USO Canteen FReeper Style ....Guantanamo Bay.... October 29,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style and Snow Bunny

[Snow Bunny]

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The USO Canteen FReeper Style
Delivering a Touch of Home

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A Touch of Home

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This is how I think of the USO Canteen 
Freeper Style. It is like a cottage down a road,
a place where a weary veteran can spend the night. 

Since it opened, it is magical how so many
Freepers who post here, feel it too. 
It has been so dear how the Freepers
kept making it a cottage - a home-type of 
place that had a huge living room
for them to visit in and a dance floor, 
a library, etc. 

Many Veterans have written to me, 
saying that the Canteen is like home
to them for the first time since they 
served. 

This is your Canteen -
a respite from our busy 
and sometimes troubling world. 
Make yourself at home.

Snow Bunny

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If you know a Veteran, someone in your family, 
friend of the family, neighbor, who served their  
country, take a brief moment of your day to thank 
them. 

Thank them for the sacrifice they made
for the better good of their country.

We at Free Republic, and the USO Canteen FReeper 
Style, are thankful for every service member 
in our military, who has served our great nation.

So, to the men and women who answered the call,
In both times of war and peace, thank you.

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Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields. 

John McCrae 

Anti-Terrorism Detainee Operations Mission

U.S. Naval Base Guantanamo Bay
is the oldest U.S. base overseas

and the only one in a Communist
country. Located on the southeast
corner of Cuba, in the Oriente Province,
the base is about 400 air miles
from Miami, Florida.

In December 1903, the United States
leased the 45 square miles of land and
water for use as a coaling station. A treaty
reaffirmed the lease in 1934 granting Cuba
and her trading partners free access through

the bay, payment of $2,000 in gold per year,
equating to $4,085 today, and a requirement
that both the U.S. and Cuba must mutually
consent to terminate the lease.

Diplomatic relations with Cuba were cut
in 1961 by President Dwight Eisenhower.
At this time, many Cubans sought refuge
on the base. U.S. Marines and Cuban
militiamen began patrolling opposite sides
of the base's 17.4 mile fenceline. Today,
U.S. Marines and Cuba's "Frontier Brigade"
still man fenceline posts 24 hours a day.

In October 1962, family members of service
people stationed here and many base
employees were evacuated to the United
States as President John F. Kennedy
announced the presence of Soviet missiles
in Cuba. This was the start of the Cuban
Missile Crisis which resulted in a naval
quarantine of the island until the Soviet Union
removed the missiles. The evacuees were
allowed to return to the base by Christmas 1962.

Another crisis arose just 14 months later
on Feb. 6, 1964, when Castro cut off water
and supplies to the base in retaliation for
several incidents in which Cuban fishermen
were fined by the U.S. government for fishing
in Florida waters. Since then, Guantanamo
Bay has been self-sufficient and the Naval Base
desalination plant produces 3.4 million gallons
of water and more than 800,000 kilowatt hours
of electricity daily.

The base is divided into two distinct areas by
the 2 1/2 mile-wide Guantanamo Bay. The
airfield is located on the Leeward side and the
main base is on the Windward side. Ferry
service provides transportation across the bay.
The primary mission of Guantanamo Bay is to
serve as a strategic logistics base for the
Navy’s Atlantic Fleet and to support counter
drug operations in the Caribbean.

In 1991, the naval base's mission expanded
as some 34,000 Haitian refugees passed through
Guantanamo Bay. The refugees fled Haiti after a
violent coup brought on by political and social
upheaval in their country. The naval base
received the Navy Unit Commendation and
Joint Meritorious Unit Award for its effort.

In May 1994, Operation Sea Signal began
and the naval base was tasked to support
Joint Task Force 160, here providing
humanitarian assistance to thousands of
Haitian and Cuban migrants. In late August
and early September 1994, 2,200 family
members and civilian employees were
evacuated from the base as the migrant
population climbed to more than 45,000
and the Pentagon began preparing to house
up to 60,000 migrants on the base.

The last Haitian migrants departed here
Nov. 1, 1995. The last of the Cuban migrants
left the base Jan. 31, 1996. In October 1995,
family members were authorized to return,
marking an end to family separations. An
immediate effort began to restore base facilities
for family use, including a child development
center, a youth center, two schools and Sunday
A school. Additionally, the revitalization of Boy
and Girl Scout Camps and the Guantanamo
Bay Youth Activities (a free sports program
for children) was enacted.

Since Sea Signal, Guantanamo Bay has
retained a migrant operations mission
with an ongoing steady state migrant
population of approximately 40. The
base has also conducted two contingency
migrant operations: Operation Marathon
in October 1996 and Present Haven in February
1997. Both of these short-fused events
involved the interception of Chinese migrants
being smuggled into the United States.

After 52 years of service, Guantanamo's Fleet
Training Group relocated to Mayport, Florida, in
July 1995. One month later, the naval base lost
another major tenant command when the
base's Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity
disestablished after 92 years of service here.

The Naval Base includes, as separate
commands, a Naval Hospital and Branch
Dental Clinic, detachments of the Personnel
Support Activity, Naval Atlantic Meteorologic and
Oceanographic Command, Naval Media Center,
Naval Communications Station, Department of
Defense Dependent Schools and a Navy Brig.
Directly supporting the base as departments of
Naval Station are Naval Criminal Investigative
Service, Resident Officer in Charge of Construction,
Human Resources Office, Family Support and
Service Center, Red Cross, Security and Navy
Exchange/Commissary.

Al Qaeda Prisoners At Camp X-Ray

To identify the camps, a name was
designated to each to correspond with
the phonetic alphabet used for official
military "radio" communication (Camp
Alpha, Camp Bravo up to Camp Golf).
When additional sites were established
on the north side of the base, camp names
were designated using the opposite end of
the alphabet, to include Camp X-Ray.

As of February 19, 2002, Camp X-Ray
was the only camp site on the northern side
of the U.S. Naval Base Guantanamo Bay
and was being used as a temporary
detention facility.

Following the events of September 11, 2001,
the military operations in Afghanistan and the
ensuing captures of numerous Al Qaida and
Taliban individuals, a decision was made to
transfer a number of detainees to the facility.
The base was to serve as a temporary holding
facility for Al Qaeda, Taliban and other
detainees that come under U.S. control
during the war on terrorism.

The U.S. Southern Command was in charge
of the operation and activated Joint Task
Force-160 (JTF-160) to head the detainee
operations. The task force included active
duty service members from Fort Hood, TX;
Fort Campbell, KY.; Roosevelt Roads, P.R.;
Camp Lejeune; Norfolk, VA; Dover AFB, DE,
and Charleston AFB, SC. Reserve component
personnel were to also deploy on this mission.
Military Police personnel were to make up
the bulk of JTF-160.

The first detainees arrived at Camp X-Ray January 11, 2000

Among the items detainees receive
are soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste,
shampoo, a foam sleeping mat, two
blankets, a prayer cap and a Koran.

U.S. Army Pfc. Jodi Smith watches from
the outer perimeter as detainees in orange
jumpsuits sit in a holding area in Camp X-Ray
at Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during
in-processing to the temporary detention facility
on Jan. 14,2002

The detainees will be given a
basic physical exam by a doctor,
to include a chest x-ray and blood
samples drawn to assess
their health.

DoD photo by Petty Officer 1st
class Shane T. McCoy, U.S. Navy.

U.S. Army Military Police escort a detainee
to his cell in Camp X-Ray at Naval Base
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during in-processing
to the temporary detention facility on
Jan. 11, 2002. The detainees are being given
a basic physical exam by a doctor, to include
a chest x-ray and taken and blood samples
drawn to assess their health. DoD photo by
Petty Officer 1st class Shane T. McCoy, U.S. Navy.

Detainees in orange jumpsuits sit in a
holding area under the watchful eyes
of Military Police at Camp X-Ray at
Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,
during in-processing to the temporary
detention facility on Jan. 11, 2002. The
detainees will be given a basic physical
exam by a doctor, to include a chest x-ray and blood samples drawn to assess their health.
DoD photo by Petty Officer 1st class
Shane T. McCoy, U.S. Navy.

Security teams stand guard at their positions during a
rehearsal on Thursday, January 10, 2002 for handling
incoming detainees. (U.S. Navy handout)

A sign reading "direction," written in Arabic,
on the northeastern-most guard tower at Camp X-Ray.
The sign is intended to show detainees the direction
of Mecca. (U.S. Navy handout)

When taken to interrogation, a detainee's head is
forced down by a guard "so he can't make a plan."

[radu]

Good afternoon, er, evening to you all!

Hello to all our fine service men and women past and present, and to our allies. Thank You! for all your efforts and sacrifices in the service to our country. I am eternally in your debt.

[Kathy in Alaska]

It's a good thing you and Otto are always on time. Thanks for always being there to provide our flyover of protection.

[Soaring Feather]

Peeking at ~~ radu!

[radu]

An aerial view of the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. U.S. Marines set up base at Guantanamo on June 6, 1898, at the outset of the Spanish-American War. In 1903, the newly established Cuban Republic acceded to U.S. demands to lease Guantanamo.

The rent was 2,000 gold coins a year, now valued at $4,085, but Fidel Castro says the base is an affront to Cuban sovereignty and he refuses to cash the United States' annually delivered check.

[LaDivaLoca]

Thank you, Snow Bunny for posting the pictures and info on Gitmo. I love all the mini history lessons you and the other Canteeners post here. I find it highly educational and very interesting - now if only we can convince all those commie peaceniks to read these maybe they will learn a thing or two!

The picture above is aptly labeled "Born Free."

[radu]

giggle! Hello ms. feather. How are you this evening?

[LaDivaLoca]

May I?

I'm sure our heroes can take a breather even for a short time.

[MoJo2001]

 

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OFF THE PRESS!

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While you are fighting terrorists, we have a little situation at home today. It all started when a group of Haitians decided to jump the boat they were riding on and come on into America (Actually, it was Miami). Of course, someone forgot to tell these idiots that they aren't granted permission to stay in America by merely jumping out of the boat and beaching on the beach. That's saved for Cubans. Well, as you can imagine; the INS seems to be having trouble rounding some of them up. (MoJo wonders why we still have such a useless government agency in power. However, aren't most government agencies useless). Can you imagine the picture of people running around Miami with the police and INS agents chasing them down. Gosh, can you not envision people stopping along the Highway in Miami to cheer these wannabe citizens on. Of course, they want to seek political asylum in America. It seems they have economical, political, and social unrest in Haiti. Obviously, news of Floriduh voters (Okay, Goddess we know you are smart enough to vote) unable to punch a hole correctly has not quite made it to the shores of Haiti. Also, let me point out that Haiti is yet another example of the screwed up mess left by Bill Clinton's stupidity and Jimmy Carter's peacemaking capabilities. Here's what really bothers MoJo: It takes forever to get into and out of America if you are an AMERICAN. However, if you aren't supposed to be here; YOU ARE FREE TO DO WHAT YOU WANT! They can't find you! Hello? Somebody at the INS needs a "SMACKDOWN".

Remember The French? How could anyone forget such a useless country. Anyways, we are waiting around while the imperialist snobs decide whether or not they will support a United Nations resolution against Iraq. I'm wondering what fool gave them veto power to begin with. If that person's not dead, he should be dragged into a US court and made to tell the whole country why they have a VETO vote. Also, Jacques Chirac has told Tony Blair that "he doesn't appreciate how rude he's being treated". Honey, if you want rude..CALL ME! You can't begin to imagine the vile things I'd like to say to you. You can't imagine what pleasure it would be to run you up one side of the flagpole and down the other side. It is the least I can do. Now, here's the funny part, troops: He thinks that the (oxymoron coming) "French Soldiers" are being asked to do too much. Pleasssee!! If the French did anything useful, that would make headlines around the world. As such, they will still be the ignorant, blubbering fools that we've come to hate. Oh! One more thing: WHY THE HELL DON"T YOUR WOMEN SHAVE UNDERNEATH THEIR ARMPITS? Is it so hard to shave at least once a freaking month?

Today's "JACKASS AWARD" goes to an idiot who personally sent me an email because he was "disturbed and disheartened"by my rants against muslims and blacks. He asked me if I was one of those "self hating blacks" that doesn't understand what the struggles are in the community. So? I've decided to answer you here. You have obviously made it a point to read my tidbits. So? Here's my answer to you: First, I don't see anything peace loving about the muslim religion as a whole. (MoJo can see the anti-Falwell brigade seething) Second, I do agree that there are Christians that have created major sins. However, I must point out that NOT ONE SINGLE child, mother, father, brother, sister, Jew, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, or any other person was murdered in NYC, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Jerusalem, Moscow, or Bali because of Christian terrorism. I'm wondering if you can tell me which branch these people spawned from? Just curious! Hold your answer because I'm not done. Third, Louis Farrakhan, Jesse Jackson, and Al Sharpton are hardly indictive of the black community. (Although, I'm disturbed the majority still vote Democrat; but that's me) Most blacks work hard and are trying to make a better life for their children. They don't have time to screw over the rest of the community, racially bait fellow citizens, or protest the most assanine issues known to man. Fourth, I'm not black. Not that it matters. However, if I'm going to be insulted..please do it correctly. I'm an American of Samoan descent. And spare me the damn hyphens. I'm American first and foremost. If Western Samoa would be foolish to start a war with America, I'd say "Pass The Ammo and Let's Roll". Fifth, if you are so troubled by these tidbits; it has hit a nerve with you. These tidbits are here to entertain the troops and those who want to be entertained. You can't possibly tell me that you are proud of Louis' hatred speeches. He does nothing to enhance racial peace, but merely promotes an agenda that will guarantee that he stays in power. That's what these racial issues are about: MONEY and POWER. When they shout accusations, people will run in fear. Is that any way to promote the black community and racial harmony. Sixth, as you could expect..I could give a Rat's Rear End about racial harmony. If you like me, fine. If you don't, fine. It doesn't change who and what I am. That's about it. Seventh, our troops are culturally diverse. They come from backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses across the board in this country. The fact that these brave men and women will fight to allow MoJo to answer you and vice versa is a tribute to our diversity and our love for freedom. Since I think you are still an idiot, you will receive the award for today. You just make me smile. I'm making a dent into the stupidity of racial politics. You know it!

There is a website called NOT IN MY NAME. They are opposed to the war against Iraq. (Which I might add hasn't even begun. At least not that I've heard) Anyways, they are of course filled with some of the wackiest people known to America. All in one website. How brillant is that? And it just so happens that they have message boards giving each other a pat on the back. (MoJo knows there are other places on the internet like that as well..kind of annoying, huh) Well, Susan Sarandon is ticked that we only want to fight Iraq to get all their oil for Big Oil. She thinks it somehow doesn't make sense to actually free the world of a tyrannt. She doesn't believe that liberating an oppressed people should be a priority. After all, she finds plenty of them at the website and outside when she and Tim Robbins ride around in their limo. Also, I think it's a great idea that she visits Iraq. Make sure to take: Barbra Streisand, Woody Harrelson, Julia Roberts, Harry Belafonte, John Cusak (Who the hell is he?? Remember those lame 80s teen movies?), and every other anti-American American. Oh!! And don't start claiming to be American when the bombs start dropping. Say hello to Allah for our troops.

(MoJo's insensitivity is moving on..)The picture of above is Esera Tuaolo. He's Polynesian. (MoJo is also Polynesian according to the Census) Many of you will recognize him as a football player in the NFL. He's no longer there because he couldn't take the "gay slanders" in the lockerroom. (Those damn insensitive males!! Obviously, he's never been privy to a conversation of women..WE ARE RUTHLESS) Anyways, he's finally come out of the closet (rather big one) and he's admitted that he's gay. So? MoJo thinks that I should also be honorable and come out of the closet as well. I AM A HETEROSEXUAL. (Don't you feel better? Where's my interview with Barbara Walters?) Anyways, one of these stupid Liberal journalists claimed that he thought Tuaolo was one of the most honorable athletes he'd ever seen. (MoJo could pass along a few tales about the Hell Raiser he was as a youngster, but I won't go there) Anyways, this journalist said that Tuaolo is just the first in a line of many that will be coming out of the closet. (Why the hell doesn't the "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL" policy spare us from this crap?) Anyways, I've been thinking about that recently. I don't care if you are gay. I will care if you are gay and I've loved you since I was a little girl. So? My husband and Matt Biondi better keep it real and love women (Matt can love other women..Mr.MoJo without a fabulous tan cannot). If not, I'm going to stick my head in the oven and the Useless News Tidbits will be over. Also, the journalist was worried about people making fun of him. I'm maybe going to take a leap about this one, but I DOUBT ANYONE IS GOING TO SAY SQUAT TO HIM. What do you think??

The pictures today are of Jennifer Lopez and of troops. (MoJo wants you to imagine yourself in this picture.) Anyways, Jennifer Lopez has stated that she will give up her double career (singing and acting is a double career in Hollywood these days. It isn't based on talent like when Snow Bunny was the hottie of the town) to start a family. Yes, she wants to start a family. The only problem is her ability to find the "perfect man" to be the father. MoJo thinks she should chuck all those high paid pimps and get a real man. Jennifer, get yourself a Sailor, Soldier, Coast Guardsmen, Marine, or Airmen. You'd be doing the most honorable thing you've ever done in your life. (Well, besides dumping P. Diddy)

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NEWSFLASH!! Walter Mondale has decided to run in place of the recently departed Senator Paul Wellstone. I'm wondering why the hell this was ever in question. He was nearly whizzing in his Depends to do it. Good grief. Wake me up when this election cycle is over. Oh! Don't forget to vote troops! I will be keeping tracks of any officials or states that will try to deny our brave men and women the right to vote. I will be all over those people like an alcoholic locked in a liquor store.

I wanted to take this segment and give a SHOUT OUT to a few people in the Canteen and elsewhere. First, I wanna give huge props to Snow Bunny for the creation of the Canteen. She's just awesome, isn't she?? Second, if you haven't ever seen a great photojournalist. You should check out Diogenesis. He works very hard to bring all the photos of what's going on around the world to the FreeRepublic and the Freepers. So? Do a search on his name and see what I mean. The photos will make you cry, laugh, tick you off, and will make you very thankful that someone cares enough to do it. Also, please send him a word of encouragemnt troops. He brings photos of you to us. Who knows? Maybe one of you has already been shown. How awesome is that? Third, Coteblanche works herself to the ground to bring us the Poetry Branch. If you have a chance, check it out. Please post any words that you may have. I stay over here because they are all too brillant for the likes of MoJo. (I sneak over there to be inspired and to read what really brillant people can write..WOW!! Amazing) Fourth, I wanted to say thanks to LindaSOG (She can do it all), AntiJen (She's a hero),DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet(MoJo has to say Duchess name out three times before I can confidently type it in correctly..LOL) Kathy In Alaska (MoJo's Ma in the Canteen! MoJo's real mom can't watch me all the time.), tomkow6 (You think you've got issues..try talking to one of his voices),SaMWolf ( He's really a jack of all trades in here for us), bentfeather, zip, bluesagewoman ( If you have a chance, try to get over to see the MO Freepers Rally..AWESOME GROUP), our Chap Grant (He can be found in the Poetry Branch as well), Mr.Tonkin (MoJo thinks he is such an honorable man. He works hard at his job and then comes home to make sure we have a way to communicate with you. God Bless him) Mr.Magoo, StarMan, Valin,Aeronaut, amograut,radu (Vampire's beware), Radix, HiJinx (He is a Buckeye and thus, ABSOLUTELY COOL), GatorGirl and Severa (Both Navy wives who make America proud with their own service,redhead, Johnny Gage (The coolest firefighter you will ever meet), 4TheFlag and GooberDoll (We love you both!!),FallGuy (HE ROCKS) and many others who we miss dearly. However, I hope you enjoy what each person brings to the Canteen. We sure enjoy bringing it to you!! Alright already! I'm done babbling!

WOOHOO Can you say "SHAKIRA"? She's so darn lonely! Could you help her get over being lonely?? That's the spirit!!

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Thank you for going along for the ride
at the Useless Tidbits Corner

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Thank You
and
G-d Bless Our Troops

 

[LaDivaLoca]

Please extend my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of our fallen hero. May he rest in peace and may God give his family and friends the strength and courage to continue the legacy he has left behind. I shall keep them in my prayers.

[knighthawk]

4000 bucks? And he won't take it? 4000 bucks is like the total income of Cuba under Castro's rule!

[radu]

Oh no! It's always sad to hear about one of our soldiers losing his or her life. My prayers go out to the family of the soldier who was killed in Poland Oct.18th.

[radu]

hehe! I don't know anyone who will say Castro is a sensible man.

Good to see you, knighthawk. :-))

[Light Speed]

Hi Kathy!

I love trains....worked a few months around engines and I'm hooked for life....most especially when noticing GP-38'S,GP-40-2'S allong with SD-40-2's.
Sorry for the detailed train numerics..other train buffs would jump me for getting it wrong.
I really like the old colors of the Santa Fe line in Southwest US..So the Yellow and Blue of Alaska Rail grabs at speedy too.

The Alaska State Fair..and the national Chili cook off!....$25,000 big ones to the winner.

B-Brrrr!!!

[knighthawk]

It's time for me to go to bed, and dream of a world without Castro and his commie friends.

[radu]

Good night, knighthawk. Sleep well. That's a nice dream you'll have. :-))

[Soaring Feather]

Sort of FOXY, radu, how are you?

Banging the drum to get movin'!

[LaDivaLoca]

I LOVE THIS! LOL!

[MoJo2001]

Troops! Hang in there! I'm not sure what's going on with FreeRepublic right now. Sorry this is happening!! Hopefully, this won't be happening again!! *HUGS*

[LaDivaLoca]

LOL! Your jokes never fail to make me laugh, Tom! Every time I need to exercise my facial muscles, I check out all your jokes. For that I have a gift for you.

Gurlz, I think our friend here will need some help.

Light Speed, I really like the pictures of the tanks. Thank you for posting them here.

[LaDivaLoca]

Hi Tonk! Beautiful graphic of Gitmo! BTW, thank you for the flowers - THANK YOU to all our men in the military. I always look forward to receiving flowers from our heroes. I love them!