Need ideas: Christmas care package

Rocky S

Rocky S

Member
I am putting together a care package for a young marine in Okinawa spending his first christmas away from home. He eat sweets much, but I am going to send some fudge. Maybe a Santa hat? Just want it a piece of home for him.

Have to tell you about Jesse:

His parents divorced when he was young so he grew up without a good male role model. He was tall and strong and he was a pretty good swimmer, but he got into drinking and drugs and into alot of trouble. I tried to mentor the kid, but just couldnt reach him. His mom finally had to send him away to a home for troubled youth. When he was 18 they had to release him and he came home and back into trouble.

Then I was talking to him at church one day and he told me that he had enlisted in the Marine Corps. I don't know if I or the other marines at our church had influenced him, but I knew it was the best thing for him. His mother said that "he's going to have a positive male influence now!"

I saw him at Christmas last year. He came to Midnight service in his dress blues, he was standing tall and looking good! I actually didn't recognize him at first, the transformation had been so complete. He had gone from skater dude to Devil Dog. I am SO PROUD!
 
There is an old saying that goes to that tune USMC - Uncle Sams Misguided Children. I know exactly where he was as it sounds like you met me before. I spent my first christmas in the corps at Parris Island. This is one of the toughest times he'll go thru, but on a base there are alot of his "brothers" to help ease the loneliness. I think most over anything else you should tell him how you feel. I know when I was in letters were like a trip home, you can see everything in your mind and they can be read again and again. Yes I know because I was there. If you dont mind pm me his address so my family can help support him too.
 
How about a home movie? Take pics of the town all dolled up for Christmas with people he knows saying Hi.
 
My boy is in Fallujah, not Okinawa, but my wife and I go to the local MOMs (Mothers of Marines) meetings. It is my understanding that almost all service personel like Okinawa and the people there but that it is an expensive place to live.

Suggestions I have for a personal gift would be things like pumpkin bread, homemade jerky, or phone cards (at the low end). The high end would be a basic lap top computer because it would supply entertainment as well as a means for contact with home.

A typical package that I send to Iraq contains sardines and crackers, hard candy, athletic socks, a couple of magazines, DVD's, a novel, batteries, jerky, cotton swabs (for gun cleaning AND ears), puzzel books, cards, and travel size shampoo, tooth paste, etc. (my boy really likes sardines)

Okinawa Marines probably can get all the toiletries they need fairly reasonably at a base exchange but things like home made food would still be good. DVDs, magazines and books help with entertainment which is expensive off base.

You might get on the internet and see if you can find a local chapter of MOM's. They could give you advice AND may add your Marine to thier Christmas and birthday package list.

Most important- As long as you are sending a package, use the FLAT RATE priority mail boxes from the post office. They will hand you them, free, along with customs forms. (even though this mail will not leave American hands, customs forms are required)
The FLAT RATE boxes (two different shapes) cost just $8.95 to send Priority Mail, no matter how much weight you get into them without bulging them too much. Make sure every void is filled with something, like individually wrapped candies and not packing peanuts or crumpled paper. The boxes, well packed, would cost well over $20.00 to send if not in a flat rate box.

Last, ask your Marine what he wants, and hurry, time is short before Christmas.


Bob
 
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