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]

Hi AP, it is so good to see you. Great idea, thank you so much for posting the link to get Green Beret Ted Maher Freed from Monaco.

[Snow Bunny]

That is so precious Kathy, I love it .

[Snow Bunny]

Hi Meekie, thank you for the yummy coffee. Have a wonderful evening.

[LaDivaLoca]

To the men in the military and the men in USO Canteen

[Snow Bunny]

Hi good to see you LaDivaLoca.

Thank you for being here.

Snow Bunny

[Snow Bunny]

ROTFL......that is sooooo cute....that little pucker. hahhahaa.....what fun !!!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Glad to see you today, tm. That would be really great if you print out this thread, or even better, a Mail Call Monday, and pass it on to the ROTC folks. The USO Canteen is indeed FOR the troops. We honor them every day for their sacrifices of the past, for their sacrifices today, and for their sacrifices of the future to keep this great nation free.

Please thank your Dad, your Uncle, and your grandfathers for their service to our country.

[LaDivaLoca]

LOL!!! That was quite unexpected - thanks for the laugh! LOL!!!

[Snow Bunny]

Amen Misty! well said thank you.

[Snow Bunny]

Hi Aeronaut, thank you for the flyover! Hi to Otto too.

((((((((((((((( hug )))))))))))))

[LaDivaLoca]

Those are powerful images! Love them!

[Snow Bunny]

The woman calmly looked up at her and replied firmly, "No, he didn't. He just walked in the door."

LOL..hahahahahaha...good one Tomkow

[Snow Bunny]

Hi Colleen, I am so glad you like it. I am very excited about the Canteen business card.
Thank you again too Colleen for my beautiful Oregon grape flowers. I love it so much.

[Kathy in Alaska]

I say if they catch the low-life #&#@*&7@% that did this that they be locked in a room with those Marines.

I agree wholeheartedly, Sam. Am I being naive to believe that a fellow Marine would never do this to a fellow Marine?

PS What is the chain of events for packing chutes? Do they pack their own? Does somebody else pack them? Are only Marines involved in the chain of custody of them?

TROOPS, DO ANY OF YOU JUMP? A LITTLE HELP HERE!

[Jen]

I've missed you LJ! How are things in Maine?

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Last job done. I'm on my way to find the train.

Back shortly.

[SAMWolf]

ROTFLMAO!!!

[LaDivaLoca]

It's always a pleasure to be here! I'm still trying to catch up with all the posts and I noticed some new names in here. Well, probably not really new but first time I've seen them here and they all rock!

Looks like I missed the party yesterday. I was able to read the posts but didn't have time to join the fun! But I tell, I think I gained 20 lbs from yesterday's party!

Just trying to catch up.

[LaDivaLoca]

May I? I've been so stressed from work and I think I could use some form of outlet to vent, if you know what I mean!That hammer looks lethal right now. LOL! Or maybe I should just go and smell the flowers.