Fighting dehydration: Sweetening the soldiers’ ordeal in Iraq

In response to requests from families of servicemen, FLAVORx donated hundreds of bottles of grape, peaches and cream, apple raspberry and several other flavors to Iraq in an effort to improve the taste of the water.

When contacted by Barbara Brehmer, the godmother of a soldier in Iraq, FLAVORx President and CEO Kenny Kramm, was more than happy to help. Learning of the foul drinking water supply for the troops, Barbara worried they would consume as little as possible, and as a result, compromise their safety and health. Dehydration and heat exhaustion can cause declines in both mental clarity and immune system function.

When she was unable to receive flavorings directly from her pharmacy (as flavors are typically reserved for medications only), Barbara contacted Kenny directly. Just a few drops of the FLAVORx flavors combined with the proprietary Sweetening Enhancer makes the water much more drinkable, even more so than the powdered drinks and Kool-Aid that many families have sent over to try to remedy the situation. To date, hundreds of bottles have been donated overseas, in an effort to help the troops in the best way the FLAVORx knows how.

Says Barbara, "This is a simple pleasure. They use it as a treat. They say let’s flavor the water and celebrate."


Read a letter of thanks from a soldier in Iraq:

During my year in Iraq, there were many unpleasant things that we had to put up with. I do not blame the military, my commanders, or the government for this - they tried to fix or better every problem they became aware of. Among the difficulties we faced was dehydration.

We had all been briefed on how much water we should drink, and not to rely on thirst to tell us when. We knew that the freely available (at the bases, anyway) sodas would dehydrate us, and required even more water. What we hadn't been warned about was the condition of the water we were to be provided.

Again, let me state that the leadership did all they could. Part of the problem was that for reasons of cost, we were initially drinking Arab-distilled water. As soldiers, we had no confidence in their methods. The water tasted 'funny', which was later refined to 'bad'. However unpalatable, the water provided was potable.

That said, our morale needed every little boost that could be provided. Although I drew the line at having water mailed to me from home, I had no problem mentioning the water as one of the more difficult facets of Iraqi field life to adjust to. Always proactive, my Godmother, Barbara Brehmer, looked about for a more expeditious solution. What she found was a small company called FlavorX. Although they stated that their flavors were intended for medicine, they delivered a sample box of flavor bottles at no cost. It was certainly more than I needed.

In the field, we shared everything from home. The largest problem with FlavorX was that it came with separate sweetener bottles. (While distinctly medicine-like, the flavors provided by FlavorX were still preferable to the unflavored water.) The solution to this was a second, larger box, including sweetener. Even sharing the bottles to anyone who asked. But our schedules were busy, and I wasn't always available.

The solution turned out to be simple. I donated the incoming boxes to our unit chaplain. This also removed another obstacle- that people thought I would charge for the bottles. With them being distributed through our main 'free morale stuff' supplier, it was clear to everyone what FlavorX was - a gift from appreciative folks back home. Still, the bottles were concentrate, and we were getting far more than we needed.

So the chaplain did what he could to get the boxes distributed to other units as well. Demand was so great, that I had to provide the 'chaplain network' with a direct phone number to FlavorX. My understanding is that even with the number of units receiving their free product, FlavorX has never once wavered or delayed shipment.

I expected none of this effort to be made. I was just a lone soldier in the field, quietly grumbling about what I thought couldn't be changed. Through the actions of Barbara Brehmer and Kenny Kramm (whom I only knew at the time as the FlavorX representative), it did change. Although the Army has implemented other solutions, my understanding is that demand for FlavorX products still remains high (particularly among infantry units, who enjoy fewer of the amenities than the rest of us). To me, it was the single greatest story of support from home.

Mike Kochis

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