My good friend is going to Iraq soon?

Question

I would like help from anyone who is going there or has been there, what are some things I should say/do for him before he leaves? I know he is nervous about going and he doesn't want to leave his girlfriend and I am nervous to have him over there. I promised to write to him and send him chocolate (his greatest weakness) and he knows I will because I sent him chocolate every week he was at boot camp last year. But is there anything I should do for him/say to him before he leaves? Any ideas?

Answer 1

Tell him that he has the whole world in support of him, and that people look up to him because he is a hero. Tell him you'll always be there for him, no matter what, and to always keep hi head up so he can return safe to his family and friends after the job is done. That should help him a little.

Answer 2

Just continue to be a good friend. I had kids on the swim team I coached before I left for combat write me letters. I treasured them. They were light-hearted, full of current events in the city where they lived -- and where I lived before I went into the service, and none of them expressed concern for me.

Don't tell him you're worried. He might be too, and your worrying won't help.

You can tell him you'll miss him, that you'll write, and if he'll tell you what he wants you to send him when he gets there, you'll try to do so. Be honest, but don't dwell on the down side -- your worries and fears.

On sending goodies... the rule of thumb is that if it can break, it will; if it can leak, it will; if it can melt, it will. Granted, it's not always true, but it happens often enough to be expected. I got a few boxes of crumbs with melted globules of chocolate while in Southeast Asia that, I was told, had once been chocolate chip cookies.

Answer 3

so your sending a guy chocolate in 120 degree weather - i doubt it will be good......

Answer 4

Just let him know you are going to miss him and send him care packages while he is gone. It wouldn't hurt to send him an e-mail once a week or so.  Don't ask him if he killed anybody or anything of that nature because it disturbs most troops to answer questions like that.  It's okay to send chocolate between October and March when it cools down over there.  Any other time he will get a package full of chocolate soup and with most candies it won't taste the same even if he put it in a refrigerator to let it get solid again.  Make sure you don't send any p**n or alcohol because that is against regulations in the Middle East.  Sending pork products isn't allowed either but they are a little more relaxed on it.  Just don't write it on the customs form.

Answer 5

You sound like a good friend.Make sure he has a phone card with LOTS of minutes on it.Make sure he has a laptop.Make sure his laptop has wireless internet cap. Make sure he has paper,pen and envelopes to write letters.Be avail.to talk when he is off duty.

Good Luck to you both!

Answer 6

Everyone else already brought up the chocolate melting so no need to mention it again.  Let him know that you will be there with any support he, his girl friend or his family may need.  Let him know that thousands of us have gone where he is going and have come back just fine and he will to.  Keep in touch with him on what is happening in your home town - I always liked getting a copy of the local newspaper so I could follow who is getting married and who is having kids.  Email is good but there is still nothing like getting a regular letter in the mail.  As far as care package items - I always liked getting good coffee from home, beef jerky and jolly ranchers.  The other item that came in handy in the heat was gold bond medicated powder - nothing like it in the heat.   And last but not least was the individual packets of propel and Lipton tea powder - you have to drink a lot to stay hydrated and those little packets make it easier than drinking plain water.

Answer 7

Let him know how deeply,you love and support him,as those are the two most important things he needs before he deploys! Tell him that America is proud of him and we stand with him! May God Bless and keep him safe! And don't forget to send him his Chocolates!

Answer 8

Chocolate's going to melt..eww sticky box.