USO Canteen FReeper Style Pray for the Troops and President Bush .... October 27,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style ~Coteblanche ~Grantswank~Snow Bunny~

[Snow Bunny]

.

.

.

.

Although we are always aware
that the Canteen is operating
in Cyberspace, we want the troops
and anyone who is on the receiving end
of prayers at the Canteen,
to know that these prayers are very real.

I hope the troops and Canteeners
alike, will view this Canteen Chapel,
as a place where you might go in times of
trouble or times of joy to be with your God.

"Come unto me all ye who are weary and
burdened,and I shall give you rest." (Matt: 11:28).

.

.

.

George W. Bush: A President of Faith

.

A Man of Prayer

A reporter on CNN was asked

"What did George W. Bush do
on his first morning as president-elect?"

This was Tony Clark's answer:

"He attended a prayer service with family,
friends and staff members."

George W Bush's priorities were established
on the first day of his Presidency.

The President Takes His Faith to Work

President George W. Bush looks over to Thomas Martello, 6,
during the signing ceremony of the Victims of Terrorism
Tax Relief Act in the East Room Jan. 23.
"We're joined today by families who have lost loved ones
in the great acts of evil," said the President.
"As you draw on faith and personal strength to cope with your grief,
I hope you'll also find comfort in the knowledge that
your nation stands with you and prays for you.
We mourn those whom we've lost, and we face the future together."

The President Lives his Faith

President Bush says he prays every day
in all kinds of situations,
and has been seen to quietly bow his head and pray
before news conferences and important meetings.
"I pray for guidance. I do not pray for earthly things
but for heavenly things, for wisdom
and patience and understanding."

"For strength and support, Bush turns to
the same things that have sustained
him for two decades: his faith and his family . . .
Bush prays and reads the Bible every day.
These days, aides say, they often spot
a Bible on his desk in the Oval Office.
In conversation or meetings, he often refers to
passages of Scripture that he has just read."

"There are prayers that help us last
through the day, or endure the night.
There are prayers of friends and strangers
that give us strength for the journey.
And there are prayers that yield
our will to a will greater than our own."

George W. Bush September 14, 2001
National Day of Prayer and Remembrance.

Listen to President George W Bush
in an Inspiring Song by Russ Lee

Don't miss this.

I'm Going To Live What I Believe

.

.

.

Music for a Sunday

How Great Thou Art (Elvis Presley) ......A Mighty Fortress

Amazing Grace (Statler Brothers).....Praise Adonai (Steve Israel)

The Lord's Prayer.....Ave Maria

.

Hymns of the Military

.

Army Hymn: "God of Our Fathers"

Navy Hymn: "Eternal Father Strong to Save"

Air Force Hymn: "Lord Guard and Guide the Men Who Fly"

.

We, at the Canteen, offer these prayers 
to those serving their country 
today. God Bless you all.

.

Psalm 59:1,16&17
(Patti Vaillant)

"Deliver me from mine enemies,O my God:
Defend me from them that rise up against me.
But I will sing of thy power;yes I will sing
aloud of thy mercy in the morning; for thou
hast been my defence and refuge in the day
of my trouble. Unto thee, O my strength will
I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of 
my mercy."

.

Our Prayer
(Celine Dion/Andrea Bocelli)

I pray you'll be our eyes, 
And watch us where we go.
And help us to be wise 
In times when we don't know.

Let this be our prayer, 
When we lose our way.
Lead us to a place, 
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe. 

I pray we'll find your light,
And hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night,
Remind us where you are.. 

Let this be our prayer
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace 
Give us faith so we'll be safe.

We ask that life be kind
And watch us from above.
We hope each soul will find
Another soul to love.

Let this be our prayer,
Just like every child,
Needs to find a place, 
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe.

.

.

The Chaplain's Corner

J. Grant Swank, Jr.,
Pastor, New Hope Church

.

.

KEEP YOUR HEAD HELD HIGH

.

Frog and I peered eye to eye. Riveted. Don’t tell me those instinct-driven creatures don’t know what’s going on. They’re just like my three kids when they were little. They’d stare me right in the eye as if I were invisible—and they too were nowhere to be seen. Oh well, since I don’t grab hold of evolution, I leave other brains to figure out the connection on that one.

Anyhow, Frog spied me out and vice versa. Then as I leaned over to throw a small stick into the water, Frog hopped into oblivion. Splash. I yelled to the others, "I just saw a frog!" Dumb. As if we had never come upon a frog before. Why do we adults do that?

Autumn had come upon us. So it was time to praise the good Lord for His turn in season. With that, some of us Lakes Region believers took to the trail—Cascade Falls Trail to be specific.

It was a lazy Saturday afternoon for browsing the bushes and taking in those exceptionally spiked trees. Their heads reached far, far, faaarrr up there. A well-worn path spoke of fellow travelers who had enjoyed those same enticing environs.

Anna looked back at us, then put her hands into the air as if to conduct the choir. We got the message. It was time to sing a chorus or two. So we enthusiastically began: "I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing. I will sing. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, of the mercies of the Lord."

Now some may call that a ditty. We called it "singing for fun in thanks to God for a day off from work—and hearts in tune with heaven."

Before long we came upon the falls and picnic area. Then there was the Cascade Brook with its mossy rocks and impressive descending waterway.

"Look at all this slate," someone pointed as we took in the gray bits and pieces strewn about our feet. "Reminds me of Monson," another responded, recalling the slate slabs characteristic of those north-of-us parts.

"Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid For the Lord my God is my strength and my song; He also has become my salvation."

The singing continued—gladly so.

"There used to be a lion’s cage here," a seasoned pathfinder pointed out. "Many years ago walkers came upon a lion in that iron frame."

"I remember when they used to put bears in cages alongside the road," another reminisced. "As children we used to linger about them, mesmerized especially by the pandas."

"That could never happen today. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals would shut down those tiny confines."

Of course, all that was true. Yet on our trail the remains of a metal housing broken into pieces due to the ravages of time stared back at us from beneath the trees.

"God is so good to us," I thought. "Here we are with true friends, outdoors’ splendor and a few bare logs for relaxing alongside the falls. We are truly wealthy folk."

It doesn’t take much to make a soul happy when you’re head is looking up and your heart is in the right place.

Servicewoman and serviceman: remember: keep your head held high and your heart in the heart of God. Also, know that all of us love you and are praying for you.

.

Click on the banner above to listen to this beautiful song.

.

Our Canteen Chaplain,Grant Swank,is pastor 
of the New Hope Church. He has pastored for 
40+ years, ministering in Calgary, Alberta;
Indianapolis; Kansas City; Manchester CT; 
Akron OH; Fishkill NY; Walpole MA and presently 
in Maine. 

Grant also finds ministry in writing for various 
Protestant and Catholic publications, including 
CHRISTIANITY TODAY, DECISION and THE PRIEST. 

Presently, Grant is providing columns for 
websites such as CHALCEDON, INTELLECTUAL.
CONSERVATIVE, 
MENSNEWSDAILY, MICHNEWS and WOUNDEDSHEPHERDS. 

He also writes a weekly column, "Lakes 
Religion," for the PORTLAND PRESS HERALD 
newspaper, Portland ME. 

He and his wife, Priscilla, have traveled 
extensively, including the Middle East, Europe 
and South America. The Swanks have three adult 
children: Crystal, Jay and 
Heidi Jo.

.

[zip]

George W Bush's priorities were established on the first day of his Presidency

I thank God that we have a man who Lives his faith leading us during these difficult times.

THANK YOU MILITARY TROOPS, PAST AND PRESENT, AND THEIR FAMILIES TO PROTECT US AND GIVE US THE RIGHT TO WORSHIP GOD AND HAVE THE FREEDOM TO EXPRESS OUR BELIEFS IN ANY MANNER. THANK YOU FROM MY HEART.

[Jen]

Thank you Tonk for the beautiful flowers and the daily transportation for the Girlz! {{{HUG}}}

[firewalk]

Good morning & hope your day is great

[Mr_Magoo]

Air Power

SIKORSKY YH-5A "DRAGON FLY"

The H-5, originally designated the R-5 (H for Helicopter; R for Rotorcraft), was designed to provide a helicopter having greater useful load, endurance, speed, and service ceiling than the R-4. The first XR-5 of four ordered made its initial flight on August 18, 1943. In March 1944, the AAF ordered 26 YR-5As for service testing, and in February 1945, the first YR-5A was delivered.

During its service life, the H-5 was used for rescue and mercy missions throughout the world. It gained its greatest fame, however, during the Korean War when it was called upon repeatedly to rescue United Nations' pilots shot down behind enemy lines and to evacuate wounded personnel from frontline areas.

More than 300 H-5s had been built by the time production was halted in 1951.

SPECIFICATIONS
Main rotor diameter: 48 ft.
Tail rotor diameter: 8 ft. 5 in.
Fuselage Length: 41 ft. 2 in.
Height: 12 ft. 11 in.
Weight: 4,815 lbs. loaded
Armament: None
Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-985 of 450 hp.

PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 90 mph.
Cruising speed: 70 mph.
Range: 280 miles
Service Ceiling: 10,000 ft.

[Jen]

This prayer for our troops was sent to me by my sister. Please say a prayer now for all our troops wherever they may be.

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen."

[Mr_Magoo]

"God is so good to us," I thought. "Here we are with true friends, outdoors’ splendor and a few bare logs for relaxing alongside the falls. We are truly wealthy folk."

So fitting for the Canteen thread.

God is Awesome!

Thanks for being our Chaplain.

[SAMWolf]

It doesn’t take much to make a soul happy when you’re head is looking up and your heart is in the right place.

Thank you, Rev. Swank. Sometimes we forget these things, thanks for the reminder.

[SAMWolf]

DragonFly Bump



The tandem two-seat VS-336 was designed to improve the R-4 Hoverfly's performance and first flew in 1943. Accepted into U.S. Army Air Force service as the R-5 Dragonfly and as the HO2S in the U.S. Navy.

The "D" model changed the landing gear to a nosewheel configuration. A civil four-seat version--the S-51--first flew in 1946 and was purchased by the U.S. Air Force as the H-5 and U.S. Navy as the HO3S.

This helicopter saw extensive action in Korea rescuing United Nations pilots shot down behind enemy lines and can be seen in the movie Bridges at Toko-Ri

[SAMWolf]

U.S. soldiers shop at PX shop inside Kandahar airbase in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2002. The main task for the 4,500 soldiers, the Army's 82nd Airborne Division based at Afghanistan's largest base, is tracking down and capturing al-Qaida and Taliban stragglers in the country's dusty south. But while not at work, troops are getting to kick back in ever increasing style. They sleep in air conditioned comfort, have their haircut by female stylists flown in from Kyrgyzstan and will soon havea 24-hour cinema to catch the latest films. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)

U.S. soldiers repair a helicopter at Kandahar air field in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2002. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)

Kyrgyzstani hair stylists cut the hair of U.S. soldiers at PX barber shop inside Kandahar air field in Kandahar, Afghanistan (news - web sites), Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2002.(AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)

U.S. soldiers work out during at a gym inside Kandahar air field in Kandahar, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2002. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)

Kyrgyzstani Kadyraly Ainura, manager of a PX barber shop, waits to welcome customers as her colleague cuts the hair of a U.S. soldier at her shop inside the Kandahar Air Field Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2002.(AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)

[SevenofNine]

Good morning Canteen members and Lurkers

Well there is report off BBC wire this morning unfortunately IDF soldiers got whack by Hamas members in gun battle in Gaza strip overnight last nite in Israel

OOPS

Also another item off Aussie wire that Russians has more evidence that maybe Al Quada network been training Chechens

That good way tick off KGB agent

[SAMWolf]

A Pilot's Prayers
by Capt. John Hunnell (1991)

Editor's note: Capt. Hunnell of the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing went on to fly thirty-three combat missions, most at night, after the one he describes in his letter. "I was so charged when I wrote the letter that the first draft was twelve pages long and illegible," said Hunnell. He sent the letter to St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas - his hometown. "They had sent me a little prayer book and a medallion," said Hunnell. "I just wanted to thank them and to share an experience."

There are three prayers that I find I say the most.

The first is a simple prayer: "Lord, grant me a goodly entrance and a goodly exit, and sustain me with your power." A well-balanced, proportional prayer, ideally suited to the mission of a fighter pilot or to any of life's tasks. I learned this prayer just a few weeks ago. Ironically, it came to the Prophet Mohammed from the Archangel Gabriel and is recorded in the Koran. It is amazing there can be so much hate between all the people who worship the God of Abraham, Noah, Lot, and Moses.

The second is the "Pilot's Prayer": "Oh God, don't let me screw up!" Not quite as eloquent as the first, but this one comes from the soul. As a group, American pilots are extremely well trained. We enjoy a tremendous confidence in that training. Every time I fly, I have another F-16 pilot in his jet, flying as my wingman. We depend on each other for mutual support. Mistakes in the air, in combat, can become lethal so quickly. So a prayer for no mistakes is a prayer for success.

The final prayer, and the most eloquent of the three, I have said each time I strap on my jet. This prayer is attributed to Sir Jacob Astley of England before he led his troops into battle in 1642: "Oh Lord! Thou knowest how busy I must be this day. If I forget Thee, do not Thou forget me."

My second combat mission was a true test. I saw the prayers of St. Martin's parishioners, my family's prayers, and my prayers answered on that flight.

I was part of a fairly large strike against some factories in the greater Baghdad area. CNN would later report that "the damage was so extensive we know that it was B-52s." I guess I'll take that as a compliment.

When I was some fifty miles out from the target, the first bombs of our strike began to hit. Unfortunately, this gave the Iraqis notice that they should be shooting at us. My radar-warning receiver immediately began beeping and squeaking; the enemy radars were searching for us. We accelerated to ten miles per minute by selecting afterburner. My fuel consumption doubled. Flak started bursting in the skies ahead, just like in the movies, only silently. There are no "combat sounds" or explosions in a fighter jet; just the sounds of your radio, radar-warning receiver, and the low roar of your engine.



We started a weaving ballet of maneuvers designed to make it more difficult to track or shoot us. Suddenly, the intensity picked up. Two missiles were being launched at us. They streaked in front of us to explode in two dirty-brown fireballs--both misses. An F-16 called to report that he was "engaged defensively with a missile." Another missile launch was called, then another blared over the radio. Suddenly the words "Magnum, Magnum" were heard. A friendly aircraft had launched a missile against those sites shooting at us. Magnum, Magnum - such sweet words - I think I will name my next child Magnum.

We continued to scream in upon our targets, raining our bombs, dropping chaff, weaving to the left, launching missiles, weaving to the right, dodging flak and missiles. The threat calls started coming so fast I couldn't keep track of all the missile launches.

My turn came to roll in. I pointed my nose to the ground at over 500 knots. God, tell those below on the ground to duck. Suddenly, my aircraft shuddered, sending a shot of adrenaline through me. Then I realized, no, I had not been hit; it was just the bombs leaving the aircraft. "Oh God, don't let me screw up." As I climbed off the target, I checked my fuel - I had just enough to make it home, not enough for afterburner. My chaff - I never checked it before in flight - I noticed it was gone, all used up. My two best defenses against missiles - chaff and speed - were gone. "Oh Lord! Grant me a goodly exit!"

As I zoomed back to altitude, I began to hear the radio again - I was concentrating too intently on releasing the bombs. I found my wingman, and we turned toward home. But before I could get halfway into the turn, my radar-warning receiver screamed at me, an ear-splitting sound. The electronic hand of a missile had grabbed me and locked onto my jet. I broke hard left in a six-g turn, selecting afterburner. I thought, "I don't have enough gas for this. I can't see a missile. I can't find it!"

Over the warning receiver came three loud beeps. A missile was being launched at me. I double-checked - I was in full afterburner; my fuel flow was four times what I could afford. That last turn cost me 150 knots of airspeed. Another six-g pull. Another 150 knots of speed was gone. The warning receiver went silent - the missile was going to miss. "If I forget Thee, do not Thou forget me." I rolled out and accelerated from the virtual standstill I had put myself in, back to a good safe maneuvering speed and canceled afterburner.



The leader of this strike called for everyone to check in. I held my breath--which friends would not be coming home? Slowly, surely everyone counted off--all okay--not even a scratch. We called ahead for tankers and to advise "the world" (i.e., friendly defenses) that we would be coming back higher and slower than planned to save on gas. It looked like a World War II movie with all the contrails streaming home - Jimmy Stewart would have loved it.

That's when the fear set in. When it was all happening, I'd been too busy for it. I still shudder remembering this scene. I never want my children to know this much fear. The bravest thing I ever did was to get back in a jet the next day.

We learned our lesson from this mission. We changed our tactics and have never been threatened like that again.

So, should we be here? Yes, as long as certain inalienable rights are the endowment of all people, not just Americans; then the answer is self-evident.

Please continue praying for me and my comrades. Your prayers are indeed working. Along with your prayers for peace, offer a prayer for the Iraqis; they are indeed suffering.

I never thought it difficult to "remember the Sabbath and keep it holy." However, working round the clock, seven days a week, it is easy to lose track of time. I work when I must, sleep when I have to, and eat when I can, regardless of the time. I didn't even know it was Sunday during the first weekend of the war until sunset. The entire day had passed. "Oh Lord, Thou knowest how busy I must be this day. If I forget Thee, do not Thou forget me!"

P.S.: Please share this letter with my parents. After all, a son can never write his mother too much.

[SAMWolf]

Letters from Military Wives to Their Husbands

Cameron,

Ever since we were kids, I knew you would grow to be a fine man. You're a loving, responsible and caring DH, father, sailor and friend. You have a heart of gold, and you are the biggest Boy Scout I know. This childlike charm reminds me of the first time we met because you had that charm then too.

I can't predict the future events in this conflict, but I can predict that my love for you is eternal. I've always loved you and I always will.

Te amo con todo mi corazon.

Your biggest fan,
Stacey

---

My Dearest Husband,
I want you to always remember that you are the source of love in my life. I thank God every day for giving me the best partner to share my life with. You make me so complete, it's beyond words. I think you are the best man to ever set foot on Earth. In my eyes you are the greatest. I love you more than words could ever express and I want you to keep my love with you no matter how far apart we are, or how long it might take for us to get back together again.

I pray and know that you will come back to me safe and sound. God has given me all the happiness in the world through you and he won't take that away now; we are going to have a wonderful baby -- and then another. And we will make our happy home for our wonderful family.

I have big plans for us and our future. In five years we have to start our "10 things to do" list! We have to grow old together and see our kids graduate, get married, have kids of their own calling us grandpa and grandma. We have a lot to look forward to -- as soon as you get back.

Please always keep in mind that you have your wife back in the States, waiting for you, loving you beyond belief and thinking of you every second until your return.

I LOVE YOU MORE THAN ANYTHING. Please take care and make sure my husband gets back home to me safe and sound.

Love always and forever (more than life itself)
Your Very Proud Wife Gema -- and the baby!

---

In this busy world we live in, I sometimes forget to say how glad I am that you are by my side. I forget that the touch of your hands and the warmth of your embrace is all I need to make everything so clear and so right.

I love your wit, your charm, your ability to make me laugh even when tears flow heavily from my weary eyes. You're my best friend, my strength and my breath.

I've closed my eyes several times to remember how you smell and the way you feel. The day you left I held your face in my hands, and that is a memory embedded into my mind. I can still feel your lips on mine, taste the salt of your tears, and hear the racing of your heart as we said, "'Til we see each other again." I wanted to stop the car and scream, "No! Don't leave me!" But I knew that I couldn't, so I departed remembering the love we have and the strength you give to me, and taking with me the pride I feel for you because you leave today in honor of America and her people.

I hope that you remember I will always be by your side. When you're cold and you're afraid, I'll be right there for you. Close your eyes. I'll be there kissing your forehead and holding you tight to me, like I always do. When you are outside and you can't get in, I will be there to show you that you are SO much better than you know. If you could see into me, you would know, I will never leave your side.

I love you! God bless you, baby. You are in my prayers always! Come home to me safely! Return and hold me, and never let me go! Your proud wife will be here, waiting with "arms wide open."

I LOVE YOU!

In this busy world we live in, I sometimes forget to say how glad I am that you are by my side. I forget that the touch of your hands and the warmth of your embrace is all I need to make everything so clear and so right.

I love your wit, your charm, your ability to make me laugh even when tears flow heavily from my weary eyes. You're my best friend, my strength and my breath.

I've closed my eyes several times to remember how you smell and the way you feel. The day you left I held your face in my hands, and that is a memory embedded into my mind. I can still feel your lips on mine, taste the salt of your tears, and hear the racing of your heart as we said, "'Til we see each other again." I wanted to stop the car and scream, "No! Don't leave me!" But I knew that I couldn't, so I departed remembering the love we have and the strength you give to me, and taking with me the pride I feel for you because you leave today in honor of America and her people.

I hope that you remember I will always be by your side. When you're cold and you're afraid, I'll be right there for you. Close your eyes. I'll be there kissing your forehead and holding you tight to me, like I always do. When you are outside and you can't get in, I will be there to show you that you are SO much better than you know. If you could see into me, you would know, I will never leave your side.

I love you! God bless you, baby. You are in my prayers always! Come home to me safely! Return and hold me, and never let me go! Your proud wife will be here, waiting with "arms wide open."

I LOVE YOU!

---

Dear Eric,
I love you so much. I'm going to miss you, but I will be strong. Please email and call as often as you can. Email me just to say I love you if that's all you have time for. I am proud of you and what you do. I can't wait until you get home so you and I can hold each other again. I love you.

Love, Em

[Mo1]

Good Afternoon Snow Bunny and Y'All

Another beautiful thread to go along with another beautiful day ... God Bless Y'all

I was up extra late last night Freeping .. and I'm just starting to get my act together .. LOL

[Radix]

I really do love all the pics.

It is funny that I had not considered that they would have a PX over there. I am sitting here thinking that everyone is living on MREs and giving each other haircuts.

Sometimes you forget.

One time my unit was out in the Field and we were just living in the Bivouac area. So there I am "out in the Field" and don't you know a Canteen truck shows up. Everyone was buying hot dogs and sodas. I was gleeful that I was able to get a copy of "the Stars and Stripes."

I know that it defeated the purpose of the excercise, but I sure was glad to get my hands on that paper. My C.O. was pissed. He chased that driver away, but I still got to keep my newspaper!

I am glad that the Volunteers over there have that little taste of Home.

[Jen]

Thank you Sam for these pictures of our wonderful troops. May God bless them and protect them and give them victory in their missions.

[Jen]

Thank you Sam for these pictures of our wonderful troops. May God bless them and protect them and give them victory in their missions.

[SAMWolf]

You're welcome. I know how you felt about the paper, My mom would would send me the local paper whenI was in Vietnam, the news was a week or more old but it was so great to hear anything from back home. Everyone would would pass around whatever papers they received, we were so hungry for any "Back home" news or anything that reminded us of home.

[SAMWolf]

I have to give up the computer for a while. Daughter needs to get some homework done. See you all later.