Our troops in the middle east

Kell,
Not sure about the sunscreen, but when i was talking to Bill tonight he said it was cold. He made the comment that he needs warmer socks!
Jen

I would like to take A1C Cady.

We'll take Armour and Bauer

I'll keep checking back....and will take more if we need to ...to make sure everyone gets something .

When we sent packages to my DGD on the Abe Lincoln, we included some silly toys...especially Yoyo's...we sent her a few to share and they had Yoyo contests. I think I'll put one in my pkg......give them something to do. Jo

Good idea!!

Just curious b/c I don't know my military jargon--

Could someone list what all the abbr. mean in terms of rank?

~~~~~~~ moved to end of thread ~~~~~~~ blaine

This message was edited Dec 4, 2004 7:22 AM

BuriedTreasures -- take your pick. I only know one... A1C Nesbitt (DGS)
here's a link to the rank and paygrades of the Air Force.

http://www.military-quotes.com/ranks/air-force-rank-insignia.htm



This message was edited Dec 3, 2004 9:32 AM

Now that was a very informative link...now I know what they mean by a "full bird colonel". All I need to do is find a retired E9 or above...that has no wife...and wants no wife...just some one to spend his money on!! LOL Jo

Please put me down for TSgt Cushman.

I'll take Hamilton A and Hamilton D

I'll get something together this weekend and put it in the main Monday.

My nephew was there last year, but I don't have anyone there this year. I have a 'future' grandson-in-law who will probably be there next year.

LindaSC

Stretchworth...was a great thread this has turned into...thanks for starting it. Jo

I just got back from getting my things to go in my boxes. I kept thinking about all of the names on this list...couldn't stand it...got enough for two more.

I'll take two more, but wait till next week to do so. Give more folks a chance to choose.

It was killing me that someone might not get a box.

Thanks Roadrunner, having a son there I know how much they will appreciate all you great guys. If we run out of names I can get names of the guys in my sons squadron, just sending a christmas card will let them know that we back home have not forgotton them.

Vi

You can go here to get lots of names to send stuff to, and addresses, and needs lists.

http://www.anysoldier.com

Lomanve...I wish I had seen that before...but here we are sending to someone we know...sorta...but I will bookmark that site for the future. Thanks!Jo

Jo, please just assign me one and send me the address..

Woodspirit...for you I see in your future A1C Western...for Western NC!! LOL

I like to support these young kids..Amn and A1C...they haven't been in the AF long.

Jo

Please put me down for A1C Ferrer, T. Thanks, Carol

Just to clarify,
Are we sending care packages or just letters?
My son talked to his teacher and gave the okay for it to be a class project, but only 4 kids were interested (thats not really bad because there are only 6 in the class including my son, lol)
I dont want to specify that they have to send something, but if another DG is capable of sending a care package to the person then that would be better for the soldier.
The more i've read over what i've written, it sounds awful, but i just cant seem to put it in words.

I'll send to SrA Reeder, so add me to the list. I'll fire off a box Mon AM.
Anything to perk up their morale!
Bj

I had such fun in LONGS today...at that section with the small bottles of everything!!! Tiny pkgs. of Toilet Seat Covers, TP, toothpaste, nail brushes...like stuffing stockings!!!!

8ft - I was born at Pearl Harbor...1940. Father was on USS Sicard in drydock.

If anyone has a friendly Dermatologist, they have GREAT freebees they can give away of little tubes of sunblock, creams, etc....I picked up about a lb. of them to include...so she can share! The less scent the better because of the bugs (I reckon they have them, too).

I am grateful for the opportunity to do this....Thanks.

MSJen...I think if I were you I would just pick 4 names to send letters/cards too. The kids shouldn't be required to send packages...too expensive for them, but wouldn't want to knock a soldier out of getting one...so if the kids do 4 names...then one of us can take the same name too...why not select the name I picked (I will still send him a package and letters)....and 3 more that have already been picked...they can't have TOO MANY pen-pals...especially if one of them is a child!!

Jo

MSJen and all other wonderful folks - I agree with Jo. Cards and a note would be fine. Especially if you scribble something down. Something local like your weather or something that caught your interest in the news. Kind of like writing family.

I think RR has the best idea MSJen....just have the names be from those already getting boxes, and it will work out fine. Letters from kids would be a great morale booster and there's no need for a package.

~~~~~~~~~ moved to end of thread --- selected names are at bottom ~~~~~~~~
thanks - blaine

This message was edited Dec 4, 2004 7:42 PM

RR,

Thats a great idea!!!

8ft, can you select 4 names for me? I'll give them to bran and he'll take them to school on Monday.

You said you knew Nesbitt, personally. Whats he like? What does he like?
I read the comment above and was wondering if he was your son??
I know you cant go in to many details, but roundabout, where are they? My husband is at Camp Scania working for KBR.
Jen

Please let me know the four names you give to MSJen, and then select two left on the list for me.
It will be a pleasure to send them packages.

The new selections are at the bottom of the list. (hated to pick-n-choose :) )
Gave you each a Female and a senior member as well. Especially for the class, they may have kids of their own and send a nice letter back.

A1C Nesbitt is my son and this unit (see the picture above) are operate from Al Dhafra airbase outside of Abu Dhabi down south. Before deploying they did non-stop, extensive training for escorting the convoys. This is an Air Force security group.

MsJen check your mail.
thanks
blaine

I will take one more..Gartner...then see if I have to get a second job to finance these extra 'kids' this year..LOL

Jo or anyone else ;) Up above you said 'hot sauce'. Do you mean the packets from a Taco Bell type place?

We're packing our box now and want to make sure that I don't put anything in it that is in a glass container like a jar or something. Is that correct?

Thanks !

What a wonderful thread!
I went to the any airman link. Wow! That is fabulous. There are so many names there.
One Air Force major listed had 100 any-male-soldiers and 100 any-female-soldiers that he would pass items and mail to.Their unit's assignment is supporting two civilian hospitals and 2 schools in Kabul. So he requested supplies for their mission, as well. Stuff like baby blankets and school supplies and baby Tylenol.

One of the items they request is (used or new) beanie babies! (Who would have thought?) For the soldiers to give to kids they meet!

8ft: Please select 2 names for me, too!
Jen

I would think the government should supply that kind of stuff to all the troops.What is going on?Thats horrible that they don't.Just my 2 cents worth.I'd think if they'd die for our country we should supply them with whatever they need.I need to find a girl/boy over there to Adopt.I'd like somone with no family.To send them some goodies.LOL.Jody

This message was edited Dec 4, 2004 3:50 PM

Its not bad putting together packages for our troops, the shock comes with the postage to mail these packages...

Earthling,
I sent my husband a super bowl party in a box. I collected t-shirts, coozies, pretzles, popcorn, vcr player, the tape, hats, keychains and all other kinds of things.
It took 3 large boxes to send it with the cost being about 150.00 i was mortified, to say the least.

What was your postage and how much did it weigh?Thanks,Jody

Just send me a name and addy of someone.I feel very American and Christmasy.LOL.Jody

I stopped at a local Mail+ store to try to get some idea of postage..

Well, she checked out the APO number and plugged in 10 lbs...and the postage will be around $22.00. She said they gove a 10% discount, so I am looking at $20 for 10 lb..I came home and started packing up a box, and I have a lot of stuff in it and it is just around 10#..(this is using a bathroom scale that I have trained to lie when I get on it..so who knows how accurate it is anymore..) Anyway, I am planning on it being around $20 for a package. I dont have everything I wanted to put in it, but believe me, I have a LOT of stuff in it. I bought boxes of things like jerky, Little Debbie cakes, hard candy, etc..and instead of putting the entire box or package, I opened them up and put SOME in each. That helped with the weight and the amount I needed to buy.

I have 3 packs popcorn, 1 instant oatmeal, one tuna salad w/crackers, toothbrush and paste (small), 1 small Avon skin so soft lotion, 1 vienna sausage , 2 packs brownies,2 bag clips, 4 hot chocolate mix,1 peanut butter squeeze, 1 cheese in a can, 1 deodorant, 1 Avon cracked heel cream, needles and spool of black thread, 7 packs beef jerky, 1 sunblock lotion, 1 box sugar free kool aid (4 packs inside), 6 beef sticks, 4 trail mix bars, 1 pack (of 8) AA batteries, 3 chap stick, 1 small can of nuts,1 pack of 6 individual packs of raisins, 1 tic tac, 1 cracker jack, 1 saline nasal spray, 1 natures tears for eyes, 10 packs of chewing gun..mixed, 1 bar soap, 1 pack (5) disposable razors, 1 lip balm, 20 or so individual sanitizing hand wipes, 1 can of Fritos. think thats about all thats in there, but that is quite a bit, *I* think..I will add a small box of some type crackers to complete...

I have a lot more I would like to send, but thought I would wait until next month..or perhaps for Valentine's day.

Kris

edited to add 1/2 lb hard candies and 2 Life Savers.

I would like to hear what others are including in your boxes so I will get more ideas..

This message was edited Dec 4, 2004 2:32 PM

edited again to add : 1 package of Tempo (containing 18 individual packs of 7 4-ply sheets) of paper..like tissues but a lot thicker..kind of all purpose, I carry them in the car all the time.

I THINK thats it..for the last time.

This message was edited Dec 4, 2004 2:52 PM

I hope all our guys and gals get a Pen pal before Christmas!! Doing GREAT!!! Jo

I read somewhere else that if one was sending anything that could leak, to wrap it in bubble wrap and then put it in 2 baggies to prevent leakage in the box in case of breakage...

One more question - sorry, it's a repeat! No glass bottles, is that correct? Like Salsa, Hot Sauce, anything in jars?

Thanks!