My brother has said both times that he ends up with big piles of un-used candy. I know he never felt the need to give it to kids that were throwing rocks at him either. He's been on both ends of the spectrum...having nothing, sleeping a little bit beside a jeep in the desert, and in a bed most nights. The needs are different depending where they are. On the big bases, they can get most of the every-day stuff they want. It's the tastes of home that my people have said they miss....

We also had the local weekly rag subscription purchased and sent to the APO.


Homeade cookies I've been told are appreciated, the store brands, not as much.



For those on a base with internet, we've been using Skype and can have face-face conversations with our soldiers on occasion. I was able to get a hookup at an odd location by the local telco and webcam my brother into a wedding he was missing and he was able to talk to quite a few family/friends until his link went out.
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I've been chatting with my brother....he says the thing he misses the most right now is hunting.

He says Hunting Videos would be a good thing for any outdoorsmen....I know several of the pros, so I'll see if I can get some videos donated
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:-)
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I can't guarantee anything, but I'm going to ask.

You might put that down for things to buy though. You can buy them in sets....I saw a collection on craigslist the other day for pretty cheap too.

I hadn't thought of it, but at least my brother is having whitetail withdrawls. I'm sure the other hunters are too.
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Which is best, and easiest for you?

I'd be happy to Paypal some $$, send a check or buy some items.

If Paypal is best, PM me and I'll contribute.
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I'll see what I can gather up
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Any help for the troops is appreciated.
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I support the troops :-)
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I realize your new here but we don't post "joke" posts in a sticky or a serious thread. Your penalty for this violation is $20 for the troops.:-)
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PM me your paypal and I'll see what I can do.

I just read that the Amazon Kindle now works internationally. I wish there was a way we could afford to buy a couple of those for the troops. Unfortunately they are about $300. I know the prospect of unlimited books would be nice.

As to Iowanian's suggestion of grass seed and dirt. That is popular, at least it was among my friends. Something about having a little piece of America to take care of while in the sand box was a comforting thought.
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I wish you guys could hear that stories I'm hearing about this thread. My best friend, my brother, my in-law etc. is heading over there, is already over there. Worried about them etc. Gut wrenching personal stories. And then there is ones like this....

Hey BRC. This is edited name. God bless the troops and thanks for what you are doing. This is the money I was going to use as a reward for my lost puppy dog. The kind woman that found him refused the reward, so I figure this is a good alternative.


Total so far...$85 in hand. More have promised funds in the future.
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We did this over the last year at our church for soldiers from the area that were overseas. If you haven't found out already, I can get the list of suggested items we went by.

Also several of the soldiers said coffee was always appreciated. You can get foldgers and maxwell house coffees in tea bag form so that they can make coffee with a cup of hotwater and not have it taste like instant. Another thing that we popular is wet-wipes. Kid out of our church who spent 2 tours in Iraq said, especially on the first tour they could go several weeks without a shower (or running water for that matter) and the wet wipes were the only he could clean up.
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Yeah, I've started to get feedback from members who have family over there privately and doing some research it looks like Coffee, tea, instant flavored drinks of any kind and those baby wipes are the most popular items. Also not a lot of feedback but those who have offered or experienced it say Iowaian's idea of potting soil and some seeds goes over real big with the troops also. I could use those USPS boxes that doesn't matter about weight but based on size to ship the potting soil.
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Decent toiletpaper, Charmin, IIRC, makes a little travel pack that is easy to put in your cargo pocket and keep with you. They don't call the gov't issue stuff "John Wayne" for nothing.
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Heh, “rough on your ass and don’t take shit off nobody.” :-)


Wet wipes is another prized item.
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