Deployed friend

[kylestyle913]

Hey all i posted about this the other day but i thought i’d start a new thread about this. One of my best friends was home on leave for a few weeks and thought that he was going to germany after his leave was over. Well he was wrong, he redeployed to iraq on monday for 6 more months. I am sending him a care package and thought that i would ask some of our veterans on this board(and anyone else who has any ideas) what did you want when you were over there? My friend has good housing(t.v., computer, and shares an xbox with some other guys) but he said that they never get any movies or video game there. I am going to pick up some old movies and video games, but thought i would ask for other suggestions. I really want to send him a BIG care package but am confined by budget. I’ll find some extra money if i have to but please give me some ideas. I really want to get enough stuff to give others in his squad some creature comforts to.

Thank you for time and ideas
Kyle

[night-robin]

Re: Deployed friend

I’m not a vet and I’m not sure what his interests are, or what your budget allows, but the UFC game is coming out the 19th if he’s interested in that sort of thing. This one is actually good. Can’t speak for much else without knowing what his taste in movies are.

[kylestyle913]

Re: Deployed friend

Nightrobin- Thanks for the response but i was looking more for other creature comforts that i could send. I will definately look into the ufc game.

[night-robin]

Re: Deployed friend

No problem. I just felt bad reading that post and not coming up with at least one thing to suggest lol. Good luck to you. And to your friend.

[devilnuts]

Re: Deployed friend

I know that about 5-6 years ago they were asking for tampons and silly string, but they are probably good by now 🙂

Snacky food is always welcome. Beef jerky, junk food, what have you. Best bet is to ask him, “What do you miss about home that you can’t find here?”

I have also heard you can fit two cans of beer quite easily in a pringles can, but I wouldn’t recommend it.

[skelegirl]

Re: Deployed friend

My DH has been over to the sandbox (as well as Afghanistan) several times. Here are some of the things that I have sent over.

Good coffee (He says the DFACs can’t brew coffee)

Hard Candy (nothing in the chocolate or gummy categories). DH personally loved getting Jolly Ranchers

Baby Wipes (for clean up while out on missions)

Ziploc bags (for keeping sand out of stuff)

Deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc. These items run out quickly

The last time he went, I sent him iTunes cards as they had a few public computers where they could download stuff (but I would ask if he has that access)

Books, magazines, movies, music. I generally sent a wide mix of stuff, but make sure there is nothing pornographic.

Stationary products (they don’t need stamps as they have free mail services).

If you are trying to get a huge box/boxes together, you might want to see if you can get a school involved. I got my niece’s elementary class involved the last time DH deployed and they were great about getting stuff together. They all wrote letters as well (practice writing actual letters so it was educational) and DH distributed those as well. Most of the soldiers were great about replying to the class.

I know there are some things that I am forgetting. If I think of something I’ll try and jump on post about it!

[kylestyle913]

Re: Deployed friend

Thank you everyone for you ideas. skele- I will definately get some good coffee for him.(great idea) Just putting this out there but what about electronics stuff? like cabels, wires, etc for computers? would that be good? and if so useable?

[skelegirl]

Re: Deployed friend

DH says personal hygiene products like toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc are great. If your friend is going to be out and about-baby wipes are essential. If he’s out and about, small toys that they can give to kids (dollar store stuff) or soccer balls are great. If the unit is sponsoring a school, which many of them do, school supplies (lined paper, pencils, rulers, etc) are great. As for electronics, many of them carry along game boys/DS units, so check with them to see if there are new games you want. My DH carries his old game boy with him so I’ve been hitting the Game Stop lately looking for used games. DH says that electronics are such a personal item, to check with him first before sending them. With that being said, ziploc bags are always in demand because it keeps the sand out of the electronics. In addition, hiker head lamps, LED lights/flashlights are always a good thing. I guess this is something that is usually sells out rather quickly at the PX/BX.

If your friend has an iPod touch, you might want to get him a gift certificate for Amazon dot com. Amazon has just released an app which allows iPod touch/iPhone users to download Kindle’s ebook format. The app is free and the books are incredibly small units of computer memory (10-15 megs) and as long as they have internet access, they can download it to their machine. DH is getting ready to go back over there in a few months, so we just picked up a iPod touch for him because of it. And most of the books are $10 or less (even new releases which are $17-25 hardback right now in the stores).

DH just said that you need to be careful in regards to electronics because not everywhere has access to 110 power-some places are still working with 220 power. So it needs to be convertible so they don’t blow fuses and destroy stuff. He says they can get the plug adapters fairly easy through the PX/BX system but not the actual converters.

Hope this is as clear as mud. And tell your friend, if he sees a tall, 6ft6 arab linguist with a tiger tattoo on his left bicep that he needs to say to my DH. He’ll be over there in July. Lucky him.

[Author]

Posts