FReeper Canteen ~ Remembering Our Troops! ~ 14 December 2023

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ The FReeper Canteen Presents ~

~ Remembering Our Troops!! ~

My Daddy Is Home!!

In this courtesy photo, Steve Nielsen gives his daughter Kaylee Nielsen a ride upon his shoulders while celebrating his unit’s return to Nevada from Afghanistan in early 2006. Nielsen was in the heart of a combat zone for more than one year while deployed as a Chinook helicopter pilot in Afghanistan in 2005-2006. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Erick Studenicka)

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.

Congratulations On A Job Well Done!

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Cindy Mascrier, 441st Vehicle Support Chain Operations Squadron program manager, holds a medal after completing a marathon. After being diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2008, Mascrier has beat her illness and is now in remission. She continues to stay resilient while participating in physically demanding activities. (Courtesy photo) (Photo by Airman 1st Class Ian Sullens)

Live From The Boot Level!

Drill instructors and recruits with November Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, command and execute drill movements during Final Drill on Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC, Dec. 6, 2023. Final Drill tests drill instructors on their ability to give drill commands and tests recruits on their ability to execute the movements properly. (Photo by Cpl. Jacqueline Kliewer)

Santa! I’ve Been Good (Mostly)!

The U.S. Marine Corps Community Services Family Readiness program conducts a Polar Express holiday event on Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC, Dec. 5, 2023. Personnel and families observed battalion decorations and light displays across the base and visited Santa and Gunny Claus. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jacqueline Kliewer)

Gobble Gobble Turkey Bowl!

U.S. Space Command personnel, left, and National Space Defense Center personnel, right, pose for a group photo during the third annual Space Turkey Bowl at Peterson Space Force Base, CO, Nov. 17, 2023. U.S. Space Command defeated its NSDC opponents with a final score of 14-13. (U.S. Space Force photo by Dalton Prejeant)

Where Are Rudolph & The Reindeer, Santa?

Directorate of Emergency Services leadership will join Santa Claus through installation housing areas with Police, Fire and Emergency Services vehicles during the annual Santa Run Sunday, Dec. 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sparky the Fire Dog and McGruff the Crime Dog also will take part. (Fort Gregg-Adams File Photo)

The Polar Express---Parris Island Style!

The U.S. Marine Corps Community Services Family Readiness program conducts a Polar Express holiday event on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Dec. 5, 2023. Personnel and families observed battalion decorations and light displays across base and visited Santa and Gunny Claus. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Ayden Cassano)

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

Happy 7th day of Hanukkah!

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[PROCON]

Thanks for remembering and honoring our Troops, Kathy!

Merry Christmas!

[lightman]

Happy hump day!

[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 are proud of each and everyone 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.

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[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))....you and Tippy back is action? Enjoying some good walks?

It finally stopped snowing early this morning....probably have had a good foot of new snow.

[left that other site]

All the snow is melted, and my knee is actually better, but the last week has been hampered by the worst cold i’ve ever experienced. So we went for walks, but not epic ones.

I’m feeling a bit better today, but I’ve lost two weeks of work. Grrrrrr.

[left that other site]

Hitting the sheets now...that cold knocked the stuffing out of me.

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

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

THANK YOU
for your service!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Pro...you are welcome, and Christmas is getting close.

Will Hilary be coming to visit? Will you have snow? You are more than welcome to some of mine.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good night, ML, and get some good rest!!

[The Mayor]

December 14

Appetite for Distraction

Bible in a Year :

• Joel 1–3
• Revelation 5

I have calmed and quieted myself, . . . I am content.

Psalm 131:2 I set my phone down, weary of the constant bombardment of images, ideas, and notifications that the little screen broadcasted. Then, I picked it up and turned it on again. Why?

In his book The Shallows, Nicholas Carr describes how the internet has shaped our relationship with stillness: “What the Net seems to be doing is chipping away my capacity for concentration and contemplation. Whether I’m online or not, my mind now expects to take in information the way the Net distributes it: in a swiftly moving stream of particles. Once I was a scuba diver in the sea of words. Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a Jet Ski.”

Living life on a mental jet ski doesn’t sound healthy. But how do we begin to slow down, to dive deeply into still spiritual waters?  

In Psalm 131, David writes, “I have calmed and quieted myself” (v. 2). David’s words remind me that I have responsibility. Changing habits starts with my choice to be still—even if I must make that choice over and over again. Slowly, though, we experience God’s satisfying goodness. Like a little child, we rest in contentment, remembering that He alone offers hope (v. 3)—soul-satisfaction that no smartphone app can touch and no social media site can deliver.     .

Reflect & Pray

How does technology influence your ability to rest quietly before God? Does your phone contribute to your contentment? Why or why not?

Father, the world is awash in distraction that doesn’t satisfy my soul. Please help me trust You to fill me with genuine contentment.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, lightman...I am SOOO glad that I’ve made it thru hump day.

And it finally quit snowing for this storm. Have you had any snow yet?

[lightman]

Had a literally beautiful one inch of snow very early Monday morning....wet snow which clung to the trees but the roads (including my lane) were so warm that there was nothing to plow.

It was like being inside of a snowglobe...and I could actually enjoy it!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, radu...are you getting the predicted rain? Enough rain to make the stink outside go away?

Snow quit here finally this morning...probably a total of a foot on my deck. When the ducks land in a previously unlanded spot, they disappear. It’s pretty funny. Otherwise they’ve tromped out a pretty big landing pad area.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

We made it thru hump day! Hurrah for us!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

1st!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

2nd!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

3rd!!