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!

[The Shrew]

God bless you real good my friend.

He has AJ. He has.

Thank you for your efforts on the Canteen and on the behalf of our servicemembers.

REgards,

TS

[Snow Bunny]

Hi BLackie, good to see you my friend.

Beamer

[Jen]

Is it too late to get a ride on the train? I've never been on a train before - not counting the one that goes in a 5-mile circle around Stone Mountain. hahahaha

[The Shrew]

Is it just me, or are there more beautiful redheads since the movie, "Spiderman" came out? ;-)

Regards,

TS

[redhead]

Hi, Snowbie! Hi, everybody. Just enjoying the thread today, and thought that I'll have to keep some "Thank You" cards in my purse to give to the veterans I know (starting with dear hubby). Since we are in the American Legion and Auxiliary, there are LOTS of veterans in our very large circle. It will be an honor and a pleasure to thank each one of them personally for their service to the country. This has been a great thread, and I loved every post. Thanks, everyone!

[Entropy Squared]

Connie and I and others will be happy to have you drop by, Snow Bunny. We always have a welcome for patriots to liberty.

[radu]

The cable works fine but we don't have the software programs loaded yet. Looks like it'll be tomorrow before I get to play on it. We did go to a few sites this afternoon as soon as everything was hooked up and on 'go' and WOW!!!...it's so fast!!! It hurts to come back to this tonight.

What's your curfew tonight? I'll try to be a little quicker on the draw than I was last night. LOL!!

[Snow Bunny]

Hi Mr.M thank you for telling us about the Sabre today.
(((((( hug )))))))

[Valin]

1890 - Groucho Marx, [Julius], NYC, comedian (Marx Bros, You Bet Your Life)


A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five.
Groucho Marx

Age is not a particularly interesting subject. Anyone can get old. All you have to do is live long enough.
Groucho Marx

Either this man is dead or my watch has stopped.
Groucho Marx

From the moment I picked up your book until I laid it down, I was convulsed with laughter. Some day I intend reading it.
Groucho Marx

Go, and never darken my towels again.
Groucho Marx

I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.
Groucho Marx

I never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception.
Groucho Marx

I sent the club a wire stating, PLEASE ACCEPT MY RESIGNATION. I DON'T WANT TO BELONG TO ANY CLUB THAT WILL ACCEPT ME AS A MEMBER.
Groucho Marx

I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it.
Groucho Marx

It isn't necessary to have relatives in Kansas City in order to be unhappy.
Groucho Marx

[Kathy in Alaska]

Mellow is good, but if you need a Designated Driver, radu or I will be glad to oblige. LOL! Just give a call

[Jen]

Are you tending bar tonight, E²? I've had a rough day.

[redhead]

"Is it just me, or are there more beautiful redheads since the movie, "Spiderman" came out? ;-)"

I dunno...I've been a redhead since 1943. That's about the time the original Spiderman came out, I think (I'm just guessing, here, guys. Anybody know for sure?), so I'd have to have dibs on being first...

[SAMWolf]

Good Night, Linda. Thanks for honoring my Dad today.

[Snow Bunny]

Prayers that Souris will be OK with the hurrican storm in her area.
Dear Lord, protect our precious
Souris and keep her safe.
We all love her so much
Amen

[radu]

ROTFLMAO!! Yer darn tootin' I'll buckle up!! That new 'puter is faster than those gorgeous dragsters Dakmar's been posting!

[Jen]

Music is not hard! I can teach you.

Here's the code (except leave out the $ marks):

<$a href="http://www.domainname.com/musicfile.mp3"$>Type some words to display here or put in the code for a graphic<$/a$>

VOILA!