FReeper Canteen ~ Share A Favorite Military Story or Two ~ 18 November 2021

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

The FReeper Canteen Presents....

~ Share A Favorite Military Story Or Two ~

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

[Radix]

On January 2, 1980, I was dispatched to a place known as Lahr. It was a Canadian Base in the Black Forest. I delivered a refrigerated load of meat, dairy, and other perishables to this Base. It was a Commisary load. That is perishables intended for families, Consumers, regular people, no munitions or parts for vehicles, just food stuffs.

I had never been there before but this was ordinary stuff for us Truckers. We always had to be lost before we found our way to our destination.

Well, I found the place there out in the middle of nowhere, following a challenging road trip.

Once there, I met a woman who saw my confusion.

She took me under her wing so to speak. She explained to me just how things worked in the Canadian Armed Forces. After a bit of time with her I realized that she was absolutely awesome. I was 25 years old and she was perhaps 20 years older, maybe more. I only know that I loved her in short order.

She was fluent in 4 languages and been to Germany several times. She took me to the Canadian PX where I cashed a check for Ten Bucks but they paid me in Deutsche Marks and I got a very favorable rate. Ridiculously favorable. I actually made money on that exchange.

So then she takes me to the Bachelor Quarters. They charged something like the equivalent of 50 Cents and gave me a room suited for a family of 6 at least at least. I was astonished.

The next morning I went to the Canadian Mess. It cost me Half a Mark.

It was unbelievable the amount of food that was available to me for that 50 cents.

I cannot ever express just how much I came to appreciate the Canadian Military after that day or two. I learned a lot about the distinctions between American and Canadian policies. Too much to express here.

Keep in mind that we Army Truckers knew were all the good Messes were in West Germany. We ran all over that country, and the Mess Halls were always in competition. We knew the best ones, and we went there frequently.

[radu]

It IS a fun thread, isn’t it? I’m enjoying it immensely. All kinds of interesting and humorous stories.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Gay State Conservative...thanks for sharing your stories. I hope they figured out what went wrong with the parachute that didn’t open.

[luvie]

It’s great! I’m going to have to take time to read all these wonderful stories. I want to give them my full attention.

[Kathy in Alaska]

WOW!! Thanks, SaxxonWoods, for sharing your memories. How special that your Dad had his original card and could share it with Patton’s granddaughter. I can just imagine how speechless she would be.

[radu]

It sure is great.

I’ll have to check back tomorrow afternoon to see what else shows up. I wasn’t paying attention to the time and I need to get to bed. Republican women’s group meeting in the morning.

Have a good rest of the night and I hope tomorrow’s a good day for you.

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good Thursday 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?

[real saxophonist]

Parris Island, 1989. I was on some errand by myself when I encountered a female platoon coming through our area. So I sounded off, GOOD AFTERNOON, MA'AM!

She stopped me got in my face (best she could, I was almost a foot taller), and just lit me up.

YES MA'AM! NO MA'AM! AYE MA'AM!

She was a Green Belt, junior DI, obviously showing off in front of her platoon. Took everything I had to keep from busting out laughing.

[luvie]

Oh, right! I forgot about it, too! Have a good time. See ya tomorrow night. Seems almost weird to see you on Thursday night. LOL!

[luvie]

Boo!

[beachn4fun]

WOW, Mayor

How old were you at the time?

[beachn4fun]

This sounds like a scene from a movie.

hmmm, I thought one never shoots until they see what they’re shooting at.
but the DMZ I guess one makes an exception.

[beachn4fun]

Thanks for sharing that. This too could be a scene from a movie.

It’s wonderful your father shared his experiences.

[beachn4fun]

Oh my! Great story. Thanks for sharing that.

[beachn4fun]

OMG! LOL

Don’t blame you for being vague at the end.

[beachn4fun]

You sure led an eventful military life. Thank you.

[beachn4fun]

You sure led an eventful military life. Thank you.
Maybe young men need to do the same as you and watch/read about war.

[beachn4fun]

OMG! Sometimes it sounds like they are their own enemies.

[beachn4fun]

She was a Green Belt, junior DI, obviously showing off in front of her platoon. Took everything I had to keep from busting out laughing.

LOL.

[beachn4fun]

He went in around 1920. Kicked around for about 15 years, got called up around 1940, served until about 1946, got out, got called in for the Korean War, then said to hell with it, might as well stay in until he retired in 1960. About 30 some years in.

One of the great ones!