what should I send to a sister in Iraq?
 

One of my pledge sisters just arrived in Iraq. She was called up awhile ago, but just now is settled there enough to have an actual address.

I want to send her a care package, but don't really know what to send -- what do you think they need over there? She sent out a general email asking for like two or three things (a certain kind of facewash, I think, and her favorite candy) but I don't know what else I could send her. I'm suddenly finding it hard even to know what to WRITE to her -- after all, why would she want to hear about my boy trouble and the funny thing that happened to me at work when she's being SHOT at?!?

Anyway, she's my age (22) and over there for the first time and, it sounds like, pretty miserable. Any ideas on what I could send her?

When my stepfather went over to the Middle East, he requested that we send him powdered drinks -- think Kool-aid with sugar already in it and baby wipes. Those were the main requests.

He retired after Afghanistan and before the 2nd Gulf "War," so perhaps someone else knows someone over there. That way, they might have a more up-to-date wish list...

Do not send skittles! All of the MRE have skittles in them and not my brother gets sick just seeing them. Many Iraqi children now have sugar addictions becuase the soldiers would give them their skittles.

Do not send anything breakable, it will break! Thoses packages go through hell to get there.

Send baby wipes, lotion, sun screen, chapstick, news papers, phone cards (AT&T only, others will be work) toothpaste, soap, the waterless hand cleaners, letters from friends, pictures (keep a copy) disposable cameras, and lots of love.

These are the things my brother and his friends wanted/needed/ loved....

Try not to send candy, those soldier do not get alot of water and the sugar makes them more thirsy.

And write to her telling her what is going on, boy trouble and all. I mean heck, sure she is in battle but when she gets that letter she wants to hear about stuff that is going on at HOME. This might sound crazy but also women troops want feminine products sent to them

(this coming from a Navy Brat)

Hope this helps

Re: what should I send to a sister in Iraq?
 

Actually, writing about boy trouble and funny work stories is the best thing you could do. All the friends and family I've had in the military have said that the best letters are just the normal daily life stuff. It's no fun to read a letter that just goes on and on about "Gee whiz you are brave. We are so proud of you. Are you sick of sand? We are praying for you!"

Holy crap, that would be DEPRESSING. Write about the stuff going on in your life so she can still feel a part of it. Clip stories from your campus or hometown newspaper. Cut out funny comics. If there's a particularly scandalous article in Cosmo, Glamour, etc. that you think she'd like, rip that out too.

Thanks ladies! This should help...... any other suggestions for what to send?

my sister spends a lot of time on air force bases and she said she usually brings baby wipes, toilet paper, toothpaste, lotion, sunscreen, things like that.

maybe some of the current issues of magazines, people, cosmo, etc.

I have had two cousins over there, one came back and the other left at 2am this morning for Iraq. From what they have told me and others, letters are the best! In addition, magazines or something that links them to our world. I am not sure about food as with my first cousin the mail took so long, it was nearly destroyed when it got there. I am sure anything and everything will be appreciated! :D

Don't know if I have any more suggestions since everyone else practically named everything I wanted to!

I give lots of props to these women serving in Iraq. When my good friend was there last year, he'd write about going 52 days without showering. Imagine being a woman with a condition every month and NOT SHOWERING.

That being said, does she have enough feminine products to help her get by? They don't provide that stuff for them, do they?