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!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Evening, Dakmar. Thanks for the neat pictures of the dragster.

[radu]

Okie dokie! I'll try to do better tonight. I was a couple of minutes late last night, wasn't I? LOL!!!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

*HUG*

[radu]

Hi'ya, Tonk!

{{HUG}}

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Hi!!!
Thanks for the *HUG*
Yipeeeee it's my "Fri" nite.
But I do have to get up at 5AM for my watch.
*HUG*

[Jen]

{{{{{HUG}}}}} Thanks for the lovely flowers!

[radu]

Hooray for "Friday" night!!

But what a bummer getting up at 5 a.m. is. That's my bedtime! (giggle)

But I know you're looking forward to tomorrow! :-))

[GatorGirl]

Hi Tonkin! Hi All!

Thank you for the beautiful flowers. You are so faithful and thoughtful always. We appreciate you so much!

BTW, I wanted to ask you to ping me when you go to battle on the other threads. If I'm around, I'd love to jump into the fray with you!

((((((((HUG)))))))))) GG

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good night LaDiva and sleep well. God bless you good and thanks for joining the Canteen and helping honor our troops. I'm loving your graphics.

[Light Speed]

Russian SU-37 Berkut[Golden Eagle]

Although the SU-37 looks advanced and leathal..it is in fact a generation level behind the current US F-16 and F-15.
Not on the same page when compared to the new F-22 Raptor.
Berkut has some advantages in lowspeed movement and turning ...but the airframe is not designed to carry much ordinance..the wings do not have weapons stations.
Missiles are located inside the fuselage in 2 bays.
The aircraft is not in production as it is unable to compete with the new generation F-22.

Nice try Ivan!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Shipshape?

God bless you good and thank you for your service to our country. And thank you for your continuing service with the Coast Guard Auxiliary. We are proud of you.

[Jen]

That's a goofy looking plane. It looks like the wings were put on backwards! hahahaha

Have you seen the X35B yet? I've got a video of a test flight that is really neat.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"BTW, I wanted to ask you to ping me when you go to battle on the other threads."

AYE AYE!
*HUG*

[SAMWolf]

LOL! Thanks Linda. I love it! You're great!

[Kathy in Alaska]

OMG!! I love the traffic jam.

[GatorGirl]

Hey, Kathy--sorry I didn't get a chance to cruise around in the Weinermobile with you yesterday. I told my husband a few years ago that when we retired, I wanted to apply to drive the weinermobile around. What fun!

Take care, Diagonal FRiend--it's very late down here.

Love and ((((((HUGS)))))) to my FRiends, prayers for the those in the path of Lili and, as always, our brave troops! Good night! Love, GG

[Jen]

Hey! Officer Tonk!!! How did that sailor David C. ever get out of the traffic jam in his 'vette?

[radu]

It sounds like our loss is Free Dominion's gain. I'm glad our Flagman has found a place where his efforts are so appreciated.:-)) I'm also happy he has GooberDoll by his side!