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Sending gifts to our soldiers in Iraq brings a little of home to them. I know this because my oldest son is in Iraq and I often send gifts for him and his soldiers. They look forward to receiving gifts and letters from home and are all appreciative. Whatever they receive, they share. They are a tight knit band of brothers and sisters.

While there are several reliable organizations on-line to send gifts through, it is really more satisfying to compile your own package and send it to a soldier. It is not hard and you will be able to send exactly what you want to, with the exceptions of a few items that are restricted such as these:

More than one Bible, aerosol containers such as hairspray, pork or products containing pork, alcohol and drugs, pornography

All boxes going to Iraq are first sent to an APO address from whence they are shipped to the recipient. That's a lot of handling so pack well and tape good.

The two items most requested, by soldiers in Iraq, are baby wipes and phone cards. Some soldiers are stationed in remote areas where they can only shower twice a week. The baby wipes help them to stay clean. The phone cards allow them to talk with loved ones. Other items that are favorites of our troops in Iraq are:

Food

Cookies and
Chocolate bars when it's cool. Iraqi chocolate is unsweetened.
Lifesavers and other hard candy
Beef jerky and Slim Jims
Tuna in the single serve packs
Cheeze-It spicy crackers
Nuts and Chewing gum
Coffee and creamer
Microwave foods such as Cup of Noodles and Pop corn
Pretzels and Pringles
Granola bars and trail mixes
Fruit and cereal bars
Crystal Lite On the Go Packets
Dried fruits

Personal Items

Eyewash drops
Aspirin or Tylenol
Feminine products
Tooth paste and shaving gel
Chap Stick with sunscreen
Sunscreen with high SPF
Body Lotions and Face Moisturizers
Baby Powder and Foot Powder
Hand Sanitizer and Dove Soap

Miscellaneous

Sunglasses and Flip Flops
Paper and pens
CDs and DVDs
Games and cards
Cigars
Gym shorts, socks and tee shirts
Magazines-sports, hunting, fashion, beauty, Hollywood gossip, etc.

These are only a few of the items you can include in a gift package for a soldier. One thing you should be sure to include is a letter telling them about yourself and of your support and respect for them.

The soldiers in Iraq have little free time so it is nice to enclose a self-addressed envelope with a few pages of paper in it. Ask that he/she write and let you know when they receive the package and if there is anything special they need or want.

When you take the time to send a gift to a soldier in Iraq, you will be doing a good thing. They are far from home and are constantly in harms way. They long to know we support them, no matter our feelings about the war. It only takes a little effort to make them smile. You'll be glad you did.

Learn more about this author, Pamela Kay.
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