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

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style and Snow Bunny

[Snow Bunny]

.

.

The USO Canteen FReeper Style
Delivering a Touch of Home

.

.

A Touch of Home

.

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

.

.

.

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.

.

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."

[SevenofNine]

Good morning Canteen members

OHH one of operations I SEE Snow Bunny well report off BBC wire reporting that father of one of Brit victims in hostage situation run smack chat all over Russia and their head KGB agent Putin

Dad is not amused with Vlad this morning

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good Morning Troops, families, veterans, and Canadian and Israeli allies (and everybody else). Thank you for taking such good care of the USA.

Today in Anchorage, Alaska:

Sunrise 8:21am
Sunset 5:04pm

Hi 45F
Lo 36F

Brief showers

Actual yesterday in Anchorage:

Hi 37F
Lo 29F

State Hi 52F Annette
State Lo 13F Barrow

[Kathy in Alaska]

Bless This House hummed along with this morning, twice because I love this song for our USO Canteen, and Prayer of Protection said for all who enter the USO Canteen Freeper Style, including our troops, our veterans, their families and our allies. Welcome to all who come to honor our troops, for whom this USO Canteen was created.

A PRAYER OF PROTECTION

The light of God surround you

The love of God enfold you

The power of God protect you

The presence of God watch over you

Wherever you are, God is,

And all is well.

Amen.

Wherever you are, God is, And all is well.

[Mr_Magoo]

Prayers for a soldiers family!

I pray for the loved ones at home that must deal with this loss.

A soldier was killed .......

I pray for this fallen warrior.

He was a member of the U.S. Army and lost his life in service to our nation on October 18, 2002. I cannot give you his name, it happened in Poland in a covert operation.

He was with several other soldiers.

I also lift up in prayer the rest of his covert team. For they must live with the memory of this.

I am sorry I cannot give any more information.I know you all understand.

We don't need any other information. Already have more than we need. A warrior has fallen. A hero now rests with all of our Nation's children who died in battle.

May God welcome him into Heaven with open arms. And May God comfort his family here at home.

[Mr_Magoo]

Air Power

Martin EB-57B 'Canberra'

The B-57 is a modified version of the English Electric Canberra which was first flown in Britain on May 13, 1949, and later produced for the Royal Air Force (RAF). After the Korean Conflict began in 1950, the USAF looked for a jet medium bomber to replace the aging Douglas B-26 Invader. In March 1951, the USAF contracted with the Glenn L. Martin Co. to build the Canberra in the U.S. under a licensing agreement with English Electric. The Martin-built B-57 made its first flight on July 20, 1953, and when production ended in 1959, a total of 403 Canberras had been produced for the USAF.

The aircraft pictured is one of 202 B-57Bs built by Martin. In the early 1960s it was assigned to Aeronautical Systems Division at Wright-Patterson AFB as a test aircraft. In 1965 it was selected for return to combat configuration to replace combat losses in Southeast Asia. It arrived at Clark AB, Phillipines on March 20, 1967 and was assigned to the 8th Bomb Squadron at Phan Rang, South Vietnam, from where it flew combat missions for 2 1/2 years. Then, it was brought back to the U.S., converted to an electronic countermeasures EB-57B, and assigned to the Kansas Air National Guard (ANG) and later to the Vermont ANG.

SPECIFICATIONS
Span: 64 ft.
Length: 65 ft. 6 in.
Height: 15 ft. 6 in.
Weight: 58,800 lbs. max.
Armament: None
Engines: Two Wright J65-W-5s or two Buick J65-BW-5s of 7,220 lbs. thrust each
Crew: Pilot and electronic warfare officer
Cost: $1,264,000

PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 570 mph.
Cruising speed: 450 mph.
Range: 2,000 miles
Service Ceiling: 49,000 ft.

[SevenofNine]

Speaking of Israel

Reuters wire reporting that Ariel Sharon coaliton govt is going fall very soon Israel Parliament going vote perhaps NO Confidence vote in that House

Also more bad news out of Israel Arafat coaltion PLO govt got a-okay today from Israeli court

NICE GOIN Judges

MORONS

[Kathy in Alaska]

"He's on a covert mission, so we are told He died a soldiers way, and his life was bold He's a hero to us, in each and every way, because he died protecting the U.S. of A."

Johnny, that is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing your writings with the Canteen.

[habs4ever]

Snow Bunny,

Kindly remove my name from your USO ping lists immediately, and I do not wish to be contacted by you, or Fall Guy, on FR ever again.

[blackie]

Prayers For A Soldier's Family...Bump !!

Death To all Tyrant's !!

Snuff Saddam, NOW !!

The RATS Are In Disarray...Eradicate The Rodents !!

Fire Democrats, Hire Republicans !!

GWB Is The Man !!

The Second Amendment...
America's Original Homeland Security !!

Freedom Is Worth Fighting For !!

Let's Roll !!

Molon Labe !!

[Jen]

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Over here, Belle! (There's a new thread every day...and remind me to make you some pajamas!)

Good morning, everybody.

[zip]

He's a hero to us, in each and every way, because he died protecting the U.S. of A.

Thank you Johnny Gage. It said it all.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Now does this look like fun or what,Girlz. And HiJinx has volunteered to give lessons. Duchess, and I suspect my kid too, there are speed limits. The Canteen Cop, I suspect, will be on patrol for speeding violations. Decorum must be maintained at all times. Watch out for Beamer, he's been traumatized by some of our more "fast" forms of transportation lately. Y'all can be having fun all day, but it must be returned in its original condition, that is without dents and clean and full of gas. Don't forget your helmet. I can just see you speed demons running into a tree out back of the Canteen, altho Sam has knocked a few down with his tank. And keep an eye out for holes that Beamer has dug. Have fun everybody.

[zip]

Do you understand "Private message"? There is absolutely no reason to air this for the DU idiots.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Are the helmets cute? ; )

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I loved #6, Snow.

So sorry to read about the soldier who was killed in Poland. Prayers for his family and friends going out now.

Freedom is not free. : (

[Light Speed]

Good afternoon Larry
Speaking of Crows and Eagles...
Near my home is a flight/migration corridor for Eagles to and from Alaska and points North.
It is a Eagle photography extraveganza at times..you'll see things that will make you rub your eye's in disbelif.
Was driving along a quiet stretch of hiway..and noticed a Crow..well actually a Raven..thats a crow on steroids!....
The Raven was pecking away at an Eagle from below and behind..about 150ft above the deck.
I noticed the Eagle was a yearling..and did not have its white plummage yet.
The young Eagle tried to stay ahead of the Raven..but it looked like the Raven was having the best of this match..
Then....

All of a sudden i noticed a White and Black form arc past the Raven like a bullet.
The Raven went into the tree's like a missle..its wings did not move.
Wow..what happened?
A moment later the what happened appeared.
MOM had taken care of business...
The Mother Eagle in her white plummage flew beside her kido...school was in today.
I smiled...thinking to myself...I saw all that at 65 mph and did not even spill my coffee.....awesome.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Any of these strike your fancy? Or you can bring your own.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I like the one on the right! (But do we have to wear 'em? I don't want to get "helmet hair"!)

[Jen]

Special Dedication
To our Military Members and Veterans
for Protecting and Defending our Country
and Especially Those at Guantanamo Bay

"Hero" by Mariah Carey

MIDI version

MP3 version


And then a hero comes along with the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside and you know you can survive
When you feel like hope is gone, look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth - that a hero lies in you!