USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ Guest Military Chaplain Service and Sunday Liberty ~ August 3 2003

Guest Military Chaplin and FRiends of the Canteen

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

	Welcome to The USO Canteen FReeper Style

Today's Spiritual Journey takes us to:

Marine Corps Air Station
Miramar, California

Click the pic to visit MCAS

 

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing are dedicated to supporting West Coast Marine aviation missions, Marine Aircraft Group 46, and other Naval aviation support units as designated by the Commandant of the Marine Corps in coordination with the Chief of Naval Operations.

This is done through the combined efforts of more than 11,000 servicemembers doing jobs that range from cooks and mechanics to air traffic controllers and photographers.  Regardless of job description, each Marine is an essential piece in the what makes up Miramar and keeps the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing combat-ready. 

Miramar's location is strategically and logistically advantageous because of the proximity to deploying Navy ships, supported ground combat troops and aviation training areas over the ocean and in the desert.  Together with Camp Pendleton and the local Navy installations, San Diego boasts the largest concentration of Naval forces in the world.

Home of The Third Marine Aircraft Wing

click the pic to visit the 3d MAW

More than 150 years ago, MCAS Miramar was part of an enormous ranchero owned by Don Santiago Anguello, the former Mexican Army commandante of San Diego’s presidio.  In 1846, the United States declared war on Mexico and eventually annexed the territories of California and New Mexico.

Miramar’s military roots started in 1917, when the Army purchased the Miramar area and established Camp Kearny.  Construction costs totaled $1.25 million, but few permanent structures were built.  Most of Camp Kearny’s soldiers lived in tents, as more than 65,000 men trooped through the camp on their way to World War I battlegrounds.  After the war, the camp was used as a demobilization center, and in 1920, it ceased to function as a military base and languished for 12 years.

The Navy’s occupation of the area began in earnest in 1932, when the largest aircraft in the world came to Camp Kearny.  A mooring mast was built at the camp for the dirigibles USS Akron and USS Macon. Both aircraft crashed as sea, and within only a few years, Camp Kearny was quiet once again.

The Navy retained control of the area for several years but did not actively employ its services.  When World War II began in Europe, the U.S. military began a precautionary buildup.  Runways were constructed at the camp in 1940 and were put to heavy use when America entered the war in 1941.

During the 1940s, both the Navy and the Marine Corps occupied Miramar.  After World War II, all military facilities were combined and the base was redesignated Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.  This lasted just 13 months, however, when the Marines moved to El Toro in 1947.  Miramar was then redesignated a Naval Auxiliary Air Station.  Only half of Miramar’s facilities were put to use, and the station literally began to deteriorate.  Many buildings were sold as scrap during this period.

Throughout its already illustrious history, Miramar had prepared and supported carrier groups and squadrons during World War II and the Korean War, but it was during the Vietnam War that Miramar met its greatest challenge — to train fighter air crews in air combat maneuvering and fleet air defense.  This mission was accomplished through the creation of Top Gun, a graduated-level training school for fighter air crews.  The school garnered fame throughout the military for its success.  The movie “Top Gun” starring Tom Cruise, with portions of the movie filmed aboard the air station, brought worldwide fame to “Fightertown, USA.”

In 1993, a Base Realignment and Closure committee decision recommended that Naval Air Station Miramar be redesignated as a Marine Corps Air Station.  The realignment involved relocating all Navy’s F-14 Tomcat and E-2 Hawkeye squadrons.  Top Gun and the last F-14 squadron left the air station in 1996 to make way for Marines from MCAS El Toro and Marine Corps Air Facility Tustin.

The first Marine squadrons, support units and their F/A-18 Hornets began making the move from MCAS El Toro in August 1994. On Oct. 1, 1997, Miramar once again became a Marine Corps Air Station as the Marines landed back home after a 50-year absence.  The final chapter in the transition process was etched July 2, 1999, with the closing ceremony for MCAS El Toro and MCAF Tustin.  This historic event marked an end to a 52-year presence in Orange County and signified the final step in a move that spanned nearly five years.

With the move complete, all of Miramar’s fixed-wing F/A-18 and KC-130 Hercules squadrons, as well as its CH-46E Sea Knight and CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters, are in place.  Additionally, the support commands Marine Wing Support Group 37 and Marine Air Control Group 38 have been established.  These achievements, combined with the near completion of approximately $400 million in construction, means that MCAS Miramar has taken its long-awaited, rightful place as the home of the Marine Corps’ West Coast air power.

The air station covers more than 23,000 acres

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Click the pic to visit the Station Chapel

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Build Wisely, Don’t Ever Give-up!

A carpenter was ready to retire and told his employer. The housing contractor was sorry to see him go and asked if he would build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter reluctantly agreed, and in time it was evident his heart wasn’t in his work. He resorted to sloppy workmanship, using short cuts, and even inferior materials. When he completed the house, his boss handed him the keys. “This is your new house,” he said, “It’s my humble gift to you for all your hard work over the years!” Surprised and shamefully so, the carpenter thought, if he had only known, he would have done such a better job. Now he’s stuck with a shoddy house of his own making.

So it is with some of us. We build our lives haphazardly, willing to put less than our best. Then in shock we look at our poorly constructed situation finding ourselves living in a house we have built with our own two hands. If only we had realized it, we could have done such a better job.

We’re all carpenters in a way. Each day of our lives we hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Don’t be distracted! We must continue to build wisely; our life is the only house we will ever personally build. Even if we live it for only one day, each day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity. Our life today is the result of our attitude and past decisions. Our life tomorrow will be the result of our attitude and the choices we make today. Don’t give-up on yourself; continue to build your life wisely!

Click the Banner for Information!

[Brad’s Gramma]

[Soaring Feather]

YOU BRATT!!

I feel the pain!

[MoJo2001]

Okay! I can officially go to bed now! Hehehe! I got everyone and everything organized. I'm sleepy!

Sweet dreams, Diva!! See you tomorrow!

[MoJo2001]

Well, I still love ya! Hey! My name's not tomkow! I'm not a pain! Hehehe!

[fatima]

Good night Bentfeather.

[Brad’s Gramma]

You, Missy, were sitting there like I was....all ready to go. :-)

That page took a loooooooooooong time to end, didn't it?

Sleep well, MoJo.

[Soaring Feather]

Good night Little Diva!! I was going after the 400!! LOL

[MoJo2001]

Yes it did! I was hoping you'd post another one. However, the Diva provided the post I needed. Hehehe!! *HUGS*

[Soaring Feather]

Good nite fatima.

[Brad’s Gramma]

No way was I going to post.....I was all set.

WHY are we giving away our late night secrets????

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, lodwick, for stopping by.

[MoJo2001]

Pssst....
Hey you!
Yeah! You watching the screen right now!
I've got a favor to ask you.
Can you keep a secret?
Okay! I thought you could.
I'm supposed to be sleeping.
Don't tell my Ma that I'm still up!
She'll think I waited all night to get 400!
Hehehe!

[M0sby]

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Here are some pictures from MSgt. Dan Edwards
USMC

He is currently serving in Kuwait for
Operation Enduring Freedom!

 

If you would like to send him or any of the other Marines he is serving with messages of support, goodwill or prayers please reply to me here and I will copy, cut and paste them in a great big HAPPY MESSAGE for him to read and pass around!

 

These proud men and women have been out there for quite some time now, and I just thought it would be a great opportunity for a morale boost!

(I hope I can do this right!)

• THANKS to Vets_Husband_and_Wife for this GREAT idea!
•  THANKS to LindaSOG for making it happen!
• Also, thanks to the many people who have already replied to       Vets_Husband_and_Wife's posts.. your words have been so kind!
• Thanks to the CANTEEN for giving me a place to post this- I wish Dan could access this site, you are all amazing!!!!

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Thanks, everyone, for looking! 

If you have a moment, please post a reply for me to send off...

MSgt. Edwards also happens to be FReeper M1911A1

(and my husband!)

[Brad’s Gramma]

A Good Night Gift for YOU!

[MoJo2001]

What does productive mean? Useful? What's that! LOL!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Long time , no see Hook-em-Horns!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good night and sleep fast and well, Kid. Thanks for your wonderful contributions to our troops' Canteen. Thanks to the Sailor for his service to our country. And thanks to you and the boys for your service as a Navy family. I'm still working my way to today's music. Do good tomorrow!! *HUGS*

[Brad’s Gramma]

Get your face RIGHT UP TO YOUR MONITOR...now look around at my messy room I'm sitting in.

Turn your head the other way now.

OK....

You're asking ME what productive means? Howcum?

[Kathy in Alaska]

GO TO BED!!!

[MoJo2001]

That is so awesome! Thank you for sharing that with all of us!! *HUGS* to you both. My message to him. If you would so kindly would pass it on. I'd appreciate it.

MSgt. Dan Edwards,

God Bless you and your fellow soldiers for your sacrifice, dedication, courage, and bravery on behalf of America. Your wonderful Diva shared your pictures with us in the Canteen. It is quite an honor. Please know that you are in our prayers and thoughts. We pray for your safety and for your safe return home to your family. Please know that my husband, USN Active Duty, sends his best wishes and says "hello"!

God Bless You, Sir!!

Sincerely, Carolina (My parents total lack of originality in naming) aka MoJo2001