[Sca-cooks] Re: Stuff for Care Packages

[Laura C. Minnick]

Ok folks- Regina works for the Army 6th Battalion recruiting office- she
manages family benefits. She asked her commander for a list of things that
might be needed. And she sent me this for the list:

At 11:12 AM 2/7/03 -0800, Regina wrote:
>'Lanie,
>
>	Here is a list of the things that my commander, a veteran of Desert
>Storm came up off the top of his head.
>
>NUMBER ONE MOST WANTED STUFF!
>
>Wet Ones and or Baby Wipes  THIS WAS THE NUMBER ONE THING!!!
>
>Sanitizing hand lotion (the stuff that you wipe on and it disinfects and
>dries)
>chapstick
>Visine or any eye drops
>Liquid hand soap (bar soap sits around and gets sand all over it)
>disposable razors
>Gold Bond or other foot powder (sometimes the soldiers don't take their
>boots off for days!)
>Vaseline petroleum jelly
>Intensive Care lotion
>Nasal spray (particularly the saline type that re-hydrates, but allergic
>stuff is good too!) having a clear nose can save a soldier's life.  Not only
>can they wear their chemical gear, but they can literally "smell" the enemy
>some times - a reason to make the stuff you send un-sented, since the enemy
>has a sense of smell too!)
>toothpaste in the small tubes, lots of them.  (see if your dentist has
>samples)  That way the soldier can slip it into a pocket, and if it gets
>squished or sand in it he can throw it away.
>Sun Screen (Duh!)
>Gum!
>playing cards
>nuts of all kinds
>
>Dry shampoo
>
>Think of things that will help a soldier keep his mouth moist (like the
>candy)
>
>Disposable cameras
>Magazines (any kind EXCEPT Pornographic - this includes the swimsuit issues)
>Send 'em old TI's :-)
>Paperbacks (they go through dozens in a week)
>Game Boy games (yes, WAR is a favorite)
>CD's
>Copenhagen/Skoal or other shredded tobacco (your mileage may vary on this
>one)
>
>>From the cooks specifically:
>
>Hard candies (if it is sticky the chances are that it will become infested
>very quickly not to mention the mess).  Individually wrapped fudge and soft
>candy is best since they can hold the candy by the wrapper if they can't jam
>it all into their mouth at once :-)
>
>	(the Candied nuts are a good idea!)
>
>Individually wrapped stuff is good
>
>Remember they are in a place with little water available so any sanitary
>products will be valued
>
>For women, and there will be women there.  Think sanitary items.  Don't want
>to gross anyone out, but yeast infections were a problem because bathing was
>severely curtailed.
>
>Things that evoke home will be big.
>
>Rum Balls are right out.  Nothing with alcohol that is not cooked out.  The
>suggestion that nothing you wouldn't serve to a recovering alcoholic is
>good.  The people around our soldiers are going to be feeling a bit edgy
>anyway, no reason to let them think that their ways are being treated with
>contempt any more than necessary.  Politeness will be necessary.  The Ugly
>American syndrome could get our people killed.
>
>
>Wanda L. Pease
>Soldier and Family Assistance Program Manager
>Beneficiary Counseling Assistance Coordinator
>Portland Recruiting Battalion
>**Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum
>immane mittam.**
>
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