Smokers For Soldiers

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Another suggestion if you're near a base, contact the Base Chapel.  Around the holidays and for that matter, throughout the year, the familys left behind have a lot of problems keeping it together,   Every year we always had a giving tree for those in need and believe me, there's more need than you'd think.  If the young troops couldn't get their families into base housing (virtually impossible thanks to severe cutbacks, thanks to the fatcats in congress), it's a real struggle.  Even in base housing, it's a struggle.  Let's also look close to home.  Helping out the family can also bring a morale boost to the young troop overseas.

A hint, I couldn't have survived the chow overseas without the aid of "Louisana Hot Sauce", the serviceman's best friend.  My son has assured me that it hasn't changed in 30 years.  My father told me about this miracle food stuff, so.......
 
A hint, I couldn't have survived the chow overseas without the aid of "Louisana Hot Sauce", the serviceman's best friend.  My son has assured me that it hasn't changed in 30 years.  My father told me about this miracle food stuff, so.......
My son agrees with that.  He helps out the chow with hot sauce.  Somewhere along the way, he got past me in his heat level.  My wife and I are "Jalapeno hot" but he goes for the habanero sauce.
 
A hint, I couldn't have survived the chow overseas without the aid of "Louisana Hot Sauce", the serviceman's best friend.  My son has assured me that it hasn't changed in 30 years.  My father told me about this miracle food stuff, so.......
My son agrees with that.  He helps out the chow with hot sauce.  Somewhere along the way, he got past me in his heat level.  My wife and I are "Jalapeno hot" but he goes for the habanero sauce.


 I just sent a bunch of hot sauce and still have a case or two left. That's the next box.
 
THANKS GUYS!!

Warren and Dave, Great Ideas to Help Out At Home! 

We all just need to take take a minute of out busy schedule, and pay tribute to the Men and Women who serve or in our Military.

Todd
 
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THANKS GUYS!!

Warren and Dave, Great Ideas to Help Out At Home! 

We all just need to take take a minute of out busy schedule, and pay tribute to the Men and Women who serve or in our Military.

Todd
The Chaplain idea really does work. We have been adopting a family for several years and we get them from the Chaplain on Camp Pendleton. I also like the idea of the hospital and will contact the Navy Hospital in San Diego to see what those folks can use.  Two of our young friends are Navy Docs and I am sure they can help me too. Thanks again for what you are doing Todd,  Brian Mudd (see his thread too) and Mike and everyone else supporting our troops.

 
 
I just got an email from my son who is deployed in the middle east.  In it he said:

There are folks here that would love to get smoked meats.  Like jerky? The more exotic the jerky the more interesting the jerky seems to be.  The Captain sitting next to me got some jerky from some friend and is doling it out to folks in our area.  A soldier in the row ahead of me receive deer jerky, buffalo and some other jerkys and he handed out samples as well. 
 
 
 
Thanks for supporting our armed forces.  I am a Blue Star Mother and have a LOT of experience with overseas packages.  One hint that everyone needs to follow............do not ship bar soap with any type of food............I don't care how tightly the soap is wrapped or how tightly the food is package, you run a chance of all your food products tasting like soap.  This comes from the "voice of experience".
 
Thanks for supporting our armed forces.  I am a Blue Star Mother and have a LOT of experience with overseas packages.  One hint that everyone needs to follow............do not ship bar soap with any type of food............I don't care how tightly the soap is wrapped or how tightly the food is package, you run a chance of all your food products tasting like soap.  This comes from the "voice of experience".


 Welcome to the SMF. Glad to have you here. Lots of good folks, great recipes and knowledge. Looking forward to your first qview. :) Have you tried vacuum packing either, That should cure the problem of contamination. Hope this helps.
 
*** UPDATE ***

The following members have offered to exchange and/or send supplies for our Soldiers.  I also received confirmation from a local Boy Scout Troop that they were interested in collecting supplies for out Soldiers.  I still need help with Soldier's Names to send these "Care Packages" to.   We will post pics of our "Exchange", and I'll follow up with any news or pics from out troops.  For security reasons, I'll only use the soldier's first name and SMF Member's handle.

Members for Exchanges or Offers to Send Supplies

     Beer-B-Q

     RdKnB - Misc. Supplies

     Smokinjayhawk

     BigTrain74

     Cheesehead

     ECTO1

     Anonymous - Elk Jerky

     Fishwrestler

Members Who Nominated Soldiers

     Dale5351

     ECTO1

THANKS for all the pm's and emails of encouragement from members SMF and their friends!

The "Exchange" isn't over!

PM or email me if you want to exchange or nominate a Soldier for a 'Care Package".

Todd
 
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Hey Todd,

FYI some Mid Eastern Countries do not allow Pork or Pork By Products to be sent in as I understand it.
What are the rules or restrictions on mailing to APO/FPO addresses?

For detailed information about mailing rules and regulations, please visit the US Postal Service website. Also, the members-only area of the Soldiers' Angels Forum has additional information on OPSEC security precautions, as well as things we've learned from experience.

Each country has its own customs regulations, which may include prohibitions on certain kinds of food or entertainment products.  Military units may have additional restrictions imposed by commanders to ensure logistics support can handle the mail properly, so check with your soldier before sending something particularly large or unusual (we recommend using 2-day Express Flat-Rate boxes).  In general, these are the maximum size standards:
  • Maximum weight: 70 pounds
  • Maximum length and girth: 108 total inches (length + girth; length = longest side of the box)
While there are specific restrictions for each area in the Middle East, generally speaking, it is prohibited to mail the following:
  • obscene articles (pictures, paintings, cards, films, videotapes, etc.)
  • any matter depicting nude or seminude persons, pornographic or sexual items, or non-authorized political materials
  • bulk quantities of religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith. Items for the personal use of the recipient are permissible
  • pork or pork by-products

Each package will require a customs declaration form. It is easiest if these are filled out before you go to the Post Office--just get a handful on your first visit and you'll be prepared for the next time.

All packages are subject to high heat and much bouncing around; choose items accordingly and pack securely. Scented items and liquids should be placed in zip lock bags. Use lots of packaging tape! If you're going to be sending lots of packages, one of those packaging tape "rollers" is a good investment. Because of the heat, aerosol cans are not a good idea.
 
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Just sent out two more boxes today full of spaghetti makings. 15#'s of noodles, 15 cans 6oz tomato paste and 30 packets of spaghetti sauce powder. I cant send a turkey but maybe this will help. I was amazed at the amount of people at the post office today sending care packages. We all just looked at each other and gave a smile, made me proud.
 
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Ok here is faze one of my care package I am going to pick up some more tommarow.  Off to a Comic Book Store ans Sams Club.

46323a04_1_IMG_0554.jpg
 
THANKS ECTO1!

I mentioned "Smokers For Soldiers" to my neighbor and he announced it at a Scout Troop meeting on Saturday.  They decided to pack up "Care Packages" of their own to be shipped out to Men and Women in our Military.  This is a GREAT Lesson for our kids

TJ
 
Hey Todd,

FYI some Mid Eastern Countries do not allow Pork or Pork By Products to be sent in as I understand it.
What are the rules or restrictions on mailing to APO/FPO addresses?

For detailed information about mailing rules and regulations, please visit the US Postal Service website. Also, the members-only area of the Soldiers' Angels Forum has additional information on OPSEC security precautions, as well as things we've learned from experience.

Each country has its own customs regulations, which may include prohibitions on certain kinds of food or entertainment products.  Military units may have additional restrictions imposed by commanders to ensure logistics support can handle the mail properly, so check with your soldier before sending something particularly large or unusual (we recommend using 2-day Express Flat-Rate boxes).  In general, these are the maximum size standards:
  • Maximum weight: 70 pounds
  • Maximum length and girth: 108 total inches (length + girth; length = longest side of the box)
While there are specific restrictions for each area in the Middle East, generally speaking, it is prohibited to mail the following:
  • obscene articles (pictures, paintings, cards, films, videotapes, etc.)
  • any matter depicting nude or seminude persons, pornographic or sexual items, or non-authorized political materials
  • bulk quantities of religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith. Items for the personal use of the recipient are permissible
  • pork or pork by-products

Each package will require a customs declaration form. It is easiest if these are filled out before you go to the Post Office--just get a handful on your first visit and you'll be prepared for the next time.

All packages are subject to high heat and much bouncing around; choose items accordingly and pack securely. Scented items and liquids should be placed in zip lock bags. Use lots of packaging tape! If you're going to be sending lots of packages, one of those packaging tape "rollers" is a good investment. Because of the heat, aerosol cans are not a good idea.
Dang it. I was gonna send about half of my video collection too. LOL
 
 
Another caution I can speak to having been on the receiving end a few times:  Chocolate or any other item that could be affected by extreme heat or cold.  If you decide to ship a Hersey Bar, put it in a ZipLoc.  M&M's might melt in your mouth, not your hand, but most other chocolate items do melt.  OR, when I was stationed in the hinterlands of Alaska and Iceland, we use to joke about white chocolate.  White comes about when the chocolate is subjected to freezing temperatures and turns kinda whitish.  Doesn't affect the taste, just the appearance.  Well, it was funny then........  Yes, it does apply to the area.  The high mountains of Afganistan get very cold in the winter time.

Don't worry if the cookies crumble.  They taste just as good.
 
Got (2) packages today!!

Thanks Beer-B-Q and Fishwrestler!!!

Lots of GREAT STUFF!

Todd

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How about an exchange for some stuff for the Women in out military??

I picked a Woman in Afghanistan who is looking out for 6 other Women and would like some "Girlie Stuff".  Magazines and good smelling stuff appreciated.

THANKS!

Todd
 
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