support
Holiday greetings
Hard candy
Beef Jerky
Sunflower seeds
Spices for food (Mrs. Dash etc.)
Ramen Noodles (no Pork)
Powdered drink mixes (Kool Aid, Cocoa etc.)
Baby wipes
Gum
Books
Magazines
Ziplock bags
Rubber bands
Blank post cards
Pens and pencils
Shampoo samples, soap samples etc.
Hand sanitizer
Dark socks (Dollar store)


Antibacterial waterless hand cleaner

Beef Jerky

Books

Boot Insoles

Breakfast Bars
Bug Repellent

Cameras (disposable)

Camper Style Foods

Candy (that won’t melt)

Cookies (lunch box size-Jolly Ranchers have been suggested)

Dental Floss

Facial Tissue

Fast Food Hot Sauce Packets
Feminine Hygene Products

Flashlight

Foot Powder

Gum

Magazines such as Field & Stream, Guns & Ammo, Outdoor Life

Meat Snacks
Mosquito Coils

Mouth Wash (travel size)
Odor Eaters (for boots)

Pepper (serving size)

Playing Cards

Powdered Drink Mix

Razors

Sardines

Sheets of Stationary

Snacks (cookies, granola bars, nuts)
Sunscreen (non-sticky)

Toiletries (travel size)

Toothbrushes & Toothpaste

Tuna Snack Kits

[Hogarth]

4. Thanks ...

You're very kind for passing that along. When he was in basic training for seventeen weeks I sent him a letter every day--or a package, really. He liked Kit-Kats, and my ritual back then was to wrap a few up in a letter every day so that he'd know he was in our thoughts. He said he got more mail each day than anyone in his unit.

I just need to know how to do that now ... now that he's overseas.

As an aside, I should say that he's sorry for having voted for George Bush. I remember having gently nudged him in the other direction. I was in a hotel room in Wisconsin attending his high school graduation when he said he was going to vote for Bush.

Thank God fo mini-bars!

[SoCalDem]

3. When you get the names, send them to me in a PM

Do not post their names and addresses in the forum :)

[militarymanusaf]

5. Postage is cheap

You'll pay postage to New York, then Uncle Sam will transport from there for free. The same applies if he sends you a package. He would only pay from New York to your location.

Something to remember (and don't be alarmed) is that the suffix changes according to location/service. APO and FPO indicate different services. The 2 letters after that refer to destination. AE is Europe/Middle East, AA is Central/South America, and AP is Pacific.

I've been overseas for almost 5 years and would be happy to answer any other questions you have; just PM me because these threads move so quickly.

[CRK7376]

6. Best of Luck for your Son

Ask him what his APO(Army Post Office)is. His unit will have one or two soldiers that are stay behinds from his post (Bragg, Benning or where ever his unit was located), if he is a Guard or Reservists, there will be somebody at the State(Guard level) that will have their unit address or Reservist Center. Most units will live one or two people behind to handle the Admin/Family Support Groups/Watch the facility etc...Having the APO AE(AE was what we used in Afghanistan, not sure what Iraq is) identified the theater where he will serve. The zip code further just like in the states will make it easier for mail handlers to get the mail to your son's unit more quickly. Still As long as the unit number is legible and you identify it as APO it should catch up with him eventually.

Things to send.....comfort items

Avoid chocolate, as much as it may be the favorite junk food of soldiers it melts over there very, very quickly and the mail is not siting in the shade, much less A/C...so I would not send KitKats.

Chapstick and sun screen were at the top of my wish list. We got blistered long, hard and often in Afghanistan. Iraq is the same.

Diaper Wipes, as often as possible. Altough we have lots of bases set up and running in Iraq, fresh water/Shower facilities will often be limited or hard to come by. Diaper wipes save the day...

Bad news item but need by troops in that dusty environment where weapons often mean the difference between life and death, available at most hardware/home Depots/Lowe's type stores. Soldiers need and use graphite powder as a dry lubricant for their weapons. I hated the government issue gun oil/lube. It attracted dust and sand at a horrible rate and that is not something you want in your weapon at any time. Send him some tubes of graphite powder. You will often find it near where they cut keys....

Drink mix...especially powdered sports drink mixes like Gatorade or Powerade. DOn't send unsweetened Koolaid mixes...sugar or sweetener is not availible. Lemonaide or powdered Lipton Tea mixes are good too. Plain hot water tasted terrible and even worse if it's treated Tigris/Euphrates river water....

Books of crossword puzzles/word searches, newspapers from home(so what if it's old news it's still from home and will have highschool football/track basketball scores etc, GQ,Stuff, Maixim some of the more risque men's magazines... don't send Playboy etc...they will not get in-country, although your son and 10000s of others are in hostile environment, in harms way and work long hard hours.. there is also lots of boring down time.

Batteries are not always easy to get, send D, C, AA, AAA batteries. Lots of soldiers have their gameboys and electronic toys/CD players with them so they need batteries and the PX is not always close to lots of troops.

Gum, peanuts, beef jery, sunflower seeds, hard candies that will not melt. It doesn't hurt to include writing tablets, lots of mail is making it to the troops, most of it from the Red Cross and other volunteer organizaztions. I know every letter I got from the Red Cross or school etc...I wrote a response to. Mailing first class letters for troops in a war zone is free so he doesn't need stamps. Small writing tablets and envelopes are needed.

Send several pairs of cheap sunglasses. He will not be too upset if the break, get lost or are given to a local....Don't send the expensive Oakleys etc...

A small 3x5 US flag and a NC flag went with me to Afghanistan and flew over our firebase. A favorite sports team pennant and ball cap help with morale during down time.

Lots of folks will add more items and they too will be correct. The living conditions are sparse, so any creature comfort items the guys and gals get will make their tours in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan etc..
just a little more bareable. Best of luck to you and your son.

[blondeatlast]

7. Since SoCalDEm has already replied, I would suggest you also get

in touch with Mari333; her stepson went over last week.

She is VERY active in the families' movement, too.

God bless your son. Our hearts are with him.

[Hogarth]

14. Hey, I did!

I got in touch with Mari seven years ago, and we've been together ever since. She's the love of my life. As I write, she's right over there ------------------> on the other computer. I don't know what I'd do without her. I do know that my son considers her more of a mother than his own.

I have to thank everyone who replied. Thanks to Mari (she was on the horn today), I learned that his APO address has yet to be assigned, and I'll just have to wait for it. In the meantime I'll be filling a package with the things he wants and needs.

Thanks again.

[RainDog]

18. LOL. I'm glad you have each other

...and thanks to all who've posted here about good items to send.

[rasputin1952]

23. Hogarth...

:hi:

My thoughts and prayers are w/you and Marie as well as your son. You're fighting the good fight, and together we'll beat this joker out of the WH.

In the meantime, hang in there; your boy will be home safe and sound in next to no time, and the reunion will be GREAT!!!!!!!

O8)

[TNDemo]

8. Be sure you have a current passport.

If he should have an injury and get transported to a hospital in Germany or wherever, you won't be able to go see him unless you have a current passport. Hopefully you won't have that situation but at least you know you can drop things and head out immediately if need be.

[Hogarth]

17. I'm all set.

The passport is in my jacket pocket, and God willing, I won't have to use it.

Thanks.

[Skittles]

9. you will need to fil out a customs form

that the post office will tape to your package. Don't get really literal on them - don't make them attractive for theft. Just say tinned food and candy and be done with it and just say it's worth fifteen bucks or so. When you get the customs form, pick up a few of them so you can have the next one already filled out.

Buy that brown package wrap at any supermarket, along with the brown tape for wrapping packages, also at any supermarket.

I've sent several packages with no problems. Good luck to you and your boy!

[Fatima]

25. AND put a copy of his address inside the box.

that way if the address is obliterated somehow (rare) it may still get to him.

[leesa]

10. Best wishes to you, your son and your family

[Hell Hath No Fury]

11. I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

your son and his unit stay safe during their time over there.

Hell

[Ilsa]

12. Hugs and prayers to you, your son, and your whole family.

Hope he's home soon, safe and sound.

[Bunny]

13. I've sent several packages to our DU soldiers in Iraq.

Food is always appreciated - they seemed to most enjoy the pouches of tuna or salmon, or the tuna salad kits you can buy. They loved those Dole fruit cup things. Other snack foods are also good. Powdered juice mixes, hard candy, cookies, etc. Seasonings too, like Mrs. Dash, Seasonall, bottles of tabasco or chipotle sauce, etc.

Cigarettes are also welcome - even if your son doesn't smoke, others will appreciate them. (I know smoking is bad, but they're in a war, so I give them a break about it!).

I bought travel sizes of toiletries, since they would be easier to lug around. If you can find Dental Dots, they are appreciated(I think Bed Bath and Beyond carries them -they are little dots imbedded with toothpaste, they stick to your finger, and you can brush your teeth without a brush, paste, or water!)

Charmin makes a tiny littel travel roll of toilet paper, probably only about 20 sheets, but it's small enough to fit in their packs and would be perfect for a field emergency!

Any newspapers, magazines,word search, paperbacks, Cd's (maybe you could burn a few of various music genres for a wider appeal), batteries, telephone calling cards, tablets, envelopes, and pens are good.

No cigarette lighters, shaving cream and anything else that could ignite or blow up under pressure. I was also told that due to Islam there can be no pork, booze, or pornography.

I usually tried to put a small toy or game in each package, like a slinky, travel etch-a-sketch, nerf football, deck of UNO cards, etc. Even if the guys don't really want it, they can maybe give it to a local kid.

Best wishes to your son. I'm sure he'll be in all our thoughts.

[Qanisqineq]

15. All packages are charged for domestic rates

Letters just need a regular stamp. Packages just need a Customs form filled out. I've sent numerous packages to my husband over there.

[x-g.o.p.er]

16. Call his unit, they have his APO address...

And you can mail it out with that address. When I was in Afghanistan, sometimes packages only took a week, some took a month. It's very hit and miss.

If you live near his base, sometimes they ship packages out on military aircraft that are headed over to the theater. That could cut time substantially, and no postage is required, but be advised that not every base or unit does that.

God Bless you and your son. You will be in our prayers

[Hogarth]

19. Thanks

It's nerve-wracking to be in a "blackout period. Last we heard, he was in Kuwait, where he was able to e-mail the family to say he was surprised (and comforted. I suppose) to see a Burger King.

[x-g.o.p.er]

20. You'll be surprised at how rapidly...

American type things like Burger King arrives on station. Within 4 months, I went from MRE's and water for three weeks straight to my choice of pizza, ice cream, or BK. And there was a BX, regular email, etc. We were amazed at how rapidly the "suck level" dropped once the majority of the bullets quit flying.

God Bless you all...he is in the best military in the history of the world, with the best junior leadership (lieutenants, captains, and NCO's)that we have ever had. Keep the faith, and know that while the Washington-types might be indifferent to what happens, his immediate supervisors are going to do their damndest to keep him safe and get him home safely. There is no politics over there, just you and your buddies looking out for each other. Hang in there.

[Hogarth]

21. Encouraging words mean a lot.

As much as I try to deny it or mask it, worry lives in my gut. I do indeed appreciate all of the advice.

Thank you so much.

I just tried to e-mail him. It's pretty late here, but for him it's past sunrise. Maybe he'll be able to respond sooner than I expect. Hey, I can hope.

Thanks again.

[Columbia]

22. Just to add

There are many PX's (Post Exchanges) setup around Iraq so most soldiers are able to get the basic necessities from them quite easily. Most of the stuff like foot powder, sunscreen, etc. are indeed quite necessary, but more often than not they'll end up in giveaway boxes because EVERYBODY ends up sending those.

The best things to send are things that they won't be able to get from a PX. An obscure favorite candy or other snack food perhaps. Pictures of home. A portable DVD player for the downtime. Desert water bag. Inflatable bed roll. Sunglasses. Gameboy Advance if he's into video games. Favorite books/magazines.

Some little things to give to the Iraqi kids maybe. They really like pens, candy, and soccer balls.

Definitely get him the largest memory card you can for his digital camera. Maybe even a couple spares in case he runs out of room. He'll want to take a LOT of pictures in the highest resolution possible.

[Columbia]

24. One more thing

CD/MP3 Players are great too.

[Baclava]

26. No problem - just NO crap please...

I just spent 8 months in Baghdad...enough with the basic care packages...we had them stacked up everywhere...and it costs too much to send stuff he'll never use.

He should get have an e-mail access...let him send him his mailing address and ask him what he wants. The best thing to keep in touch is a pre-paid phone card. It is a pain to get calls out sometimes, but that is the best way to go. If he's a reader - books are a lifeline...(lots of books - they have nothing there). Attach a customs form to each package you send, like was already said. Mail took about 8 - 10 days from where I was. Believe me...he will tell you what he wants.

Of course, anything will be appreciated...he did take a digital camera? I used mine all the time...and if he wants to buy anthing on-line...most U.S. companies will deliver there. We used egghead all the time. Hope this helps. Ask anything.

[Mari333]

27. Glad to see you made it home . ((hug))

from a mom.

[Baclava]

28. Oh - well, thanks...

My unit did the whole convoy from Kuwait through Irag to Baghdad thing. The summer was hot...+130 but...make him use his bugscreen...the sand flies were the worst. It's pretty civilized now, I was there during the wild, wild west...got to explore Saddams palaces and the underground bunkers...pretty cool..actually.
And...the food was pretty good...had lobster and steak all the time.
He won't starve. (I'm in the AF but we had better luck at the Army chowhalls - believe it or not.)
Cheers.