Adopt-a-Battalion in Afghanistan....
- Thread starter Pilgrim
- Start date
Thanks for your patience.
A little background: This group of soldiers is comprised of several companies of the larger battalion of the larger 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum, New York. I can’t tell you how many soldiers are there because my son couldn’t tell me for security reasons, and the Army has been vague, but I do know they replaced another unit that was said to be somewhere around 200 soldiers.
The war is not over for these guys, as the three Special Forces guys killed yesterday were from this camp (Dwyer) and the road they were killed on is part of their security duties.
However, after racking my brain trying to come up with a clever way to collect and ship cigars to these guys, the only logical way is for each of us to individually send them.
The cheapest and most effective way is to get FLAT RATE boxes available in different small sizes in the lobby of most Post Offices along with a very simple Customs declaration and send them off yourselves. We just did it for a large box full of Christmas goodies and other stuff. The easiest way is to send it to my son and he will take charge of distributing them. Send all packages to: (Copy exactly)
SPC Andrew Oden
Attn: D Company, 2-87 IN BN
TF Catamount, CL Dwyer
APO AE 09354
United States
Shipping is usually 3 weeks from the US.
I can’t tell you how much this will mean to these guys, many of them away from home for the first extended period of time in their young lives. Many of you have been in the service and know firsthand how meaningful this effort is.
I’m very aware how generous, even extravagant, you gentlemen can be and I will share with you in the coming months the stories I’ll hear from my son. What a great way to build teamwork among these guys and establish a connection with cigar smokers and good, caring men back home. God bless you all.
Pilgrim
A little background: This group of soldiers is comprised of several companies of the larger battalion of the larger 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum, New York. I can’t tell you how many soldiers are there because my son couldn’t tell me for security reasons, and the Army has been vague, but I do know they replaced another unit that was said to be somewhere around 200 soldiers.
The war is not over for these guys, as the three Special Forces guys killed yesterday were from this camp (Dwyer) and the road they were killed on is part of their security duties.
However, after racking my brain trying to come up with a clever way to collect and ship cigars to these guys, the only logical way is for each of us to individually send them.
The cheapest and most effective way is to get FLAT RATE boxes available in different small sizes in the lobby of most Post Offices along with a very simple Customs declaration and send them off yourselves. We just did it for a large box full of Christmas goodies and other stuff. The easiest way is to send it to my son and he will take charge of distributing them. Send all packages to: (Copy exactly)
SPC Andrew Oden
Attn: D Company, 2-87 IN BN
TF Catamount, CL Dwyer
APO AE 09354
United States
Shipping is usually 3 weeks from the US.
I can’t tell you how much this will mean to these guys, many of them away from home for the first extended period of time in their young lives. Many of you have been in the service and know firsthand how meaningful this effort is.
I’m very aware how generous, even extravagant, you gentlemen can be and I will share with you in the coming months the stories I’ll hear from my son. What a great way to build teamwork among these guys and establish a connection with cigar smokers and good, caring men back home. God bless you all.
Pilgrim
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kit_luce
To the ones we can save, and those we can't.
Any specifics that absolutely can not go over?
Good question.
NO alcohol, carbonated beverages, flammable items, fresh fruit and vegetables, lithium batteries, products in aerosol cans, and NO pornograhic or unauthorized political material (conspiracy and revolt against the government, etc.)
NO alcohol, carbonated beverages, flammable items, fresh fruit and vegetables, lithium batteries, products in aerosol cans, and NO pornograhic or unauthorized political material (conspiracy and revolt against the government, etc.)
kit_luce
To the ones we can save, and those we can't.
Noted, do you want us to put anything specific in a far as a note? Like from BoTL?
ChuckMejia
The General
It’s a small base, most ops there are combat related. You’ll only find chow, fuel and ammunition there.
too many dudes there to send some tail into
Risky business
kit_luce
To the ones we can save, and those we can't.
@Pilgrim do you know if anybody your boy knows has any cigar preferences? Also, if I were to get something like what I have pictured below that they would be able to keep it or something, or would like the 30 day humi bags be more appropriate? Idk what kind of storage options they have over there. And you also mentioned desert life essentials, like baby wipes etc, anything specific that anyone wants or needs?
redneck_toy
Fuente Fanboy
I'm in. Great idea
You’re very thoughtful, but maybe simpler is better. I just sent him a dozen Double Chateaus because they’ve got ribbons and look festive, but in this situation a cigar is just going to have to be a cigar and it’s not possible to find preferences. I put them in a ziplock bag with a small Boveda and expect they’ll be fine when they get there.
As far as other supplies, instant coffee in single serve sizes (Starbucks Via and other brands),
baby wipes and dry skin lotions seem to be the most requested.
Bath soap and other toiletries are also needed.
My son just arrived in Afghanistan so we sent a large box with Christmas stuff to arrive in time.
But from now on we will regularly send smaller and cheaper sized boxes with fewer items.
That’s what I’m suggesting here - small FLAT RATE boxes with a few necessities that can be shared, a note of appreciation including your association with BOTL and a few cigars.
Maybe a candy bar and sugarless gum or a few disposable razors. It’s a volunteer army, and they pay for most of these things themselves, so they scrimp.
If you wanted to do that once a month or so you could make a huge impact on a fairly large number of soldiers. I would guess the total cost
with shipping might be about $25.
It’s asking a lot, but it means a lot.
(I’m trying to get the names of individual soldiers to make it a personal gift, but I’m not sure the Army will allow that.)
Not sure if posting this up is appropriate, if not just let me know and I'll pull it down. But as a vet I know the pain of being away from family during the holidays, though I was lucky enough to avoid desert locals.hopefully I'm able to brighten several soldiers day with this! Had to take the Nutter Butters out as I ran out of room... But with determination you can fit a lot in those boxes!
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Always have had a huge soft spot in my heart for our boys overseas! I was shocked to hear that jerky isn't in demand, that stuff was GOLD when i was in. Here's tracking so everyone can follow along! 9505510403568333203005