2008.09.22
Care Packages Connect Soldiers to Home
The days in Iraq are long and sweaty. Of course, the worse part is that the days never really end. We do not go home and come back the next day. A cot and some time to yourself can be relaxing, but nothing brings a smile on a deployed Soldier’s face like a getting mail, especially a care package.
Lately, folks have asked me what to send troops who are deployed. While the Army provides for all of a Soldier’s needs, there are four general categories of items that Soldiers value highly in care packages: hygiene products, snacks, entertainment, and a feeling of home.
Access to hygiene products can be limited if a Soldier’s place of duty is not close to a post exchange, which is like the Army’s Walmart. Good ideas include: Mach 3 refill blades, shaving cream, disposable razors, tooth brushes, dental floss, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, bar soap, hand sanitizer, baby wipes and cotton swabs. Hygiene items should not be packaged with snacks, in case of damage to the package during transit.
The Army provides food no matter where a Soldier is deployed. As long as a Soldier is near one, dining facilities are usually open, and the food in combat zones is quite good.
When on the move, Soldiers eat prepackaged meals called a Meal Ready to Eat (MRE). Commercial snacks are great to have on hand to supplement the meals, which are not horrible but can be repetitive. The best bets include single packaged snacks that are easily transported, such as cracker sandwiches, trail mix, chewing gum, granola bars, nuts, sunflower seeds, Pringles, or beef jerky (a universal staple). Single servings of Gatorade, lemonade or Kool-Aid powder are also crucial, as drinking water can get old. Chocolate will melt -- don’t send it. The same goes for home-baked goods, which often spoil in transport.
Entertainment helps keep a Soldier’s mind fresh and relaxed. Books, magazines and word puzzles are great because they are portable; share yourself and send your favorite. Few Soldiers would pass up reading the latest Maxim, Men’s Health, etcetera. About books, political or military books would not be good picks. Your favorite DVDs or CDs are also appreciated, as there is no access to television or current radio releases. Other good ideas include card games, board games, dominos, phone cards and gift cards to amazon.com.
Perhaps the most helpful thing that one could send a Soldier is a feeling of home. Photos of everyday life and natural landscapes remind Soldiers of America--think postcard-type shots. Posters and calendars with photos can be used to liven up rooms. A hoola girl or bobblehead for the dash is a great idea. Memorabilia from home states, sports teams, or foods specific to a region are a wonderful way to bring a Soldier closer to home.
The bottom line is to help a Soldier feel the support. Most Soldiers live in military towns and lose touch with the support of small town America. The simple kindness of a care package can make a Soldiers day and put a smile on his or her face.
Single Soldiers need support the most. A single Soldier may not get mail the entire year that he’s gone. The saddest fellows are the ones that have no real reason to take mid-tour leave.
You can adopt a Soldier to whom you can send care packages on a number of websites. operationmilitarypride.org, soldiersangels.org, adoptaussolider.com, and www.adoptasoldiernow.org are just a few. I promise you, they will appreciate it more than you know.
Rich Connaroe
Captain, U.S. Army
RICHARD.CONNAROE@US.ARMY.MIL
The thoughts and opinions in this article are that of the author alone and are not meant to represent the U.S. military. Any errors contained therein are that of the author.
Rich,
Do you have buddies there, and any "single soldiers" that you could share a care package with?
Comment by Heather Froeschl — September 24, 2008 @ 12:15 pm
Heather,
There are only two single fellas on my team; however, Jeremy Alaniz may not really qualify as such. His Bostonian girlfriend is definitely taking care of him.
CPT Raymond Dresch to the same mailing address as above. He's single. Sadly, he is freshly so actually. While Ray is a big boy, who can take care of himself, I am sure that he would appreciate a card or such.
Comment by Rich Connaroe — September 24, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
We finally got my stepson's address in South Korea but now there's buzz they shouldn't get too comfortable. Afghanistan may be sooner than thought. So I was wondering if the army would forward packages if/when he leaves his base.
Comment by Roanoke RnR — September 25, 2008 @ 10:04 am
Ma'am,
The Army does an excellent job getting mail to Soldiers. I assure you that the package will get to him....eventually. It may take some time.
When Soldiers leaves one place, we fill out cards to forward our mail. This is a requirement. I got mail that was sent to me to Kansas while I was actually here. Of course, I got it about three weeks after it was originally mailed. Good thing that I wasn't already a winner of the Publisher's Clearing House, eh?
Comment by Rich Connaroe — September 25, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
I recently received an email, asking if the person could just be a penpal.
I almost felt embarrassed. In writing this piece on care packages, I was not intentionally requesting handouts for Soldiers.
The websites that I wrote about, and others just like them that you can find, they essentially hook you up as a penpal with a Soldier.
You do not have to send them a thing. Letters of support, just knowing that someone cares is all that it is about.
Comment by Rich Connaroe — September 25, 2008 @ 2:32 pm