FReeper Canteen ~ Pancakes on Wednesday ~ Dec 15, 2004

Guest Chef Spotsybelle

[Spotsy]

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!

Good Morning Troops, Veterans, Military Families, Allies and FRiends!
Welcome to a special edition of Pancakes. The theme is celebration!
We have so much to celebrate thanks to those who serve and sacrifice.

The chef would like to share a couple of seasonal recipes:
Gingerbread Pancakes and Eggnog Pancakes with Cranberry Sauce.

Today's Birthdays

J. Paul Getty, oil magnate (1892 - 1976)
Don Johnson, actor (1949)

Thought for the Day "If reality wants to get in touch with me, it knows where I am." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Handy Latin Phrases
when describing our troops . . . in Latin:
suaviter in modo, fortiter in re
"gently in manner, strongly in deed"

On this Day in History 1944 General Dwight D. Eisenhower,
future President of the United States,
received his fifth star
Happy Bill of Rights Day!

Click here to read the Bill of Rights and to learn more about
the history of these first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Click here to read President Bush's
2004 Bill of Rights Day Proclamation

The Canteen's very own Beachn4fun conquered her mathematics obstacle course and is set to receive her diploma.

Don't forget the syrup -

~ Happy Hanukkah! ~

[trussell]

Hi Ma!! Thank you!!

Hope you're having a great day!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

11pm ON A WORK NIGHT?!? BEACHIE......
ok for one night, but wait til vacation. We don't want you to be cranky from lack of sleep.

[beachn4fun]

Ok. will do. But hey I take after my Ma.......nuf saed!

[beachn4fun]

ok, gotta go. I've got to run and pick up a Christmas gift so I can mail the stuff to Florida. HUGS. And, will see you all in the A.M.

[Lady Jag]

Nice quality recording! My speakers thank you!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Saddam Hussein's former palace at Camp Prosperity is now the home of Companies C and D, 3rd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne began deploying to Iraq on Dec. 3, 2004. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Mike Pryor

A paratrooper from Company D, 3rd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, makes himself at home inside one of Saddam Hussein's former palaces at Camp Prosperity in central Baghdad. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Mike Pryor

82nd Airborne Troops Get New Housing
Airborne troops have returned to Iraq,
but this time around, living quarters are palatial (literally).

By U.S. Army Pfc. Mike Pryor 82nd Airborne Division BAGHDAD, Iraq, Dec. 15, 2004 — When U.S. Army Sgt. Eddie Rodriguez and his fellow paratroopers in the 82nd Airborne Division were rolling towards Baghdad at the outset of Operation Iraqi Freedom, they camped in schoolhouses, warehouses, bombed-out buildings and on the desert floor. Almost two years later, Rodriguez is back in Iraq with the 82nd. But compared to last time, the place where he's staying now is a palace. Literally. It used to be one of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's homes.

"Hey, it might be nice to live the good life for a while," said Rodriguez, Company D, 3rd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, about his new surroundings.

Rodriguez' battalion is one of two from the 82nd that deployed in early December to Iraq to provide security and support for the country's upcoming elections. The unit is stationed in Baghdad's International Zone. Because of the nature of the battalion's mission, each of its companies is based in a different section of central Baghdad. These sites will be the paratroopers' new homes until the end of the deployment.

The palace where Delta and Charlie Companies are based is in the area of the International Zone known as Camp Prosperity. That name seems appropriate. The road to the palace bisects a shimmering man-made lake lined with green palm trees. The columned entrance resembles some ancient Greek temple.

Inside the palace, however, it's a different story. The hallways and rooms are a maze of plywood boards dividing the paratroopers' living quarters. Cots, ruck sacks and all the other equipment of an Army at war are stacked against the walls. In the building where Saddam Hussein once slept on silk sheets, paratroopers wrapped in their sleeping bags watch DVDs and play card games on the floor.

"It's a kick to be living in the home of the man we helped topple.

The rest of the story and more pictures

[uncleshag]

Take good care, beachn! Enjoyed our time! Later!

[stockpirate]

Before I be a bitch they would have to take my life! I am from the DC area too. My daughter lives near Andrews, and her streets were patrolled by guys in Humvies with twin 50's on the roof whenever Air Force One was heading in after 9/11.

I am in NJ now, and heading to Oklahoma in the spring.

Reading poasts about our brave soldiers brings tears to my eyes, and being an old firefighter it ain't easy.

Again, God bless our troops.

I was in a Fast ffod place not to long ago and therewere a few guys in uniform, I stopped and said "Thank you, everyone in America isn't an asshole and a lot of us support what you guys are doing."

[Spotsy]

Thank you Ma for granting me permission to whine a little. I'll make it quick . . . perhaps a little scream, Beachy style, will do the trick . . .


There, I feel much better. Anyway, that is real mink that I am wearing. Refresh my memory, what does PETA stand for? LOL!

How are things in Alaska? I've got to check your temperature bar. We dropped into the 20s last night. Brrr!

[Spotsy]

Thank goodness I'm as quiet as a mouse.

Sure, sure, sure. Doesn't Ma limit your Dew intake?
((HUGS))

[beachn4fun]

Oh my. I haven't been near Andrews in some time. It is awful when you think that our streets have become like some third world country that is ruled by communist dictators.

I've surprised a few that are stationed here on our lab by buying their lunch. They don't know what to think! I think I owe one an apology. He seemed embarrassed!

[Kathy in Alaska]

People
Eating
Tasty
Animals

LOL! I'm glad you got a real fur. Hehehehe.

Arrowhead and LUV W were colder than I was during the nighttime hours. I haven't checked this morning.

[Spotsy]

No Valin Thurs or Friday?? You know what that means . . .


Window installation in December - in Minnesota, no less! Hmmm.

[stockpirate]

They were patrolling to protect Air Force One from attacks from the ground during landings, not because we have become like a third world country, which we haven't.

[Spotsy]

People Eating Tasty Animals

I have to write that one down.

24F - that is a veritable heat wave. When do the sub zero temps come?

[Lady Jag]

Can you repost "Mr. Obvious" so I can save it?   I just split a gut listening to it by taking a quote mark off the URL, but I don't know how to save it otherwise.

[Spotsy]

a certain green-clad leprechaun

ROTFL!! How did you explain that one?
Have a safe and wonderful trip to PA Sarge!

[Kathy in Alaska]

I wish I knew....the ideal is a big dump of snow, then the high teens, low 20s for the rest of the winter, with more snow every now and then. *sigh* This yo-yo weather is a royal pain!!

[Spotsy]

Good Afternoon Lauren! Santa's helper never looked so good.
I love your personalized Christmas greeting - adorable!

You deck the halls so nicely!

[Old Sarge]

Okay, I just got back in, but I had to answer this one:

a certain green-clad leprechaun...
ROTFL!! How did you explain that one?

As the giggling and the titters began to die down and the block of instruction started, I recalled a conversation that another NCO and I had earlier: that he was hoping we could all keep our sense of humor up in the upcoming months.

Thinking quickly, I replied to the First Sergeant's bemusement with, "Top, I was only trying to keep the humor quotas up - if I can't poke fun at myself, then how can I make fun of you, behind your back?"

He smiled, shook his head, and walked away.

...whew...