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.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Holy cow!
(no pun intended)

[MEG33]

LOL!

[SevenofNine]

Yeah did you hear Tomkow is testify against Blango for deal he keep his seat he going spill the beans LOL!

[fanfan]

Almost.

I'm not started finished shopping yet.

Mostly because I dislike the commercialization of the whole thing.

He came with the gift of love. That, is what I fell a need to give.

I've been running through the threads tonight wishing people a Merry Christmas, and if you want to picture me.......think of George Bailey.

Merry Christmas Canteen Thread!

Merry Christmas Kathy!

Merry Christmas Jim!

Merry Christmas FR!!!

[Kirkwood]

Hi Lady Jag. I found a photo of Bing and Danny Kaye in uniform from the movie Holiday Inn. I think that's my favorite Bing Crosby movie, although some of the road pictures he did with Bob Hope are good too.

[Kathy in Alaska]

They have been known to eat Christmas lights. Usually they take a tree branch in their mouth and slide it down to the end stripping off all the foliage. I see them standing on their hind legs in order to reach higher.

[Kirkwood]

Merry Christmas back at ya!

[Lady Jag]

In 12-13 hours snow is expected to start and it's supposed be a whopper in southeast MA, my area, for a change. Whoop-de-doo!

I heard Las Vegas got walloped today. What are you expecting for snow?

[Kirkwood]

I would be out shooing them over to the neighbor’s yard. Can you shoo a moose? I like wildlife, but not if they become pests.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening to you! How is your fog?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Good evening, Meg...((HUGS) You going to visit your kids? They coming to you?

[Kathy in Alaska]

United States Marine Corps Band~National Anthem

[Lady Jag]

Holiday Inn has a fabulous soundtrack.

[fanfan]

Thanks!

[SandRat]

(Gioacchino Rossini; arr. William Hanna / Joseph Barbera)
Practically a restaurant standard, most people don't realize that these lyrics, to the tune of "The William Tell Overture", were written by Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera for the episode titled "The Hot Piano".

Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Haaappy Anniversary

Pour a cheerful toast and fill it
Happy Anniversary
But be careful you don't spill it
Happy Anniversary

Ooooo Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Haaappy Anniversary

(Fred and Wilma Talking)

Ooooo Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Haaappy Anniversary

(Fred Talking)

Happy she and happy he
They're both as happy as can be
Celebrating merrily
their happy anniversary

(Fred and Wilma Talking)

Ooooo Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Haaappy Anniversary

(Fred Talking)

Ooooo Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Haaappy Anniversary

We now state emphatically
its happy anniversary
Not another day could be
a happy anniversary

Ooooo Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
Happy (slow)
Happy (slow)
Happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy (fast) Anniversary!!!

[Kirkwood]

Fog was worse today than yesterday. It took 2 hours to drive in to work and 2.5 hours to drive home. Normally it is a 40 minute drive each way.

Could have been worse. Some roads were closed for a couple hours this morning and others doing convoys. Tomorrow morning should be about the same. It is scary that you can’t see more than 300 feet and cars are driving 70 MPH coming up behind you. I heard there were a couple of big pileups today.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, dware....thanking Our Vets

[Kirkwood]

I believe White Christmas was the favorite song of the troops in WWII. It was ranked #1 three separate times in the 1940s. It may the top selling song of all time, but I’m not positive about that...

[Kirkwood]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Kate Smith ~ God Bless America