For all our military men...

[GSLeloo]

What do you like to have arrive when you're shipped out?!

My cousin was just sent overseas and so all of the aunts are trying to send him some stuff. He's 22 and in intelligence... that's about all I remember about him. Any suggestions? We know they have VCR's and he's staying at some airport so I guess he can watch tapes. Basically what are the most needed things?

Get him a portable DVD player, a bunch of bateries and a ton of DVD's.

[GSLeloo]

LoL No way man! Name some VHS tapes to get him.

[Amberlei]

My brother was there for 18 months and is going back in a few. He says that they play a lot of card games to keep busy, so maybe you could send some cards? Also, hard candy was a big hit when I sent that.

His unit had a huge video library already, so I'm guessing your cousin's will as well, but any new releases would probably be good, but nothing with any pornography at all.

I didn't send my brother any books when he was there last, but he did recieve some from his wife that he said he liked and they were in the midst of establishing a book exchange thing . If you know your cousin's tastes, maybe you could send some?

[GSLeloo]

Problem is I haven't seen Herbert since I was 10 at the oldest. And the last few family reunions he's been in training so he hasn't been there.... I think we're gonna stick to food and cards (thanks for that idea) and send little notes ummm hard candy and mints! I was thinking about baby wipes (I saw the Last Letters home thing and that's what they used, yes I cried and had to turn) but my mom said he's stationed in an airport so it sounds like he'll be able to shower.. and he's not going to iraq he's going to afghanistan.

[Sean of the Thread]

Honest to god when I was in the service nothing meant more than letters from friends and family. It is a great feeling to receive your first letters which then became a constant "anticipation" of the next letters. Letters from home are great, no matter what. Movies are okay but are already EXTREMLY available for the most part. Oh yeah, I always liked it when there were photos enclosed too.

That was mid 90's. Now days laptops are affordable so get him one and throw him a few "gift of adventures" for GS.

P.S. You didn't mention where overseas but if it is in the Phillipines then GOOD NEWS!! The gift of adventure there is MUCH cheaper than here, send him USD$10.00 and he can get a "basket twirl". Guaranteed better than a month of gemstone. Not that I know what a "basket twirl" is btw. Never heard of it.

[Sean of the Thread]

Originally posted by Dave
Get him a portable DVD player, a bunch of bateries and a ton of DVD's.

And a camera phone.

[GSLeloo]

Rofl I doubt he plays GS... and I said he's going to Afghanistan.

[Caiylania]

Baby wipes, batteries, cds, granola bars, aafes gift certificates for the local bx/px they get, letters, recordings of family talking (especially kids), and etc.....

[AnticorRifling]

All I ever wanted when I was in the field was baby wipes and beef jerky.

[Caiylania]

JERKY! Damnit, I knew I forgot something.

if you do get him baby wipes get him the unscented stuff. Hooah's are a name brand out there that would be fine.

:laser: (added that just cause I thought it was cool

Caiylania was right though a Gift Card to AAFES is prolly the best way to go, they have PX's over there near almost all the bases so he can go and buy whatever he wants... letters letters letters, I know I dont recieve enough, when you dont get any its always a downer for the end of the day at mail call.

[GSLeloo]

Problem is I haven't taken to him in at least nine years? You think that'll be weird or sort of nice to get to know each other again?

[Hakonne]

I've been military intelligence (MI), and i've been infantry. If your cousin is MI, he has plenty of electronic goodies to play with. If he's religious, and so are you, then ask folks at your church to write notes to him. Mail call is about the most important thing to a guy in the field (except maybe that female that you saw in the chow hall yesterday, or last week, or a lifetime ago if there's been a firefight since then...). If not religious, ask your friends to write notes. Just make sure he knows that folks back home support the troops. We all think it sucks to be doing this bullshit for an ungrateful people.

We like to believe that the people we serve are worthy of our service.

Thanks for your time,
Hakonne

[Kainen]

Where can I find a way to write to troops out there? I dont have any family out there thank goodness but I can write letters.

[Czeska]

Ok I officially feel guilty... :heads off to write the letter she promised Dave a month ago:

Originally posted by Kainen
Where can I find a way to write to troops out there? I dont have any family out there thank goodness but I can write letters.

I dont know any off of the top of my head, but try checking out the USO they would be your best bet, they work to raise the moral of all the troops. You can send goodie boxes though them so most likely letter too

[AnticorRifling]

I guess I'm just shallow but I never cared about mail when I was in garrison or in the field.

[Kainen]

Originally posted by AnticorRifling
I guess I'm just shallow but I never cared about mail when I was in garrison or in the field.

No worries.. I am not above shelling out some money so they can have a little something they need or want :yes:

Originally posted by AnticorRifling
I guess I'm just shallow but I never cared about mail when I was in garrison or in the field.

You're a jar head though, the reason you did not care if you recieved mail or not is because you can not read above a 2nd grade level.

[AnticorRifling]

Even if it was pictures I didn't care much either way. And don't worry one day you'll learn to go from "An Army of One!" to learning teamwork.

PS Cute hat my sister has one just like it.

:note: he did not deny that he could not read.

[AnticorRifling]

::Note:: He did not deny the fact that he wears a rasberry beret, the kind you find at every second hand store. That's right a rasberry beret and when it was warm he wouldn't wear much more.

[Jack]

Copenhagen! I can't belive nobody mentioned that. Even if he doesn't dip, the stuff is as good as gold. The PX never has enough to last, and when they do have it, it's six months old and dry. Last deployment I was on, a can of fresh Copenhagen from the states sold for 25 bucks, and you could trade it for damn near anything you wanted.

Originally posted by AnticorRifling
::Note:: He did not deny the fact that he wears a rasberry beret, the kind you find at every second hand store. That's right a rasberry beret and when it was warm he wouldn't wear much more.

I dont wear one yet. Still in the black one. I have to pass jump school before I get the MAROON beret.
At least I wont be afraid to jump out of a plane. You run around with the navy boys on ships and play grab ass.

[Hakonne]

Second the Copenhagen idea. Always send lots. Good trade item if your troop is the one in a million who doesn't use tobacco in a war zone.

As to where to get an address of someone to write to. Call the nearest military base, ask for the public affairs office number from anyoe who answers the phone, they'll have info.

As mentioned above, USO is good, your congressman should know something about the people who are in his/her district, etc... Even calling the newspaper or television station is a good place to start, since war is such good news, they like to keep tabs.

The "Any Soldier/Airman/Marine" stuff went out of style due to security reasons.

Hak

[Caiylania]

Originally posted by GSLeloo
Problem is I haven't taken to him in at least nine years? You think that'll be weird or sort of nice to get to know each other again?

What could be a better time? Go for it hun, he's family. Should anything happen to him..... it will be one more person who knew him and loved him and you won't have any regrets about not getting to know him.

Porn

[Caiylania]

Originally posted by RangerD1
Porn

One can not send Porn through the MPS. Tsk Tsk :P

[AnticorRifling]

Originally posted by Caiylania

Originally posted by RangerD1
Porn

One can not send Porn through the MPS. Tsk Tsk :P

You can if you know how. Ask my thankful brother :cool:

It was really cool when Anticor sent me that Xbox with Halo 2 and we became friends for life.

[Tsa`ah]

My brothers dig the mail, the baby wipes, slim jims, red licorice rope, and home baked goods. The disposable zip lock tubs are great for this.

We send them about 8 of the smaller tubs each once a month. Since the tubs are small, they stow easy in their field packs.

That's really the key if they spend most of their time in the field. Keep it small and keep it usable.

[GSLeloo]

So we got notice that he arrived in Bagram last night and we got a picture of him (whoa he looks all... military) and I am now writing up a letter to send to him! Just thought I'd keep everyone posted.

[theotherjohn]

depends on where you are at but I am able to buy new release DVDs for $5 so no need to send movies from the states


I suggest those individual flavored tea and lemonade packets. I do not remember the name but they are the size of a lighter and come in flavors such as peach tea etc.

[KymberlynX]

Originally posted by theotherjohn
I suggest those individual flavored tea and lemonade packets. I do not remember the name but they are the size of a lighter and come in flavors such as peach tea etc.

Crystal Light?