My contact will go home sometime in early December.  I'm considering putting a "going home" kit together for him.  I was thinking about maybe one of those travel pillows that goes around your neck, some snacks, word puzzles, etc.  Any other thoughts/ideas?

 Thanks in advance,

Amy

I can only speak for my contact, who is going home in January. He sent an email yesterday and said whatever I send for Christmas, please make it something they can pass on to the Unit replacing them. He said they are already packing things to ship home and do not want anything extra. He did, however, thank me over and over for all the support I had given them for the past year! 

other ideas...magazines.  Really engrossing paperback.  Chewing gum.  Ear plugs.  Breath mints, so they have minty fresh breath for kissing their wives or girlfriends hello!

Those are all great ideas, too!  I am worried about him being overwhelmed with stuff to take home, so I'm trying to keep it small and with several pocket-sized items or thing I think he would pick up at the airport along the way, anyways.  I figure if its too much, he can spread the wealth around like he normally does.

 He said something about they were being "re-deployed," but still talks about going home nad spending time with family.  What does that mean in army lingo -- is he done or is he just on break for awhile and then going back out?

Amy937:

Those are all great ideas, too!  I am worried about him being overwhelmed with stuff to take home, so I'm trying to keep it small and with several pocket-sized items or thing I think he would pick up at the airport along the way, anyways.  I figure if its too much, he can spread the wealth around like he normally does.

 He said something about they were being "re-deployed," but still talks about going home nad spending time with family.  What does that mean in army lingo -- is he done or is he just on break for awhile and then going back out?

'Redeploy' means going home!  You deploy when you leave the U.S. to go to Iraq, A-stan, wherever.  Then you redeploy when you come home to the U.S. to your home base or port or camp or whatever, depending on the branch of service.

Figuring out what the heck our contacts are talking about some times is a real challenge but you'll learn it eventually!

Oh whew....I thought the poor guy was going to be sent back out after a 15 month deployment....glad to hear he's headed towards an overdue, well-deserved return home!

And you're right....this is like picking up a whole new language!

Couple of ideas for this came up last year

http://forum.anysoldier.com/forums/t/89.aspx?PageIndex=3

start at the very bottom of page 3 (dated 2/15)...

 How about a newspaper from his area? If you don't have access to that maybe some  copies of interenet articles. some silly some newsy.  Things to bring him up to speed overall.?

 Great Idea!!!! Way to Go!

 Smiles

 Another Amy