For most of us munching on some chips or candy, lathering up with a bar of soap or putting on a pair of fresh, clean socks is no big deal.
It’s stuff we do everyday without even thinking about it.
But to a soldier serving in Iraq and living without many of the basic necessities and little treats we take for granted, these things make daily life more tolerable and remind them of home.
That’s why Oxford residents Art and Debbie Peterson are collecting a whole bunch of different items (see list below) to send to their son and his fellow Marines.
‘It just brings tears to your eyes to know all the stuff they can’t get over there,? Debbie said.
In early February, Staff Sgt. Shawn Peterson and 500 of his fellow Marines were deployed from Camp Pendleton in California to Camp Fallujah in Iraq.
Peterson, who enlisted in the Marines in 1999, is assigned to a combat engineering platoon with Combat Logistics Battalion -1. This is his second tour in Iraq. His first was for eight months in 2006.
‘It’s hard having him over there,? Debbie said.
His unit is responsible for everything from helping rebuild the city of Fallujah to filling holes in the road created by Improvised Explosive Devices, according to Debbie.
‘I worry everyday about him and those roadside bombs,? Debbie said. ‘I just pray everyday for them.?
The importance of supporting the troops is not lost on Debbie’s family. Her husband was a Marine in Vietnam from 1969-73 while her daughter and son-in-law proudly served the Corps. In fact, her son-in-law, who’s now a Marine Reservist, did a tour in Afghanistan and is preparing for deployment to Africa in September.
Debbie fears public support for the soldiers is waning.
‘It’s getting to the point where a lot of people are forgetting about them over there,? she said. ‘There’s some over there that don’t even get mail.?
That’s why for the last two years Debbie and her husband have hosted a golf outing at Boulder Pointe to raise money for mailing care packages to troops overseas.
‘It’s the families and friends that are keeping them going,? she said.
During the outing, the couple turns the garage of their Golf Villa Drive home in Waterstone into a packing center.
‘When the golfers come back, they have to come through the garage and pack a box so they see what it’s all about,? she said.
The couple hosts a potluck barbecue in their backyard for golfers and packers.
Last year, the outing resulted in the mailing of more than 200 packages along with 300 golf clubs and approximately 4,000 golf balls.
‘Oxford has been very, very receptive,? Art said. ‘You just mention ‘support the troops? and everybody’s more than willing to help from donations to pledges.?
This year’s golf outing is scheduled for Saturday, July 12.
‘Everyone’s invited to come,? Debbie said.
Any leftover money is donated to other organizations that ship care packages to soldiers.
‘We don’t keep any of it,? Debbie said. ‘There’s always somebody shipping. Every time I see something in the paper about a packing (event), I try to go help.?
She noted that on the 11th day of each month (from 2-6 p.m.) the Oxford Meijer hosts a packing event.
While packages from home are very important, they’re not the only way people can show their support.
‘Letters and cards mean just as much as the items they send,? Debbie said. ‘I write to some of them over there we don’t even know. They love getting mail from the States.?
‘It means everything in the world to them,? said Art. ‘Everything over there is greatly appreciated ? anything from home.?
Care packages can be mailed directly to SSGT Shawn W. Peterson CLB 1 ENG CO ENG PLT, Unit 42390, FPO AP 96426-2390. The U.S. Post Office has flat-rate boxes available which can be shipped for $8.95.
The sender can put as much stuff in the box as they can fit.
Those who wish to donate items for the Petersons to mail overseas or make financial contributions to help cover postage costs can send them to Art and Debbie Peterson, 570 Golf Villa Drive, Oxford, MI 48371.
For more information contact the Petersons at (248) 236-4152.

What our troops need

Beef jerky
Body wash
Breath mints
Phone cards
Candy
Chap Stick
Coffee creamer
Coffee ground
Crackers & cheese
Crystal Light
Footballs
Granola Bars
Green Tea
Gum
Paper & pens
Pringles
Progresso soup
Razor blades (Gillette Mach3)
Red vine licorice
Saltine crackers
Snacks
Soap
White socks
Sunscreen
Tissues
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Tune
Wipes
Lots of prayers