by AnnMarie McGovern-Theriault

Created on: March 01, 2009

Contrary to popular belief a lot has changed since the war began in Iraq on March 19, 2003. Those were the days of limited electricity, running water and toiletries. The men and women that were first into Iraq on that historic day certainly had their obstacles to overcome and a package from home would certainly be different than what you would send now. Back in those days you might send baby wipes, because of lack of running water. First soldiers also needed light weight toiletries. The ground troops would have to carry everything on their backs and sometimes would have to leave things from camp to camp. Some slept in holes at night and lived on their MRE's. A cookie was a gourmet delicacy, fresh running water was a dream.

When my son a Marine Corps Sergeant arrived in Iraq, they lived on top of the airport in Mosul. We sent him things like baby wipes for washing up, deodorant, and razors. We sent non perishable candies, tic tacs and gum. Batteries were among the items we sent in that first package to Iraq. It seemed as if there was a shortage of batteries, and everything ran on them from flashlights to radios. We sent cigarettes lighters and magazines. We also packed some bug spray the sand fleas, flies and spiders were terrible there. This son came back with a renewed love for showers and things that American youth take for granted everyday.

Fast forward to a year later, his brother the Army Kiowa OH 58 Pilot is deployed to Iraq and there are bases with PX's that make Wal-Mart look sick. He lived on a base that was made up of all territories surrounding the Baghdad International Airport. Camp Victory is a primary component of the Victory Base Complex (VBC). The Al-Faw Palace is the headquarters for the Multi National Corps in Iraq which is also located on Camp Victory. Other camps that make up the victory base are Camp Liberty, Camp Striker and Camp Slayer. At first not knowing he had just about every modern convenience at his grasp, we would send the same items. My son then emailed to tell us the things he needed or missed from home. We were surprised and amused at the things he wanted.

He asked for memory foam for his mattress. As his Mom I could not imagine that my son the pilot was flying missions after sleeping on a terrible mattress. So I ordered a topper on line to fit his bed, I was also shocked to discover that certain stores would not ship to Iraq and finally Kohl's agreed to ship to him practically free. He wanted cleaning supplies for his trailer.

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