Care Packages For Our Soldiers: What You Cannot Send to The Middle East

Source:  C. Matthews Photos

Several years ago, our nephew was stationed in Ethiopia on a peacekeeping/village support mission building schools and that sort of thing.  He wrote home to say that when he and those he worked with went outside, the little village kids swarmed around them asking for candy.  

After hearing this, his Grandma and I teamed up and prepared a couple of jammed packed boxes full of candy, stuffed animals and the like.  I made 30 of the little purses above, (hanging around that sweet child's neck) and filled each one with candy.  I had leftover Christmas felt, so that is what I used.  I also braided yarn for the strap.  As I sewed each purse, I prayed for the child who would receive it.  Apparently, they were a big hit.

That was a fun thing to do.  I'm sorry to say, that is the last care package that I have sent overseas, even though I do have people that I should be sending something too.  Now, another soldier friend of ours is going off to war.  I have learned of what you cannot send to somebody in a care package going over to Iraq or Afghanistan, and I thought you guys might like to read it too.   Some things on the list I would never consider sending anybody, but I guess the military has to spell out all the rules, just in case.  Here they are:

Prohibitions 

[] Musical letter or cards that play a sound when opened


[] Pork or pork by-products


[] Perishable infectious biological substances (what???)


[] Perishable non-infectious biological substances (again, what???)


[] Radioactive material


[] Fruits, animals, and living plants


[] All alcoholic beverages


[] Material used in the production of alcoholic beverages (distilled materials, hops, malts, yeast, etc.)


[] Coins, bank notes, currency, platinum, gold silver, precious stones, jewelry, and other valuable articles


[] Obscene articles, prints, paintings, cards, films, videotape, etc. and horric comics and matrices


[] Any matter depicting nude or semi-nude persons, pornographic or sexual items, or non-authorized political materials


[] Although religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith are prohibited in bulk quantities, items for the person use of the addressee are permissible.


[] Firearms of any type


[] Express Mail Military Services (EMMS not available)


So there you go; I hope this helps.  I'm just wondering for those of you who send care packages frequently ... what do you put into yours?


God bless, 


Kathy M.

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