FReeper Canteen ~ Remembering Our Troops! ~ 03 August 2017

Serving The Bestest Troops and Veterans In The Whole World !! | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ The FReeper Canteen Presents ~

~ Remembering Our Troops!! ~

FIRING ADJUSTMENT

Army Staff Sgt. Geriff Polanco looks toward the target as Army Sgt. Erik Paredes looks through the sight of an M119 howitzer during live-fire training at Fort Polk, LA, July 26, 2016. Paredes and Polanco are assigned to the New York Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 258th Field Artillery. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Maj. Corine Lombardo

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.

PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS

A pilot performs preflight checks on an F/A-18C Hornet on the flight deck of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Pacific Ocean, July 31, 2016. The aircraft carrier is supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class J. Alexander Delgado

CAROLINA HORIZON

Army 1st Lt. Daniel J. Cruz participates in a scheduled training mission aboard a CH-47D Chinook helicopter over Greenville, SC, July 22, 2016. Cruz is a pilot assigned to the South Carolina Army National Guard’s Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 151st Security Support Aviation Battalion. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Roby Di Giovine

LIVE-FIRE FOCUS

A sailor conducts a live-fire exercise aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Ross as part of Exercise Sea Breeze 2016 in the Black Sea, July 28, 2016. The maritime exercise aims to improve maritime safety, security and stability in the Black Sea. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Theron J. Godbold

'VIGILANT' TRAINING

A soldier reports his findings for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats during Vigilant Guard 2016 at Camp Johnson, VT, July 28, 2016. The exercise enables Guard units to improve cooperation with regional civilian, military and federal partners to prepare for emergencies and catastrophic events. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Chelsea Clark

COMBAT CAMERA EXERCISE

Combat camera photographers move with soldiers through a simulated subway station at Fort A.P. Hill, VA, July 27, 2016, during the North America Information Operations/Combat Camera Exercise. DoD photo by EJ Hersom

HOWITZER SLING

A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter sling-loads a 105 mm howitzer during the Arctic Thunder Open House at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 31, 2016. The biennial event is one of the premier aerial demonstrations in the world. The helicopter is assigned to the Alaska Army National Guard. Air Force photo by Justin Connaher

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

[ConorMacNessa]

REQUEST PERMISSION TO COME ABOARD



CHARLESTOWN, Mass. (Jan. 14, 2008) The first major snowfall of the New Year blankets the USS Constitution. Despite the weather "Old Ironsides" remained open for free public tours. At 210 years-old, USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world, manned by 67 active-duty United States Sailors and visited by nearly half a million visitors annually. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Eric Brown (Released)

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS AND OUR BELOVED NATION!!!





Boston, Oct. 21, 2009 - Boatswains Mate 2nd Class Philip Gagnon pipes as USS Constitution performs an underway demonstration in honor of the three-masted wooden frigate's 212th birthday. (U.S. Navy photo by Airman Mark Alexander/Released).



USS Constitution's 1812 Marine Guard fire vintage Springfield flintlock muskets during the ship's underway. "Old Ironsides" was underway for the "Constitution Day Cruise," which is conducted to thank the family and supporters of Constitution. U.S. Navy photo by Airman Nick Lyman (Released)

OUR TROOPS ROCK!!!!!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Permission Granted!

[Kathy in Alaska]

United States Marine Corps Band ~ National Anthem

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[PROCON]

WOO-HOO, thanks Kathy!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Kate Smith ~ God Bless America

[ConorMacNessa]

Thanks very much, Kathy!
***HUGS***



Striding up the gangplank as we speak,
rendering Hand Salutes to our National Colors
and to the Officer of the Deck!
Thank you very much for this evening's
"Remembering Our Troops" thread!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mac...*HUGS*...what comes after the new floors?

It’s trying to rain here. Sure would be nice to help lower the heat.

[ConorMacNessa]

Welcome To All Who Enter This Canteen, To Our Serving Military, To Our Veterans, To All Military Families, To Our FRiends and To Our Allies!



Missing Man Setting

"The Empty Chair"

By Captain Carroll "Lex" Lefon, USN (RET), on December 21st, 2004

"In the wardroom onboard the aircraft carrier from which I recently debarked was a small, round table, with single chair. No one ever sat there, and the reasons, both for the table being there, and for the fact that the chair was always empty, will tell the reader a little bit about who we are as a culture. The wardroom, of course, is where the officers will dine; morning, noon and evening. It is not only a place to eat – it is also a kind of oasis from the sometimes dreary, often difficult exigencies of the service. A place of social discourse, of momentary relief from the burdens of the day. The only things explicitly forbidden by inviolable tradition in the wardroom are the wearing of a cover or sword by an officer not actually on watch, or conversation which touches upon politics or religion. But aboard ships which observe the custom, another implicit taboo concerns the empty chair: No matter how crowded the room, no matter who is waiting to be seated, that chair is never moved, never taken.

The table is by the main entrance to the wardroom. You will see it when you enter, and you will see it when you leave. It draws your eyes because it is meant to. And because it draws your eyes it draws your thoughts. And though it will be there every day for as long as you are at sea, you will look at it every time and your eyes will momentarily grow distant as you think for a moment. As you quietly give thanks.

AS YOU REMEMBER.

The small, round table is covered with a gold linen tablecloth. A single place setting rests there, of fine bone china. A wineglass stands upon the table, inverted, empty. On the dinner plate is a pinch of salt. On the bread plate is a slice of lemon. Besides the plate lies a bible. There is a small vase with a single red rose upon the table. Around the vase is wound a yellow ribbon. There is the empty chair.

We will remember because over the course of our careers, we will have had the opportunity to enjoy many a formal evening of dinner and dancing in the fine company of those with whom we have the honor to serve, and their lovely ladies. And as the night wears on, our faces will in time become flushed with pleasure of each other’s company, with the exertions on the dance floor, with the effects of our libations. But while the feast is still at its best, order will be called to the room – we will be asked to raise our glasses to the empty table, and we will be asked to remember:

The table is round to show our everlasting concern for those who are missing. The single setting reminds us that every one of them went to their fates alone, that every life was unique.

The tablecloth is gold symbolizing the purity of their motives when they answered the call to duty.

The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and their loved ones who kept the faith.

The yellow ribbon around the vase symbolizes our continued determination to remember them.

The slice of lemon reminds us of the bitterness of their fate.
The salt symbolizes the tears shed by those who loved them.
The bible represents the faith that sustained them.
The glass is inverted — they cannot share in the toast.
The chair is empty — they are not here. They are missing.

And we will remember, and we will raise our glasses to those who went before us, and who gave all that they had for us. And a part of the flush in our faces will pale as we remember that nothing worth having ever came without a cost. We will remember that many of our brothers and sisters have paid that cost in blood. We will remember that the reckoning is not over.

We many of us will settle with our families into our holiday season, our Christmas season for those who celebrate it, content in our fortune and prosperity. We will meet old friends with smiles and laughter. We will meet our members of our family with hugs. We will eat well, and exchange gifts and raise our glasses to the year passed in gratitude, and to the year to come with hope. We will sleep the sleep of the protected, secure in our homes, secure in our homeland.

But for many families, there will be an empty chair at the table this year. A place that is not filled.

WE SHOULD REMEMBER."

Many Thanks To Alfa6 For Finding Capt. Lefon's Chronicle Of "The Empty Chair."

"Träumerei"
Robert Schumann
(Click)

Never Forget The Brave Men And Women Who
Gave Their Lives To Secure Our Freedom!!

[left that other site]

Hi everybody!

(((HUGS)))

Found a new trail today...very civilized...boardwalks and bicycle paths all the way. But it was very hot and muggy today, and, at one point Penny abruptly turned an about face and headed back to the car! All in all, we went about 3 miles.

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

THANK YOU
for your service!

[ConorMacNessa]

We have more wainscoting to do - then rehabbing the first floor bathroom. The new floor makes quite a difference.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Remembering Our Troops!! ~

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

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

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To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are proud of each and every one of you.
To our military readers, we remain steadfast
in keeping the Canteen doors open.

The FR Canteen is Free Republic's longest running daily thread
specifically designed to provide entertainment and moral support for the military.
The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.

We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.

NOTE: CANTEEN MUSIC
Posted daily and on the Music Thread
for the enjoyment of our troops and visitors.

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Radu!

*HUGS*

It's great to see you this evening!

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[mylife]

Fuel check,, Thistle tube check....

Kick the tires light fires...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3395sRfD24

[mylife]

Fuel check,, Thistle tube check....

Kick the tires light fires...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3395sRfD24

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Pro....did you send your heat here?

The house was 82 when I got home last night. I am now on my was to get a couple big fans.

[radu]

Howdy do, Conor! *HUGZ*

Great to see you too! Have a good, productive day?
Bet you’re ready to have all the renovation chaos behind you. It does disrupt things quite a bit.

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

All the checks out on time today? Ready to catch your breath at last? :-)