------------------PLEASE KEEP THIS AS A SUPPORT THREAD, NOT A DEBATE!--------------------


As the support thread got taken over, I am asking if any have any more APO/FPO addresses for "care" packages for our troops, Montana Marine is going to be buried in the stuff if we don't figure out how to spread it around a bit. I have sent one already as has 7400hunter. Also have a couple from another board collecting stuff as well. He has THREE (3) banana boxes full at this time! Here is the list of things we are sending.

hard candy
canned nuts
kool aid packets (pre-sweetened)
Powdered Gatorade packets
AA batteries
magazines (no pornography)
paper back books ^ likewise ^
diaper wipes
sunscreen
Toilet paper
Chapstik

Even though I hate the thought of all these fine people going in harms way, I am grafteful they are there to take up the sword in our behalf and believe they deserve the best efforts we can make to support them in their service to our country. I don't care what any think about the war, I am more concerned with the fine men and women willing to sacrifice for US.

I may disagree as to the reasons they are there, even oppose the fact, but they are. We need to show as much support for them that we can. They are doing their sworn duty for YOU and ME. Only Positive wishes and supplies PLEASE. I rember another unpopular little fight only too well, I do not EVER want to see our Military men and women treated as I and my Brothers were!

Might I suggest a few alterations in your list based on my dated and limited deployment experience? I'd leave out the Tabasco, Motrin and Tylenol. My reasoning is that every fixed or portable mess facility will have Tabasco by the case and the tiny bottles come in most of those delightful plastic bags that individual rations come in now. As far as Motrin and Tylenol go, the Medics will have that by the ton and you just have to ask for it. What I would add is toilet paper. As you probably remember, that comes in small squares and is more suitable for wipeing off your fingers than your a.. If you happen to be fortunate enough to be somewhere where it comes on rolls, the GI issue stuff leaves something to be desired in both strength and texture. Don't forget chap stick. In a dry climate your lips will chap just as fast as in a cold one. You also tend to lick your lips more where its dry and the more you do that, for some reason, the faster they chap and crack. Don't forget the local paper if you're sending packages to anyone from your area. Those are some of the few differences between your list and what I've been mailing. Other than that I think you've got it nailed.

Works for me, I will amend the list, thank you. My recollections are a bit dated.

Sorry, forgot to mention inexpensive sunglasses. For some reason they always seem to be one of the first things you break or lose. Having a pair of sunglasses makes a big difference in the way your eyes feel at the end a day in the bright desert sun. I'm about 10 years out of date too but some things you don't forget even when you'd like to.

T Lee

Check your email. I sent you a private post.

Thanks

Jim B

Other items I've heard are handy are phone cards and cheap watches.

DSN lines are toll-free for the guys whose homes are near bases, but for most of the country, home is still a long distance call from a base for which the DSN operator will need a card number. BTW, if you're deploying and are wondering what the heck I'm talking about, email me and I've got a good primer on how to use these things and which DSN numbers work better than others.

Also, the sand eats through watches quick and it's nice to have 2 or 3 to hang off your pack, LBE, whatever. Nothing fancy, just something to tell time.

And you can never have too many ziplock bags or electrical tape.

Thanks for restarting the thread, I'm guessing this is the sort of thing Rick had in mind anyway.

SD

Skidrow,

Too late, I sent MM four bottles of Hot sauce. It was something we used a lot of with those old C-Rats. I guess we got the message across about the Hot Suace in the sixties and seventies. Every Marine had a Fork and Bottle Hot Sauce in their pocket while in the field.

Gunny Bob,

Can you recommend anything for the packages being sent? What about recommending some soldiers to receive some of it?

T LEE,

If you need any money to cover postage right now let me and the others know. I know it cost about a dollar a pound for sending it USPS Priorty. I'm sure we can spare a couple of dollars for a good cause, better than giving it to United Way and some of the others that take part of it for huge salaries.

Thank You T Lee

You inspired me today to put action to words.

I know it is not much but I sent Montana Marine a letter and a little bit of humor. I remember way back when I was 19 years old and 5000 miles from home. I keep a 1885 silver dollar in my pocket as a "Lucky Piece" and have a few 2002 Silver Dollars in little plastic containers. I enclosed one of these Silver Dollars for him to give to one of his younger marines that is away from home for the first time. Just a little reminder that there is someone back in the States that is thinking of them.

I just want to say thanks for the impetus to actually do something.


Jim B.

Right now I will cover the postage over there. If some cannot afford it but can get it to me to forward PM me for my mailing addy and I will send it on my dime, no biggie. You can send it with a nice note and I will forward it overseas as sent.

I will use 24hourcampfire.com c/o me as a return addy for the guys and gals over there to see, this way they will know there is more than just one person pulling for them!

Stephen, my nephew in the desert asked for the toilet paper and wipes. He said water was in short supply.

In Lebanon in the fifties we had cable tool rigs in the engineers for the drilling of wells for water.

Gentlemen,

I commend you all for doing this. I'm currently deployed myself, but I'm not asking for any thing, just wanted to give some comments on what is being sent. Baby Wipes I'm sure are in much demand. Where I'm currently at, we are pumping them down range by the thousands! Numerous stories are filtering back to us, about base camps not being able to hold every one, and in some places they are limited to 2 baths a month. So toilet paper would also help. Also, cross word puzzles, are always entertaining. If some one recieves them that doesn't like them, some one is nearby that does. Aslo, the sun screen is a good idea, and treats like nuts and candy are always a plus. I think this is great that people are thinking of the miltary in this way.
God Bless all of you!

Hudge

Hudge

Check your email.

Jim B.

Sorry I haven't checked in for a while. I was trying to track down an address for a friend who got selected for 1stSgt, frocked, sent to another unit and deployed in less than a month. His wife is pregnant with their first child and is attending college.

1st Sgt Mccoic, Brian A
BA USMC
C Co. 6th E.S.B.
4th FSSG UIC 42396
FPO AP 96426-2396


I can't think of anything else to add. I checked out the USO website and thought the list was okay. Sometimes the best items are simple baked goods... Grown men will beg for cookies.

See you all later,
Bob

ps: Anthrax shots hurt a mite.

Thanks Bob, Duly added will get something going out ASAP.

T LEE,

Have you heard back from anyone? Nothing here from MM. Beginning to wonder if he got them?

P.O. told me three weeks, my nephew is saying they are just receiving stuff sent the first week of Feb.He is in email contact with people in theater.

Yeap the PO told me about 3 weeks too, if I remember right I sent it out around the first part of Feb. Should be hearing something soon, they may have their hands full right now if they are hitting land and etc.

It is really neat to see the outpouring of support for our troops. I got to "play" in the sand last time and I think the stuff you all are sending is super. The support made a difference when we were there, far more than the actual items . I remember the way we GIs were treated in US airports while in uniform during Vietmnam and the support, for the last Gulf war, and now, means a lot to our troops, because I was one of them.
I know, for me, that the 'Jolly Rancher' brand of hard candies killed thirst better than anything else I ever found. I had to give up starlight mints, my favorites, for the duration as they made me too thirsty. The baby wipes should also be in the travel packets for ease of carry. And, if possible, the sunglasses should be polarized. The polarization made a HUGE difference. I felt like a fraud for the war last time since I was in my electronics lab which was temperature and humidity controlled, (for the equipment, not us), and all the others were sweating their behinds off. It will get HOT for them if this 'party lasts very long. In Sept '90 I saw it hit 136 F. where I was working, in Saudi Arabia; it wasn't in the shade but then, the nearest shade was about 40 klicks away. It was rather interesting to see our t-shirts turn white. It was so dry that our sweat dried before getting us wet and left salt patches on our t-shirts. I used sunscreen that was SPF 25 and still got sunburned. Good thing there is SPF 45 now. Of course, all that was before I had my laboratory up and running. The Persian Gulf (SWA, South West Asia) area was the only place I wore my field jacket with a liner while it was in the 70s . At night when it was in the 70s, it was a 60 degree drop from the day. It is my sincere prayer that there isn't another 'Gulf war Syndrom' for these folks. For those that suffered, it meant that the war was still being fought, just a different arena. As an older retired AF guy I thank them, and you, and encourage you to keep up the good work. I hadn't intended to write a book here and probably won't ever bring all this up again. I hope these suggestions are taken as just that, suggestions. I repeat that it isn't the actual items you are sending, it is the support and concern you show that makes such a difference. Remember that if you don't get any acknowledgement from everyone to whom you send things. It still counts.

batch

Got the package I sent Montana Marine back yesterday as "Undeliverable" anybody heard from him? I used the address supplied.

T LEE<

I sent mine around the first of Feb. and haven't heard back yet, nor has the package returned either. So I'm assuming it went thru. He may have hit land and the address would have changed buy now. I will try to check out things and see. Hang on until I do, okay..........

T LEE,

The site must be down for now, I will check later and hopefully let you know something.

74

Thanks, I'll wait till I hear from you. I have more collected and want to get it over there.

T LEE,

Just got in from work, I tried the site again and got the same thing. I could be my problem so here is the link for you to try, let me know if you get thru. If you do, you will have to do a little surfing thru it to find the address, if they have it posted now.
Try This, Click here

Can't get in eithr, will try again in the morning. Thank you.