Care Package

[crodgers4101]

One of my good friends is currently deployed to Afganistan and I was wondering what I could send him that he'd really like.

Anything that you Marines might have gotten that really helped?

[elliscraig12]

Try magazines(I'd be careful with the porn though, it's a Muslim country), books, beef jerky, candy, newspaper from home. These are good things to get.

[Quinbo]

I sent a friend some genuine german gummy bears and when he got them the heat had melted them into one big blob. He said he still liked them. Perishlable takes on a whole new meaning when sending stuff over there.

[GunRock0811]

Socks and foot powder were always a help. Some of the favorites from when I was deployed were beef jerky, slim jims, magazines like sports illustrated and maxim, tobacco, movies, and baby wipes. Lots of guys also liked getting tuna and canned soups.

[jp2usmc]

Anything is good (as long as it doesn't get the Marine in trouble).

Typically, only 1 in 20 or so get care packages.

A box of homemade cookies is always great, but be sure to pack enough that he can be generous with his buddies and still have some left for himself. Lots of butter. Lots of sugar. Lots of pecans.

Don't forget the note that says he/she is missed.

[Quinbo]

Had a friend fellow Marine from New England that his mom sent a 50 lb bag of pistachios. We would all sit around and open them things and eat them and shoot the breeze. It was cool!

[crodgers4101]

Heres a list of things my wife had in mind, let me know if any of these are not allowed:

candy
face wash wipes
ziploc baggies
batteries
baby wipes
olive green undershirts
black socks
gatorade mix
jerky
magazines
gum
deck of cards
stationary
boot liners
Lotrimin
Bandaids
Lotion
Top Ramen

and some kind of cake in a jar thing? (obv my wife will be making that)

[Quinbo]

Sounds like an awesome list.

There was a Marine in my unit that his mom sent us a friendship cake twice a year. It survived the trip. Not sure how well it would fair sitting in a mail sorting room in the crack for a month. I would reconsider sending that.

Truth be told the most important thing sent to me while in combat was letters. I didn't need socks or jerkey or cookies.

[jp2usmc]

I was not in Afghanistan, but I was in Desert Storm.

The list is good, but... well, a lot of the basic items were there for us. I don't know if they would be for your Warrior.

Then, there's the whole deal with bragging about what you got. "Mommy and Daddy sent you some socks!" verses "Hey bro, you still got some of those goodies left?"

You know him better than I do, so don't let me sway your list too much, but some fun stuff (food, music, videos, photos) makes a better treat for me than ...supplies.

Do you know what I mean? I'm certainly not trying to put down your idea or anything.

Hey, do you know what a flip video recorder is? They're like $100 and store 2 hours of video. You could take that around and let all of his friends and girls he likes say a little hello, film some section where they are working on the road or something, whatever. He could replace the AA batteries easily. After he watches it and if he's willing to delete the video, he could record a couple of hours of his life on there with the Marines he lives with on a day to day basis, and mail it back. In 10-years, you could give it to him again as an even better gift.

[Lisa 23]

Here's a few more items to add to your list......

Q-tips
Chapstick
Sunscreen
Eye Drops
Movie DVD's
Music CD's
Books

AT&T Global pre-paid Military Calling Cards (calling cards to work in Iraq and Afghanistan must be

these specific cards)
Shampoo
Soap
Body Wash
Foot Powder
Foot/Hand Warmers
Shaving Gel
Razors (Disposable)
Insect Repellant
Drink Mixes (individual powdered)

Coffee (instant packs)

Trail Mix
Beef Jerky
Slim Jims
Granola/Cereal Bars

[Zulu 36]

Had a friend fellow Marine from New England that his mom sent a 50 lb bag of pistachios. We would all sit around and open them things and eat them and shoot the breeze. It was cool!

My mom used to send a three-pound coffee can full of pistachios every month when I was in Vietnam. It went over very well, and I even had some left over for myself if I could pry the 1stSgt away.

[sparkie]

My son in law was just here for a visit. I grilled him on what works. He is about to go for his 2nd tour in Azzcrack. Lotion, and lipchap. Oh ya,,,, wipes. That is the scoop from the front. Hard candy and magazines are fun but you lotion your azz cause the sand is too fine, Gold Bond don't do it. Wipes,,,, 'cause you sometimes use the wrong hand to shake the locals hand.
I gave him my kabar to get it 'seasoned'.

[SGT7477]

Here's a few more items to add to your list......

Q-tips
Chapstick
Sunscreen
Eye Drops
Movie DVD's
Music CD's
Books

AT&T Global pre-paid Military Calling Cards (calling cards to work in Iraq and Afghanistan must be

these specific cards)
Shampoo
Soap
Body Wash
Foot Powder
Foot/Hand Warmers
Shaving Gel
Razors (Disposable)
Insect Repellant
Drink Mixes (individual powdered)

Coffee (instant packs)

Trail Mix
Beef Jerky
Slim Jims
Granola/Cereal Bars

I'm waiting for my care package Lisa,lol, Semper Fidelis.

[Lisa 23]

I'm waiting for my care package Lisa,lol, Semper Fidelis.

OK, I'll get it out as soon as I can....lol!

[sparkie]

OK, I'll get it out as soon as I can....lol!

I'm waiting for mine too,,,Lisa.