FReeper Canteen ~ Get Out The Military Vote! July Thread! ~ July 15 2004

MoJo2001 and FRiends of the Canteen

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served in
The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom?
Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

 

STATE LINKS Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware D.C. Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming American Samoa Puerto Rico Guam   SERVICE VOTING WEB SITES U.S. Army U.S. Navy U. S. Air Force U.S. Marine Corps U.S. Coast Guard What County Do You Live In? County Laws and Guidelines Click here! Info obtained from fvap.gov	Welcome to the Canteen Sports Corner! As you can see, we have taken a break from sports for today. If you still can't live without your sports, please look on the bottom left hand side of the thread. The sports links will be provided as usual. We will be running a "GET OUT THE MILITARY VOTE" thread once a month until September.   Today we have decided to do a thread on getting the vote out for our military heroes and their families. While many of you have already taken care of this issue, there are still quite a few that have not. With that in mind, we decided to help you out. The FReeper Canteen does steer clear of politics as much as possible. We believe that you should be able to visit the Canteen to get away from all the dramas in your life. We include politics as one of them. However, we believe strongly that as you are defending America so bravely around the world and at home; it is important that your voice be heard for the upcoming Presidential election. We will try to keep everyone informed about any changes that may occur throughout this process. Links will be provided around this thread with the locations of where you can register. If you are able to get to a computer, you will have no problems doing this. If you have loved ones that can help you with this process, we hope to make this as easy as possible for them. As always, if you have any questions please email us at canteenusa@canteenusa.com . Or please put the questions on the thread for possible answers or help. You fight so bravely and valiantly on our behalf. It is the least any of us can expect that your votes are counted and not disregarded because of politics. The way around this is to get the information on absentee ballots as soon as possible. Don't wait to do it. If you have a few minutes on the computer after "visiting" with loved ones, it should be a simple step. If you have any problems, please email us at the above email. We will try to help as much as we can. Thank you. By the way, we are kicking off our own Presidential campaign today. Check below for further information. If you want a man for all people, then you won't want to miss this!     What if I am in the military? Military personnel may apply for voter registration and/or request absentee ballots with a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) which may be obtained from the Unit Voting Officer. If the FPCA is not available, phone, send a written request to the Supervisor of Elections Office, or use the on-line request form. Spouses and dependents are considered to be of the same category of absentee voter as military members and generally should follow the same rules. Click on the logo for more information!   Do you know who represents you in Congress? If you don't have any idea who represents you, please click below. U.S. Senate U.S. Congress Things To Remember: 1. Most officials on the state elections boards are very helpful and will not hesitate to provide as much information as they can. 2. They are not allowed to persuade you to vote for any specific political party. They are there to provide a service to you, not to promote campaigns or political parties. 3. Many States allow you to register to vote when you renew or register for a driver's license. You can find out more information here from the DMV. 4. You must be a US citizen to vote in any election. It is illegal and prosecutable by law if you are caught voting as a non-citizen. 5. Many states require that you have a picture identification when you vote. So? Keep that in mind when you go to the polls to vote. 6. If you are stationed overseas, please click on the "Service Voting Web Sites" on the left hand side. Your commands should have someone on staff to help with any voting issues that may arise. If not, please visit your "home of record" (your home address when you entered the military) to find the information. 7. Postage is important. As soon as you receive your ballot, please vote and then mail it back as soon as possible. Don't wait too long or your ballot may not count. Every vote matters. 8. If you are a dependant, you can help alleviate any registration problems by calling, emailing, or mailing the service member's home of record. Most of the time they will mail out the voting registration information and you will have to send it back to them as quickly as possible. 9. There are deadlines for having absentee ballot registrations filed or returned. Check to make sure that you have plenty of time to file and return your ballot. 10. Your voice. Your vote. Stand Up and Be Counted!
2004 CAMPAIGN

**** IMPORTANT VOTER INFORMATION ****   Click on the sample Postcard registration for our military servicemembers. You will need to open up the ballot with Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you don't know how to open up .pdf files, don't worry. You can easily visit their site to get a free installation of Adobe's Acrobat reader. Click the above link to get Adobe Reader Help us ensure that all of our Troops have their voices heard. It is imperative that we sign up as many of our brave heroes as possible. ***END*** Oh! One More Thing: CLick to visit Burkaman.com

[Darksheare]

I am here.
Well, for 30 minutes at least..

[Kathy in Alaska]

Tongan Royal Marine Pvt. Paula Tatafu helps provide security in one of the perimeter towers at Camp Blue Diamond. Tatafu is one of 45 Tongan Royal Marines who arrived here earlier this month to assist is guard duties here. (USMC photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald)

Tongan Marines join U.S. Marines in Iraq

Submitted by: 1st Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200471553640
Story by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq(July 13, 2004) -- U.S. Marines here with 1st Marine Division recently welcomed "friendly islanders" from Tonga with a warm "malo e leielei."

Forty-five Tongan Royal Marines traveled from their tiny South Pacific island in order to support the division's security and stabilization mission in Iraq. They arrived earlier this month and are currently planning to stay for a six-month tour before heading home.

This trip marks the first peacekeeping deployment for the Tongan Defense Service outside of the South Pacific.

"All of my men volunteered to come to Iraq," said Tongan Capt. Maama Misi, platoon commander. "Our Marine Corps is very small and everyone wanted to come out here, but we could only bring a certain number."

The country of Tonga - the only monarchy in the Pacific - is four times the size of Washington D.C., and is home to about 110,000 residents. The Tongan Royal Marines Corps is made up of a few hundred people, so the group here makes up a large chunk of the defense force.

The Royal Marines who were selected hold a variety of billets. Most are infantrymen, but a few serve as mechanics, communications technicians and welders.

All of the Tongans make up part of the camp's guard force, responsible for providing internal and external security here.

"Since they got here, the Tongans have been doing the exact same duties as the U.S. Marines," explained Staff Sgt. Kenneth D. Douglas, sergeant of the guard. "They man the towers, rove around the camp and do escort duty. They work the same hours as us and sweat the same sweat."

Before arriving here, the Tongans spent the last year training for the mission.

"We trained for a long time before leaving Tonga," Misi explained. "We focused on conventional warfare - things every Marine knows."

The rest of the story

[darkwing104]

Thanks for the Woohoo

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!

[E.G.C.]

Good afternoon, Old Sarge. How's it going?

[Mudboy Slim]

"I have lost five limbs..."

No comment...MUD

[Kathy in Alaska]

Wreaths and candles stand in memorial to 1st Lt. Brian Slavenas, Chief Warrant Officer Bruce Smith and Sgt. Paul Fisher, the Illinois and Iowa Guardsmen from Company F, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation who lost their lives when their CH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down in Iraq in November 2003. (Photo by Tim Franklin, Illinois Department of Military Affairs)

Solemn reminder marks joyful return

By Tim Franklin
Illinois Department of Military Affairs

PEORIA, Ill. (7/14/2004) — On a black-draped table, three memorial wreaths and candles offered a stark contrast to the joyful celebration of the long-awaited return of the Soldiers of Company F, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation from the sands of Iraq. In the center of each wreath the photos of three fallen Guardsmen stood as a solemn reminder that, although the Illinois and Iowa Army National Guard helicopter unit was finally back home after nearly 18 months, not all of the company made it back home to family and loved ones.

On November 3, 2003, three aircrew members of F Company were killed when their CH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down by insurgents near Fallujah, Iraq. Killed in the incident were Illinois Army National Guardsman 1st Lt. Brian Slavenas and Iowa Guardsmen Chief Warrant Officer Bruce Smith and Sgt. Paul Fisher.

“While each person in front of you got up each day to do their jobs, it wasn’t without danger,” company commander Maj. Tom Parker told the audience. “In November 2003 that danger became a reality for us. Three individuals who left with in February of last year aren’t here today.”

Bowed heads and a moment of silence marked the loss of the three patriotic Illinois and Iowa Citizen Soldiers, followed by the haunting melody of “Amazing Grace” played by a local bagpiper.

“They made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Parker.

Link

RIP 1LT SlavenasRIP CWO SmithRIP Sgt Fisher.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Spotsy posted it the first time, but it's cute I'm glad to see it again.

Mr S....great caption!

[Fawnn]

You're welcome. ;)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome home! Did you get everything done today? Weather conditions? How are all the kids? How about a snack? *HUG*

[Kathy in Alaska]

Iraqi Police, supported by U.S. troops, respond to the scene of a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device explosion outside gate three to the Baghdad Green Zone, July 14, 2004. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Brokop

Vehicles are damaged by an explosion from a vehicle borne improvised explosive device outside gate three to the Baghdad Green Zone, Iraq, July 14, 2004. Iraqi Police, supported by U.S. Forces, respond to the scene. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ashley Brokop

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

A car was damaged by an explosion from a vehicle borne improvised explosive device outside gate three to the Baghdad Green Zone, Iraq, July 14, 2004. Iraqi Police, supported by U.S. Forces, respond to the scene. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ashley Brokop

A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device is being assessed by Iraqi Police officers. The device exploded July 14, 2004, outside gate three of the Green Zone, Baghdad, Iraq. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ashley Brokop

[Fawnn]

Apple's Steve Jobs is in a battle with the historical society of Woodside, California. Jobs wants to tear down this 17,000-square-foot, 14-bedroom, 13 1/2-bath baronial Spanish Colonial Revival mansion....



...and build something different in its place.

Full story is here.

[Kathy in Alaska]

A senior Iraqi Police Officer assesses the damage caused by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device explosion outside gate three to the Baghdad Green Zone, July 14, 2004. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ashley Brokop

A security dog is guided to search vehicles for more vehicle born explosive devices after one went off outside gate three to the Baghdad Green Zone, Iraq, July 14, 2004. Iraqi Police, supported by U.S. Forces, respond to the scene. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ashley Brokop

[Kathy in Alaska]

HI there, E! ((HUGS)) Overcast skies. Lots of new fires in the state. Hope it's not too hot at your house. My computer did its updates over night all by itself.

[minor49er]

500?

[minor49er]

500/

[minor49er]

500?