CPT Michael D. Stevens (U.S. Army/Iraq) just posted today (4/27/08).  Contact for a composite unit of 11 males. 

Good grief, junkies -- please check out his post!  What in the world do we send them?  Wood for their fire?  Battery-operated microwaves?  Definitely sounds like lots of baby wipes are in order -- and those tuna pouch thingies, I'm thinkin' --

--Marilyn

Hey Marilyn,

I requested CPT Michael D. Stevens' address.  Jeez, they need everything.  Definitely food that needs no preparation and like you said lots of baby wipes, and tuna pouches...and plenty of help.  Yikes!  I also think they need hygiene items too.  Especially the travel sizes.

I'll get something out from TreatAnySoldier tomorrow.  Everything gets to the Mideast really fast.

Mimi

Well dang it Marilyn, you beat me to another one....came to post this poor guy's name and there it was already

Is charcoal allowed to be shipped?  I've seen guys ask for it before, but don't really know if it's a good idea.

Rosemary

It sounds like he needs a multi-fuel camp stove. The only ones I'm familiar with are backpacking stoves for one to three people.  Does anyone know if there are two-burner multi-fuel campstoves on the market?

Keep in mind that a single burner stove that burns white gas, kerosene, diesel #1, unleaded gasoline or jet fuel (Optimus Nova) costs twice as much as one that only burns white gas, kerosene or unleaded gasoline (Coleman Exponent). I'm sure that also applies to the double burner stoves.  Anyone who sends a stove might want to check on availability of different fuel types. 

Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to pick up another new group until July or August.

Oh, and don't forget the Pepto.  MiTT's frequently take meals with their hosts and Middle Eastern food is hard on your stomach if you're not used to it (but wonderful once your body adjusts).

Jo,

It isn't always the food per se, but the lack of hygiene there that gets 'em - as in fingers in all the food that are not properly sanitized.

Gran

It isn't always the food per se, but the lack of hygiene there that gets 'em - as in fingers in all the food that are not properly sanitized.

Groan.... ugh

I usually choose really remote units to support, so I've fed a lot of Joe's who can't cook. In my experience, the tuna pouches are a good idea for the ease of use and the protein. If you can get some hot sauce, mayo or tarter sauce packets from a local fast food place to include, they'll really appreciate that with them. Also, they'll eat ready made canned foods heated up or not (sometimes if they have fire, they can just set the can on it for a minute), so any kind of chef boy rd, dinty moore.... that kind of stuff with pop top cans. Throw a few plastic spoons in with all of that. Chicken also comes in cans and pouches and I like to send tortilla wrappers and salsa with chicken. They can get bread, so peanut butter and jelly would probably be a hit. I don't know if you have Shop N Save where you live, but they do 10 for $10 on a lot of those can foods I just listed.

These units usually also like beef jerky, power bars, granola bars, indiviually wrapped type of stuff they can put in their pockets. Salty is supposed to help with hydration I believe? Individual drink mixes.

Ugh, and how bout a round of antibiotics, yuck with the fingers : P Hygeine wise, baby wipes, baby wipes, some more baby wipes, some anti bacterial anything, listerine, deoderant.

I'm at my limit too for now, but I hope this will help you take care of your guys!

Shelly

I will send CPT Stevens my son's "DIFAC in a bag".  It is ready to go but my son does not deploy until Sept therefore I have time to replace it.  It is simply a small canvas dufflle bag that contains (at this time) 6 pocket stoves, 24 sterno burners, individual cutlery sets, 6 good old fashion mess kits, a 12v coffee maker (for hot water or coffee) coffee singles, cups, flavored drink packets, various condiments, and cleaning wipes.  I will go out on Thurs to pick up additional stoves, mess kits and sterno.

Maggie

Please check with USPS...

I don't think you can ship "STERNO"  It is classed as a HAZMAT !!!!

Glen

Sir,  you are correct, so I googled alternative cooking methods and found everything from a solar oven to a BBQ that uses pellets.  Without knowing what they are trying to cook, it's hard to figure out what they need.  I have seen those disposible grills made out of an aluminum pan complete with charcoal and grate in my local grocery store, is charcoal classified as hazmat?   The wood pellets are not, that I checked and seemed they reasonable priced.  But I want to check that avenue out further.  I will just send out the normal hygiene and can goods boxes for now.  I know my contact has access to charcoal over there,  I wonder if a small portable charcoal grill would surfice?

Maggie 

 I don't know of a two-burner multi-fuel stove, and I didn't turn up anything in a search.

In reading this, I keep thinking of the Buddy Burners we made it Scouts. They put out a good bit of heat, and the burner part would work with a pocket stove. Of course, we'd have to send a lot of them!

If you don't know, here's a Buddy Burner:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2097024_make-buddy-burner.html 

Pam 

The ONLY Multi Fuel Stove I could fined...

was at http://wwwcampmor.com        click on Colemen Stoves

Coleman Exponent, Multi Fuel Stove, Single Burner, Item# 85210....&59.99 &

Coleman Fuel Filler Item# 80020...$5.99

This Stove here is $25.00 less than other sites...

marine5/Glen

I emailed my contact today and he is shipping Cpt. Stevens the charcoal.  It is free to ship and I am sending him the funds to cover the cost of the charcoal.  I will send out a portable BBQ today.  He will throw a note in as the charcoal will arrive much sooner than the grill.  Now its soldiers helping soldiers!!!!

Maggie

73rd eng co mom:

I contacted Sgt Sproul today and he is shipping Cpt. Stevens the charcoal.  It is free to ship and I am sending him the funds to cover the cost of the charcoal.  I will send out a portable BBQ today.  Sgt Sproul will throw a note in as the charcoal will arrive much sooner than the grill.  Now its soldiers helping soldiers!!!!

Maggie

Maggie!  You are brilliant!  WOOT! 

Thank you!  And thank you, Sgt Chris!!!!! 

--Marilyn

If anyone has email contact with CPT Stevens could they let him know the charcoal is being sent from another location in Iraq to him and I have sent a portable grill.  He may be confused about the charcoal when it arrives.  I asked my contact to put a note on it, but I'm not sure how the charcoal will be shipped and if the note will arrive with it.

Thank you,

Maggie