More Ideas to Send

Army

My brother, who is currently stationed in Iraq, had a simple request; freeze pops. They are cheap, you buy them off the shelf at a store like Walmart, and they can freeze them. They make for a heavy box so I used the flat rate US Postal box and put them in a big Ziploc to be sent.

I did send him a fan recently. He was excited to get it and I knew it would be used since it is so hot but the fan caught fire on the first day. The wiring where there is much different, so be aware of those type of things.

We are awaiting his arrival back home for 2 wks from Iraq :)

Recent Tips

When my brother was preparing for his first tour in Iraq I wanted to learn more about the country. Honestly I couldn’t even point out the Middle East on a globe. I printed maps, the time difference, weather, and customs, whatever I could think of. I found all of this helpful in several ways. One was for care packages. More recently an item I sent was a hit, I wasn’t sure when I mailed it but soon another was on its way, solar lights. They sure have enough sun to power them, do not cost much and easily fit in a box.

Moving Wall Part 2

The 2009 Moving Wall at Wickham was better than ever. I went 4 times during the week and each time saw something new.
Did you know that you can adopt a hero? That’s right, retired military working dogs can now become a family pet. Check out: www.militaryworkingdogadoptions.com Every Friday I get to pick up my son from school along with 3 other girls (one being my niece). I wanted them to learn something not only about the Vietnam War but about Vets in general. We were honored to meet a RMWdog (Rudy)who served in OIF for 4 tours. Rudy is now 11 and has lived with his current owner for 2 years. While talking to Rudy’s owner we met a young man who was on furlough from Iraq. I was somewhat sad to hear he returned to Fort Bragg with no one to visit, so he came to Melbourne to stay for the Wall. I thought of my brother and was so thankful he has so much support during his time in Iraq. Another important site for veterans is www.VetCenter,va,gov which assists soldiers in readjusting from the war zone. PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is real and more of our soldiers suffer from this than we know. We tend to put the war on the backburner, it no longer makes news like it did just a few years ago and yet it continues. I wish people would remember those that continue to put their lives on the line for our country.
*More on Moving Wall - see Florida Space Coast tab - Moving Wall label

We Are Soldiers Still

“We Are Soldiers Still” by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (USA Ret.) and Joseph L. Galloway The first thing I should have done was return this hardback to the library and get “We Were Soldiers Once…and Young” not realizing I checked out the sequel…but I was hooked after reading the Forward by Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf. The account is the journey remembering the battlefields of Vietnam, mainly focusing on Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang. I have to admit I never realized how much hand to hand combat took place in Vietnam, what an ugly war that resulted with the loss of so many lives on both sides. Gen. Moore travels back to come face to face with his enemy and in the end the become friends with a mutual respect. Much of this book had immense stories.
The description of noises, smells and the scene give such a painting of what this place was like. We should all thank the men (and women) who had to endure the hardships of this war, during and after. Gen. Moore shares lessons in leadership and spoke about how war should be the absolute last card any national leaders should play, and that if these decision were made by leaders in the military they would guard that war card to the end. In chapter 12 “On War” he writes that no one is more cautious that an old soldier about war. The end of the book had me grieving for people I don’t even know but who were truly heroes: Rick Rescorla and Julie Moore – look them up, you’ll see why.
I would recommend this book to anyone old enough to understand and know I will have much more respect for the Vets of Nam when I go to the Moving Wall.
As said in the book, the greatest lesson learned from war is to cherish peace.

Things to Send

Ironically as I was compiling this list, one was sent out through the FRG, so I added to it from suggestions they gave.

When sending a package to a solider, whether you know him or not, you may be at a loss figuring out what to box up. Of course if you know the solider you probably have some ideas of things they would love to receive.

Suggestions: photos, favorite magazines or one geared towards male/female, neck coolers, small fan, extra batteries, hand heaters (found in camping section – also under label ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’), a book, new towel or pillow case – Im sure Army issued ones are not the greatest, drink mix in’s like Crystal light / Gatorade, soft toilet paper (you never know), Under Armour might be good, thick socks, gel inserts, camera case and lens cleaner, chapstick (I love Bert’s Bees), eye drops (we sent cases donated from an a local Ophthalmologist last time my brother went to Iraq). Razors, non-perishables; granola bars, put certain things in a zip lock incase you think they may leak, single serving microwave things – mac & cheese / popcorn, chocolate is probably not a good idea, neither is alcohol, porn or pork. Other things; gum, coffee creamer (I would want that), Pop-tarts, beef jerky, wipes, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, local newspaper to read what’s going on back home, hot sauce, spices, calling cards – look into the best ones, unlocked GSM cell phone (thank you to a military connection for this one), sunglasses, hand held games, computer screen wipes, cards, DVD’s & CD’s, flash drives, MPs player, USB hubs, do not send fruit or things that are contrary to the belief in the land they are in. Keep in mind they might have a PX with lots of things like cookies and candy, but maybe they have a favorite from home. Sending food (cookies) and scented products (deodorant) together might result is something not good to eat, especially when your box travels for 10 days in 100* heat. No thanks to your “fresh breeze sugar cookies”…
Things found on the FRG list:
Foot powder, Glade stick ups, Sheets/Pillows (twin), Blanket from home, Fly Traps/Bug Spray, Nose Saline, Instant coffee/tea, calendar, Record their favorite shows on DVD (I thought this was a nice idea), Disposable cameras, Theme packages, Cordless electric razor (buy a DUAL Voltage one - voltage is different over there), Sun block the spray or stick kind, Eye glasses cleaning wipes, shaving cream
I would also recommend Left, Right, Center (look under games)

because it is cheap, compact and fun

02/09/09 - Im adding another item. I spoke with my brother today, who is in Iraq. His request: a camping shower, the kind that hangs from a tree and holds water. I think many items of use can be found in the camping section.

Another thing an Army mom said travels well:

pound cake, then add a can of frosting

Paul in his Kuwait tent 1st tour in 07

Care Packages

As soon as Paul started his journey to the other side of the globe I started collecting items to be sent to him. I keep 2 flat rate boxes on hand so I can have one ready to go. Flat rate is the best because you can load it up and pay one price. Last tour I sent some boxes that cost me around $30, not this time, I’m smarter now. I have an area where the boxes wait, along with items I think he may need or want. When an address is given off it goes. The boxes take a little while to get to the Middle East so trickling in letters / postcards is probably appreciated between boxes. Chocolate in not a good idea and of course they have some “don’ts” like pork, so check with your soldiers unit for a list. I try to remember that whatever I send he may have to take to the next location or even leave it behind. I look at is this way, if he can’t use it, I’m sure someone can, and I let Paul know that. I know many soldiers get nothing so ask yours if he or she knows of someone in need of something or who could use something to cheer them up. By the way, who doesn’t love Girl Scout cookies?

Paul on his 1st tour with his Iraq fan club

The Journey

Being a scrapbooker, if that is a title, I wanted to try & keep up with my brother’s travels while in the Army. Of course I didn’t have many photos to use but I had lots of email and updates to create a journal scrapbook. While we were in SC for his basic graduation I took random shots of things most people wouldn’t waste their time on. The door to his dorm was painted with a skull and they all had a not so nice nickname for their Sergeant, I took his photo as well during “family day”. Paul talked about how much walking they had to do in their Army boots, so I took a picture of those when he wasn’t paying attention, his bunk made up neatly like a good soldier, his locker when he was showing it to all of us, and even the mail he got in a pile. Another thing I did was take one of his letters and reduce it on a copy machine, and then put it in the scrapbook. When Paul returned from his first tour in Iraq I sat with him and looked at each picture. I asked him for more details on each. Then I looked up the images on line for more information. Many places are shown when they were newer – no current photos, like Mosques in the 70’s, but I still was able to print additional information to put in the book with Paul’s photos. I found facts about the Tigris River and about the Sword Sculpture that he took photos and video of. Most guys are not good with detail and/or memories so this was a way for Paul, years from now, to have something to look back on when he was a young soldier.

Paul at the Tigris 07

Help Our Troops Call Home

Wow an idea to be green and help out our Soldiers? Recently my husband received an envelope with this website on it, being my brother is currently in Iraq serving in the Army I checked it out.
What a great idea this is. You can recycle your old cell phone and the proceeds are used to purchase prepaid calling cards for our troop.
Most of us don’t even know what to do with our old phones so go on this site and get a postage paid envelope to mail yours.
http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/

Update

Currently my youngest brother, Paul 22, is in route to Iraq for his 2nd tour so I will be posting more here soon. During his 1st tour I spent lots of time looking at sites, reading news, and looked up things daily to find out anything to do with his troop, his FOB or his general area. This almost was at the point of an obsession but I did end up with lots of information that we would not have had and I met, through the internet, many nice caring people who steered me the right way. I had an address before Paul knew it and we were sending mail. If anything just keep him and all our troops in your prayers until they all return home.

Short Version

Military Lingo –

so you do not get lost in what could be a brief long distance conversation:
AIT — Advanced Infantry Training; Advanced Individual Training

BCT — Basic Combat Training or Brigage Combat Team

CAV — Cavalry (Armored Cavalry Regiment)
FOB — Forward Operating Base; Forward Operations Base
HE — High-Explosive; Handling Equipment; Housing Expense; Heavy Equipment
IBCT — Infantry Brigade Combat Team
IED— Improvised Explosive Device
LBV — Load-Bearing Vest. Used for carrying ammunition, water, and

other tactical loads while in the field, or during an assault.
MEDEVAC— MEDical EVACuation to an aid station or field hospital, usually by air ambulance.
MOS— Military Occupational Specialty
MRE— Meals, Ready to Eat;

(slang: Meals Rejected/ Meals Refused by Everyone/ Meals Rejected by the Enemy)
PT — Physical Training

RPG — Rocket-Propelled Grenade

What the????

When writing to your solider you will follow their name with lots of numbers and letters. Why? Well I tried to compile a simple explanation and hope it is correct.

If not I’m sure someone will tell me one day.
The Army has many units which a soldier may belong. Say you lived in:

North America, USA, Florida,

Brevard County, City of Melbourne,

neighborhood of Windover Farms, on Main Street,

and finally house 1234.

This is all true and in the military the unit is described from the smallest to the largest

(like starting with house #1234, following their name).

I will use these comparisons below so you understand it better.
Your soldiers name (house number #1234)
Next unit up is a Squad (Main Street), which has 2 teams, usually 8-10 soldiers.

Squads are numbered.
The next larger unit is a Platoon (Windover Farms),

which consists of 3 or 4 squads. They are numbered.
A Company (Melbourne) is 3 or 4 platoons.
Next would be a Battalion (Brevard County) and they have 3 - 5 companies.
The larger unit (Florida) can be called a Regiment and be made up of 2 or more battalions, they have numbered labels like 84th Inf Reg etc. You may have a unit called a Brigade which can have 3 to 6 battalions. They also have numbered labels.
Then the larger unity is a Division (USA) and can have up to 3 brigades.

Divisions have number labels like 3rd Infantry Division.
Finally the branch of the military (North America).

Many times I read something and wonder “is this my brother’s group?” and after learning

this I realized one small piece of information can be about a large group of soldiers.

I’m not sure if I am 100% correct on this but this is pretty much the idea.

Deployment Part One

Deployment Part One – Of course I am writing this as a family member of someone deployed to a War not as a person who has gone through it. Pretty much if our country is at war, even if the President said it’s over, you can count on your loved one going to the hostel area eventually. I wanted to know as much as possible when my youngest brother was preparing to be sent to Kuwait and then Iraq. First I couldn’t even find either on a map if it had glowing arrows pointing it out. Weather, the terrain, and location of bases were next on my list. Terminology is very important to know. When researching I saw right away the abbreviations are used more often than not. For the record; FOB is Forward Operating Base, remember it.
After learning basic facts I started to scourer the internet for connections to the group my brother was in. I quickly found a mom, who had a blog, and through her found an address for my brother before he even knew where he was. This was a break through because he had been told over and over that he would not be in one place long. We, as a family, decided to start sending letters because the worst that would happened would he him not getting them. He did receive them, and yes mail takes quite awhile. I actually got a Christmas card returned to me 2 months after I sent it. The envelope had 6 post marks from several countries; luckily it was just 1 of many cards for Christmas.
Over a short period of time I found about 12 sites that were very useful and I ended up looking at them at least daily for any kind of update. I don’t know if it’s a good thing to have all this access or if we would be better, as family here in the states, to only have as much information as we did years ago. Every story you think could be your loved one. It becomes too much some days. The main thing is to remember to be patient and plan for things to not occur in the sequence that your solider may think they will happen. This can be frustrating to you but imagine how your loved one feels.

Good Book

I just finished “The Heart of a Soldier” by Kate Blaise. The book is like a very detailed journal of high school love that led to marriage. But the heart of the story is that Kate and her husband Mike both served in the US Army, and eventually deployed to Iraq together (somewhat). I knew how the tale ended and dreaded getting to that part. As I read the words I knew it was coming up and I shut the book. The following day I was ready to continue and actually cried reading about Mike’s death. Why did I read it? I don’t know. I have really been into true stories and I have an interest in the military and this war. Some of the things I read about Iraq I have seen in my brothers photos, but the descriptions by Kate of the Middle East painted a picture that even he wasn’t able to recall. Maybe it was the female side of her that paid attention to detail, or perhaps her position in the military, either way I was glad I read it.

Basic Training - A sisters point of view

I am from a family of 4, 2 girls 2 boys. My sister and I are much older than my brothers (17 year spread) in a sense we grew up separately. So when our “baby” brother wanted to join the Army we all protested. My nephew had already went in and returned home after being a part of OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) following 9/11. I watched my sister-in-law (and other family members) stress waiting to hear from her son, or his whereabouts. One particular time she didn't hear anything for weeks. I couldn’t imagine my older mother go through the same thing (By older, I mean she is older than my sister-in-law).
School wasn't Paul’s thing and back on the Army train he went. This time we weren't able to talk him out of it and before we could wave our flag he was gone. This is what he wanted and now we had to show our support.
Basic Training can be a worrying time for family members, simply because you just don’t know what is going on and it may be the 1st time your soldier is away. But rest assure, at least they are on US soil. I think Paul snuck a few phone calls during his 12 week training, but they are not suppose to. Graduation information comes to you, but let me tell ya, it is last minute! Be prepared. We planned, as a group, to make the drive from FL to SC to see our brother become a soldier. Luckily with my Internet searching I found a time frame so we could prepare our trip.
The base was a hustle and bustle of visitors like costumers searching for the latest Christmas toy, no one knew where to go but they were moving. Fort Jackson was huge. Rolling hills and in full spring bloom – not good for an allergy suffer but pretty to the rest of us. We prepared for cooler weather for our Florida bodies…well most of us did, and waited and waited and waited.

* I took this photo while waiting for Paul – one tree in bloom in a see of bark. It was off to the side of the family crowd
From out of our view we could hear the Army chants starting. They were deep in tone and perfectly in sequence. To see these brand new soldiers come over the hills brought tears to my eyes. It is an unbelievable feeling of pride to witness this. We knew what Company Paul was in, the trouble was we didn't know which was coming. As each group came we quickly scanned the crowd. From face to face, each male had a shaved head which made it feel like we were trying to find the old needle in the haystack. Soon we realized the Company flag was waving above the soldiers to identify them and calmed down knowing Paul hadn't come yet. Row after row came until finally we recognized the group we had been waiting for.
I was ready with my camcorder and Linda was following along with her camera. Quickly my scan began again starting with the 1st row, then the next and so on, there were so many to look at. Then my heart started pounding more I saw Paul. I was yelling to the family, Linda was next to me yelling, I was trying to film while keeping up with the soldiers marching in unison. I kept saying “boy he looks so different” “man, he is skinny” “wow, look how different he looks”. All this while Linda and I continued to run beside him filming and snapping shots. Then it hit me. I wasn't filming Paul, I had no idea where Paul was. This soldier was so excited to see people yelling at him and taking him picture he gave us many ½ cracked smiles from the side of his face. What! Where was Paul? I was waisting my time here. Linda said “Look there’s Paul” – he was right behind my new adopted solider who would forever be in our family video.
Your soldier will be skinnier, have a shaved head, muscular and very respectful. Sir and maim will come out of his or her mouth just as much as a dog licks himself.
The welcome ceremony was quick and went by each Company. Be prepared to purchase tickets to a family dinner and pay for professional photos. We knew about this ahead of time but I saw many people who just couldn't’t afford it. Probably the cost of the trip was enough for them. My mom sure didn't have the funds to get Paul's photos but we couldn't pass, so we chipped in. They also sell videos of training and a yearbook type book. Of course this may not be true for all the bases. I would have passed on the training video because it doesn’t focus on your soldier.

*This was a lake we ending up taking a bunch of photos near, very scenic at Fort Jackson and although our weather was overcast
Our time went by fast and we quickly learned the Army doesn’t do what you think they will. This would be a lesson we would be reminded of many times during Paul’s service. Make every effort to attend the Basic Graduation because seeing soldiers scan the crowd hoping for a familiar face and be disappointed is just heartbreaking. *Currently while I write this he is in LA training for 1 month – he has already been to Iraq once.
Pray for our military Psalm 91

Just Info

Before enlisting in the military please read all the fine print and know what you are getting in to especially the length you are signing for.
Basic:
Prior to leaving for a base read up on the website, check postings from other military people who may have gone through the same basic – they might give tips on things to bring or do before leaving your home
Write encouraging letters, cards or even post cards
Utilize the website of where your military family is, check it often for dates on upcoming events. Read up on the phases to stay informed of what they are going through. Some sites even post photos. Try to get the graduation date as far in advance as you can if you plan on attending.

Fort Jackson SC

South Carolina Fort Jackson area – we didn’t find much to do in a little amount of time while attending all the military events. The base is huge, with hills and lots of flowers in bloom during the spring. Beware if you have allergies because pollen coats everything. On Family Day – we entered the base and got lost immediately, but with assistance from a solider we were shown where to go. We waited for quite some time and the weather was cold which some of our group was not prepared for. In the distance we could hear those chants we have heard in movies time and time again. It is very surreal to see your solider with his company trotting over the hills towards the awaiting family. We didn’t know what order they were coming but finally figured it was alphabetical…it’s a blonde thing. Now keep in mind that if you are waiting for a male, everyone has the same hair! I actually filmed someone else’s soldier not realizing that my brother was in the row right behind him. The Company stands in formation while family goes inside to get information.



Church on Base