FReeper Canteen ~ It's Finally Friday ~ 19 December 08

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ It's Finally Friday!! ~

SANTA'S LITTLE HELPER

Santa Claus holds one of the children of Kivalina, Alaska, while members of the Alaska National Guard deliver toys, Dec. 6, 2008, as part of annual Operation Santa Claus. The guardsmen provide toys, books and school supplies for young people in communities across the state this time each year. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Paizley Ramsey

Canteen Mission Statement

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

2008 USO HOLIDAY TOUR VISITS TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN

Grammy award-winning musician Kid Rock, American Idol contestant and country musician Kellie Pickler, and musician Zack Brown entertain troops stationed at Kandahar, Afghanistan, Dec. 17, during the 2008 USO Holiday Tour. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

Click for more tour pictures

BUG EYES

A U.S. Marine Corps CH-46E helicopter prepares to land aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans under way in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 6, 2008. The USS New Orleans is on a certification exercise as part of Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Barker

Aaron Neville ~ Louisiana Christmas Day

Ann Margret & Al Hirt ~ Baby, It's Cold Outside

Alabama ~ Christmas In Dixie

Julie Andrews ~ God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Jambalaya Cajun Band ~ Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

FACE OF DEFENSE: REFUGEE SURVIVES WAR, BECOMES U.S. SOLDIER

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq, Dec. 17, 2008 – A former war refugee traveled across countries and continents in search of a better life -- a remarkable journey that ended in the United States when he became a U.S. citizen and a soldier.

Army Spc. Samuel Ladu, 20, a translator with the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team, grew up in Sudan during the country's second civil war, and vividly remembers his life during that time.

"It was miserable because of the war," Ladu said. "We were living to survive. From day to day, if we woke up in the morning, we thanked God."

Ladu called a small farming community on the fringes of Juba, Sudan, his home for about 20 years. Ladu and his family were surrounded by two fighting factions.

"In the city, there were bombings every day," Ladu said.

Ladu's father died when he was 6. Soon after, his older brother, Charles, developed glaucoma. Two unsuccessful surgeries by underqualified doctors left Charles blind for life, Ladu said.

This left Ladu and his mother to care for Charles in a war-torn area with scarce food and money. His opportunity to leave Sudan came shortly after receiving a blessing from his mother to move away and search for a better life.

Ladu led Charles and his cousin to neighboring Ethiopia in search of treatments and an education. He continued his high school education there while living on rations of beans and corn provided by shelters and refugee camps. Surviving in Ethiopia became more difficult as time passed.

"While I was in Ethiopia, I considered going back to Sudan," he explained. "I couldn't go through with it, though. In Ethiopia, I didn't talk to anyone, and I didn't have any food to eat, so life became so difficult."

The rest of the story

CHARGE!!

Following the casing of the brigade, battalion and division colors, soldiers assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Detachment perform a cavalry charge accompanied by a helicopter flyover performed by the 1st Cavalry Division Air Cavalry Brigade on Fort Hood's Cooper Field, Texas, Dec. 12, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Phillip Turner

Perry Como ~ I'll Be Home For Christmas

5 For The Gospel ~ Beautiful Star of Bethlehem

Jim Reeves ~ Jingle Bells

Andre Previn (conducting) ~ What Child Is This?

S Cecilia Orchestra & Choir

SAILORS HURRY

081215-N-9095H-069 NORFOLK, Va. (Dec. 15, 2008) Sailors assigned to Maritime Expeditionary Squadron (MESRON 4), hurry to meet their family members waiting in the Naval Station Norfolk Air Mobility Command terminal after returning from a seven-month deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael R. Hinchcliffe/Released)

WELCOME HOME, DADDY!

081215-N-9095H-046 NORFOLK, Va. (Dec. 15, 2008) Gunner's Mate 2nd Class William Kapun, assigned to Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MESRON 4), is greeted by his family at the Naval Station Norfolk Air Mobility Command terminal during the squadron's return from a seven-month deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael R. Hinchcliffe/Released)

Please remember that The Canteen is here to support
and entertain our troops and veterans and their families,
and is family friendly.

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

((HUGS))Good morning, Kathy. How's it going?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TOMKOW6!!!!!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SWMOBUFFALO!!!!!!!!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[DollyCali]

What a beautiful opening post Kathy!

so many great things in it & so beautifully presented!

Thank you for your time & hard work

Hope all Canteeners have a great weekend

Here in NE Ohio we are having snow, ice, sleet falling - not a lot - jusyenough to make the morning commute difficult

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning to everyone at the Canteen.
Looks like another blast of gore bull warming is headed this way.

[Arrowhead1952]

Happy Birthday Tom!

[SandRat]

Good Morning. Van's loaded save for Mrs.SR's STUFF. Once tht's in we'll head to PHX.

Mrs.SR is going ---

[beachn4fun]

WELCOME TO THE

Good morning, Everyone. Good morning to our

Military, our Allies and their families. THANK YOU!

Thank you, Ma, for preparing the Canteen for today’s activities. That was a great story about Ladu. I do have one problem with the article though which is the reporter states he is 20 (Army Spc. Samuel Ladu, 20) but also said Sudan was his home for 20 years yet Ladu came to the US in 1994. Doesn't compute for me.

I love the Cavalry charge.

Now for our local DC Metroland weather report

~ Today.... Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain. Highs in the upper 40s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph...becoming south this afternoon.

~ Tonight.... Mostly cloudy. Lows around 40. West winds 10 to 15 mph... Becoming northwest after midnight.

Time for me to make my rounds. But, you stay right where you are. Keep your eyes on your monitor. Cause...............I'll be bock

Now remember, the Canteen is

So, come on in and sit for a while. There's always plenty of coffee, pancakes, conversation, silliness, and plain old BS

REMEMBER THEM

DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, Beach. How’s it going?

[MEG33]

Good Morning

Happy Friday To The Canteen
(((HUGS)))
Have A Great Weekend

[Arrowhead1952]

Thanks Meg. (((HUGS))) to you too.

I am leaving early today!

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, MEG33. How’s it going?

[MEG33]

~
~TOMKOW6~

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

[GodBlessUSA]

Enjoy your day and weekend!



Vince Guaraldi - Skating
Celtic Woman ~ O Holy Night
John Tesh ~ The Homecoming
Charlotte Church ~ Silent Night
Tony Bennett ~ Christmas Songs
Burl Ives - Holly Jolly Christmas
George Strait ~ Away In A Manger
Donny Hathaway ~ This Christmas
Vanessa Williams ~ What Child Is This
Elvis ~ I Heard Bells On Christmas Day
Dan Fogelberg ~ Same Auld Lang Syne
Mannheim Steamroller ~ Carol Of The Bells
Carrie Underwood ~ Do You Hear What I hear
Trans-Siberian Orchestra ~ Pachelbel Christmas Canon

[GodBlessUSA]

Wonderful Thread Ma! :)
Thanks!
HUGS

[unique]

[Tanniker Smith]

Good evening, TS....is Friday your last day before Christmas vacation? Anybody paying attention?

Yup. Two more days until the break!

[Tanniker Smith]

Hope you can start your holiday soon. You probably need a break!

Defintiely do! A couple more days.

[Tanniker Smith]

G’morning, beachy. Snow’s coming down up here. 1-3 inches expected in the city.