Gifts for soldiers?

My son was in Iraq (Marines--ooh rah) with an FOB and was most appreciative of handwritten letters (until he got to email)
his camera (he got some great pics!)
everyday snacks (doritos, etc)
BUT HIS ABLSOLUTE favorite were the care packages that had cans of his favorite soda, MT DEW! If you pack them right, they will travel well. He was very popular when those arrived!

My BBF was over there and he LOVED when I'd send him pictures of his dog, or other things he liked. We both kept up with eachother with "photo journals" once he was able to get his laptop up and working. I took pictures of things I was doing or places I went and he did the same while over there. I met new people and sent him pictures and stories of them and he did the same with me. He met local people over there and other guys and gals that were over there serving. It was a really fun thing for both of us to do for that year he was over there. He's now back home but we both have some awesome things to remember while we were apart.

I don't know how any of you had time to be bored.

Anyway, beef jerky, baby wipes, copenhagen (even if he does not dip, he can make a killing off the state side stuff), and err, adult magazines (after a while the playboys you can get just don't do it.

This is a list that a close friend of mine said. He's in Iraq right now.


Baby wipes, (travel size)
Gum
Tootsie rolls (other flavors greatly appreciated)
More Gum
Laffy Taffy
something soft and cuddly (one time only please)
simple kind words.