We'd love to get a care package to you! Are the cigaretts allowed, or do we need to sneak them in?
Seeing as how we don't know you... could you let us in on what you like or don't like.
Our good friend is in Iraq doing electrical contracting work... he e-mailed saying they were enjoying some great food~ Lobster several times a week :)-->
Feel free to email me... maybe a shirt from Las Vegas (size?)... Snacks... magazine maybe... I don't mind buying cigarettes, haven't done that in 21 years... :P-->
Since he's in Iraq, it may be a while before he posts, but don't let that stop you from sending stuff!
As far as cigarettes - I'm sure hard pack vs. soft pack is not really that big a deal, as long as they are Camel Filters. Of course, he's in a war zone - which do you think would be the better to send? My guess would be hard pack.
I'm pretty sure that M & M's would be pretty welcome - they were actually developed for people in this type of situation.
I'm also pretty sure that if you were to send some hard candy that he could give away to local children, that that would be welcome too.
Other American things like toothpaste and toothbrushes, chocolate chip cookies, etc, help to brighten a military person's day.
OMedic, I hope you don't mind my posting in your stead.
My thought was that anything Chocolate may melt... But you're right~ a package with goodies, even if they're not the person's favorite, would be fun just to GET
Here's some tips for sending packges to a war zone.
Use the Flat Rate Box for Priority Mail. No matter what the weight you only pay $7.70. My postal clerk told me the record for our PO is some one mailing 45 pounds of nails they sold on eBay. They were impressed by this, I was curious as to why some one would buy 45 pounds of nails on eBay.
You will need a PS Form 2976-A, a Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note. It looks intimidating but you only need to fill out the From, To, Detailed Description of Contents (I make it general, i.e., snacks, micro food, personal hygiene). Then in the Quantity/Weight and value columns I just put various. The postal clerk will fill in the weight and you can fill in a total for the value.
Then check Airmail/Priority; Gift and Treat as Abandoned, date and sign.
I recommend you put everything in resealable plastic bags. They can use the bags to store things in. If you send something like lotion or shampoo it may explodes in transit. It won't make a mess if you put it in a plastic bag.
Also, you cannot send any aerosol items -- tend to blow up with all the pressure changes between here and there. So will things like chips or cookies that are vacuum sealed, so I would recommend double bagging them to help prevent a mess.
The temperature there is between 80-100 already. Chocolate won't make it. If they have access to a freezer, they would appreciate Otter Pops.
Also, if you send hygiene products with food the food will absorb the taste of the shampoo or air freshner. Consider sending them separately.
If you just want to send a letter and a pack of cigs use the Priority envelope. It will get there in 2-3 weeks, where the box will take 3-4.
Just a few things I've learned since sending packages for the past year.
And one other thing they would appreciate -- blank all occasion cards for them to send to their families for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc.
That's what I'm paying and it depends also where in the country the soldiers are calling from...there are a few different exchanges in country here...but that is the average cost.
medic what address do we send phone cards to. i want to have my club {fraternal order of eagles}send $1,000.00 worth. we do that sort of stuff. my marine son came home from bagdad a few months ago and i know he and his pals liked phone cards.also what phone card co. works best there?
WOW...Coolchef...that is great...just send them to me at the address posted earlier and I will guarantee their distribution to all the soldiers here...they will be so thankful.
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excathedra
since wingie's post office wouldn't let him mail the camels, i'm wondering how to send them
love ya oily
if i can send them, hard pack or soft ?
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outofdafog
Medic -
I just think you guys over there are awesome.....thanks for all your love and sacrifice.
and for everything else there is MasterCard....
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Wacky Funster
God Bless You, medic
:)-->
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satori001
Hi John,
You take care of yourself. If there's any justice, history will call you a hero.
satori
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SafariVista
Hello John!
We'd love to get a care package to you! Are the cigaretts allowed, or do we need to sneak them in?
Seeing as how we don't know you... could you let us in on what you like or don't like.
Our good friend is in Iraq doing electrical contracting work... he e-mailed saying they were enjoying some great food~ Lobster several times a week
:)-->
Feel free to email me... maybe a shirt from Las Vegas (size?)... Snacks... magazine maybe... I don't mind buying cigarettes, haven't done that in 21 years...
:P-->
Any favorite gum or candy?
We LOVE to shop & send packages!!!
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Steve!
Since he's in Iraq, it may be a while before he posts, but don't let that stop you from sending stuff!
As far as cigarettes - I'm sure hard pack vs. soft pack is not really that big a deal, as long as they are Camel Filters. Of course, he's in a war zone - which do you think would be the better to send? My guess would be hard pack.
I'm pretty sure that M & M's would be pretty welcome - they were actually developed for people in this type of situation.
I'm also pretty sure that if you were to send some hard candy that he could give away to local children, that that would be welcome too.
Other American things like toothpaste and toothbrushes, chocolate chip cookies, etc, help to brighten a military person's day.
OMedic, I hope you don't mind my posting in your stead.
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SafariVista
Thanks Steve~
My thought was that anything Chocolate may melt... But you're right~ a package with goodies, even if they're not the person's favorite, would be fun just to GET
We will work on getting something together today!
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Watered Garden
When Col. North was embedded with the Army, he mentioned the little wipes like you use for babies' bottoms being very helpful.
Don't send peanut butter M&M's as they easily squash. The voice of experience speaking here.
WG
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excathedra
can we send cigarettes ?
galen do you know ?
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oilfieldmedic
Howdy folks...Server was down for a few days....Iraq...War Zone...go figure?
I just read all your thread and am a little overwhelmed, thank you all! AND God Bless you all!
Steve is right hard pack
Things have been quiet the last few days for us..no mortars, thank God
Lobster? H'mmmm, must have missed that meal, but the food is very good but high calorie...go figure again
KBR has not skimmped at all when it comes to the support, comfort, feeding of our troops and they appreciate it. Moral is good!
Believe it or not Watered Garden, I have more baby wipes here than I'll ever use...send them to Cindy & Steve...LOL
Thank you all again, and I am believeing that God blesses all your socks off!
John
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TheSongRemainsTheSame
oilfieldmedic,
could you use an extra large T signed by the HOOTERS GIRLS!!!
oneyedjackswild1
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oilfieldmedic
Phone cards would be a hit for the soldiers here
Thanks all
my hooters are large...not ex-large...no, wait...it's a T-shirt he wants to send...ohhhh
Large would be great...LOL
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excathedra
oily has a wife
and she sends him stuff all the time
so i'm waiting to hear from him and / or her
how to send this stuff
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oilfieldmedic
The address is posted in my intial thread
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MTgal
Here's some tips for sending packges to a war zone.
Use the Flat Rate Box for Priority Mail. No matter what the weight you only pay $7.70. My postal clerk told me the record for our PO is some one mailing 45 pounds of nails they sold on eBay. They were impressed by this, I was curious as to why some one would buy 45 pounds of nails on eBay.
You will need a PS Form 2976-A, a Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note. It looks intimidating but you only need to fill out the From, To, Detailed Description of Contents (I make it general, i.e., snacks, micro food, personal hygiene). Then in the Quantity/Weight and value columns I just put various. The postal clerk will fill in the weight and you can fill in a total for the value.
Then check Airmail/Priority; Gift and Treat as Abandoned, date and sign.
I recommend you put everything in resealable plastic bags. They can use the bags to store things in. If you send something like lotion or shampoo it may explodes in transit. It won't make a mess if you put it in a plastic bag.
Also, you cannot send any aerosol items -- tend to blow up with all the pressure changes between here and there. So will things like chips or cookies that are vacuum sealed, so I would recommend double bagging them to help prevent a mess.
The temperature there is between 80-100 already. Chocolate won't make it. If they have access to a freezer, they would appreciate Otter Pops.
Also, if you send hygiene products with food the food will absorb the taste of the shampoo or air freshner. Consider sending them separately.
If you just want to send a letter and a pack of cigs use the Priority envelope. It will get there in 2-3 weeks, where the box will take 3-4.
Just a few things I've learned since sending packages for the past year.
And one other thing they would appreciate -- blank all occasion cards for them to send to their families for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc.
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excathedra
thank you so much MTgal. this really helps.
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oilfieldmedic
Thanks MT...you have me sending me stuff now
By the way...it hit 140 today...but it was a pleasant 140
Thanks again...all of you
John
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Wacky Funster
140 degrees?....like in heat????
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oilfieldmedic
It builds character Wacka-Wacka!
It will also make ya sweat a little
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krys
How much does it cost for a 10 - 15 minute phone call home?
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oilfieldmedic
Thanks Krysilis...good question!
A phone call runs about $0.35- $0.50/minute
That's what I'm paying and it depends also where in the country the soldiers are calling from...there are a few different exchanges in country here...but that is the average cost.
Thanks from all of us here!
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coolchef1248 @adelphia.net
medic what address do we send phone cards to. i want to have my club {fraternal order of eagles}send $1,000.00 worth. we do that sort of stuff. my marine son came home from bagdad a few months ago and i know he and his pals liked phone cards.also what phone card co. works best there?
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Steve!
Keep in mind, when you send phone cards, not to send the kind that guarantees however many minutes, but rather specific dollar values.
The "30 minutes" phone cards don't give 30 minutes worth of phone calls overseas.
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oilfieldmedic
WOW...Coolchef...that is great...just send them to me at the address posted earlier and I will guarantee their distribution to all the soldiers here...they will be so thankful.
You guys/ladies are the best!
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