| Holidays away from loved ones are never easy, | | | | |
| especially if a loved one is stationed | | | | Eye drops, lip balm, travel soaps - |
| overseas with his or her military unit. | | | | Especially if a soldier is stationed in a |
| Deployment only adds another element of | | | | desert region, days and nights can be |
| uncertainty we don't want to consider. Recent | | | | uncomfortable. Dry heat and sand irritate the |
| years have seen thousands of our soldiers | | | | eyes and chap the skin, so such items would |
| deployed to other parts of the world, missing | | | | be greatly appreciated. |
| Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas presents. | | | | |
| Yet, while they work in a job that offers | | | | Books - Occasionally, there is downtime, yet |
| little opportunity for holiday vacations, we | | | | little to do. Mass market paperbacks - |
| are able to remain safe stateside and enjoy | | | | romance and mysteries, thrillers and fiction |
| the gifts our loved ones in the military give | | | | - are especially prized. If you are |
| us daily - security and peace of mind. | | | | interested in just sending books overseas, |
| | | | you can arrange to ship through most |
| Nothing warms a soldier's heart more, of | | | | booksellers. |
| course, than to receive a gift from home. | | | | |
| Whether it's a letter or a small gift, just | | | | Phone cards - Small, inexpensive, and very |
| the simple act of jotting a note that says "I | | | | practical. One card gives the gift of |
| love you" brings a piece of family to an | | | | conversation with family for a soldier. |
| otherwise lonely place. Unfortunately, not | | | | Especially on holidays, this is a very |
| everybody overseas is as fortunate to get | | | | thoughtful gift that can bring a soldier |
| such things from home. So why not strive to | | | | closer to home. |
| show appreciation for everyone who fights for | | | | |
| us, that we may live in freedom? Why not give | | | | Playing cards - You might not think this to |
| back to those who give selflessly for us and | | | | be a luxury, but when there's nothing to do |
| our country? | | | | in the barracks a pack of cards can help |
| | | | boost morale among soldiers. The opportunity |
| This year, add a soldier or sailor to your | | | | to play a favorite card game can enhance |
| holiday gift list. You would be surprised to | | | | downtime among your soldier's mates and |
| know how even a small care package will be | | | | strengthen their bonds of friendship. |
| appreciated by someone stationed in Iraq or | | | | |
| elsewhere in the Middle East. In a place | | | | Postcards - Whether you know the soldier |
| where one cannot simple pop over to the | | | | personally or are sending a package at |
| corner store for supplies, to receive a | | | | random, consider sending a few mementos from |
| package mixed with practical items may be | | | | home. Color cards with scenery will help |
| considered a luxury to some now. Just a few | | | | remind our friends overseas exactly what they |
| items one might want to consider giving | | | | are protecting, and what they can hope to see |
| include: | | | | when it's time to come home. |
| | | | |
| Hard candies and gum - Satisfy a soldier's | | | | Once you have decided what to send, you will |
| sweet tooth with a bag of peppermints or sour | | | | need to know where and how to send your care |
| fruit jawbreakers. Chewing gum is not always | | | | package. Sending a military care package |
| in easy supply overseas, too, and such items | | | | isn't exactly the same as mailing within the |
| won't take up much room in a package. Avoid | | | | country, as there are restrictions with |
| sending chocolates or anything else that may | | | | regards to size and content when shipping to |
| melt en route. | | | | any APO/FPO address. A simple search on the |
| | | | Internet for "care packages for soldiers" |
| Drink mixes - Most fruit-punch and lemonade | | | | will yield a wealth of information so that |
| mixes are available in single serving | | | | your package will arrive safely to a grateful |
| envelopes. Send a box for a soldier's water | | | | soldier this holiday season. |
| bottle, to make a refreshing treat. | | | | |