My brother-in-law is going to Iraq

He had been discharged from the guard but he got called back for a 1 year tour in sandland.

We are heartbroken and sick about this...and we need advice about what type of things to put into his care packages. What will he need but not know to ask for right away? We want to anticipate his needs and get stuff to him before he needs to ask.

Any advice is welcome!

We're not sure of his exact ship out date but he reports to base this weekend. We're trying not to worry until he actually leaves the U.S. but it's just not working. :eyes:

as to what to put in the care packages I suggest you consult one of the veterans' families boards, I'm sure you can Goggle for that info.

May he stay safe and come home soon. :hug:

That's good advice. I'll go searching.

and that he can somehow make life a little better for someone in that war torn country.

phone calling cards are welcome, as apparently the soldiers have to pay to phone home.

We were planning to tell him to call us collect but that's a good idea and will allow him to call friends as well.

Is a little radical. I don't think anyone should go. I think prison here is better than open warfare there. And more ethical.

I know it's not my place to say, but I noticed no one else said it yet, so I thought I'd offer that up. If I were you, I'd just plain be telling him not to go. Begging even. I know, it probably doesn't matter a hill of beans, this advice, and I mean no insult to you, your family, or (gulp) those that go to Iraq. I feel really, and I mean crying my eyes out really bad for our troops in the field, right now. I've heard of military parents telling their now-military adult kids that this isn't the military they knew, and to do what they had to do, and come home asap. From pro-military types, I've heard this is happening.

From what I've learned, I think the depleted uranium is dangerous enough to walk away from this war, and has been lied about like no other issue. In varying degrees, it's likely to hurt virtually everyone that goes there. I guess I feel like it's my duty, as former military to just throw my opinion out there, on this. I don't think anyone should go, orders or not, because of the depleted uranium exposure if nothing else. Our troops are not being protected, and I personally know people that are not planning on having children now, because of their depleted uranium exposure.

I hope he returns home safely. I hope he seriously considers not going, but, like I said, it's not my place to say what to tell him, and not my place to judge either.

But what I'd like to tell every soldier is to come home. Period. Walk away from this horrific "war". There is no shame in walking away from a very illegal, failing and toxin-laden war on foreign soil. For oil.

It is not dishonorable to choose to not fight in this illegal "war". It is not dishonorable to not want to die so some fat cat millionaires can stuff their pockets. It is not dishonorable to want to spend your life in relatively good health without the effects of depleted uranium.

I cannot imagine what it must feel like to send a loved one to that hell hole.

for your support. If I thought he would take that advice I would do whatever it took to help him. We haven't talked to him in a while (it's a big family and all the brothers check in with the parents to get word on each other most of the time)...so we don't really know what his mindset is about this whole mess.

Once my husband reaches him (hopefully today!) we'll have a better idea how he feels.

I cannot imagine how it feels either...we certainly are NOT processing it all at the moment. We're still in shock.

I hope it works out okay for him, if he goes or not. Our families, what else is there? Not a whole lot else matters. Best wishes and virtual hugs to you and yours

I was waiting go get slammed for that one. But I feel like it's my duty to be honest about this war, or at least what my understanding of it is.

I know what you mean about sending someone over, and lord oh how I wish we'd never started this damned war. Too many horrors.

First, allow me to express my condolences to your brother in law and your entire family.

I served in Iraq from the beginning of the war for a year, so some of this advice might be outdated. I've also been out of the Army for six months, so memory is fading. I hope living conditions for soldiers have improved since I was there, which would negate some of the things I constantly needed. I'll make lists for several contingencies, depending on where he ends up, and what sort of creature comforts he will have.

#1: "Austere"
If he winds up in one of the real shitholes over there, then basic hygeine items will be critical. The first package should contain:
-Basic hygeine stuff
-a "Camp Shower." You can find these at almost any outdoor store. It's just a bag that you can fill with water that you hang up above you, allowing you to take a pretty good shower. I used to rig one up on top of my HMMWV. A real life-saver.
-Some sort of bin to wash clothes by hand in, along with detergent. A long stretch of cord with old-time laundry clips will be great. Just string them between vehicles to dry clothes.
-BABY WIPES!!! The easiest way to clean off dust and grime if you can't do it the right way.

#2: "Cushy" (this is a relative term)
- By the time I had left Iraq, most bases had A/C in at least some buildings, crude shower facilities, laundry facilities, etc. If he goes to one of these (and I hope he does), then all of the above will probably be useless.


-------------------------------------------------
The following items will be useful no matter where he winds up:
- Non perishable food. By the time I left country, we were usually getting one or two decent meals per day from a mess hall, but I would usually make something up myself when we didn't. Things like ramen, tuna fish, canned fruit, etc. are lifesavers. If he has access to three meals a day at a mess hall, then forget this stuff and just send snack items. High carb!!! He'll be burning calories like mad.
- Books and DVDs. At least someone in his unit will have a computer with DVD. If he wants to risk it, bring his own laptop. Chances are that the sand will ruin it, but it's great to have.
- Photos of home and family. Help him stay in tune with what's going on at home.
- News magazines. It's incredible how cut off from the rest of the world you are. Even if it's two weeks late, it's still great.
-Pre-paid phone cards.
-Paper and envelopes for letter writing. Postage is free for him, so don't send stamps.
-A ThermaRest or similar product. These are little pads that you blow up to sleep on. They compress really small, and can be set up in seconds. It makes sleeping on hard surfaces much more enjoyable.


I'm racking my brain, and running out of stuff to say. I'll post here again if I think of more.

One caveat: Space will be a major issue for him, so try not to send too much. Make sure you coordinate with everyone else that's sending him stuff. I got a chance to call home and asked for baby wipes, and then didn't get a chance to call home again for about two months. I had so many baby wipes, I couldn't even give enough away. My family told everyone in the world I needed them, and I got so many it was comical.

Edit: Feel free to send me an email or private message anytime you have a question while he's over there. I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you have or help however I can.

I've printed this out!

There are five sons in this family so I'll help coordinate to make sure we don't send him too much of a good thing.

Thanks again for your advice and feel free to post or pm with anything else you think of. And thanks for your offer of future advice. It is much appreciated!

P.S. I'll tell him your austere and cushy designations and we'll all hope for "cushy"! ;-)

:cry:

He is really tough and very smart...and in the end we know that probably doesn't mean anything.

He's also a gifted artist...we hope this doesn't change that.

hope that your brother-in-law returns safely & quickly, thinkingwoman.

Our family appreciates all the good thoughts and well wishes.