USO Canteen FReeper Style - "Thank You Troops and Veterans" - Oct. 2, 2002

Snow Bunny and friends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style

[Jen]

Part of our mission at the USO Canteen FReeper Style every day is to show our gratitude and respect for members of our military and veterans who have honorably served our country.

An experience by Tomkow6 sparked the idea for the Canteen members and lurkers to have an official "Thank Our Troops and Veterans" program. Several months ago on his way to work, Tomkow6 met a young Marine in uniform in a convenience store. Tomkow6 extended his hand to the Marine and thanked him for wearing the Marine uniform and for serving our country. The Marine seemed shocked that someone would thank him and want to shake his hand.

"This was a small thing that I did," Tom said, "and I hope I made that young Marine feel a little prouder about that uniform he had on, and what he was doing in it. I know I felt proud, just seeing him in uniform, serving his and OUR country, and knowing that he and others like him are out there, in the "all volunteer" US Forces, protecting our nation; to let them know that THEY are NOT forgotten; that there are citizens of the US that are very proud of them and what they are doing; that they are prayed for daily; that they WILL NOT have to suffer the shame that was heaped on my brothers and sisters returning from Vietnam; that they are our HEROES!"

So today the Canteen is kicking off an official program and a challenge to all Canteeners and lurkers to personally thank a service member or veteran when you see him or her. To make that a little easier and to help publicize the Canteen, we've created a business card that can be handed out after you greet the person and thank him for serving.

Snow Bunny wrote Free Republic's founder and owner Jim Robinson about our plan and desire to use the FR web address on it and got his approval on June 18.

When you see a member of the US Forces, go out of your way to shake his or her hand and say "Thanks for being there and putting on that uniform, and serving our country" or something similar, then hand out a Canteen business card and invite them to visit. That's all there is to it.

It's a simple thing that can have huge benefits in the lives of our troops and veterans who can never be thanked often enough for the sacrifices they make to defend our country.

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U.S. Coast Guard Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Michael Walker of Havre de Grace, M.D., U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Andrew Amor of Grain Valley, M.D., U.S. Navy Senior Chief Intelligence Specialist Christopher Roades of Eureka, Calif., U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Damian Wright of Idalia, Col., and First Sergeant Curtis O'Neal of Tuskegee, Ala., all have deployed to serve in Operation Enduring Freedom and are participants in the Pentagon Sept. 11 Observance Ceremony.

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The cards could also be placed under the windshield wiper of a car that has a bumper sticker or tag that indicates the driver is a military member or veteran. Or handed out in VA hospitals, VFWs, commissaries, BX/PX, wherever troops or veterans would gather.

Another great group of people to thank for their service and tell about the Canteen are military recruiters as Bluesagewoman has done so recently. Since they come into contact with the men and women who will become our country's newest military members, they are an ideal group to honor and help promote the Canteen.

Below are some business cards which can be copied and pasted into a Word document template for Avery business cards #8371. You can buy the perforated business card sheets and print your own cards, or have them printed at a copy center. You may have to change the font size if the text over-laps on the perforations on the pre-formed business card stock from Avery.

You may also want to take the liberty of "customizing" a little bit by adding your FR screenname, so the person you give the card to will know who to look for when they visit the Canteen.

If you would like to receive a ready-to-print template, send your email address by freepmail to AntiJen and she will email it to you.

Tomkow6 also created a small poster to put up in some of the local stores in his town that have community bulletin boards.

Thank you Tomkow6 for your wonderful idea!

[GatorGirl]

Good afternoon!

We actually had a cool breeze blowing early this morning. Hopes for good weather sometime soon!

Thanks Jen, Bunny and tomkow for the AWESOME idea. Got your email, Jen, and will be printing some up this weekend. I'll be on base in the near future and you can bet I'll "spam" em with cards!!! I might just drop them all over town!!! LOL!

Seven of Nine, LOVE the daily smack chat. Keep an eye on those Palis for us, we can count on you for the latest.

I want to especially thank our poets for their lovely submissions to the Canteen. You have me in tears sometimes, your words touch my heart. I've sent several poems to my husband (I hope you don't mind) and it really brightens his day.

Welcome to all our new FRiends!

((((((HUGS)))))))) to my sisters, MoJo, Severa and Buppy.

Monday at 2:30 an overseas flight touches down and my family will be complete, if only for a little while! Hooray!!!!!

Have a GREAT day y'all. I'll try to visit later......Love, GG

[Mudboy Slim]

"i still can't figure out how we missed each other?????"

I'd promised the Missuz I'd be back in Richmond by 4:30-5:00...so I left between 2:30 and 3:00. Then I hit the 495 traffic and got back home around 6:00 and my parents were coming in for dinner at 6:30...LOL!! Took a few photos with the kids and BraveHeart, took a shower, and set the table just in time!!

The 26th is gonna be much cooler 'cuz the Missuz has Girl's Weekend @ Nags Head from Friday 'til Sunday, and I've got both sets of grandparents fightin' over the young'uns!!

Looking forward to it...MUD

[Mudboy Slim]

"Our recent get-together with Sassy, Kneezles, Snow Bunny and Fall Guy has me addicted to Canteen Klatches!"

Now I'm jealous...I've never been invited to a Canteen Klatch!!

Thanks and FReegards...MUD

[BringingUpPatriots]

HI (((((((((((GG)))))))))))

I am so happy for you! How thrilling to have your family all together again. Prayers for you and your gang.
BUPPY

[MeekOneGOP]

You're very welcomed.

[BringingUpPatriots]

I don't want to get people jealous by reporting our Klatch! I am sorry if it does. :D (However when I see that others are getting together for Freeps elsewhere, I definitely feel like I want to get in my car and join them, no matter how far it is). I have family in the Baltimore area and if I ever get to visit there again, I will have to join whatever Canteen/Freep Group is meeting at that time! BUPPY

[Jen]

Thanks for visiting the USO Canteen FReeper Style and welcome! I hope you will visit with us often and show your support of our troops and veterans as you have today.

I agree with you about veterans issues and many Canteeners are actively involved in them in various ways. I myself am a USAF retiree with a VA disability rating, so I know very well what you are talking about and share your concerns.

The Canteen is a social place for our troops, veterans and the people who love and support them. We seek to provide a place for a weary military member or veteran to find some mental R&R and have some fun. It's not a part of the national USO but the Canteen does have permission to use the USO name. As a service organization, the USO is open to everyone - even those on the 'wrong' side politically! ;-) And in order to use the USO name, we follow the USO's policies and guidelines and avoid politics and activism 'inside' the Canteen (usually...we're FReepers and sometimes somebody will slip or rant...).

Many Canteeners are involved in Veterans issues and political activism 'outside' the Canteen's virtual doors. There are frequently threads on FR that focus on these issues and there's even a VetsCor Forum that I would suggest you check out if you haven't already. Those avenues are more appropriate for political activism than the Canteen.

I appreciate your post and would like to thank your father for his service during the Korean War. Please come visit often!

[Johnny Gage]

I love it. WHERE CAN I BUY ONE?

LOL. Thanks for the great laugh.

[BringingUpPatriots]

I forgot, MUDBOY.....the invitation is always open!!! We are a very welcoming group no matter where we are. No need to wait for a formal invitation! So please don't feel left out!
BUPPY

[Jen]

Monday at 2:30 an overseas flight touches down and my family will be complete, if only for a little while! Hooray!!!!!

Yippee!!! Please give your wonderful warrior a big {{{HUG}}} from me and thank him for serving in the Navy.

I got your email too and will give you a call soon if this is a good time.

[Jen]

Jen, when are you coming out to LV?

I want to bring my daughter with me and she doesn't know what her work schedule will be yet for next week. But I'm looking at a day trip some time in the next two weeks. Let me know if there are any days that are not good for you. I can't wait to see y'all!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you guys, Aeronaut and Otto, for the wonderful daily flyover of protection for the USO Canteen.

[tomkow6]

If a parsley farmer is sued, can they garnish his wages?

Would a fly without wings be called a walk?

Why do steam irons have a permanent press setting?

Can you be a closet claustrophobic?

Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone will clean them?

Why do people who know the least know it the loudest?

If the funeral procession is at night, do folks drive with their lights off?

If a stealth bomber crashes in a forest, will it make a sound?

If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked?

When it rains, why don't sheep shrink?

Should vegetarians eat animal crackers?

If the cops arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the
right to remain silent?

Why is the word abbreviation so long?

When companies ship Styrofoam, what do they pack it in?

If you're cross-eyed and have dyslexia, can you read all right?

[Mudboy Slim]

"I have family in the Baltimore area and if I ever get to visit there again, I will have to join whatever Canteen/Freep Group is meeting at that time!"

You'll be kickin' yerself if ya don't git a DeeCeeChapterFReep under yer belt by the end of the year...and after 5 November 2002, I reckon there'll be a celebratory FReep or two...MUD

BTW...don't fully discount the 26th of October, my FRiend.

[Mudboy Slim]

"...please don't feel left out!"

I wuz jist razzin' ya...I missed the Vegas FReep and I was invited to that...I'll eventually hook up with y'all!!

FReegards...MUD

[Jen]

HAHAHAHA! Where do you get this stuff? You are so funny Tom!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks Tom for the excellent idea of spreading our support of our troops, wherever they may be, and our veterans. Having these cards will be an easy way to get the word out. They can be left all over town on bulletin boards, and handed out to old friends and new.

[BringingUpPatriots]

I'll be celebrating all right! On November 4th my hubby is retiring after 21 1/2 years in the military!!! So, yes, I will be celebrating that AND hopefully election results too! I am just so amazed and impressed with what Freepers can do for America! I am going to go rent "Johnny Like Tremain"!!!

[BringingUpPatriots]

I need to find a card! I want to do my part! I love our Troops and Veterans and their families so much. I just want to shake some of these senseless people and yell "GET A CLUE". BUPPY (still in the Slaying Mode)

[tomkow6]

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE LOCK YOUR DOORS. I don't want to loose any of my friends!!!!!

Be sure to lock your doors and windows at home. A Chicago man was found
murdered in his home over the weekend. Detectives found him face down in the
bathtub. The bathtub had been filled with milk and cornflakes, and a banana
was sticking out of his butt. Police suspect a cereal killer....