FReeper Canteen ~ Remembering Our Troops! ~ 21 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!! ~

Deck The Halls!!!

(Dec. 16, 2023) Captain Ken Collins conducts the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters for the concert. Several of the ensembles within the Navy Band perform a show together at the end of the year to celebrate the holidays. (U.S. Navy Photo by Musician 1st Class Seth S. Johnson)

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.

Deviled Eggs!! Yummy!

Deviled eggs sit on party platters in the Crosswinds Dining Facility at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Nov. 23, 2023. The dining facility has cook-to-order items and rotating comfort food specials with various additions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Timothy Perish)

Holiday Cheer To The Philippines!!

OLONGAPO, Philippines—Crew members of underway replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AO-194) visited the Social Development Center in Olongapo City, Philippines, to participate in a community outreach event during a routine port visit at Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority at Olongapo, Dec. 13. (Photo by Navy Lt. Jamil A. Khan)

Christmas Cheer From Palau!

Sailors and Soldiers taking part in the advance liaison team for the Palau mission stop of Pacific Partnership 24-1 pose in front of a USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) Christmas parade float in Airai, Palau, Dec. 17, 2023. Pacific Partnership, now in its 19th iteration, is the largest multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific and works to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Cheryl Collins)

Wreaths Across America!

The event brought in over 250 visitors, along with servicemembers from Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown and Naval Weapons Station Yorktown-Cheatham Annex. Over 1,200 wreaths were placed on headstones during this annual event. Wreaths Across America honors military members and their families, and remembers those who served. Volunteers placed wreaths on fallen service members’ gravestones, and displayed ceremonial wreaths for each branch of service. Through Wreaths Across America, more than 2.4 million veteran graves received wreaths at 3,136 locations across the nation. The mission of Wreaths Across America is to remember our fallen U.S. troops, honor those who serve and teach new generations about the value of freedom through the service and sacrifice of veterans. (U.S. Navy Photo by Max Lonzanida/Released).

Wreaths Across America At Arlington National Cemetery!

32nd Wreaths Across America Day in Section 33 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, Dec. 16, 2023. On this day, more than 30,000 volunteers placed approximately 260,000 wreaths at every gravesite and niche column at Arlington National Cemetery. (U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released)

USMC Helping Santa Deliver Gifts In Alaska!

U.S. Marines with 4th Law Enforcement Battalion maneuver snow machines and sleds filled with toys in Galena, Alaska, Dec. 15, 2023. Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 153, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing transported snow machines, personnel and sleds filled with toys to assist in delivering a message of joy and hope to children in small Alaskan villages throughout the holiday season. The Toys for Tots mission is a testament to the Marine Corps spirit in the last frontier, bolstering community relations while enhancing the Marines ability to operate in the Arctic. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Olivia Ortiz)

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

[The Mayor]

December 21

The Light of Hope

Bible in a Year :

• Micah 4–5
• Revelation 12

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 42:11

My mother’s shiny red cross should have been hanging next to her bed at the cancer care center. And I should have been preparing for holiday visits between her scheduled treatments. All I wanted for Christmas was another day with my mom. Instead, I was home . . . hanging her cross on a fake tree.

When my son Xavier plugged in the lights, I whispered, “Thank You.” He said, “You’re welcome.” My son didn’t know I was thanking God for using the flickering bulbs to turn my eyes toward the ever-enduring Light of Hope—Jesus.

The writer of Psalm 42 expressed his raw emotions to God (vv. 1–4). He acknowledged his “downcast” and “disturbed” soul before encouraging readers: “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (v. 5). Though he was overcome with waves of sorrow and suffering, the psalmist’s hope shone through the remembrance of God’s past faithfulness (vv. 6–10). He ended by questioning his doubts and affirming the resilience of his refined faith: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (v. 11).

For many of us, the Christmas season stirs up both joy and sorrow. Thankfully, even these mixed emotions can be reconciled and redeemed through the promises of the true Light of Hope—Jesus. .

Reflect & Pray

How has Jesus helped you process grief while celebrating Christmas? How can you support someone who’s grieving this season?

Dear Jesus, thank You for carrying me through times of grief and joy all year round.

[PROCON]

Merry Christmas, Kathy and thanks for remembering and honoring our Troops!

[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.

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[lightman]

Thank those serving.
Honor those who served.
NEVER forget the fallen!

[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]

And a Merry Christmas to you, too, Pro...it’s almost here.

[MoochPooch]

Evening, Kathy!

[Kathy in Alaska]

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Hump Day!
Were you able to get some sleep last night through the aches and pains from all the shoveling yesterday?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, lightman...we will never forget!

Are you still enjoying “nice” weather? We had another 6+ inches of snow.

[luvie]

Remembering those who are far from home.
We honor and thank you for your service.

[Kathy in Alaska]

The Mayor!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Pro!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

lightman!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mooch...more snow here, and I’m really tired of it. LOL!

Have you had any snow yet? Hope you are enjoying a nice winter season.

[radu]

Howdy, luvie.

Did you have another splendid day with windows and doors open?

It wasn’t quite THAT nice here but it was much nicer than the last two days.