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!

[Jen]

You have email. :-)

[LaDivaLoca]

Beamer is so adorable! It's too bad I never had the chance to get acquainted with 4Theflag. It seems like he made such a huge impact here.

4TheFlag, wherever you are, I want to say hello!

[Snow Bunny]

What a wonderful story you shared with us about your husband.Thank you so much Severa.

[Kathy in Alaska]

LOL! I'm sure Snow Bunny will share her clay pots and hammer with you out back of the Canteen. Then come back in and join us for a relaxing evening.

[Jen]

More email. hehehehehe

[Entropy Squared]

4TheFlag and GooberDoll are doing a fabulous job at Free Dominion honoring our warriors. It is a great international diplomatic effort they have undertaken and Connie and I greatly appreciate the work they are putting forth to support the warriors who protect us all.

[LaDivaLoca]

Darn it! I wish all those anti-americans, communists and the like would just go away. They give Filipinos a bad name! God, I hope things are not as bad as the papers would make them out to be - just isolated cases. My heart goes out to the American soldier who died and those who were injured. My prayers to their families.

[Terry's Take]

Beautiful flowers, Tonk!

[LaDivaLoca]

Welcome! Please thank your dad, uncle and grandfathers for me for their service to our country.

[LaDivaLoca]

Now all I need is to learn how to add the music.

[MoJo2001]

THat is so sad! God be with his family during this sad time. May He rest in peace!

[Kathy in Alaska]

I second the motion. Congratulations 4 on your Moderator position for the Veteran's Forum at Free Dominion. I popped in late last night after hours.

[Jen]

Big guns! Wow!!! Great pix.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Prayers for all who are in the path of Hurricane Lili. My brother is new to Texas and is in Houston.

[Jen]

Hi Mojo! Thanks for your kind words. Good to see you!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

d:o(

[LaDivaLoca]

Ok, I'm think I'm mellowing down now. Wine always have that effect on me. LOL!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Oh, no, kneezles, having no IP is not good for a Canteener's disposition. Hope she can get them to get it fixed. But, if not, good luck to you for your turn tomorrow. See ya tonight if you need Canteen company later.

[Snow Bunny]

ROTFL.....that little pig is so cute. hahahahaha

[Snow Bunny]

Hi it is so good to see you Entropy. Yipeee ! I love your place and will be back to say hi again.