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Michael leaves this weekend with a group of Marines from California.

He is the only surviving child of my Uncle Kevin who passed away this year.

Anybody have any books on Pashto they don't need any more? He wants to learn the language so he can speak with the people there. Knowing this crowd, you may have already studied this subject.

If you could all pray for his safety and those of his unit, I would be very grateful.

Number 1 son (well, first born) returned to Afghanistan a couple of weeks ago. Sending good thoughts to all who serve there and everywhere.

How did he feel the people felt about Americans? Is your son in the Army?

Do you have any advice about things it is good to send over to him?

I hope that Michael and his unit will stay safe.

I wish that there was no need for any troops to go to the Middle East.

christie1111 wrote:Michael leaves this weekend with a group of Marines from California.

He is the only surviving child of my Uncle Kevin who passed away this year.

Anybody have any books on Pashto they don't need any more? He wants to learn the language so he can speak with the people there. Knowing this crowd, you may have already studied this subject.

If you could all pray for his safety and those of his unit, I would be very grateful.

I don't know about the Marines but the Army has online language courses that can be taken for free, using the same system as the Rosetta Stone courses that are available for purchase.

The National Guard nephew of a friend always wants more candy -- not for himself, but to give the children in the area where he is stationed.

(Someday the Americans will be blamed for bringing tooth decay to the Middle East, in addition to everything else.)

The National Guard nephew of a friend always wants more candy

That sounds like a good idea. I will get a bag of non-chocolate things to use as a filler for the box I send next.

christie1111 wrote:Michael leaves this weekend with a group of Marines from California.

He is the only surviving child of my Uncle Kevin who passed away this year.

Anybody have any books on Pashto they don't need any more? He wants to learn the language so he can speak with the people there. Knowing this crowd, you may have already studied this subject.

If you could all pray for his safety and those of his unit, I would be very grateful.

Good thoughts for your cousin and all the others stuck over there.

God bless him and keep him safe.

May he do good and be safe.

And, doggone it, I don't have a book on Pashto to spare.

christie1111 wrote:

The National Guard nephew of a friend always wants more candy

That sounds like a good idea. I will get a bag of non-chocolate things to use as a filler for the box I send next.

Candy, books, toys....those kids need everything! My son in law just got back from his 2nd tour in Iraq and he said the kids literally have nothing and are so grateful for anything.

The unit I send stuff to is always wanting camping gear. It depends on where your unit is stationed. My unit says "no more candy" as they have gobs already, and there are not so many kids where they are.

I send Quench gum, used DVDs and CDs, microwavable popcorn, and all my old magazines. But it makes a difference what climate/situation they are in, and sometimes they can't say very specifically, so it's vague.

Other stuff that might be right for your unit:

sunscreen (double-Ziploc bags)
phone cards (make sure they can use them)
lip balm


Don't send:
books/mags with pics of other than fully dressed women
pork products
flea collars
large boxes - the USPS has Flat Rate boxes that are $8.95 anywhere (even APO/APE)

kayrharris wrote:

christie1111 wrote:

The National Guard nephew of a friend always wants more candy

That sounds like a good idea. I will get a bag of non-chocolate things to use as a filler for the box I send next.

Candy, books, toys....those kids need everything! My son in law just got back from his 2nd tour in Iraq and he said the kids literally have nothing and are so grateful for anything.

I have been told that pens, pencils and writing tablets are items local kids like to get in Iraq and Afghanistan. Seems that is true most everywhere in the third world. When we travel to places like that we often carry extra pens and pencils to give away to local kids.

christie1111:

How did he feel the people felt about Americans? Is your son in the Army?

Do you have any advice about things it is good to send over to him?

Greg was in the Air Force for nine years. He is now working for a private security firm: Dynecorp. We have sent him mucho hard candy such as Jolly Ranchers or Tootsie Pops when he was over there last year. The little packets of flavoring for water are also very popular --Crystal Lite or some such. Ramen noodles. Chocolate in the winter only.

He has very little contact with locals. He is located in a compound that is guarded by Ghurkas. Greg loves him some Ghurkas.

Tom

christie1111 wrote: If you could all pray for his safety and those of his unit, I would be very grateful.

I can and will, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to do so.

Safe thoughts and prayers are coming my way as well.

prayers here.

Good thoughts sent for his safety and return. My stepson has been over there for three months now. I know when he was in Iraq on his first tour he was asking for toys as the kids never had anything to play with. Not sure if it's the same for Afghanistan.

Prayers from here.