Care Packages

[Totus Tuus]

[Totus Tuus]

[quote name='Justin86' post='1335736' date='Jul 20 2007, 01:41 PM']Kudos to everyone sending care packages. Yall are too cool. [/quote]

We know we're cool. And we love our soldiers

[IcePrincessKRS]

I shared those links with some other people I know who wanted info about sending packages to soldiers overseas.

[Cow of Shame]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' post='1332233' date='Jul 17 2007, 12:37 PM']but we brought things like: hard candies that won't melt,[/quote]

Melts in your mouth, not in your humvee?

[Totus Tuus]

[quote name='IcePrincessKRS' post='1345985' date='Aug 1 2007, 01:17 AM']I shared those links with some other people I know who wanted info about sending packages to soldiers overseas. [/quote]

Sweet!

[knightec]

Send baby wipes. A lot od baby wipes. Sometimes a quick wipe down is all those guys get for a day or two. Send stuff that they can give to the kids over there (candy bars, cookies, etc). This really helps in building relationships and trust with the people.

All military bases are considered US soil so there should be no international shipping charges. My brother- in-law was over there for 8 months and my wife and I sent 2 packages a month through USPS and never paid more than $8 for a package.

This is a marine corps shower

[img]http://a841.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/70/l_e2663f0e992006e56e265b2eb376f5e0.jpg[/img]

[Norseman82]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' post='1335700' date='Jul 20 2007, 12:18 PM']If you don't know of someone to send to, you could contact your diocese and see if any of the priests are chaplains... we did that. Then we sent him a box of stuff (goodies, snacks, playing cards, etc) along with religous items. He said that it was great. He was able to distribute the items among the men and women he serves with.

"Come to confession and get a Lifesaver!!!" [/quote]

[url="http://www.thecompadres.org/index.html"]http://www.thecompadres.org/index.html[/url]


I also get "I need money" letters from Catholic Answers asking for donations to send "Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth" booklets to the soldiers in Iraq.

Edited August 2, 2007 by Norseman82

[homeschoolmom]

Baby wipes is a great idea. I would never have thought of that.

[Totus Tuus]

[quote name='knightec' post='1347223' date='Aug 2 2007, 12:30 PM']Send baby wipes. A lot od baby wipes. Sometimes a quick wipe down is all those guys get for a day or two. Send stuff that they can give to the kids over there (candy bars, cookies, etc). This really helps in building relationships and trust with the people.

All military bases are considered US soil so there should be no international shipping charges. My brother- in-law was over there for 8 months and my wife and I sent 2 packages a month through USPS and never paid more than $8 for a package.

This is a marine corps shower[/quote]


I really appreciate your post


[quote name='hsmom']Baby wipes is a great idea. I would never have thought of that.[/quote]

You probably have a few of those laying around

Edited August 3, 2007 by Totus Tuus

[Justin86]

[quote name='Megz' post='1337535' date='Jul 23 2007, 03:48 AM']Hey Justin, if you're in the Marines look out for Trammel, she's a dangerous red-head soon to be in Okinawa[/quote]
Really.....?

Is she a Catholic hottie? I'm looking for one of those. Oh and I know how dangerous red-heads can be. I am one.

Seriously though, do you know what Camp she's going to yet? I could really use some Catholic fellowship on this rock. I'm actually here with the Navy working at a dental clinic, however we treat more Marines then we do Sailors. Being that I work in one of the largest dental clinics on the island that sees Marines if she needs dental work (as almost all Marines do) she'll probably pass through my clinic eventually.

Edited August 3, 2007 by Justin86

[Faith 1st]

That is my brother taking the Marines bath w baby wipes....if you need a few more ideas here they are
cough drops....dry weather kills their throats-- temp 130 deg in the afternoons and 20 degat night
beef jerky...they carry it out on walks in the villages
8 oz cokes... the fit in pockets
chap sticks...remember dry weather
Girl Scout Cookies...top sellers when your Marine needs $ to call home
***If you are sending Beer
send it warm the stores usually have stored them in the back before they fill the coolers w/ them
Liquor....pack it in a box with thick tape, normally it gets there fine also a top seller for $ or calling cards
I know what you are think...you do not want your Marine or soldier drunk or tipsy
but they need a stress reliever too on their bad days. My brother said a shot is really good after a hard day.( I can not imagine that our bad days could come close in comperason w/ theirs)
Let me know if you need anything else I'll be happy to help...
Marine #1 was in Fallujah in '04
Marine #2 will go in March '08
Our are w/ you and your family

[Totus Tuus]

Thank you so much, Faith 1st! That is rockin' information.

Girl Scout cookies won't be part of our contribution, but I love all the other suggestions. I will keep in touch in case other questions arise. Feel free to let out any more information you've got!

[IcePrincessKRS]

[quote name='Faith 1st' post='1349092' date='Aug 3 2007, 11:01 PM']That is my brother taking the Marines bath w baby wipes....if you need a few more ideas here they are
cough drops....dry weather kills their throats-- temp 130 deg in the afternoons and 20 degat night
beef jerky...they carry it out on walks in the villages
8 oz cokes... the fit in pockets
chap sticks...remember dry weather
Girl Scout Cookies...top sellers when your Marine needs $ to call home
***If you are sending Beer
send it warm the stores usually have stored them in the back before they fill the coolers w/ them
Liquor....pack it in a box with thick tape, normally it gets there fine also a top seller for $ or calling cards
I know what you are think...you do not want your Marine or soldier drunk or tipsy
but they need a stress reliever too on their bad days. My brother said a shot is really good after a hard day.( I can not imagine that our bad days could come close in comperason w/ theirs)
Let me know if you need anything else I'll be happy to help...
Marine #1 was in Fallujah in '04
Marine #2 will go in March '08
Our are w/ you and your family[/quote]

My sister said they weren't allowed to receive alcohol when her husband was over there (he was there in '05). Of course, I know there are ways around that. I know she sent him a couple bottles of "Listerine." I think its because technically the items are prohibited (or at least mailing them is prohibited) and they could get in trouble if caught with them. I've been told that they X-ray everything. Its not that I'm being puritan and don't want them to have the little luxuries like that, I just don't want them to get in trouble for something I sent.

Actually, as I recall my brother told me that he wasn't allowed to have booze or cigarettes as well, and he's practically a chain smoker (blech). He was over there this past year (got back in February) and is going to be headed back out for a second tour this fall.

[IcePrincessKRS]

[quote]Other tips the postal service advises to help ensure timely delivery of mail:

* Wrap packages securely.
* Liquid-filled containers tend to break.
* Powdered items can open during transit causing concern over what kind of substance it is. [b]Please pack the items in sealed plastic bags.[/b]
* Contraband items are confiscated. These include alcohol, tobacco and pornography.
* Label packages properly and list all contents.
* There is a space on the customs form to declare if it is a gift or merchandise.
* When family members send items Space Available Mail, the packages might take longer.[/quote]
[url="http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aatroopmail.htm"]http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aatroopmail.htm[/url]

I did a quick search on about.com---I thought this might be helpful. Also, [b]always[/b] mark it as a gift. And I've been told to check the box that says "treat as abandoned" if it gets lost--then they just give it to a random soldier so someone still gets it. You don't have to be super specific about whats in the box, you can just say "Books, magazines, candy" you don't have to say "Bible, Cosmo, Reese's Pieces." I forget if anyone said this already, but use LOTS of tape when sealing your boxes, it helps keep them intact on their journey. And like HSMom suggested, put everything in ziplock bags (I haven't heard of any bottles of liquid getting broken open as the bit I quoted suggests, but its better to stay on the safe side and wrap them up well!) Another thing my sister sent her husband was cookies and milk that doesn't have to be refrigerated (I think thats totally disgusting sounding but my brother in law appreciated it SO much) and all the liquids she sent made it in one piece.

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='IcePrincessKRS' post='1349294' date='Aug 4 2007, 12:41 AM']And like HSMom suggested, put everything in ziplock bags[/quote]
Plus then they have the ziplock for something....

I heard a story once from someone who works distributing boxes for Operation Chirstmas Child.... the giver had put things in ziplocks and THOSE were soooo popular... probably more than the contents!

Back to the military boxes.... I, too, was under the impression that alcohol was a no-no... Cough drops are a great idea, I would not have thought of that... We sent sunscreen in our last box. Non refrigerated milk is an interesting idea... I'll have to look into that.

[T-Bone _]

[quote name='IcePrincessKRS' post='1349294' date='Aug 3 2007, 10:41 PM']Another thing my sister sent her husband was cookies and milk that doesn't have to be refrigerated (I think thats totally disgusting sounding but my brother in law appreciated it SO much) and all the liquids she sent made it in one piece. [/quote]

It's just ultra=pasteurized. It's like those little half and half things (not the nondairy creamer) that restaurants have.

[Faith 1st]

[quote name='IcePrincessKRS' post='1349292' date='Aug 4 2007, 12:29 AM']My sister said they weren't allowed to receive alcohol when her husband was over there (he was there in '05). Of course, I know there are ways around that. I know she sent him a couple bottles of "Listerine." I think its because technically the items are prohibited (or at least mailing them is prohibited) and they could get in trouble if caught with them. I've been told that they X-ray everything. Its not that I'm being puritan and don't want them to have the little luxuries like that, I just don't want them to get in trouble for something I sent.

Actually, as I recall my brother told me that he wasn't allowed to have booze or cigarettes as well, and he's practically a chain smoker (blech). He was over there this past year (got back in February) and is going to be headed back out for a second tour this fall.[/quote]

I thought that he was going to get in trouble also...but that was what he asked for...It made it there fine though. And they enjoyed this beer and Jose C. Keep us posted!

[Justin86]

[quote name='Faith 1st' post='1349388' date='Aug 4 2007, 11:42 PM']I thought that he was going to get in trouble also...but that was what he asked for...It made it there fine though. And they enjoyed this beer and Jose C. Keep us posted![/quote]
Hmmm yes, Marines have they're ways of getting around regs. Don't feel that guilty though. Care packages aren't the only means of getting booze. Your brother would have just gotten the beer somewhere else if not from you.

Besides, what's the Corps gonna do to you? Send you to Mast?

[T-Bone _]

[quote name='Justin86' post='1349392' date='Aug 4 2007, 08:00 AM']Hmmm yes, Marines have they're ways of getting around regs. Don't feel that guilty though. Care packages aren't the only means of getting booze. Your brother would have just gotten the beer somewhere else if not from you.

Besides, what's the Corps gonna do to you? Send you to Mast? [/quote]

When my grandfather was in the Navy, they kept one of the fresh water containers full of whiskey...

[Justin86]

[quote name='T-Bone _' post='1349406' date='Aug 5 2007, 12:11 AM']When my grandfather was in the Navy, they kept one of the fresh water containers full of whiskey...[/quote]
Haha, good old salt your granddad is. *sigh* Bring back the old Navy where nobody cared how clean your room was, and if you stole something your shipmates beat the living snot out of you. Now that's my kind of Navy.