Thanks to reader “jes” for this information!
Any decent American has a degree of gratitude for our fighting forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, but the war is so far away that we have no concept of what our troops go through on a daily basis. We can conjure images of men and women in harm’s way, but that really doesn’t confirm what really goes on. To us, here in America, we can only hope for the best. We can pray for them collectively, or individually if we know some of them, but otherwise we’re really spectators.
There’s a way to get involved, albeit not in a big way. We can support our troops by sending gifts that will certainly improve morale and uplift spirits. That said, it would seem that sending gifts is complicated and expensive.
Not so. Here’s how.
The US Postal Service has a special rate Priority box intended for military overseas delivery. For $10.95, you can load up this box with all sorts of goodies, and send it priority to our troops. The box has no weight limitations. The Post Office says it must simply not be loaded to the point where it’s bulging. In other words, it needs to retain its original size which is 12 inches by 12 inches by six inches deep.
Any post office should have these boxes. They’re free. You should be able to find them anywhere (hey, my little remote post office in the mountains of western Wyoming has them…yours should too). Technically, the box says MILI-FRB. It also says AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU……Our Military Men and Women……..Americasupportsyou.com
Here are some things I’ve learned, but I want to say I’m indebted to Christina Holden for sleuthing this out and making me aware of the program. Christina lives in Maryland, and helps my Wounded Warrior hunts as a volunteer by working with troops in nearby Walter Reed Hospital. She does all the coordinating and logistics on her own time and expense, and tells me she cannot go to a grocery store without a smile on her face and being excited about buying “stuff” for the troops.
First, the Priority box. Be sure it has no stains on the exterior. If so, you are inviting inspection by handlers, which in turn could lead to a bit of pilferage (someone with a sweet tooth might like those candies), or disorganization within the box, or, if nothing more, delayed delivery.
Pack the box with care. Remember, you can load it with bricks, rocks, or lead weights. Weight is immaterial, but the more carefully you load it, the more you can stuff into it.
You must attach customs form 2976-A, which is available at all post offices. On that form you indicate the senders and addressee’s name and addresses as well as the description of the contents. Tip.. You don’t have to say the box has 6 packages of M&M’s; 2 bag’s of Frito’s; eight packs of gum, etc. Just list the basic contents: candy, chips, gum, etc.
What to put in the box? That’s where the fun begins. The sky’s the limit. Christina and I have polled a dozen or so wounded warriors who have hunted with us, as well as other troops who have served in harm’s way. Here are their suggestions.
First, we often hear that troops would like socks, t-shirts and other items of apparel. “No”, say our guys….. “Mom can send that stuff. We’d prefer fun stuff”
So here’s the suggestion for fun stuff:
Jerky. As hunters, we can make jerky at home or buy it. Jerky is a huge hit in the battlefield.
Baby wipes..wet wipes, you know, the impregnated tissues that clean your body. Troops often go weeks without a shower. These wipes are welcome in that horrible heat
Candy…No chocolate, please. It will melt in the heat. Send coated candies like M&M’s. or licorice, etc.
Gum
Nuts
Lifesavers
Cookies
Pretzels, popcorn, chips such as Fritos, cheezits, etc.
Single-serve drink mixes such as Crystal Light. Kool-aid. Etc, that can be easily added to water
Granola bars, power bars
Small ready-to-eat cups of pudding, jello
Chewing tobacco. This one may have taboos and send up a red flag. Why send this to troops if it’s harmful? Fact is, chew was at the top of the list. On the battlefield it’s like gold. You can omit it if you care to, but for the time being, I’m told our warriors indeed use it extensively. Favorites are Skoal, Copenhagen, etc.
Outdoor magazines, books. When you’re done reading your magazines, consider sending them to our troops. They love hunting books as well.
And etc… Use your imagination. Anything you send will be deeply appreciated.
When packing the box, do so with care. This is the fun part…to stuff it with as many goodies as possible.
But we have yet one more profound consideration. Who do we send the box to? Ideally, we would have a relative or a friend or a friend of a friend who would be the recipient. That way you can inquire what they’d prefer most in the box. If you have no contacts, do this. Contact the local PVA (Paralyzed Veteran’s of America) chapter, or VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) chapter, or call the local military enlistment office for names of troops. Don’t forget the local National Guard. Many units have been deployed.
Loading the boxes can be a fun project for your family or organizations you’re involved with, whether it’s the PTA, Elk’s Lodge, Lion’s, Kiwanis, Rotary, whatever. Kids love being part of it as well.
The way I see it, our troops, men and women both, need to know we care and are grateful for their service and their sacrifice. Regardless of your attitude toward this administration and the war, it’s a sobering fact that our military are out there in the trenches giving their all for our country. And when you send that box and receive an email or letter from that special person in a hostile land…trust me…. you’ll feel a profoundly special satisfaction that will make your troubles seem insignificant. You may need a hanky, too.
God bless America
Jim Zumbo
Zumbo is National Spokesman for the Paralyzed Veteran’s of America (PVA) Outdoor Recreation Heritage Fund.
For information, go to www.pvaheritagefund.org
Posted by Tom Remington
