FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: MAJ Mark Thompson ~ 13 May 2024

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.

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---

~ Hall of Heroes ~

MAJ 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! 

[radu]

It was definitely cooler here than it was there. We had enough clouds to help keep the temp down to just under 80.
I did get to finish up the mowing as well as sprayed some weeds. Glad to get it done since we have rain in the forecast for a lot of the upcoming week.
I checked on the tree trash pile I burned last night and there was still a little smoke. But the pile burned all the way down to ash, slowly but surely. A lot of the wood was still damp from the rain we’ve had. But it’s all gone now.

[luvie]

Sounds like things are looking pretty darn good there on your little corner of the world. I hope you get a break from mowing before having to do it again.

Our yard has more weeds than it does grass, and I’m blaming the fact that the neighbor...who has a THRIVING crop of weeds....hasn’t rebuilt the fence between our houses. I feel so....exposed. LOL! I NEED fences.

[PROCON]

If I wanted to see the Auroras I’d have to be up at 1:00 AM, so I was snoozing while everyone else was watching, no guilt, LOL.

[radu]

I need to mow the driveway already but rain will give me a break whether I want it or not. LOL

There are plenty of weeds mixed in with the grass in the yard. I didn’t spray those. Just the grass and weeds up close to the house that I can’t catch with the mower.

Are you talking about your fence that the neighbor’s tree wiped out? He hasn’t replaced it yet?

[radu]

They were going on here way before 1:00 and were over for a while by then. I figured they started early there too.
It was exciting for us southern folks since we rarely get to see them. This was the second time for me.

[luvie]

Yes, that fence and no, he hasn’t replaced it yet. He and his entire family have been model neighbors...you’d hardly know they were there even with 4 kids....so we don’t want to get pushy, but I really do miss my boundary.

Peaches, however, thinks it’s very cool he can prowl around over there without having to climb. He’s nothing if not lazy. LOL! It’s just that the weeds have proliferated since that fence was taken down.

Thank GOD the stupid pine tree is gone. I hated that thing and every single one of it’s needles. :D

I think the rain picked a good time to start again. You needed to have a break AND rest your aching back. Win/win!!

[luvie]

I feel weird without my tagline. LOL! So....

[Kathy in Alaska]

Congratulations to you and Champ!

[radu]

After so much time has passed, bringing it up wouldn’t be pushy. It WAS your fence they destroyed after all.

Silly Peaches. The lack of barrier pleases him. LOL

At least that tree is gone. Those needles plagued you for a long time.

My back’s holding up pretty well. I’ve mastered cinching that brace so it does a lot of good. Low chances for rain tomorrow so if I can do it, I’ll knock out the driveway before it gets too long. Mush higher chance for rain Tuesday.

[luvie]

I think it’s very cool that you discovered that brace....and how much it helps to keep your back from screaming. I have a brace for my knee, but all it does is cut off my circulation at the bend of my leg. Absolutely useless!

[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.

Yesterday at Comanche Lake:

As you can imagine, Gizmo wasn't too happy about the weather yesterday. It was raw and rainy. He did however really enjoy himself out there.

We did have some thunder and lightning yesterday before we went out there and once again he hid under the bed. There's more stuff coming from Northwest Oklahoma as I speak.

How's everyone doing this morning?

[radu]

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

LOL Yeah, Gizmo let it be known he wasn’t happy about the weather yesterday. No happy face. He still managed to enjoy his smelly spot though. :-)

[luvie]

Guess I’ll finish up watching this show and go hit the pillows. It’s been a very long day. See ya mañana! :)

[radu]

Sleep late!!
Catch ya tomorrow.

[The Mayor]

It’s always a happy time when family comes over.
We are now trying to get use to our oldest son
and family living a distance away.

[luvie]

HowdyHowdy, Early Birds!
What a hero Maj. Thompson is.
He does his job...and does it well.
Hope all y'all have a Mahv'lus Monday
....and a Wonderful Week!
It's very warm and sunny here. Ho-hum.
((((hugs)))

[radu]

Cloudy, damp, and chilly here with a stiff breeze.
A good day to stay in and watch live streams. LOL Waiting for them to blow up the section of bridge at Baltimore that’s lying on the bow of the Dali. Too bad there’s no audio. I love booms. :-)

[luvie]

Sounds like a good plan for a damp, cloudy day. Shame on them for not having the big ka-BOOM for you! LOL!

[radu]

At least there’ll be the visual and that will be interesting enough.