# How can I support our troops ? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 19, 2003, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-support-our-troops/162529 "2003-03-19T13:44:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dragongirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b38774/32.png) [@dragongirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragongirl)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-support-our-troops/162529/1 "2003-03-19T13:44:09Z")
If the organization that I work with organized a bunch of donations of supplies to send to our troops, how would I know where to send it ? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-support-our-troops/162529/2 "2003-03-19T13:46:25Z")
International Red Cross ( after all the Red Cross nonsense…I know) Witht the IRC, the troops get help and the people they are trying to help get help. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-support-our-troops/162529/3 "2003-03-21T13:49:48Z")
The USO offers almost direct support, straight to the troops: > **[United Service Organizations](https://www.uso.org/)** > > The nation’s leading charitable organization in serving active-duty service members and military families. Learn how you can support the troops through the USO and make a difference. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-support-our-troops/162529/4 "2003-03-21T15:00:41Z")
You can get your “own” soldier via “Adopt-A-Platoon” at [adoptaplatoon.org](http://adoptaplatoon.org). It used to be you could send stuff to “any soldier” but due to security concerns, no more. You must send it to someone specifically. Also, the 2nd platoon of the 1-64 Armor have a website that gives an address for mailing stuff. I suspect theyre damn well supported, but I am sure they share whatever they get. My soldier is in this armor group but this isn’t his platoon or company. [http://www.angelfire.com/ga4/2ndplatoon/index.html](http://www.angelfire.com/ga4/2ndplatoon/index.html) Go to “PT Wishlist” for an address. Thing is, they don’t have their unit number on there, which is important now that they are moving around so much. Instead of just the APO AE, there should be two lines at the end, which read: Unit # 93206 APO AE 09303-3206 You will need a customs form; the post office will help you. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-support-our-troops/162529/5 "2003-03-21T17:22:05Z")
What would be good things to send? I’m thinking things that won’t melt/spoil in the Iraqi sun… ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-support-our-troops/162529/6 "2003-03-21T19:01:16Z")
Pay your taxes. Early, if you can. If you’re due a refund, wait until April 15th to file. You can even volunteer to overpay. ---
**Author:** ![rjciii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecae2f/32.png) [@rjciii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjciii)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-support-our-troops/162529/7 "2003-03-21T20:17:10Z")
I’m sorry, but why would I want to overpay my taxes? How does that help our troops? Besides, I pay them every pay period. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-support-our-troops/162529/8 "2003-03-21T20:45:23Z")
**Homie,** Good things to send: - Phone cards that can be used internationally - Snacks, like crackers, cookies, potato chips and nuts. These should be packed so they don’t get squished. - AA batteries - Baby wipes or bath wipes (a godsend in a dusty place with no regular chance to get a shower) - Good toilet paper (Charmin, etc.) ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-support-our-troops/162529/9 "2003-03-21T22:35:54Z")
A friend’s brother-in-law has been in Afghanistan for the last year or so and she says he loves receiving my handmade soaps. Apparently the military issue toiletries are pretty no-frills (if not downright crappy) and the soaps were a big hit. Maybe if you can get your hands on some fancy (yet manly, if your soldier is male) soaps/shampoos/shaving creams/etc you might add them. (I’m guessing a peppermint foot scrub/wash might make someone in those situations weep with joy.) ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-support-our-troops/162529/10 "2003-03-21T23:37:29Z")
I heard a woman on NPR the other day listing the following items which are welcome: Pantyhose - no, not for wearing. For inserting their guns into. The nylon net keeps that fine powdery dust out. Clothespins. Hacky sacks. Disinfectant handy-wipes. Little travel-size toiletries like shampoo, soap, lotion. Clif Bars, Power Bars. Powdered sports drinks. (My own suggestion): Go to a used sports equipment shop, and get them a few baseball gloves and baseballs. ---
**Author:** ![galen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecc23a/32.png) [@galen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-support-our-troops/162529/11 "2003-03-22T16:16:25Z")
Write your Congressperson and the President. Tell them you want the soldiers back home so that they and their loved ones can get their lives back. Also, go to the next anti-war demonstration with a sigh that says, “SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME”. Howzat?