What do Deployed Service Members really want in their Care Packages?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs I have not sent one and maybe I should. My brother who was never in the service sends them to troops in Afghanistan and previously to Iraq fairly regularly. I would have to ask him what he put in them but I do know he was pretty popular when he sends them cigars.

The one care package I received in Vietnam from my grandmother, someone had opened before it got to me and ate all of the cookies. I was pretty bummed out about that.

Thanks for all that you do.

Oh, not sure if I can answer that one openly, sir. ;)

Some like having socks, razors, phone cards, things that make life a little easier where their at.

A plane ticket home

I want something that I won't expect. One year I received a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree from my Soldier Angel. The tree was a hit in my office. People kept coming in to take pictures.

What I know is that my mom had no idea. At mail call my STA Plt saw I got a huge care package. Assuming it would be good stuff, they stuck around, know I'd share the goodies. It was October. She sent me 8 cuft of fall maple leaves so I wouldn't miss the "fall colors". Once they got over being disappointed, they laughed at me for weeks.

Next, IN JAPAN, she sent me two cases of this great new instant food (This was the early 80's). Once again, IN JAPAN, she sent me two cases of instant Ramen soup. Weeks more of care package package ridicule.

Dad sent cookies, popcorn balls, homemade candy, Sports Illustrated, Louis L'amour and Conan paperbacks, Comic books, the Sunday funnies and Hot Rod Magazine.

COL Mikel J. Burroughs we always included the regular snack stuff, hygiene items, socks, and solid two ply TP.

Well, around this time of the year I was having my wife send hand warmers, ramen, instant coco, Blistex, and always baby wipes. The good ones, huggies or parents choice. Can be used for cleaning weapons and the body as well as the bum! Gloves only go so far, the hand warmers can be stuck in a pocket or the palms of the gloves. Blistex, or Carmex for chapped lips and noses from blowing them. Carmex work wonders for a raw nose! Cards, from the kids or anyone in general! a good Thanksgiving card and or Christmas cards from the kids warms the heart of a deployed parent or older sibling! I was always told KISS. Keep It Simple Simon! something that can be put in a ruck and carried easily. small memento or something to hang in the hooch or chu or even on a small tree we found! If you want to see them smile add a roll of Grizzly long cut winter green! they can share with the guys and GALS! Yes there are ladies that dip!

There is a church where the pastor asked someone when they came back home what they missed the most. The response was Oreos, Double Stuffed Oreos. Now the church does a yearly Operation Oreo. Really anything that reminds me of home is a good care package or something to share with others who do not receive any mail.

http://www.afumc.org/community/patriots/oreo/

While I agree with the above, the gedunk is appreciated, the one thing that gets passed around the most are the personal letters. The favorites?

"I hope things aren't too rough for you over there - I just wanted to let you know some things going on here. Uncle Billy's operation went okay - they got the bone shard out, but BOY was he loopy from the meds! We recorded it all, and I know it'll be played at get-togethers for years to come!!
Jessica started her sophomore year at college last month. Not bad, considering that she's been at it for four years... at least she got rid of that horrid boyfriend she had. Oh, the bruises she tried to hide were terrible. He ended up with three years in the slammer for it.
Tom went to the city yesterday, and saw that new "artwork" that folks have been talking about. He wasn't very impressed. He interviewed with the hiring manager at the tallest building in the city - on the 31st floor! I hope he gets the job. He's been getting more and more depressed lately - he didn't even go pheasant hunting this year.
Oh, the garden did GREAT this year! We canned almost 200 quarts of beans and had to give several bushels away! Those new cucumbers were interesting - they make for some great pickles. Everyone in town hates me now, because I've had a basket of tomatoes with me for three months, giving them to everyone I see - there's only so much one family can eat!!
We're praying for you back here. Come home soon, and safe!!"

Now, nobody knew those authors, nobody knew Billy or Tom or Jessica or had even been to this person's town, but DAMNED if everyone didn't want to hear how things were going back in the real world. We loved those letters!!