hope this isn't too far off topic

[trigger643]

My son just returned from a year in Mosul, Iraq with the 3-2 Strykers. If any of you are wondering what you can do for our troops, the wife of one of my son's replacements has the following to share/offer (contact information contained herein). There is something here for everyone's budget:

Hello Friends and Family!

I hope this does not disturb you that I sent this email, but I have had so many
ask me what they can send to soldiers. A military group I belong to had this
listed on their site yesterday and I thought it would help those of you that
would like to send soldiers gifts. I have even come across things I take
advantage of laying around my home! Newspapers and magazines I fail to read,
DVDs and VHS tapes I have seen over and over, the list goes on and on. Wishing
you all a Merry Christmas!

ARTICLE:
December 08, 2004
Christmas Wishlist
Jana sent us the following email and list from her husband, an officer with 2-8
FA. Her husband asked his soldiers what items they like to receive in care
packages. Since this is such a popular question, we thought it would be helpful
to post the answers here. Also, if you're interested, Jana's husband has agreed
to distribute any Christmas packages that people would like to send.

Many (granted, not all) of you have expressed a great deal of interest in
sending soldiers goodies for the holidays. I have been asked countless times,
"what should I send?" Well, here's your answer. Feel free to pass the list on to
anyone interested, please. This was a random solicitation on my part to soldiers
on the base (population of about 3400 right now) for things they would like from
the States. I can't spend a lot of time sorting and categorizing, so it's all
lumped into this list.

Many of the items are very small and inexpensive and would be greatly
appreciated. And don't worry about it not arriving here before Christmas! LOL No
one else is willing to be Santa, so I've volunteered myself to distribute items
sent to the units and/or individuals (plus I'm not supposed to release names and
units...).

[Contact Jana via email at [email protected] if you'd like to get Santa's
mailing address - Todd]

13" COLOR TV SET
AIR FRESHENERS
AMERICAN FLAGS ON STICK (SMALL)
AT&T CALLING CARDS
BATTERIES (AA, AAA, 9V)
BEEF JERKY
RED BULL
BLACK & MILD CIGARS
BLANKETS
BOOKS
BOOT INSERTS
CANDY
CDs (COUNTRY, CHRISTIAN, METALLICA)
CLOTHES HANGERS
STARBUCKS COFFEE
COFFEE CREAMERS (FRENCH VANILLA, HAZELNUT, ETC)
COOKIES, CHEESE, CHIPS
DEODORANT
DIGITAL CAMERA
DR PEPPER
DVD MOVIES (JAPANESE ANIME)
DVDs OF CSI, XFILES, & OTHER TV SHOWS
DVD PLAYER, VCR
ENVELOPES, WRITING PADS
EYEBOT WEBCAMS
EZ CHEEZ, PEPPERONI, CHECKERS/CHESS
EZ MAC
FITNESS MAGAZINES
FOOT POWDER
FRIENDS DVD
GOLF CLUBS AND GOLF BALLS
HAIR CLIPPERS
HEATING PADS FOR GLOVES
HOLIDAY CARDS (VERY SOON!)
HOT COCOA, APPLE CIDER
ICED TEA
INSTANT THAI NOODLES
LITTLE DEBBIE SNACKS
LOCAL NEWSPAPERS
LOG OF WINTERGREEN LONG CUT TOBACCO
MACH 3 TURBO RAZORS
MAGAZINES
SPORTS MAGAZINES
MAXIM MAGAZINE
MEN'S FITNESS MAGAZINE
WOMEN'S MAGAZINES (COSMO, SISTER2SISTER, EBONY, ESSENCE)
MENTHOLS
MIAMI HEAT NBA CHAMPIONSHIP
MICHAEL JACKSON'S MOONWALKER
MOVIES
MP3 PLAYER
NEWPORTS
NOVELS (ANY)
PEDICURE/MANICURE SET
PENS
PEPRIDGE FARM SNACKS
PEANUT BUTTER
PERSONAL HEATERS
PISTACHIOS
POSTERS
PRINTERS
PUMPKIN SEEDS, AAA BATTS, BEEF JERKY, PRETZELS
Q-TIPS, VISINE
RITZ CRACKERS
RICE CRISPY TREATS
SCENIC POSTERS (PARIS, ITALY, BEACH)
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
SCI-FI NOVELS
SNACKS
SPORTS VIDEO GAMES (PC, PS2, GC, X-BOX, GAMEBOY SP)
SPORTS CREAM, ICY HOT
STATE FLAGS ON STICKS (SMALL)
SUGAR PACKETS
SUNFLOWER SEEDS
TABLE TENNIS BALLS (3-STAR)
TOILETRIES
USED CAMCORDERS & LAPTOPS
USED CDs, MUSIC, MOVIES
VACUUM CLEANER
VIDEO GAMES (ANY)
WET WIPES
WRITING PAPER, ENVELOPES

Thanks a million for all your support! It's really making a world of
difference in the morale over here!