Comments on: The “Golden” Common-Sense thinking on sending and asking for care packages http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/16/the-%e2%80%9cgolden%e2%80%9d-common-sense-thinking-on-sending-and-asking-for-care-packages/ Updated information on Veteran Benefits, featured Military Bloggers, the You Served Podcast and various other news and information relevant to Veterans. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:53:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: ALLONS http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/16/the-%e2%80%9cgolden%e2%80%9d-common-sense-thinking-on-sending-and-asking-for-care-packages/#comment-17826 ALLONS Wed, 01 Aug 2007 00:40:24 +0000 http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/16/the-%e2%80%9cgolden%e2%80%9d-common-sense-thinking-on-sending-and-asking-for-care-packages/#comment-17826 JP, You don't like jerky? ALLONS JP,

You don’t like jerky?

ALLONS

]]> By: Janette http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/16/the-%e2%80%9cgolden%e2%80%9d-common-sense-thinking-on-sending-and-asking-for-care-packages/#comment-17574 Janette Sun, 29 Jul 2007 12:41:49 +0000 http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/16/the-%e2%80%9cgolden%e2%80%9d-common-sense-thinking-on-sending-and-asking-for-care-packages/#comment-17574 I found this blog while searching for some care package ideas. It seems like some of the sites differ when sending packages. I adopted two soldiers serving in Iraq right now. I know NOTHING about them other than their name, branch, and how long they expect to be there. They did tell me where they were located at, etc. I wrote them both a note and said---I am enclosing a self addressed note card. Please write me a note and tell me what you want/need. I do not want to be sending you stuff that you can't use or would prefer not to have. I know the sites say that if they don't want it they will give it away. Well, I want them to get some use of it as well. I just bought some snack goods to send in this first package until I hear back. I figured I couldn't go too wrong with 10 assortments of individual packs of water flavorers and various individually packed snacks. So, I hope they open up before Red's did and tell me early on what they want. Ha! I found this blog while searching for some care package ideas. It seems like some of the sites differ when sending packages. I adopted two soldiers serving in Iraq right now. I know NOTHING about them other than their name, branch, and how long they expect to be there. They did tell me where they were located at, etc. I wrote them both a note and said—I am enclosing a self addressed note card. Please write me a note and tell me what you want/need. I do not want to be sending you stuff that you can’t use or would prefer not to have. I know the sites say that if they don’t want it they will give it away. Well, I want them to get some use of it as well. I just bought some snack goods to send in this first package until I hear back. I figured I couldn’t go too wrong with 10 assortments of individual packs of water flavorers and various individually packed snacks. So, I hope they open up before Red’s did and tell me early on what they want. Ha!

]]> By: Karen http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/16/the-%e2%80%9cgolden%e2%80%9d-common-sense-thinking-on-sending-and-asking-for-care-packages/#comment-17240 Karen Tue, 24 Jul 2007 23:46:16 +0000 http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/16/the-%e2%80%9cgolden%e2%80%9d-common-sense-thinking-on-sending-and-asking-for-care-packages/#comment-17240 The follow-up list - I wrote it for JP just to further his seriously sarcasmic humor. We all need a laugh for our mental health. I've probably violated most of JP's rules in a few care packages! I can't wait until autumn, when it's cool enough to send CHOCOLATE again! The follow-up list - I wrote it for JP just to further his seriously sarcasmic humor. We all need a laugh for our mental health. I’ve probably violated most of JP’s rules in a few care packages! I can’t wait until autumn, when it’s cool enough to send CHOCOLATE again!

]]> By: RED http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/16/the-%e2%80%9cgolden%e2%80%9d-common-sense-thinking-on-sending-and-asking-for-care-packages/#comment-17221 RED Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:05:54 +0000 http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/16/the-%e2%80%9cgolden%e2%80%9d-common-sense-thinking-on-sending-and-asking-for-care-packages/#comment-17221 Well said Troy! Of course we *know* JP isn't serious ... or at least we *think* we do ... but love to give him a hard time. I have adopted a ship-bound Marine who for more than two years had never said he didn't care much for sweets (except a very specific chocolate bar) and *finally* asked me to send Chickn in a Biscuit crackers instead. LOL. This begs the question ... how many times do you have to ask "what would you like me to send in the next box?" before someone FINALLY opens up and is truthful?? Sheesh! Well said Troy! Of course we *know* JP isn’t serious … or at least we *think* we do … but love to give him a hard time.
I have adopted a ship-bound Marine who for more than two years had never said he didn’t care much for sweets (except a very specific chocolate bar) and *finally* asked me to send Chickn in a Biscuit crackers instead. LOL. This begs the question … how many times do you have to ask “what would you like me to send in the next box?” before someone FINALLY opens up and is truthful?? Sheesh!

]]> By: Leta http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/16/the-%e2%80%9cgolden%e2%80%9d-common-sense-thinking-on-sending-and-asking-for-care-packages/#comment-16984 Leta Sun, 22 Jul 2007 15:28:51 +0000 http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/16/the-%e2%80%9cgolden%e2%80%9d-common-sense-thinking-on-sending-and-asking-for-care-packages/#comment-16984 Troy ~ you hit the nail on the head so many times in your post. IF the deployed personnel have access to any form of communication LET US KNOW. Each time I begin supporting a new group it is like pulling teeth to get them to understand that I want to send them things they need/want - not to just send boxes of "stuff" so they know someone is thinking about them. I enclose a letter stating that I will always attempt to grant each wish or request but cannot promise to do so. It works so much easier when the deployed personnel give feedback. You men/women are often so darn "shy" when it comes to feedback. Once we get past that hurdle it just works better for everyone. I'm not walking up and down aisles in stores anguishing over "what kind of socks" or "how many packages of ramen noodles" and the deployed aren't receiving boxes of "stuff" they don't need and have to deal with. I was a supporter of the 10th Mtn men who were at Camp Blessing, the KOP and Firebase Michigan. During their time of "handing off" to their replacements I had my contacts "introduce" me to the new group. Because we were able to do this there has been a seamless transition from supporting one group to the other. The "spokesman" for the new group has been WONDERFUL about communicating with me as to their needs and desires. They are getting the items they need/want and I'm not sending piles of "stuff" for them to have to discard. Personally I feel very strongly that we are a team in this - you all and your families have the hard jobs - we who choose to support have the easy one. It is an honor to be able to provide items to you all that need in order to make your time in theater easier in some small way and a VERY small way of showing our gratitude and appreciation. Troy ~ you hit the nail on the head so many times in your post. IF the deployed personnel have access to any form of communication LET US KNOW. Each time I begin supporting a new group it is like pulling teeth to get them to understand that I want to send them things they need/want - not to just send boxes of “stuff” so they know someone is thinking about them. I enclose a letter stating that I will always attempt to grant each wish or request but cannot promise to do so. It works so much easier when the deployed personnel give feedback. You men/women are often so darn “shy” when it comes to feedback. Once we get past that hurdle it just works better for everyone. I’m not walking up and down aisles in stores anguishing over “what kind of socks” or “how many packages of ramen noodles” and the deployed aren’t receiving boxes of “stuff” they don’t need and have to deal with.

I was a supporter of the 10th Mtn men who were at Camp Blessing, the KOP and Firebase Michigan. During their time of “handing off” to their replacements I had my contacts “introduce” me to the new group. Because we were able to do this there has been a seamless transition from supporting one group to the other. The “spokesman” for the new group has been WONDERFUL about communicating with me as to their needs and desires. They are getting the items they need/want and I’m not sending piles of “stuff” for them to have to discard.

Personally I feel very strongly that we are a team in this - you all and your families have the hard jobs - we who choose to support have the easy one. It is an honor to be able to provide items to you all that need in order to make your time in theater easier in some small way and a VERY small way of showing our gratitude and appreciation.

]]> By: Terri http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/16/the-%e2%80%9cgolden%e2%80%9d-common-sense-thinking-on-sending-and-asking-for-care-packages/#comment-16574 Terri Thu, 19 Jul 2007 14:34:42 +0000 http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/16/the-%e2%80%9cgolden%e2%80%9d-common-sense-thinking-on-sending-and-asking-for-care-packages/#comment-16574 When we found out JP was deploying again, we were all hoping that this list of care package rules would be revived. We all had so much fun with it the last time he was deployed. Most of us are aware of JP's extremely sarcastic sense of humor, so we took his "rules" with a laugh and responded by sending him his most un-favorite thing... beef jerky! The Beef Jerky wars, which resulted in JP creating a website about how bad Beef Jerky was and another website being created for Bloggers For Beef Jerky, were hilarious and we're looking forward to a rerun! When we found out JP was deploying again, we were all hoping that this list of care package rules would be revived. We all had so much fun with it the last time he was deployed. Most of us are aware of JP’s extremely sarcastic sense of humor, so we took his “rules” with a laugh and responded by sending him his most un-favorite thing… beef jerky! The Beef Jerky wars, which resulted in JP creating a website about how bad Beef Jerky was and another website being created for Bloggers For Beef Jerky, were hilarious and we’re looking forward to a rerun!

]]> By: Terri http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/16/the-%e2%80%9cgolden%e2%80%9d-common-sense-thinking-on-sending-and-asking-for-care-packages/#comment-16432 Terri Wed, 18 Jul 2007 12:55:42 +0000 http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/16/the-%e2%80%9cgolden%e2%80%9d-common-sense-thinking-on-sending-and-asking-for-care-packages/#comment-16432 Thanks for sending in JP's care package list. We got such a kick out of it the last time JP was deployed and are looking forward to more "Beef Jerky Wars" as a result of JP reposting those rules. Gotta love Karen's response as well. LOL! Thanks for sending in JP’s care package list. We got such a kick out of it the last time JP was deployed and are looking forward to more “Beef Jerky Wars” as a result of JP reposting those rules. Gotta love Karen’s response as well. LOL!

]]> By: Mom http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/16/the-%e2%80%9cgolden%e2%80%9d-common-sense-thinking-on-sending-and-asking-for-care-packages/#comment-16245 Mom Tue, 17 Jul 2007 04:37:19 +0000 http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2007/07/16/the-%e2%80%9cgolden%e2%80%9d-common-sense-thinking-on-sending-and-asking-for-care-packages/#comment-16245 That's my son...always so polite, thoughtful and very appreciative. Troy has always had a sensitive generous heart and he means every word he says. God sent me 2 of His best when he sent my sons. Am I proud? You bet I am! That’s my son…always so polite, thoughtful and very appreciative. Troy has always had a sensitive generous heart and he means every word he says. God sent me 2 of His best when he sent my sons. Am I proud? You bet I am!

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