FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: MAJ Mark Thompson ~ 25 October 2021

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

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!

---

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Mark Thompson

           

"It was nothing like I expected," admitted MAJ Mark Thompson of his months spent in Baghdad, Iraq last year, his first deployment.

Stationed at Victory Base Camp (VBC), MAJ Thompson spent a portion of his time in theater in a place most would not imagine of someone deployed with the 11th Military Police Brigade: near a playground.

Originally deployed as a MP Task Force/Brigade G2 (Intelligence officer), MAJ Thompson was remissioned soon after arriving in Iraq. He was selected to serve as commander of a high-value detainee facility located at VBC.

U.S. soldiers had previously built a children's playground right outside of the detainee facility, set within the center's secure grounds. Said MAJ Thompson, Iraqi children visiting loved ones detained in the facility would come play atop the seesaws and swings, interacting with the troops in the process.

As commander, the playground - and the opportunity it provided to reach out to the Iraqi youth- unexpectedly became one the biggest tools for boosting morale amongst the soldiers. "Once I see kids playing, I want to play too," laughed MAJ Thompson, father of a 12 year old son. "I'm the biggest kid."

He, as well as many of the other soldiers under his command, often found themselves kicking soccer balls around and enjoying an unanticipated taste of home. Amidst their regular tasks in theater, MAJ Thompson'’s soldiers also collected toys and school supplies for the Iraqi children who had seamlessly become a highlight of their deployment. Their dedicated work with the local kids was one that many back home would not automatically have associated with the operations of the detainee facility.

"We were changing the negative stereotypes some were lead to believe about Americans," noted MAJ Thompson, who received the Bronze Star for his leadership in Iraq.

During his ten months abroad, MAJ Thompson also encountered another group of individuals that made an impression on him as not only commander, but as an officer in the Army.

"There are a lot of civilians paying prices as well there," said MAJ Thompson of the non-military serving abroad. "I truly appreciate all of the sacrifices they make. They truly support us."

Since returning stateside to Fort Dix in New Jersey, MAJ Thompson has once more found himself in a leadership position. He is now Commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Support Activity. Yet again he is responsible for ensuring soldiers' safety and morale, just set against a different backdrop.

"The mission is different, but the goal is the same," explained MAJ Thompson.

And the larger goal, as always, remains taking care of his fellow soldiers.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

[luvie]

Hm...did you send it to the one that starts with “N” or the one that starts with “G”?

[radu]

With an “N”.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, radu...are you surviving the harvest?

I got lots of little things done today, and am just about ready to head into the new week. I had 6 employment audits to do, but found that 3 were sent to the wrong employer. Yea!

And I finally tracked down why my reports didn’t balance on Friday, but I have NO idea how to fix it. Something in the program that generates my reports needs help. I will be checking in with my boss first thing in the morning.

Oh....and yesterday and today I have 50, 60+ ducks.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, luvie, and thanks for honoring our hero. It is up to us to remember them.

[luvie]

Well, phooey. I can’t find it anywhere. Did you hit send? LOL!

[radu]

Hey there, Kathy.

No harvesting close to the farm these days and our cotton isn’t quite ready. It’s close though.

I hope your boss can figure out why those reports won’t balance so you can get them done and out of the way. It had to be a major aggravation the other day.

Glad to hear your ducks are showing up in larger numbers. I guess the hawks have moved off to other territories to hunt and the ducks feel safe again.

[radu]

Hmmmmm. It should be there. It’s in the “sent” list.
Maybe your email provider couldn’t handle the pix. They’re pretty large. But it didn’t bounce back so I assumed it went through just fine. I’ll try again sending the smaller versions I saved.

[luvie]

Thanks. I’ll watch for it. Looking forward to see how it went.

[radu]

Sent. Hope it went through this time.

[luvie]

Not yet. Sometimes it’s slow.

[radu]

Don’t know what the problem is. Anything else I’ve sent in the past has gone through. Hmmmmmmm

[E.G.C.]

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

How's everyone doing this morning?

[radu]

Howdy, E.G.C. ((HUGZ))

Did you and Gizmo have a good outing? KFC for supper or did you switch it up with Sonic this weekend?

[E.G.C.]

We actually had Sonic for supper yesterday. We usually alternate between KFC and Sonic every other Sunday.

There was a family with medium size bulldogs camping out there yesterday. Also as we were walking back to the pickup a fella in a white pickup arrived with dogs so I had to restrain Gizmo. Not an easy visit.

But, the campground was empty so we were able to hangout there and we also did the pavilion. Also Gizmo did get to walk the rocks some.

We will see how today goes but here are the pics from yesterday

[radu]

Well, I guess you couldn’t expect to have the whole place to yourselves two days in a row. LOL A least there was an area where you didn’t have to restrain Gizmo from other dogs.
Looks like Gizmo was pretty tuckered out at the end of his romp. :-)

[E.G.C.]

Yep he was. We have more stuff planned for later today.((LOL))

[left that other site]

Today looks a bit chilly, but my one lesson is local, so I think I’ll take the bike.

Penny still doesn’t need her extra warm coat though, so tere are a few nice days left before the snow flies.

[luvie]

Howdy, EGC! (((hugs)))

Glad y'all had fun at the lake and that
you enjoyed your meal from Sonic. He's such a handsome boy!

[luvie]

Gooood Mornin', Early Birds!
Did all of you have a great weekend?
Tell us about the fun you had!
Mine was quiet...just as I like it!
We're very boring. LOL!
Hope y'all have a Mahv'lus Monday...
...and a Wonderful Week!
(((hugs)))