Friend leaving for Afghanistan

[susanwy]

I have a close friend leaving for Afghanistan in a few days, his first deployment (Camp Riley for 6 weeks, then deployment). I'd like to get him something useful as a gift, but I have no idea what. He is leaving a family with two middle school aged children behind. Do any veterans, or families of veterans or current service personnel here have some ideas for me?

Thanks, and thank all of you for your services to our country!

Susan

[Narkos]

1. Send him something while he's there, not now

It's great to get packages when you're deployed. It almost doesn't matter what you send, it's nice to know that people still know you exist back home.

[susanwy]

2. thanks

some of us are kicking around the idea of having a "care package" designee each month responsible for getting something in the mail.

Susan

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. When he is over there, send care packages

they should include the following

Toilet Paper, short as in very short in theater

Foot powder (always popular)

Candy... hard candy is popular with troops

Beef Jerky... they can use it while on patrol and get some more calories

Book, find out what he likes to read

AA Batteries... there are never enough of those

Personal hygiene products, such as a toothbrush and toothpaste, believe you me, short in theater

Sun Filter and lip balm

Letter

At times even home baked cookies... and boy do I have stories about the foil tasting brownies that were still devoured by the crew

Now if you want to give him something NOW... an MP3 player or short wave radio

And those are the top of the list... but the care packages are the best, and you could even get together with the family and make sure to double on some of these things... helping more than one trooper

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. Phone cards

with minutes on them are hits with the troops, I'm told.