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The Ohio Army National Guard recommends these items be sent to troops:

Foods

Instant coffee.

Powdered Gatorade

Powdered hot chocolate

Kool-Aid (presweetened)

Candy (Things that won't melt)

Beef jerky

Granola bars

Instant soup

Practical

Clorox wipes

Baby wipes

Eye drops

Lip balm

Lotion

Liquid hand sanitizer

Contact lens cleaner

Eyeglass wipes

Just for fun

Batteries. (It sounds simple, but people forget.)

Stationary kits

Phone cards (AT&T works best from Kuwait)

Disposable cameras

Electronic hand-held games

Handmade items and cards

Radio headsets

Portable CD players

If they're gone over a holiday, do up one box with just holiday stuff.

Be creative

Foam footballs and basketballs: Get the miniature size, which will be used constantly.

AAFES gift cards: Go to www.aafes.com, click on "Gifts from the Homefront."

Mailing instructions

Put any item that could leak, melt or is scented in a leak-proof, re-sealable bag.

If you would like a reply, be sure to enclose a letter saying so.

Use a sturdy corrugated, brown kraft box, as free of other markings as possible.

Fill extra space with foam peanuts, popcorn or bubble wrap.

Double tape all seams with strong packing or shipping tape. Make sure you have strip going around all sides.

Fill out "Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note" at the post office. Briefly list the contents, but underestimate the value to discourage thieves.

The postage will be at the regular rate or Priority Mail rate if desired and going to an APO.

Prohibited items

Obscene articles and comics: Obscene articles, letters, prints, paintings, cards, films, videotapes, T-shirts, etc., and horror comics and matrices are prohibited

Objectionable material: Any matter depicting nude or seminude people, pornographic or sexual items or unauthorized political materials is prohibited.

Religious material: Items contrary to the Islamic faith are prohibited in bulk quantities, but items for the personal use of the addressee are permissible.

Pork prohibited: Pork or pork byproducts are prohibited.

Note: Customs officers have been known to halt packages containing the above restricted items. Please respect the rules, the troops and their deployed country.

Do not send lighters: Heat can cause lighters to burst.

> Send greetings and photos to our troops overseas