Thanksgiving dinner for troops overseas

Fall has arrived and we will soon look forward to getting together with family and friends to celebrate the holidays. Typically these holidays are celebrated with a shared meal. But some of our family and friends will not be with us this holiday season. They are our dedicated men and women serving in our country’s armed forces. I understand the importance of that special package from home any time of year, but especially during the holiday times of the year.

Many of our men and women military service members are faithfully serving at stations here in America. Many of our troops are also diligently serving in foreign countries. The areas of Iraq and Afghanistan come particularly to mind.  I understand how important a special package from home can be to our troops serving in a war zone.

I have put together below the instructions for a special holiday meal in a box for our troops. This meal is shelf-stable and can be mailed to any specific military service member address for a very low rate using the U.S. Postal Service’s Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box. (All Priority and Express Mail boxes, including Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes, are available free at Post Offices).

The Priority Mail Large Flat Rate box allows for shipping up to 70 pounds (including the meal below) for only $12.50 postage ($2 discount) when shipping to a military service member stationed overseas at an APO/FPO address. The cost is only $14.50 postage when shipping to our troops or family members here in the U.S. You can pack your holiday meal in a box at home, fill out the mailing and overseas customs forms online at www.usps.com or pick up a form at the Post Office. And then schedule a free pick up by your letter carrier for the next day, or bring in your package to the Post Office for mailing. If you are shipping online at www.usps.com, you also receive an additional 55 cent discount.

The holiday meal listed below is estimated to cost about $35. This meal will feed approximately three to four people:

1 box of dried whipped topping mix

1 box of no-bake pumpkin pie dessert

1 9-inch tin pie pan

1 box of dried stuffing mix

1 package of instant mashed potatoes

1 quart boxed milk

1 16 oz. can candied yams

1 pkg. miniature marshmallows

1 14 oz. can of corn or other vegetable

1 16 oz. can of cranberry sauce or jelly

1 package corn bread or biscuit mix

1 package dried turkey or chicken gravy

1 package butter-flavored shortening

1 canned turkey or chicken

Whether you have a family member or friend serving in the military - either overseas, or here in the U.S., but still away from home for the holidays - consider mailing him or her this holiday meal in box.

This special taste from home will let them know how much you appreciate their great service.