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!

[MoJo2001]

UGH!UGH!UGH!UGH!UGH!UGH!UGH!UGH!UGH! Oh..my head is hurting! UGH! Phooey! Sorry, Diva!! I'm going to check on it tomorrow!! UGH!

[SAMWolf]

Anyone heard from Victoria? It's not like her to not post at all.

[Snow Bunny]

LOL.....I just could not help myself. I am done with the clay pots now. I need the rest of them for flowers. hahahahaa

[Snow Bunny]

OHo my gosh..........

ROTFLMHO

I just saw the hammer and the stack of clay pots.

ROTFLMHO

[Kathy in Alaska]

Yippee, tomorrow is Coast Guard Day!! Are you ready? Uniform ironed? Shoes shined? Beard trimmed? Chores done?

[The Shrew]

For several years during the course of my relatively extensive business travels I have been making a habit of noticing service members in or out of uniform as they travel.

1. I thank them for their service.

2. I make the discussion about them and their service - not me - when asked I will say I was in the Marines a hundred years ago. These kids do not necessarily want to hear an old man's war stories.

3. When the situation warrants it I have been known to invite them into the Red Carpet Club or bar and buy a round to make the point that they are important and appreciated.

4. I have been known to get my frequent flyer upgrade to first class and "pass it on" to a servicemember. I have had gate agents react warmly to such a request.

5. I've left them alone when, like the Army Staff Sergeant, on last night's flight they seemed to be able to fall asleep standing up. Then, I say a prayer thanking God for these men and women and what they are doing for us.

6. I tell them about FreeRepublic and the Canteen and that they should check it out.

Thank you Snow and AntiJen for the great work that you and the canteeners are doing here.

Great Idea TomKow!

Regards,

TS

[Snow Bunny]

This is beautiful thank you. How pretty and I love what it says.

[SAMWolf]

Dear Veterans,
These thoughts and sentiments were written exactly as the first grade children spoke them.

We hope as you read them, you feel honored and appreciated for being the heroes and heroines that you are. It is people like you who make our country great.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Ms. Jacki Hagemeyer and the Suite 16 Kids of Pike Lake Elementary

Dear Veterans. . .
. . .Thank you for saving our country. I love you and your friends. When I say the pledge, I think of you. Peace, Mike

. . .Thank you for saving our world. Did you leave your family, it is not fair to your family. How old are you now? Peace, Katherine

. . .This is a tank and they are all excited because they won. thank you for giving us freedom. Freedom is when you get to do this if your parents say it's okay. Graham

Thank you for saving the world. You were brave to fight for our country. I am glad that we have freedom because it's something everybody should have. Sincerely, Joshua

. . .Thank you that you saved us. Believe in God and you will be saved. Peace, Sam

Thank you for sving us. I am glad that you won the war. We have freedom because of you. Peace, Chris

. . .I am glad that you are alive. Some veterans are not and that makes me sad. Did you make lots of friends in the war? Gratefully, Tori

. . . Thank you for protecting Minnesota. I'm glad you care about the United States. Do you like fighting in wars? Gratefully, Jacob

. . .Thank you for letting us have freedom. Freedom is going to grocery stores to get whatever food we want. We can say things and not get into trouble. I am glad you stood up for us. Linden

Thank you , Veterans for giving us freedom. We can go anywhere, eat anything, and we don't go to jail if we disagree. I'm proud to be an American. Peace, Joey

. . .Thank you for doing all the work. I am happy you are alive. I am glad that the war is over. Sincerely, Shanna

Thank you for sacrificing for us. I am glad that you fought for our country's freedom. Is it scary inside the war? I'll bet it is. I just wanted to know. Thanks again. Gratefully, Nick

. . .thank you for making us free. I am glad that you saved my family. I learned veterans can be both men and women. Sincerely, Anders

. . .thank you for saving our country. I am glad you let wars in freedom. Did you see campfires, camp and roast hot dogs? Did you get to drive a jeep? Peace, Melissa

[LaDivaLoca]

In real-life courtrooms, witnesses can say the darnedest things, and the high drama often turns into low comedy:

Q. You say this woman shot her husband with his pistol at close range.
A. Yes, sir, that's right.
Q. Any powder marks on his body?
A. Yes sir, that's why she shot him.

Q. What is your date of birth?
A. October 1910.
Q. Do you remember the day?
A. No, but I've been told about it

Q. Do you know whether your husband was born in welock?
A. No, he was born in Owen Sound.

Judge. do you know what that oath you have just taken means?
Defendant. Yeah. It means if I swear to lie, I gotta stick to in

[MoJo2001]

Lady Victoria, where are you?? We miss you!! I hope you are safe!! God Bless you, Diva!

[Snow Bunny]

oh WoW.......The Shrew! Hi !

I missed you soooo much. You have got to check out the thread from yesterday. It was Feed Your Face and we did Junk food all day for the troops!!!!!!!!!!

Gosh I missed you sooo much.
Welcome Back TS and hope all went well.

[Kathy in Alaska]

radu, I love your shock therapy, but I sometimes wonder if he is deaf in his burka. LOL! I have a curfew again tonight. I hope the computer cable is long enough now and you will be online soon.

[Snow Bunny]

I agree MOJO, I miss you too Victoria .

Where are you. We will have to send out the troops all of them.

Miss you.

[Dakmar]

Thanks SnowBunny. Most of my friends are former Army guys, I just had to put in a good word for them.

NAVY KICKS BUTT TOO:

Take care, God Bless America, and please God Bless All you canteeners!

[The Shrew]

It was Feed Your Face and we did Junk food all day for the troops!!!!!!!!!!

It is so comforting to know that when my name comes up it's about Junk food! I always knew I stirred something in the feminine Gender! I think it's the taste buds!

Well, that's the price of being a foodie!

I did see yesterday's thread and was waiting for an In n Out Burger Graphic!

Regards,

TS

[Snow Bunny]

Victoriaaaaaaaa

We all miss you. heh heh you better be having tons of fun someplace....hmmmmm

[Snow Bunny]

hahahhaa....those are good.

[LaDivaLoca]

Hello! I don't travel as much as I would like to but I will remember your pointers the next time I get a chance to do so. I'm not the type to approach strangers and strike a conversation - I'm a bit shy and it's a cultural thing too but I will definitely make an exception the next time I see a serviceman or servicewoman. It's time we let them know that they are very much appreciated and that they do have our support and most of all our prayers.

[Snow Bunny]

giggle........Go Navy ! heh heh....Thanks soooo much Dakmar. those are great pictures too. Thanks so much.