FReeper Canteen ~ Remembering Our Troops!! ~ Thursday, 14 May 2026

May 13, 2026 | For the best troops and veterans in the whole world! | Kathy In Alaska

[beachn4fun]

~ The FReeper Canteen Presents ~

~ Remembering Our Troops!! ~

Welcome Aboard!

Future service members participate in a swearing in ceremony held during the 2023 Wings Over Wayne air show at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, May 21, 2023. The Wings over Wayne Air Show and Science and Technology Expo is a biennial event and has grown to be the largest free air show in North Carolina. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Leighton Lucero)

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.

She’s Smiling While Holding an Axe! Run!

(May 16, 2023) Damage Controlman Fireman Faustita Asano, from Kalihi, Hawaii poses for a photo aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54) in the Philippine Sea, May 16, 2023. Antietam is assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 70, and is forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan to support the security of the U.S. and its Allies in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryre Arciaga)

Ladies and Gents: The Blue Angels!

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets from the Blue Angels, fly in formation during the 2023 Wings Over Wayne Air Show at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, May 20, 2023. Members of the community were able to watch a variety of aerial demonstrations during the show including acts performed by the Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rebecca Sirimarco-Lang)

Social distancing is O-V-E-R!

Aviation spectators watch an F-22 Raptor demonstration during the 2023 Wings Over Wayne Air Show at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, May 20, 2023. Members of the community were able to watch a variety of aerial demonstrations during the show including acts performed by the Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rebecca Sirimarco-Lang)

McGruff the Crime Dog has nothing on The Devil Dog!

The Marine Corps Marathon Mascot, Miles, poses with attendees of the Healthy Lifestyle Expo in Fredericksburg, Virginia, May 20, 2023. The Healthy Lifestyle Expo provides runners with the Marine Corps Marathon Historic Half Events an opportunity to pick up their official bib, timing device, and competitor shirt, as well as stop at various health-related vendors. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. David Brandes)

Want Me to Relax? Ice Cream, Please!

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Taylor Stieffel, 316th Security Forces Support Squadron military working dog handler, holds a military working dog at the Capitol K-9 Trials at Joint Base Andrews, MD, May 20, 2023. Dog handlers pet and hold the dogs to reward and relax them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tyrone Thomas)

Hanging with Dad!

A child watches the Third Strike Wingwalking act during the Wings over Wayne Air Show and Science and Technology Expo at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, May 20, 2023. Wings over Wayne is a two-day event open to the community that features a variety of aerial demonstrations, ground performances, aircraft static displays, and other events. The event is biennial, and has grown to be the largest free air show in North Carolina. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal)

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

[beachn4fun]

PING~A~LING
Posting for Kathy.
Come in and check out the Canteen.

Turning it over to Luvie for the evening.

Enjoy!
Good night.

[PROCON]

Thanks for remembering & honoring our Troops this evening, Galz!

[luvie]

On it!

[luvie]

~ 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.

CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREADS

CLICK FOR Current local times around the world

CLICK FOR local times in Seoul, Baghdad, Kabul,
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.

[luvie]

#1....PRO!!
Thank YOU for your service!

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!
(((HUGS)))

[luvie]

#2...ML!!
Howdy to you!

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

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

THANK YOU
for your service!

[radu]

Howdy, beachy! *HUGZ*

Hope you had a beautiful sunny day ahead of the rain moving in this evening.
No rain for us out of this cold front. :-(

[radu]

Howdy, PRO.

Ready for tomorrow’s fun?

[radu]

Howdy, luvie.
I reckon you didn’t spend any time out on the deck with the kitties today. Maybe it’ll cool off enough for a little visit with them this evening?

[PROCON]

Hiya radu, we are looking forward to tomorrow!

Just bought 1000 rds of bulk 9mm on sale, #PewPew

[luvie]

#3....radu! Howdy there.
I didn't do ANYthing outside today. LOL!
Since it's the desert, it probably will cool down.
Thank goodness!!

[ExTexasRedhead]

Carry The Load

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRchzK7w9Pk&list=RDzRchzK7w9Pk&start_radio=1

When I first began writing this song, I wanted it to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice — including not only those lost in combat, but also those who survived the battlefield and later lost their lives to the wounds of war after coming home. I had most of the first verse and parts of the second written before I realized what the title needed to be: “Carry the Load.” Carry The Load is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to restoring the true meaning of Memorial Day. Once that title came to me, the song took on even deeper meaning.

I wanted it to begin in a slow, somber, reflective place, then gradually rise into something bigger — an anthem of remembrance, honor, and resolve. That is why there is repetition throughout the chorus and bridge; I wanted those lines to feel like something people could hold onto and carry with them. At the same time, I knew the second verse needed to stay grounded in grief and reflection also. The result is a song that lives between sorrow and strength — a heavy-hearted remembrance of sacrifice, and a call to never forget those who gave everything.

Comments below the video:

“My dad, grandfather and uncles all fought in WW2, Korea, and Vietnam. Dad was a Tank driver under Gen. Patton. I thank them and all servicemen and women for their sacrifices.”

“Thank you to all the veterans and all currently serving. You are seen and greatly appreciated.”

“I had to pull over when listening as it hit a little too close to home. My PTSD isn’t from the shooting or explosions but from seeing my Buddie’s kids after his death. It’s been 30 years now and I still have days that I question God why it wasn’t me instead of him.”

Operation Market Garden: What You Didn’t Know About the 101st Airborne | American Artifact 213

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbd8pgjytLo

We’re exploring some lesser known locations of the 101st Airborne in Operation Market Garden along with some super rare and interesting artifacts from The Gettysburg Museum of History.

https://www.youtube.com/@TheHistoryUnderground

[luvie]

Honorable Mention....ETR!!
Thanks for the links!

[radu]

Hooboy! Everyone look out! Don’t let ‘em run over ya! They’re comin’!! LOL

Sounds like a VERY fun day ahead for y’all.

[radu]

I figured you didn’t do anything more than step out to check the kitties’ food and water. Too hot for anything else.

[luvie]

That’s about it, and they were not around much since they were trying to find the coolest shade they could to nap in.

It’s going to be as bad or worse for at least the next 7 days. Not looking forward to it.

[radu]

Can’t blame you a bit. And can’t blame the kitties for staying in the cool spots they’re able to find.
Not going to be a good week for y’all. :-(

I’m knocking out the mowing before we hit 90 or above this weekend. Today wasn’t bad because it was cloudy ahead of a cold front. That came through while I mowed and I could feel the change right away. Tomorrow will be sunny but cool, which is great for doing the driveway. No shade out there at all. Friday will warm back up but the yard at the old house has shade. I couldn’t have timed this round better if I tried. LOL