By David Mac Dougall

Today is the 20th time I’ve packed my bags for a trip to Iraq. By now, I should be an expert packer, but I’m not. I’m often guilty of leaving things to the last minute or simply telling myself “I’ll pick that up at Heathrow airport” and then forgetting what it was I needed to buy.

Apart from all the usual clothes, DVDs, books, toiletries and (seemingly) miles of assorted cables, plugs, adapters and chargers; I usually take out specific items requested by my colleagues at the Baghdad Bureau.

This trip there’s a “Starbucks Scotland” mug for Eric Stewart (who takes many of the amazing photographs which accompany my blogs). There’s also laundry powder for Anita McNaught and since I know she has cravings for dark chocolate too, I also packed a few bars (which hopefully won’t melt on the way to Iraq!) Producer-extraordinaire Nicola Sadler always enjoys British potato chips – and though I didn’t quite get round to buying any yet… I’m pretty sure I’ll pick them up at Heathrow airport…

The point of this blog, really, is to remind readers that it’s not just us journalists who appreciate a few creature comforts. Our military men and women serving in Iraq (and Afghanistan, and elsewhere) love to receive boxes in the mail too. In the scorching summer months especially, items like sun-block or extra toiletries can be really appreciated – or try sending something fun to remind them of home. Any parcel has to be addressed to a named individual, so ask around in your communities and it won’t be hard to get the name & address of someone in a war zone who would really appreciate something from home (just in time for the 4th of July!)