FReeper Canteen ~ Christmas with our Commander-in-Chief ~ 13 Dec 2005

www.whitehouse.gov ^ | Thank You For Your Service! | We Support Our Troops!

[GummyIII]

A White House Christmas 2005

All information taken from http://www.whitehouse.gov .

WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

This year’s theme has been chosen to highlight the beauty to be found in nature. Our emphasis for this holiday season is on some of the many ways that plants, trees, fruit and flowers can be the stars of holiday decorating. The members of the White House Executive Residence staff and floral designers from across the country have worked tirelessly and creatively to make the White House reflect the wonders of nature’s bounty. Our thanks go to all whose deft hands and willing hearts have helped to transform many lovely ideas into reality. We hope your own holiday season is made brighter by your coming to be part of ours!
Gingerbread House

All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small;
 All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all. *

* Words: Cecil F. Alexander, Hymns for Little Children, 1848. Music: “Royal Oak,” 17th Century English melody.

Trees and Messages for our Troops!

FedEx Teams with Christmas Spirit Foundation
on Trees for Troops Program

  

Excerpts from messages to the troops from the Trees for Troops website:

12/9/2005 10:44:25 PM
Grace, Pittsburgh, PA

From my family to all of you, may you have a wonderful and peaceful Christmas, and return soon safely to your loved ones. Bless you for your service.

12/9/2005 12:16:41 PM
Rebecca, Frederick, MD

Have a happy holiday season! We will be thinking of you this year. We are so greatful for your service to our country. Keep up the good work!! Warmly, Rebecca

12/8/2005 6:45:26 PM
Freelove S, BRIDGEPORT, NEBRASKA

In the spirit of the season there is little I can do to thank you for what you have been and are doing for our country. Please know that my thoughts and prayers will be with you through out the holiday season. Be assured that my appreciation will NOT end when holidays are past. I shall be mindful of your heroic efforts until the day that the last of the troops have returned to the United States. GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU NOW and FOREVER

12/8/2005 5:17:03 PM
Jon, Ithaca, NY

To All US troops, especially those on the front lines: Thank You for your service! I pray that you will be safe as you perform your missions. God Bless All of You!

12/6/2005 9:49:15 AM
MARILYN, Thornwood, NY

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FROM ALL OF US BACK HOME - WE REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO FOR ALL OF US!!!!!

12/6/2005 9:48:13 AM
MARILYN, THORNWOOD, NY

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND THANK YOU ALL FROM ALL OF US AT HOME!!!!!

12/6/2005 8:06:00 AM
Debbie, Putnam Valley, NY

Thank you for what you are doing. You are in our prayers this Christmas.

12/6/2005 1:08:32 AM
Susie, Fontana, California

Thank you for your service to this good old USA of ours. Your sacrifice is so very much appreciated (don't listen to the Big Media B.S. - we don't!). We regular citizens LOVE all of you and keep you in our hearts always. May your Holidays be happy and safe. We are praying for you all and for your families who miss you so much (as you, of course, miss them) and look forward to your joyful return. ... With lots of love and gratitude: The Christman Family (Jim, Susie, Cherie & Cal). XOXOXO

12/5/2005 11:15:37 PM
Peggy, Valley Cottage, New York

God bless you and keep you safe until you come back to us. We are so proud of you all. There are no words to express my thanks and deep respect for your sacrifices. I will keep you and your families in my prayers and hope that you have joy at this holiday season and that you will soon be home on the soil of the greatest country on earth...the good old USA! Merry Christmas!

12/4/2005 5:02:36 PM
Allison, Knoxville, Tennessee

I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas! We miss you and can't wait for you to come home soon.

12/3/2005 4:53:13 PM
Julie, Jupiter, Florida

God Bless you all... We pray for your safe return home as we thank you for all you do to keep America safe. May you have a peaceful Christmas

12/2/2005 10:03:20 PM
Lindsay, Allentown, Pennsylvania

Miss You All. Our prayers are with you and your families. Can't wait for you to be home with us safe and sound! Keep Your spirits high we are all eternally grateful to you guys and gals!

11/29/2005 12:11:55 PM
Lisa, Yelm, WA

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to you. God Bless each and every one of you and may he keep you safe. May you receive peace and happiness during the holiday season and may you all be able to hear from your loved ones. Please know that we truly honor you for your service to your country and pray for your well being and safe return ever night. Best wishes. Lisa

11/29/2005 2:20:44 AM
Ronda, Prentiss, Mississippi

Things just aren't the same when you are away from home at Christmas. All of hopes and dreams for the festivity of the season can be united in this one thought... A WHITE CHRISTMAS!!! Wouldn't y'all like to have some snow out there in the desert? Just close your eyes and feel the cool moist flakes falling on your faces, smell the sweetness of the yummy cakes and pies baking in the warm kitchen of families house, hear the kids all shrieking happily as they open their gifts, see the beauty of the decorations, and taste the sweetness of victory when y'all come home knowing that you accomplished the mission at hand. MERRY CHRISTMAS! Keep your hopes high and you'll be home before you know it.

11/29/2005 12:35:07 AM
Andrew, Cortland, Ohio

MERRY CHRISTMAS THANK YOU! BE SAFE & GOD BLESS

11/28/2005 10:57:48 PM
paul, wausau, wi

merry xmas to you all. i am so proud of the american service people. i was away from home at christmas when i was in the corps in the early 70's and it is not easy. i just wanted you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you now, at xmas and throughout the year. thanks to you all for serving our country. semper fi, paul

11/27/2005 4:16:47 PM
Robert
Steubenville, Ohio

May God bless you and protect you, St. Theresa's Prayer "May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of you.

11/26/2005 10:40:39 AM
jeremy, greencastle, pa

dear all, well first i want to say merry christmas and a happy new year, i want all of you to know that myself and my family support you all 100% and we will stand by you all the way till each and every one of you are home with your familys. we are all very proud of all of you. and honored to have such brave troops who put all aside to defend our great nation. troops that put there lives on the line to protect the ones who stay behind and worry. may God bless each and every one of you and let him bring all of you home. My heart goes out to the ones whos lives where shortend because they did what they loved to do. life is a precious gift from God and it is troops like them that make people like me sit back and think it takes a real man or a real woman to go out there and protect and serve ... without even thinking twice.. thank you so much for making us all feel safe. God bless you and all your family members.thank you all so much come home soon.. from your friend and son of God <>< <>< jeremy stevens

11/25/2005 1:28:14 PM
Jesus, MATAMOROS, MEXICO

U.S. TROOPS: LES DESEO QUE PASEN UNA FELIZ NAVIDAD Y QUE SIEMPRE TENGAN PAZ, AMOR Y SALUD, USTEDES Y SUS FAMILIAS. SINCERAMENTE: JESUS MATAMOROS, MEXICO ... U.S. TROOPS THEM DESIRE THAT SPEND MERRY CHRISTMAS, THAT THEY ALWAYS HAVE PEACE, LOVE And HEALTH FOR YOU And ITS FAMILIES. SINCERELY: JESUS ...

11/24/2005 9:19:37 PM
Cassidy Family, Fox River Grove, Illinois

Merry Christmas. We appreciate the sacrifices you made to serve your country. God bless you!

11/23/2005 1:52:10 AM
The State Family, South San Francisco, California

We are teaching our seven year old that she is very lucky to live in the USA because of its freedoms and its people. She tells us that SHE is lucky because soldiers, like her Uncle David, are keeping her safe from "bad people". We are so thankful to you all because you are investing so much time and love for your country. May God bless you and your families. May He keep you safe and strong! God bless America!

11/18/2005 1:14:38 PM
Suzanne, Syracuse, NY

Thank you for all you do to protect the cause of freedom. May God bless you and keep you safe from harm - and bring you back home safely to us.

11/17/2005 1:31:26 PM
Michael McManiman, Media, PA

There are no true words that can express our heartfelt appreciation for your service and sacrifice. Please know that while certain politicians from a particular party are doing their 'worst' to denegrate what it is you are figthing for, those Americans who understand your fight, fully support you. Thank you for giving of yourself and the sacrifices made by your families. May the true Spirit and reason of the Christmas season be with you. God Bless you and Merry Christmas!!!

11/17/2005 12:22:24 PM
The Olsons, Suitland, Maryland

Dear Troops, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa! When you strip this war of political wrangling and get down to the essentials, this war is not about politics but about people -- people like you who are experiencing day to day the struggles and sacrifices of war and your loved ones at home. It is about the common Iraqui people who struggle just to live their everyday lives, especially those who are so grateful for your help. A friend of ours who served there told us such a different view or his tour than what is shown on the news here. He spoke not of policies and governments but of the human side of the equation, of the Iraqui people so in need of help just to have things we take for granted like food and money for necessities, and of his fellow soldiers who want to help somehow. We are sure that no one could want a war less than the people serving in it and their families back home. And truly, especially at this time of year, it is also your family and friends who are soldiers in having you so far from your homes. There is no way to return to you what you are sacrificing, but we hope it helps to hear Thank You. Thank you for serving your country. Thank you for doing what you can. Thank you for your sacrifice. May God bless you all, keep you safe, and bring you home SOON! Sincerely, The Olsons

 

ATTENTION ALL FReepers and FRiends:  Next week, I'd like to have a special thread for seasonal messages just for our troops and their families.  Be prepared to post your message(s). I'm going to collect messages all week, so if you want me to post yours for you, just FRmail it to me.  If you want to wait until the thread is up, you will have the opportunity to post yours and any others you have to share! 

[Lady Jag]

Truthfully, I haven't even gotten to the millionaire yet, he's only one in a million.

[Pistov Elf]

© WHMC-KC, University of Missouri, 1996

The Christmas Adventures of Cuddles and Tuckie
By Frances Royster Williams

© WHMC-KC, University of Missouri, 1996

Listen, my children, and lend me your ears,
For here is a tale about Santa, my dears.
One night, way up North, while his reindeer were sleeping,
A dreadful old wolf came a-crawling and creeping.
Then, giving a spring, he attacked from the rear
And soon would have eaten a poor little deer,
But two able helpers of Santa's came running
And killed that old wolf for his treacherous cunning.

© WHMC-KC, University of Missouri, 1996

The reindeer were frightened so much by the fight
They took to their heels in the dead of the night.
They all ran away and nobody knew whither
And poor dear old Santa is now in a dither,
For how can he reach all the girls and the boys
Without any team to deliver his toys.
If you know a way you can help him, you'd better
Sit right down this minute and write him a letter.

© WHMC-KC, University of Missouri, 1996

There's an old legend they tell in the North
About the white reindeer that often come forth.
From out of a mountain they strangely appear
To lure away all of the little brown deer.
They lead them inside of the mountain and then
The little brown deer never come out again.
Now, that's what has happened to Santa's lost team,
But matters are not quite as bad as they seem.

© WHMC-KC, University of Missouri, 1996

Cuddles and Tuck found a reindeer one night
Outside in the yard and his fur was all white.
Attached to his collar they happened to note
A letter that good old St. Nicholas wrote.
Politely he asked the two children to go
In search of his reindeer. They're missing, you know.
Before little Cuddles and Tuckie could think,
Away they were carried, as quick as a wink.

© WHMC-KC, University of Missouri, 1996

Up high on the back of this lovely white steed
They flew through the air in a whirlwind of speed.
On top of the world they alighted beside
A mountain that suddenly opened up wide.
And there, in the depths of a great icy hall,
They found Santa's reindeer and rescued them all.
And now, if the wolves in that country don't eat them,
They'll soon reach old Santa, who's waiting to greet them.

© WHMC-KC, University of Missouri, 1996

Who found Santa's reindeer? Do I need to tell?
Why, Cuddles and Tuckie--you knew very well.
They brought back those eight tiny reindeer in time
To give the right ending to my little rhyme.
This made Santa Claus such a jolly old elf
He couldn't help laughing all over himself.
And yesterday eve, at the close of the day,
He hitched up his team and he loaded his sleigh.

© WHMC-KC, University of Missouri, 1996

And while you were sleeping he went for a ride
With brave little Cuddles and Tuck at his side.
They helped him deliver his wonderful toys
All over the world to the girls and the boys.
Then up to their very own chimney they drew
And climbed in with Santa and slid down the flue.
And now it's all over they're glad to be here
To say "MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR."

© WHMC-KC, University of Missouri, 1996

In 1941, the cartoon characters of Cuddles and Tuckie, created in 1932 during the Great Depression, by Frances Royster Williams, a free-lance commercial artist in Kansas City, made their debut on radio in a series of 13 broadcasts called, "The Christmas Adventures of Cuddles and Tuckie." This series became such a favorite, it aired every holiday season for six years over WDAF, while the story was carried in a variety of ways by the Kansas City Star. The thrilling search for the lost reindeer caught the fancy of young radio listeners at once. With childlike imagination, the audience entered into the spirit of the show, believing, or pretending that it was really true. As they followed each new and exciting episode, their letters poured into Station WDAF offering advice to Cuddles and Tuckie and suggesting original ways to help Santa get his reindeer back. Decades later, this Christmas tale is still remembered and available for a new generation of youngsters to enjoy, as many of their parents did before them.

"Click for More Info"

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

051210-N-9866B-213 Pacific Ocean (Dec. 10, 2005) - An AV-8B Harrier, assigned to the “Blacksheep” of Marine Attack Squadron Two One Four (VMA-214), lands on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5). Peleliu and Expeditionary Strike Group Three (ESG-3) are underway off the coast of Southern California conducting Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) in preparation for an upcoming scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class Zack Baddorf (RELEASED)

051204-N-5088T-001 Persian Gulf (Dec. 4, 2005) - An F-14D Tomcat, assigned to the “Blacklions” of Fighter Squadron Two One Three (VF-213), conducts a mission over the Persian Gulf. VF-213 is assigned to Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8), currently embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). U.S. Navy photo by Lt.j.g. Scott Timmester (RELEASED)

051023-N-5088T-001 Persian Gulf (Oct. 23, 2005) - An F-14D Tomcat, assigned to the “Blacklions” of Fighter Squadron Two One Three (VF-213), conducts a mission over the Persian Gulf. VF-213 is assigned to Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8), currently embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). U.S. Navy photo by Lt.j.g. Scott Timmester (RELEASED)

[AZamericonnie]

Oh goodie! Can't wait to see them! They keeping you busy?

[E.G.C.]

No I don't work for Microsoft. They're based out of Washington. I from Oklahoma.

But I do check the updates because that's the system I'm using that's been included with the Dell computer.

I've just come back from the Windows Update and have now installed this month's updates. Different system have updates of their own. It's always a good idea to get them so your computer will work properly.

[SandRat]

Lunch now. Morning.

[AZamericonnie]

he's only one in a million.

Awww.....that's even better!

[Pusterfuss]

Hi Tom.

[GodBlessUSA]

How are you? I'm doing fine. Thanks. Very busy this time of year. :) Not to busy to Freep though. ;)

[GodBlessUSA]

Did you miss me? Are you still here? I'm bock. :)

[Lady Jag]

It's late this year!

[Lady Jag]

Yeah, he's extra special,, but I'd still like the money. squeak!

[GodBlessUSA]

Oops, I have to start over.

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Afternoon Lady Jag!
HUGS!

[GodBlessUSA]

This is beautiful Lady Jag!

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Whoa! That is a beautiful table Pistov... say have you been around here in the past? Hmmm.. I just wonder. Don't forget me.. DBR-nice list! ;]

[Lady Jag]

I know you're in OK, you know so much about the updates I thought you might be a rep or something. I accept nearly all their updates but am not much of a computer geek.

Yesterday I noticed my bank uses Windows. It hadn't even occurred to me that Windows had gotten into corporate software

[Lady Jag]

Cool Cat!

{{{{GeeBee!!!}}}}

[Lady Jag]

Thanks, yes, it was a great find. The face is precious.

[GodBlessUSA]

:)