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SHOW YOU CARE FOR OUR MEN, WOMEN AND DOGS OVERSEAS WHO SERVE

Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 6:01 pm
by Maureen K Clifford
Here’s a simple little thing that we can all do at very little cost or effort that will make a big difference to one of our troops serving overseas.

Perhaps you may wish to send a soldier a care package. The idea behind this is that some troops over in Afghanistan may not have family who are able to send them packages with things they may need or things that make their time over there just that tiny bit easier. There may also just be a soldier who is finding their time over there difficult and just needs a bit of cheering up. It'll get given to whoever needs it most.

To send a care package to an Australian Soldier in Afghanistan, you need to purchase a "BM x 2" size box (weighs 175g itself) from Australia Post, they cost around $2.35. They'll give you some customs forms which you will also need to fill out. The address you need to send the package to is below. Make sure you seal all the edges of the box with packing tape. If the box after being packed weighs less than 2kg, Australia Post will send it for Free.

To give an example of what can be sent, a care package could be made up using some of the following:

For a bloke

1 x Shower Gel Travel Size
1 x Pack of Disposable Razors
1 x NON-AEROSOL Shaving Cream
1 x Roll On Deodorant
1 x Small Baby Powder (Talc)
1 x Chap Stick (SPF 30+)
3 x Bags of Lollies (NOT CHOCOLATE)
1 x Beef Instant Noodles
1 x Pack of Scotch Finger Biscuits or Anzac Biscuits
2 x Canned Tuna (Pull Ring Style)
1 x Coffee Sachets or Tea Bags
1 x Readers digest or similar sized paperback or even your ABPA Mag
Close weave cotton scarves - to keep sand and dust out of noses and mouths and ears.

For a Female
1 x Moist Towlettes
1 x Hand sanitizer in tube
1 x Dove soap or shower Gel
1 x Roll on Deodorant
1 x disposable razors
1 x Body moisturizer
1 x Chap Stick spf30
1 x small baby talc powder
3 x Soft purse packs of tissues
3 x bags of Lollies
1 x Toothbrush and Paste
1 x Lollies in a roll to slip in pockets eg Mentos mints, TicTacs
All those free shampoo and conditioner/face Cream/hand cream samples you accumulate or can get from your chemist and beauty counters
I x Pack of Anzac Biscuits or Ginger Nuts
1 x Coffee Sachets – Latte etc or Tea Bags
1 x Readers digest or similar sized paperback or even your ABPA Mag or a Take 5 Mag or That's Life mag - Road Ahead, Women's weekly will all fit into this size box - books of crosswords and puzzles also are well received as are newspapers - even if they are a few days old.


For those of you that are animal lovers, you may wish to do the following:
sending care packages to our Explosive Detection Dogs (EDD) with the following items included:

1 x box dog biscuits
1 x pack of Smackos or Liver treats or similar dried treat - make sure they are not pork based - so no Oinkers :( :(
3 x Tins sardines – dogs love them
1x toy – a frisby or tug rope
1 x tennis ball
and don't forget a couple of packets of lollies for the handler.


The dogs do a magnificent job under very trying conditions and quite a few have lost their lives serving their country, including Herbie…see below

Things not to send:

Alcohol
No Clothing, Except socks
Aerosols
Cigarettes
Pork
chocolate (melts)
Magazines with naked people.



But don't limit it to this let your imagination do the walking, and I suggest that toiletries be put into a snap lock bag just in case of leakage and remember no aerosols. Not sure how relevant this in the current situation but go for unscented products if possible. I always remember a Vietnam Vet telling me that you could smell the Americans before you saw them because of their aftershave, toothpaste, deodorant etc.

If you just wan't to send over some used mags the PO told me that they can be put into a large envelope - securely taped and addressed and as long as they are under 2kg no problems


You may wish to also include a self addressed envelope and a letter, or include your email address as well just in case they want to contact you or have something specific they want you to get for them.


Mark your parcel

To – Australian Soldier - Male or Female
or – Australian EDD and Handler (Explosives Detection Dog)

AFPO 60
Middle East operations
defence force
NSW 2890


THE DOGS OF WAR


He was a dog of no account, a mongrel breed someone threw out.
A Kelpie with a bit of Blue, perhaps some Border Collie too.
A dog endowed with working genes and sense of smell that's mighty keen.
The Army boys said, 'He will do, he's just the type we want it's true.
The work is hard, the terrain tough but we know this blokes got the stuff.
He's got the stamina to work all day and this bloke will not shirk.'

So Herbie went to war as well. They relied on his sense of smell.
For Herbie's job was finding mines, thus saving those who walked behind
and on this day he found the trace; they saw it written on his face
but who would know the Taliban would detonate the mine by hand,
and Herbie's life came to an end along with his two mates and friends
before the mine could be disarmed – three mates were gone and others harmed

And Herbie's just one of a score of dogs that work – The dogs of war.
Each day bravely they lead the fray – with just a pat received in pay.
They give their all, their second chance. Time may be short, but just a glance
from one bloke in a uniform sets their tails wagging – Desert Storm.
Part of a team, the men rely – on canine smell and canine eye
and if perchance the canine dies – then men in uniform will cry.

So here's to Herbie, Hammer, Jack and and those that didn't make it back.
To those who served, and their lives gave – four legged people, loyal and brave.
Who snuggled up when nights were cold – whose furry ears were often told
of the anguish and fear that dwelt within – they sympathized, men felt
the caress of a warm wet tongue, they listened when there was no one
but them to talk to in the night – when waiting for the call to fight.

He was a dog of no account, a mongrel breed someone threw out.
Now Herbie's guarding Heavens Gate – right alongside his Human mates.



Maureen Clifford © 08/10



Sappers Jacob Daniel Moerland, 21, and Darren James Smith, 25, were killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan their bodies were reunited with loved ones at the RAAF Base at Amberley, in Queensland.

Sapper Moerland had been in the war zone since February, 2010 and Sapper Smith served less than two months. Sapper Smith's bomb detector dog, Herbie, was also killed in the blast.
The dog has been cremated in Afghanistan and his ashes are expected to be delivered to Sapper Smith's wife. The two young soldiers had the most dangerous job of their contingent - clearing roadside bombs ahead of their army comrades.http://www.abc.net.au/news/photos/2010/ ... 921885.htm

Re: SHOW YOU CARE FOR OUR MEN, WOMEN AND DOGS OVERSEAS WHO S

Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 6:29 pm
by manfredvijars
Great idea Mausie, thanks for sharing ....

Re: SHOW YOU CARE FOR OUR MEN, WOMEN AND DOGS OVERSEAS WHO S

Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 8:39 pm
by Maureen K Clifford
I thought so to Mannie - my brother and SIL have been doing it for months but I had never heard of it and neither had any of my friends and it is so simple and easy to do - so I am busy now spreading the word.

Anything that we can do to make things a bit easier for the boys and girls over there and the 4 legged soldiers has got to be bloody well worth supporting in my book.

I was also pretty confident that our mob at ABPA would get behind it.

Thanking all who do in advance.

Cheers

Maureen

Re: SHOW YOU CARE FOR OUR MEN, WOMEN AND DOGS OVERSEAS WHO S

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 9:24 am
by Vic Jefferies
Good On You Maureen,
Great poem, great thoughts and a grand idea! I remember receiving parcels from home when I was in Vietnam and the things my mates and I looked forward to receiving most were: a newspaper (no matter how out of date); Vegemite; potato chips (Smiths Crisps) and Nescafe coffee. I also remember just about every second parcel included a fruit cake!
We had fruit cakes coming out of our ears and every one had at least one under his bunk. Of course our dear mothers, wives and girlfriends thought they were doing wonders by making and sending the cakes and we were too well mannered to mention the glut.

Re: SHOW YOU CARE FOR OUR MEN, WOMEN AND DOGS OVERSEAS WHO S

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 1:14 pm
by Maureen K Clifford
Thanks Vic - they suggest that home cooked is not the go due presumably due to quarantine but pre packaged with excess packaging removed to keep down the weight is fine. Little packs of vegemite and jam, herbs to add to the goat and lamb they get to cook, teas Herbal or flavoured, coffee sachets - Latte, Capuccino etc, Cup a soups, Muesli Bars, Chewing Gum ,packs of trail mix all go down well, and being small you can squish them in.


All those surplus talcs and body washes your missus has collected over the years are appreciated by the girls along with other feminine products. Those free samples of shampoo etc that are often in mags are good. Moisturized wipes, deodorants, toothbrushes , toothpaste, mouth wash, cotton buds, dental floss, hand sanitizers, saline drops for sore eyes, lip balm and sunscreen 30+, you can get sunscreen in wipes etc etc. Just make sure you get the small sizes to keep that weight down and no aerosols.

Ask your local chemist if they have any free samples - most are happy to help when they know what it is for and they usually have heaps. Ditto your local vet and/or produce store for the dogs. trial packs of dog biscuits etc.

You can also send rolled up mags via this scheme as long as they come in under 2kg but PLEASE be careful of the content. No Playboys or anything like that as if is offensive to the culture over there, but Womens Day, New Idea, bit wary of Car Mags as they always seem to have semi naked sheilas draped over cars but you get the idea. No religious material either for cultural reasons.

Socks and scarves to keep the sand out of faces and mouths are appreciated by both the blokes and the girls.

Small tins of Tuna, salmon, sardines, precooked rice, fruits etc etc - a couple in each package you send and lollies. Apparently due to the heat and the terrain the weight loss over there is pretty bad and they can't keep the calories up to them - so sweet treats are welcome but not chocolate :( :( only because it melts.

Chews for the dogs Smackoes etc - I buy the ones from Crazy Clarkes in the 500 gram bag and then divide that up to do 3 dogs. Sardines, biscuit bones although they weigh heavy, beef jerky. A ball to play with. Elly donates one from each pack I buy for her. :lol: Ask your vet if he has suitable samples he can let you have - dog shampoo in sachets . Worm tablets, vitamins etc he may some stock that is out of date or close to its use by date.

It is not hard to do - takes little time and costs hardly anything. As an added precaution I pack anything that might leak into separate zip lock bags and don't forget you will need to pick up customs declaration forms from the post office to go with these.

Do hope people will support this

Cheers

Maureen

Re: SHOW YOU CARE FOR OUR MEN, WOMEN AND DOGS OVERSEAS WHO S

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 1:25 pm
by Maureen K Clifford
No smokes, no alcohol, no porn, no pork. - Respect for the Afghanis peoples culture and beliefs and we don't want to stuff it up for our troops by not complying with that do we?

And feel free to put a note in with your parcel and your email address if you want to - they do have some email access to folks back home - go the extra yard and ask your recipient whoever it may be if there is something they would especially appreciate receiving and then see if you can get it to them.

And by the way if you mob think this is worthwhile supporting - please forward this info on to all your mates.

We can move mountains, shovelful by shovelful :lol: :lol:

Re: SHOW YOU CARE FOR OUR MEN, WOMEN AND DOGS OVERSEAS WHO S

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 6:36 pm
by manfredvijars
Those chico jelly babies taste like chocolate but don't melt.Small notebooks and pencils are good too or stick-its.They have official notebooks but one to use for everyday stuff is good too.Adult cartoon books(not rude ones) action comics (War ones go well) puzzle books....they'll share what they don't want.

Re: SHOW YOU CARE FOR OUR MEN, WOMEN AND DOGS OVERSEAS WHO S

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2012 10:08 pm
by Maureen K Clifford
M and M's are a good way to get the chocky fix without it melting as well so I've been told