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 are so sweet Tonk! Thank YOU for serving in the Navy and for now volunteering in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. You are a terrific role model for all us veterans!

[Snow Bunny]

Just to say I am thinking of you and thank you for serving our country in this war.
Prayers for you always.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

From the men in the military and the men in the USO Canteen.

[Snow Bunny]

[radu]

Excellent thread!!!! One thing I love about the Canteeners is how everyone feeds off each others ideas and comments and works together. This a perfect example. And I love the idea of the business cards!

[radu]

Now that's a coooool dragster!!!

[radu]

What a perfect flower arrangement to have just inside the front door of the Canteen!

{{{{HUG}}}}

[JohnHuang2]

Morning, all =^)

[JohnHuang2]

[Mudboy Slim]

Good mornin', Tonkin...you up late or early, my FRiend?!

FReegards...MUD

[MistyCA]

Fantastic idea, Bunny! Great thread, Jen! I will print out some cards and hand them out religiously! I think I would also like to make some up using the Canteen truck and planes and little cyber cars we girlz love so much! Also, perhaps a 9-11 background graphic, or our troops as a background graphic. My goodness, the ideas and options for this are endless! Thanks to both of you for making such a good idea a reality! :) You know that old expression.....the best thing since sliced bread! Well, this really is! :)

[American Preservative]

Thank you Troops and Veterans -

MONACO: FREE AMERICAN GREEN BERET VETERAN TED MAHER - HOSTAGE DAY 1,033!

WWW.TEDMAHER.COM

[MistyCA]

to the Canteen! It's wonderful having you join us!

[MistyCA]

to the Canteen! I hope you enjoy the thread! :))

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody !!

Have a cup while you FReep !

For those who prefer hot chocolate.....

New MnM jpg:

[MistyCA]

I am so excited about 4's new position at Free Dominion moderating the Veteran's Forum!!! Not only does it broaden our exposure, but it also gives us another outlet! Way to go 4theflag! As much as I would love to have 4 with us here, his love of the troops and service on their behalf has continued and has grown.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Bunny.

[MistyCA]

Tonk, those flowers are beautiful! Thank you very much! Thanks for all the time you spend ordering and delivering up the most wonderful floral arrangements in the world! :)))

[MistyCA]

[MistyCA]

Hiya, John! I am always so happy to see the Ping King, but haven't had much time lately to express that! Good to see you! :)