Care Packages
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Do's and Don'ts of Military Care Packages for Soldiers
by: Sarah Smiley
Sending a care package to your loved one deployed overseas seems so
easy, doesn't it? You just box up some cookies, attach a sweet card,
and it's ready to go, right?
If only it were that easy.
Sending mail to ships/units overseas is tricky for many reasons
(slow processing, mail limitations, etc.) but one of the most
confounding is this: unless you've been deployed yourself, it's hard
to know exactly what a Soldier or Sailor might want.
After two deployments (and a picky husband), here's what I've
learned about military care packages.
Try Not to Embarrass:
You might think sending a life-size portrait of your toy poodle
dressed in a ballet skirt is hilarious, but chances are your husband
won't be laughing when he has to carry the cumbersome "pooch" back
to his room and past all his friends. You never know where your
spouse will open his package, or whom he'll be with. If you think
he'll be humiliated for anyone to know you sent him pink boxer
shorts, either don't send them or give him a heads up about the
contents of the box. Similarly, if you're sending something that
might embarrass YOU (uhmmm....pictures), make sure you don't
surprise your beloved, or he might unknowingly cast your photos to a
group of nosey friends peering over his shoulder as he opens the
box.
Don't Douse the Box/Envelope with Perfume:
Women think this is wonderful, to spray perfume all over a man's
gift or letter. And honestly, our men probably like to receive the
smelly treasures too. But when your husband has to carry that letter
through three hallways and up four ladders back to his room, he may
not be thrilled dragging a cloud of feminine perfume behind him.
Remember, the military is notorious for issuing its members "call
signs" or "nicknames" at their weakest, most embarrassing moment. If
you don't want your husband to be called "Christian Dior" for the
rest of his career, go easy on the scents.
Steer Clear of Chocolate:
When you send something via an FPO address, you never know where it
will wait in transit before it gets to its destination. Your
carefully prepared box of chocolates may wait onboard a ship in the
Persian Gulf before being delivered to your spouse -- if you don't
want that package to be a big, melted, gooey mess, don't send
chocolate (or anything else that can melt).
Keep it Small:
Keep in mind your loved one may not have much personal space in his
overseas accommodations. Chances are good he has no place to store
the giant smiley face pinata the kids made for him, and it will end
up being a burden rather than a pleasure. Things that can be stored
easily (small drawings and pictures, travel game sets) and things
that can be consumed (food, toiletry items) rate high on most
Soldier's and Sailor's lists.
Keep it Personal:
Remember your loved one has not been home for a really long time --
what might seem silly or boring to you (an audio tape of the
children fighting over the Nintendo) will be like a little piece of
home for your spouse. Send things to remind your Soldier/Sailor of
the things he loves (his children, family, favorite foods, taped
reruns of his favorite TV shows).
Make it Fun:
Deployed Soldiers and Sailors are working almost non-stop and with
little new scenery or change of pace. They don't have the option to
go to Barnes and Noble for awhile to "get out" and see something
new. So bring the fun and the new to them. My husband always likes
getting DVDs, CDs, books, and sports magazines. He's also pointed
out that it is hard to get a "real" American newspaper when he is
deployed, so the local paper from home is always appreciated
(especially the Sports section). Remember these Soldiers and Sailors
are living without many of the comforts and conveniences of home.
Therefore, mail call is a welcomed opportunity to receive something
new and different to look at....things they can't get on the ship.
Make it Frequent:
Mail Call can be the highlight of the day for any deployed man or
woman. Even something as small as a crayon drawing from a two-year
old can bring joy to your loved one! Make it a point to send
something....even if it's just a letter....as frequently as you can!
About The Author
++You may reprint the above column on your website so long as the
following is included the URL address is actively hyperlinked back++
THIS MUST BE INCLUDED: Copyright 2004 Sarah Smiley
http://www.SarahSmiley.com - Sarah Smiley's syndicated column Shore
Duty appears weekly in newspapers across the country.
sarah@sarahsmiley.com