USO Canteen FReeper Style ~Tribute to the Human Spirit~ September 11,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style Coteblanche and Snow Bunny

[Snow Bunny]

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A Tribute to the Human Spirit

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"JESUS HELP ME"

The Faith of Todd Beamer

"I don't think we're going to get out of this thing. 
I'm going to have to go out on faith."

It was the voice of Todd Beamer, the passenger
... and Wheaton College graduate ... who said,
"Let's roll" as he led the charge against the 
terrorists who had hijacked United Flight 93,
the one, you will remember,that crashed in the
Pennsylvania countryside.

The whole world knows how brave Beamer
and his fellow passengers were on  September 11th. 
And what buttressed that bravery? It was Beamer’s
Faith in God.Todd died as he lived, a faithful 
believer in Jesus Christ and God.

In an article titled "The Real Story of Flight 93",
Newsweek reveals gripping new details from the 
actual transcripts of the now-recovered cockpit
voice recorder. "Todd had been afraid," Newsweek
relates. "More than once, he cried out for his
Savior."

After passengers were herded to the back of the jet, 
Beamer called the GTE Customer Center in Oakbrook,
Illinois. He told supervisor Lisa Jefferson about
the hijacking. The passengers were planning to jump
the terrorists, he said. And then he asked her to
 pray with him.

As Newsweek relates . "Beamer kept a Lord's Prayer
bookmark in his Tom Clancy novel, but he didn't need
any prompting. He began to recite the ancient litany, 
and Jefferson joined him: Our Father which art in 
heaven, Hallowed be Thy name."

As they finished, Beamer added, "Jesus, help me." And
then, Beamer and his fellow passengers prayed a prayer
that has comforted millions down through the centuries.
The prayer that David wrote in a time of great anguish:
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want ... Yea,
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil.

And then the famous last words: 
"Are you guys ready? Let's roll."

We now know from the cockpit voice recorder that
Beamer and other passengers wrestled with the
hijackers and forced the plane to crash into 
the ground, killing themselves but foiling what
was believed to have been the hijackers' plan to
fly Flight 93 into the Capitol or the White House.

We know that God can bring good out of evil. In
Todd Beamer, the world witnessed a faith that held
up in the extremity of fear. A faith that is even
now comforting his widow and two young sons.

Lisa Beamer told NBC's Dateline, "You know, in
the Lord's Prayer, it asks us to forgive our 
trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against
us." 

"As Todd prayed this prayer in the last moments
of his life, in a way," Lisa said, "He was
forgiving those people for what they were doing,
the most horrible thing you could ever do to someone."

It wasn't Todd Beamer's job to fight terrorists.
He was just a passenger, who along with several others,
did what he didn't have to do, but foiled a terrible
evil that might have been done to his country.

As Flight 93 hurtled towards destruction, Todd Beamer
could not have known that his quiet prayers would 
ultimately be heard by millions .. that the story
of his last acts on earth would be a witness to the
Lord he loved and served and a lasting example
of true heroism.

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Message from Snow Bunny:
The heart and the human spirit

As I prayed and did a lot of thinking about what we 
could do at the USO Canteen FReeper Style to pay 
Tribute to the lives lost on September 11th, 2001, 
my heart kept telling me, over and over about the
strength of spirit each life had.

These are a few images that won't leave me:

The people who were told they could go back to
their offices, that THEIR building was safe and
was not hit. Then they were killed. The firefighters
running up the stairs into danger as hundreds of 
lives were desperately trying to run down the stairs
to get out.

The people at the Pentagon going to work too that
day with plans for the evening ahead and then halted
in one horrific crime.

The people on the planes knowing it was their last
chance to say goodbye to a loved one. Knowing there
was nothing, NOTHING they could do to stop the 
insanity of what was going to happen. 

How do people handle these crimes? How does a person
decide in a split second what they will do if given
those seconds ... those minutes?  This is where the
human spirit thrives and can never be killed by any
monster no matter how much hate is directed at
killing that spirit of strength.

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It happened on American soil, but it happened
to the entire world. It happened to Americans
and to people from other countries. 

Here are links, showing just
how widespread the horror was:

The Victims

The Canadians

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It happened to those:

who were inside the WTC

who were at the Pentagon.

who were completely innocent human beings
unaware of the tremendous vile
hatred directed at them.
 

who had touched our hearts

FReeper BKO

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(Click Here, to listen to
this song, whose title asks a question everyone 
can answer)

Where were you when the world stopped 
turning  that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Or working on some stage in L.A.
Did you stand there in shock at the 
sight of that black smoke 
Rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger, 
in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children who
lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who
walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below
Did you burst out in pride for 
the red white and blue
And the heroes who died 
just doin' what they do
Did you look up to heaven 
for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and 
what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I could
Tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good 
things He gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world 
stop turning on that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Or driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and 
tell her you loved her
Did you dust off that bible at home

Did you open your eyes, 
hope it never happened
And you close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Or speak to some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent 
old movie you're watchin'
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and 
hold hands with some strangers
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and 
cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

Written and sung by Alan Jackson

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How should we react? How should we feel a year 
later? What should we do? Perhaps a child shall 
lead us.

This is the face of a child after September 11, 2001

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This is a poem written by a child after September 11, 2001

I Am

I am a sad and frightened girl.
I wonder why the terrorists hit the buildings.
I hear crying and yelling.
I see smoke and debris.
I want all the terror to stop.
I am a sad and frightened girl.

I pretend everything is normal again.
I feel angry and confused.
I touch the hearts of all that were lost.
I worry that there might be a war.
I cry for the people who died.
I am a sad and frightened girl.

I understand that the world has changed.
I say God Bless America!
I dream that it will all be over soon.
I try to be calm.
I hope nothing else happens.
I am a sad and frightened girl.

-Jenni, age 11, Junior, Rio Grande, NJ 

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A year ago today, the terrorists stole from
the children of America their sense of security
and their innocence. Those children will never
get it back. 

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There are very few instances recorded in the
Scriptures, where Jesus showed anger. One of 
the times was when his disciples tried to
keep the children away from Him. Do you think
God in His Heaven is angry today? 

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"The fight for our freedom and the safety of ourselves,
our loved ones and for our Nations future is far from
over. I pray we will never... NEVER forget the cowardly
and demonic act that was perpetrated against our country
and thousands of innocent lives.These cowards will learn
of the human spirit that exists and is foreign to them. 
They will learn of the strength and courage that arises  
from tragedy such as Sept.11th,2001. 

As you have seen, it was not only an attack on Americans,
no the hatred of the terrorists for others is far- 
reaching. It had nothing to do with policy, or 
political disagreements. Not at all and the evil seen
in their eyes runs deep.  But our strength and spirit
runs deeper and in the end we will be the ones to stand
 tall. And they will still be cowering beneath us 
with their hatred and weakness as human beings. 
Let Freedom Ring out across the land, into every home
and across the seas. To every country let it be known
that America and those that stand beside us will long
live beyond the tragedy."

Snow Bunny

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"The flame that burns the brightest
Is the light of the eternal human spirit”

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[Snow Bunny]

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Tribute To HEROES

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If there's anything that identifies and personifies all military people, it's the dogtags.
It's one of the first things we get, and sometimes it's the last reminder of who we are.
They signify our unity of purpose and our dedication to our country.

COB1

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Tribute to Vietnam Veterans
Please click on picture.

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The great intangible of America's wars beyond logistics,
beyond strategy, beyond wonder weapons and Generals,
is the spiritual force of its fighting men and women -
and that is the force that the USO so serves.

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Free Republic....Click for Donations

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For our Troops, and supporters of
those serving now, and our Veterans.

Partners

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To Jim Robinson,
Founder of FRee Republic and Navy Veteran

Thank you, from all those
who frequent the FReeper Canteen

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[Snow Bunny]

[Snow Bunny]

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic, for which it stands;
one nation UNDER GOD,
indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.

[Snow Bunny]

[Snow Bunny]

A PRAYER OF PROTECTION

The light of God surround you
The love of God enfold you
The power of God protect you
The presence of God watch over you
Wherever you are,God is,
And all is well.
Amen.

[Snow Bunny]

CLICK here to go to the Department of Defense POW/MIA page

[gPal]

wonderfully inspiring post...thank you...

gene

[Snow Bunny]

Poor is the nation that has no heroes.
Shameful is the one that, having heroes - Forgets them!

from a monument on the Davis Bridge Battlefield, Bolivar,Tn.

In Bagram, US soldiers hunt Al Qaeda who launched rockets near Asadabad.

We support our Canadian troops, our friends fighting the enemy with us.
Operation APOLLO is Canada's military contribution to the international campaign against terrorism.

[Snow Bunny]

Supporting the Israeli troops.

[Snow Bunny]

Individuals may donate $25 which goes toward sponsorship of an
"Operation USO Care Package"
Personal greetings may be included on an
"Operation USO Care Package"
postcard, available for download here by

CLICKING ON THE GRAPHIC….Please be gentle with Souris when you click

USO of Metropolitan Washington
Operation USO Care Package
PO Box 10835
Arlington, VA 22210

[Snow Bunny]

[Entropy Squared]

I'm a man and I ain't supposed to cry, but when I see the towers come down I do. And then the rage sets in. Death to our enemies!

[Snow Bunny]

Thank you for supporting the USO Canteen Freeper Style, our wonderful troops and their families.

Please Pray for our troops and their families.

Thank you Veterans.

[Snow Bunny]

Hi Gene, thank you. It is nice to meet you.
Welcome to the USO Canteen Freeper Style.

[Snow Bunny]

Thank you Cote for helping me with the Very Special thread today.

[Snow Bunny]

Hi dear friend,thank you for being here and for being my friend.

[xzins]

What does American need in our day?

St Philip Neri says "there is no greater danger than not fearing danger." That is a tremendous reminder to those who protect America; the President, the Congress, those fight the battlefield wars of our nation. This is a reminder to those who fight fires, who fight crime, who fight injustice. There is tremendous danger in being blind to real danger.

This is also true for our churches in America. What does America need in our day? It needs a recognition of SPIRITUAL danger. It needs its churches to have the ability to discern spiritual danger and to build citizens who have reserves of strength from heavenly realms.

What are the greatest spiritual dangers facing us today? Apathy, self-indulgence, arrogance, and unbelief.

Apathy is the religion of the cowardly. It is looking around at the great needs of a community and saying "I don't care."

Self-Indulgence is the religion of the lazy. It is ignoring all needs except personal comfort. We are more than consumption machines energized by personal lusts.

Arrogance is the religion of the thoughtless. It is refusal to hear any other perspective, any other viewpoint save ones own. It says there is no learning possible because "I have all the answers."

Unbelief is the religion of the hopeless. It is a rejection of the ability to put our hands in the hand of a loving, eternal Father.


Today we remember that a year ago thousands of our fellow citizens were murdered by terrorists. A year has come and gone and in many traditions that means that the official time of mourning is over. It is now time to stop the grieving, the hand-wringing, and the listlessness.

What does America need? It needs brutal honesty about the real dangers that exist in the world today. It needs to stand up, dust itself off, get on its knees and pray, and step forward with resolve.

It needs to Confront the danger.

It needs to cut the head off of the Serpent.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

You will stay right where you are on the thread.

Please take a moment and Thank a Service Man or Woman.
Just Click on the logo to send an e-mail.

think this is a little different than the others we have received!  Worth Reading!

THE LADY

I wonder what she thought
As she stood there, strong and tall.
She couldn't turn away,
She was forced to watch it all.

Did she long to offer comfort
As her country bled?
With her arm forever frozen
High above her head.

She could not shield her eyes
She could not hide her face
She just stared across the water
Keeping Freedom's place.

The smell of smoke and terror
Somehow reduced her size
So small within the harbor
But still we recognized...

How dignified and beautiful
On a day so many died
I wonder what she thought,
And I know she must have cried.
---------------------------------------------------

One

As the soot and dirt and ash rained down,
We became one color.

As we carried each other down the
stairs of the burning building,
We became one class.

As we lit candles of waiting and hope,
We became one generation.

As the firefighters and police officers
fought their way into the inferno,
We became one gender.

As we fell to our knees
in prayer for strength,
We became one faith.

As we whispered or shouted
words of encouragement,
We spoke one language.

As we gave our blood in lines a mile long,
We became one body.

As we mourned together the great loss,
We became one family.

As we cried tears of grief and loss,
We became one soul.

As we retell with pride of
the sacrifice of heroes,
We become one people.

We are:
One color
One class
One generation
One gender
One faith
One language
One body
One family
One soul
One people

We are The Power of One.
We are United.
We are America.



This candle was lit on the 11th of September, 2001.
Please pass it on to your friends & family so that it
may shine all across America.

"A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle,
it gains a greater brilliance."

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thank You for this tribute.
I am moved beyond words.

[glorygirl]

Do you need me?
I am there.
You cannot see Me,
yet I am the Light you see by.
You cannot hear Me,
yet I speak through your voice.
You cannot feel Me,
Yet I am the Power at work in your hands.
I am at work,
though you do not understand My ways.
I am at work,
though you do not recognize My works.
I am not strange visions.
I am not mysteries.

Only in absolute stillness, beyond self,
can you know Me as I am,
and then but a feeling and a faith.
Yet I am there. Yet I am here. Yet I answer.

When you need Me, I am there.
Even if you deny Me, I am there.
Even when you feel most alone, I am there.
Even in your fears, I am there.
Even in your pain, I am there.
I am there when you pray and when you do not pray.
Though your faith in Me is unsure,
My faith in you never wavers,
because I know you, because I love you.
Beloved, I am there.

Author James Dillet Freeman