Unlike when the wars first began 14 years ago, care packages are now used mostly to send Soldiers brands that are not stocked by AAFES or MWR or to remind Soldiers of their loved ones back home.

For U.S. soldiers on duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, the little things make a difference - powdered drink mixes, small bottles of shampoo, a note about the small everyday things ...

Katherine Rudder, left, Belinda Bault, Lesly Aguilar and Tonya Adame, all with the Soldier and Family Readiness Group, collect and organize donated supplies for care packages at Fort Stewart ...

You’re welcome to use any of the 800 plus care package ideas I’ve collected on Pinterest. And if you have a care package that you’d love to share, I want to see it, feature it, and celebrate it!

They've also hosted "Welcome Home Soldier" parties, ... "It's just not worth the cost of an average care package as our average cost has more than doubled over the past (five) years." ...