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!

[Snow Bunny]

LOL you read my mind. That is so funny how that happened. Last night before you did the thread, I was off reading about the U.S. Northern Command. And you posted on here the same thing I was reading about. I am thrilled. Thank you sooo much Jen.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Wow, aomagrat, today's historical ship, USS Minneapolis, was worth the wait. Thanks!

[Snow Bunny]

Thank you Tonkin for the P.O. Box!

[Snow Bunny]

Hi it is so good to see you. Thank you for the work you are doing in your area to Support Our Troops, how wonderful.

[Snow Bunny]

OH wow MOJO, what a GREAT idea and the song is perfect for it too. I love the cake for our troops that have a birthday today. I love this MOJO.

[Kathy in Alaska]

It's about time you called Ma. I was just about ready to send the Navy to find you! LOL! Should be on my way home within the hour to find out.

[Soaring Feather]

Lovers

Fall comes, leaves...leave
Spring blossoms long remembered
Lily of the Valley...brave
Silently bells rang
the moods of lovers
zeal...in anticipation
of stolen moments
in quiet valleys...moss
covered secret coves
cold spring waters
wash clean old wounds
sacrred hearts...dripping
tears and blood on soft
surfaces...trod only by
woods faeries,
lightning bugs on starry
warm nights made for
lovers only

bentfeather

[Snow Bunny]

giggle......great photo and Yesss our Army does rock. Thanks so much Dakmar.

[Snow Bunny]

Beautiful flowers Tonkin and all red and white too, very patrotic. Thank you so much.
((((( hug )))))

[Snow Bunny]

Oh how beautiful Bentfeather. I am such a romantic, I love the poem and the picture with it. Thank you so much.

[Snow Bunny]

I am so glad you like the business card for the Canteen. I am going to keep some in my gym bag and also in my purse. They can be handed out to vets, troops and anyone that you might think would like to know about the Canteen and how we support the troops.
Thank you so much Radu.

[Snow Bunny]

Great to see you John, thank you so much for your very special King of Ping ping. giggle. It is so good to see you. I missed you while you were away.
(((((((( hug ))))))

I love your 2 cents so much.

[Snow Bunny]

Hi Mud, thank you for coming to the Canteen. I have to get to the pings you sent me , probably late tonight. hahaaha I am way beind right now. But LUV ya Mud.

[LaDivaLoca]

This is such a wonderful idea! Canteeners are just the BEST!

To Our Military and Veterans, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart....

Need a kiss I'll give you one That's what I love to do Come a little closer now This pucker is for you

Love to travel everywhere Having grand old time Wanna give a special kiss Make you feel just fine

After you receive this kiss Tell you what to do Send it on to all your friends I'll give a smooch or two

What a job this really is I'm telling you it's true So many kisses I can give These lips are made for you

That's okay it's fun ya know It's what I wanna do Fly around the internet With kisses just for you

Having just the greatest fun With lips that want to please Come on now lets have a kiss This job is sure a breeze.~

~ Francine Pucillo ~© original 2001

[tmprincesa]

You're welcome.

I really like your thread, there's so much information here and as a History Major, I find a lot of it very fascinating.

[MoJo2001]

*HUGS* LOVE YA MA!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Tanks have BIG GUNS, too! Sam will love them. Thanks Light Speed.

[LaDivaLoca]

Thank you for your service and Welcome to Canteen Land!

[Soaring Feather]

You're welcome Snow Bunny.

[Snow Bunny]

Hi Misty, good to see you. I love your ideas.Thank you so much for your friendship and wonderful support too.

Prayers still being said for your dear Uncle.