Freeper Canteen ~ Road Trip: Fort Riley, Kansas ~ 23 SEPT 2025

[laurenmarlowe]

 

 

~The FReeper Canteen Presents~

Road Trip: Fort Riley, Kansas

Fort Riley is a United States Army installation located in North Central Kansas, on the Kansas River, also known as the Kaw, between Junction City and Manhattan.

Fort Riley is named in honor of Major General Bennet C. Riley, who led the first military escort along the Santa Fe Trail. The fort was established in 1853 as a military post to protect the movement of people and trade over the Oregon, California, and Santa Fe trails. In the years after the Civil War, Fort Riley served as a major United States Cavalry post and school for cavalry tactics and practice.

The post was a base for skirmishes with Native Americans after the Civil War ended in 1865, during which time George A. Custer was stationed at the fort.

The 1st Infantry Division is a combined arms division of the United States Army, and is the oldest continuously serving division in the Regular Army. It has seen continuous service since its organization in 1917 during World War I. It was officially nicknamed "The Big Red One" (abbreviated "BRO" after its shoulder patch and is also nicknamed "The Fighting First".

On June, 8 2017, the Division celebrated 100 years of continuous years of service to the nation. They were the first division to fight in WW1, WWII, and Vietnam and the first to return to Iraq in 2014. Today, 1st Infantry Division Soldiers continue to be on point for the nation.

The Division has a proud and honorable history which reflects the hears of the American Soldier. Having fought in five wars, the 1st Infantry Division is one of the most decorated divisions in the U.S. Army. It boast 35 Medal of Honor recipients and more than 35 campaign participation credits.

The 1st Infantry Division Band (abbreviated as the 1ID Band and often known as the Big Red One Band) is the musical ambassador for the division that performs for military ceremonies at Fort Riley and the surrounding communities in the Midwest. The 38-member band contains the Concert Wind Ensemble, the Marching Band, a Seated Ceremonial Band as well as other specialized ensembles.

The band was notably involved in the Thunder Road incident in Vietnam, during which Major General John Hay ordered the band to march down "Thunder Road", for one mile while playing the Colonel Bogey March. The road, which was critical to the division's operations, was under the control of a North Vietnamese Army regiment. Confused by the action, the regiment withdrew from the area, with the band fulfilling a remarkable combat mission without firing a shot.

Learn More About Fort Riley HERE!!

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. 

Please remember: The Canteen is a place to honor and entertain our troops. The Canteen is family friendly. Let's have fun!

We pray for your continued strength, to be strong in the face of adversity.

We pray for your safety, that you will return to your families and friends soon.

We pray that your hope, courage, and dignity remain unbroken, so that you may show others the way.

God Bless You All ~ Today, Tomorrow and Always

 

 

[PROCON]

WOO-HOO, it's Road Trip time again, thanks Lauren!

[lightman]

Happy Monday & happy motoring!

[laurenmarlowe]

WOO HOO PROCON!

[laurenmarlowe]

Good evening to you lightman!

[luvie]

~ Road Trip: Fort Riley, Kansas ~

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.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OTHER THREADS

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New York, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Anchorage

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.

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS))))

[laurenmarlowe]

Howdy and thank you luvie!

*HUGS*

[laurenmarlowe]

Good evening to you left that other site!

*HUGS*

[SkyDancer]

~ Evening All! ~

~

~ Welcome To My World ~

I’m Down There Somewhere

[luvie]

Hi there, lauren! (((hugs))) Hope you’re having a productive week. When do you get some time off? I’ll bet you hope it’s soon. LOL!

[luvie]

Hi, Janey! Are you busy this week? Any fun destinations in store?

[T-Bird45]

1976 ROTC Summer Leadership Camp graduate checking in to represent the old WW2 barracks that housed us at Ft. Riley.

[Mark17]

My dad was at Fort Riley, during WW 2.

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good Tuesday morning and ((HUGS)) to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country and thanks Lauren for this morning's thread.

Yesterday at Comanche Lake:

How's everyone doing this morning?

[luvie]

Hey there, Early Birds!
What a fun road trip to corn country
...to visit our great Army guys.
Thanks, lauren, for your hard work.
Hope everyone has a Terrific Tuesday!
Another h💣t one today...but waaay cooler tomorrow!🤞🏻
(((hugs)))