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!

[Light Speed]

Israeli Merkava 4 Data

[SevenofNine]

No problem here latest from Israel
Breaking news off Hareetz wire Palenserin gunmen has been firing near city of Gaza strip killing two Israeli so far in Israel village

IDF just whack one of gunman just now


Also Jerserlum Post reporting that Israel said NO WAY to Fatah idea allow Arafat run for PM Job in PLO Area

And update on sharpshooter I told you about last nite

THEY STILL THERE According to Hareetz waiting for wacky Desert Rat Arafat come out of his crib

[Kathy in Alaska]

Never too late. Wanna drive. I had to drive a long way just to get to the train tracks. I'm tired.

[SAMWolf]

Your Welcome, Linda.

[radu]

LOL!! What a traffic jam!!

I hope someone knows how to handle that train. It's beyond my driving capabilities, I'm afraid.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Jen]

Hi there! I haven't seen you in ages. Love the new cartoons on your profile and web site. hehehehe

(You may not recognize my new name! I used to be AFVetGal.)

[Snow Bunny]

That is wonderful Radu.
Guess what I don't know how to print it out, I mean I don't know how to set up my printer for different paper...LOL

So I am going to take a copy of the business cards to the Kinkos here and have them make the cards up for me. giggle

[radu]

I can handle that Weiner-Mobile just fine but the train?.....I dunno about that. Haven't tried my hand at one of those. I'd sure hate to be the one to cause the first derailment in the Canteen. :-D

[Snow Bunny]

Hi Linda, I am so glad to see you.

[radu]

Good night, Linda. Still not recuperated from your all-nighter the other night? Maybe one more night's rest will have you feeling back up to par. Sleep well. :-))

[Kathy in Alaska]

God bless you Sir, and thank you too for your service to our country. I missed you when we went on liberty to Alaska. I believe you owe us a story one day. LOL!!

[SAMWolf]

I want that Abrams!!! I am sooooooooo jealous!

[Snow Bunny]

Hi Redhead, I am so glad you like it. That is wonderful what a marvelous idea you have.
It is so good to see you.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thanks for the great dinner!
I just have to shine my shoes and trim my beard.
*HUG*

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good night and sleep well, Linda. God bless you for all you do for the troops at their USO Canteen.

[Jen]

Sure I'll drive! Hope you don't mind me blowing the whistle a lot!

[Kathy in Alaska]

11:30p (2:30a for you?)

[radu]

Hmmmm. Kinko's may not be a bad idea! I haven't tried to print off anything like cards before.

Get the cards printed off there then that leaves me a little leeway for praticing making them myself for the future. Sounds like a plan to me! LOL!