How to brighten troops' holidays

The deadline is fast approaching for sending holiday packages to U.S. troops overseas.

The U.S. Postal Service suggests mailing early to ensure timely delivery.

The deadline for sending packages using parcel post has already passed, but here are deadlines for other shipping methods:

• Space-available mail: Nov. 27

• Parcel Airlift mail: Dec. 4

• First-class and priority mail: Dec. 11

• Express mail military service: Dec. 18.

Some other issues to note when sending packages:

• There is a ban, for safety reasons, on packages being sent to "any service member." You must send to a specific serviceman or woman.

• You cannot send pork or pork byproducts, liquor, any pornographic materials or any bulk quantities of religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith, the military says.

• Desert temperatures typically exceed 100 degrees, so bear that in mind when shipping.

• Battery-powered items can inadvertently be turned on during shipping, so wrap batteries separately.

• Put a card inside describing the package's contents so if the box breaks, sorters can recollect the items and deliver to the right person.

Coffee does the soldier good

A coffee grinder was quite possibly the best Christmas gift Garrett Blake ever got.

His mom sent it to him last year while he was serving in Afghanistan, and it was a huge hit.

"I felt very special and honored to receive that," said Blake, an Army specialist. "It got used quite a bit."

Sending anything coffee-related to soldiers usually is a good idea, said Blake, now at home in Naperville with his family.

Soldiers' needs and wants usually depend on where they are, he said.

During his first stint in Iraq in 2003, he wanted the basics: baby wipes and toilet paper. But while in Afghanistan, he had access to more items.

"My mom didn't need to send as much then," he said. "The places (to serve soldiers) are getting better every day because we'll probably be there for a while."

But soldiers anywhere enjoy things like beef jerky and spices for food, which usually is pretty bland, he said.

And, of course, reminders of home don't hurt, either -- like Mom's cooking.

"I'm a big fan of sugar cookies or peanut butter cookies," Blake said.

Other top items include peanut butter and jelly, crackers, canned fruit and pasta and nuts, according to Support Our Troops ~ Illinois.

Requested toiletries often include Chapstick, dental floss, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant and Band-Aids. For a full list, visit www.osotil.org.

Help them show some hometown pride

Scott Goehring of Algonquin suggests you think outside the box when you send care packages to soldiers overseas.

Remember when socks were at a premium during Vietnam and World War II, when soldiers trudged through jungles or snow?

Well, this is a different war. Iraq is bone dry. And, besides, the PX has been modernized.

If you're thinking of sending socks, think again, said Goehring, 35, the commander of an Army reserve unit in Rockford who served as a civilian affairs officer in Iraq from March 2005 to June 2006.

"The Army issues enough socks and T-shirts," he said.

As for mailing the troops food? "Honestly, I've never been so well fed."

Instead, Goehring, recommends sending hometown sports gear -- anything from T-shirts and hats to bumper stickers to pins for flak jackets.

Something to remind the joes of home.

"You're not technically allowed to wear it, but believe me: guys find a way to work it in," he said. "Everybody's got their own area of the country, and they're proud to show where they're from."

These guys want some munchies

Two Lake County soldiers have some suggestions on ideal food items for holiday care packages sent from the United States to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"You get excited when you get a package. It doesn't matter who it's from," said Army Spc. Joseph Cook, 22, who came home from Iraq last month. He lost his left foot and leg just below the knee when he was wounded by an improvised explosive device in May.

Cook said potato chips, granola bars, snack crackers such as Cheese Nips, breakfast bars, hot cocoa mixes and rice cakes are good picks to send to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hard candy also is appreciated.

"Jolly Ranchers were always good to have," Cook said. "You could eat them wherever you're at."

Army Maj. Frank Bart, 37, of Wauconda also served in Iraq and returned home in May. Salted peanuts, beef jerky and portable juice drinks are some of his suggestions for holiday care packages.

Bart said he enjoyed the juice boxes because a different taste was appreciated after drinking so much water.

Cook and Bart agreed that portability and shelf life make are important when sending food to the military.

All kinds of movies … except war movies

Want to put a smile on the face of a Marine? Send movies.

Most units already have portable DVD players, says Tyler Waters, a 22-year-old Marine sergeant from Buffalo Grove who recently returned from his second and final tour in Iraq.

"We watch a lot of movies," Waters said. "We watch pretty much anything, chick flicks, you name it. But you might want to tell them to stay away from war movies."

The movies and DVD players are treated like community property -- most every squad has a player, and so it's common for the goods to get passed around.

"All the guys share the wealth," Waters said. "Movies, food, we pass around the care packages. When guys get one, they'll pass it around" before dipping into it themselves, he said.

You never know when you are going to have a little down time, Waters said. If you are out on patrol, you could go days without any. If you are assigned to a base, there's more R&R.

Movies are the favorite way of getting away from the war for a while, he said.

Sgt. Waters was with the 2nd Battalion 4th Marines. Today, he is back home in Buffalo Grove, hoping to catch on with a local police department.