USO Canteen FReeper Style Monday Mail Call .... November 4,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ The Troops ~ Snow Bunny

[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.

Message from Snow Bunny to all those who visit the Canteen.

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.

The USO Canteen FReeper Style
Delivering a Touch of Home

Our troops need our support and encouragement. They are away from home, some for the first time, and usually lonely or discouraged. It is important for us to reach out and help them in the same way we would want someone to reach out to our loved ones if and when they are in the same position.

They answered their call and we are answering theirs, offering them the USO Canteen FReeper Style each day and thanking them for serving.

This is IN Coming Mail from some of those serving now.

We at the USO Canteen FReeper Style, a running thread at Free Republic, are proud to support our Military.

The mail comes in from contacting some of our Military
Bases, Marine Corps Leagues, friends and family of those serving now and the wonderful P.O.Box that 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub has made so easily available to each of us here at Free Republic.

They are writing to those that frequent the FReeper USO Canteen to thank you for your support.

ALL the mail posted on Monday Mail Call is Recent Mail from the prior week.

Please know...
Each one of you that posts back to these letters from our
troops, your message will be sent to them in a reply email at
the end of today. I do this just in case they may not have a
chance to read the entire thread to get their replies. If there
are graphics the # of the post is sent so they can enjoy your
entire answer. Thank you so much. You are all terrific !

Snow Bunny and the Canteeners

Thank you for having the Canteen for us. A friend of my sister is a Freeper and she got a business card that was for the USO Canteen FReeper Style at FR. They are in the same exercise class at their gym. I guess my sister's friend is passing them out to people she meets. I sure am glad she told my sister about the Canteen at FR. My sister registered and then sent me an email about it. Small world huh ! Mine is a lot different over here so it is like you say there a "Touch of Home".

Thank you so much everyone for being there for us. I see you really care about us and if has me to proud to be serving when I know there are people like all of you back home.

Thank you so much.

Mark
US Army

---

Dear Bunny and all of you Canteen wonderful people

I am now an official Diva and I love it. Thank you so much for my dolls and the sweet princess doll for my daughter. I had to leave my computer when I saw the response from my email, I didn't want to get my keyboard wet from my tears. Thank you so much. I love the dolls and my daughter loves them too. I wrote to my husband back home and told him I was a Diva in camo's and he loved it. LOL

Your reaction was so loving and caring I was overwhelmed. The dolls, the Teddybear, flowers, even writing about it now has me with tears again. I promise not to let any of you down ever. I love serving my country, and you make the days that come up a little hard a lot better. Thank you!

My husband is a baseball fan and says Hi Five a lot. So my daughter has picked up on it too. I say Hi FIVE to your Halloween Party. AWESOME ! I laughed so hard and had such fun! Thank you so much.

I hope many of us serving got to attend and watch you all go into action. You sure know how to throw a wild party and I love you guys for joining in like you do. Tomkow6 you are my wild Burka Man or should I say Falafel Potty Juice. ROTFL And sweet Good guy Lumpy Banana Head (Tonkin) I want to just hug you, one of those special Bunny Hugs. ((((hug)))) Greasy Bubble Chunks (Radix) your poem had me crying. I love your writings so much.

Tushie Monkey Fanny (HiJinx) what a sweet heart you are. Buttercup Giggle Lips (LindaSOG) thank you for a wonderful party and the work you did I am in awe of ! Thank you for my dolls so much and for my daughter too. Buttercup Waffle Tush you're so beautiful (Bentfeather) and thank you for your poems, I have sent many of them to my husband. Flunky Gizzard Fanny (Kathy in Alaska), your heart is so tender and kind, thank you for being a Canteener. I sent my daughter that adorable Mummy with the pink cheeks, LOL so cute Kathy! I saw the email from Leatherneck Jody calling your late night rides the Wild Riders in the Night and he is right. What fun!

Gidget Pizza Lips (Radu), I love hearing about your cats. My daughter is getting one for Christmas. A little Radu kitty LOL. Fluffy Toilet Buns (Beach Belle), Fluffy Chuckle Shorts (Deadhead-Colleen). What beautiful ladies you are and your messages are enjoyed by me so very much.

Greasy Gerbil Juice (Aomagrat), my Navy husband looks forward to your war ships so much. He is a lurker back home when he can. Soon he will be deployed too and I am sure he will try to come to the Canteen then as well.

You ALL did this for us and it is not enough to say thank you, I wish I could throw a party to thank each one of you. Loopy Waffle Sniffer (DaughterofAnIwoJimaVet), thank you so much for the dolls too. What fun you are Duchess. I salute your father for his service to our great Nation. It is an honor to meet you. Fluffy Gorilla Pants (MOJO2001) You are so talented MOJO. I read your Useless News Tidbits and then I can't wait for tomorrow to come to read the next one. Darn I wish I could write like you do. I love the music too !

Buttercup Monkeychunk (Larry Johnson), thank you Larry for telling me about Maine. It must be beautiful there. I bet you have a lot of good stories about when you served too. Thank you Larry. Snotty Banana Lips (Samwolf chief Bad Boy). Thank you for the pictures of our troops. That means a lot to us too when you do that. You and Tomkow6 are so great about sharing the photos taken of our deployed. God Bless you both. I hope all is well Sam, you seem kind of sad lately. Prayers for you too and your family. Thank you so much for the dolls Sam and the things Bunny sent me from you.

HAPPY Birthday MUSHU! I am sure you and Beamer had a fun time planned for your special day.

Stinky Bubble Brains (LaDivaLoca) I love your name La Diva Loca. Poopsie Barf Brain (AntiJen) thank you for the Trivia. I messed up so far but am bound and determinded to get 100% one day. LOL

I know I left some of you out and I am so sorry. You all do so much for us and I am so sorry for not having every name. Thank you Mr. Robinson for Free Republic and the USO Canteen Freeper Style. Thank you for your kindness to have a place for people to learn and share and then the Canteen to support the military and Veterans. God bless you and your family.

Thank you ALL for the party, the wonderful dolls, teddybear and flowers. Your support rocks the world and makes it the kind of world it should be.

Love Fluffy Pickle Squirt
Carol
US Army

---

Dear Snow Bunny and Canteeners

Please thank everyone at the Canteen for their support. I told my family about it and my Dad registered at FR immediatley. He is thrilled with what he has seen there and the dedication of the man Jim Robinson for a place like FR. Then to know how important it is to have a special place for supporting the military makes it complete.  We both are impressed with all you and Mr. Robinson do. Dad said, since FR has it all he has no intention of going anywhere else online. And believe me, he means it!

I would also like to thank Bluesagewoman, Zip, Dogrobber, Trteamer and all the Canteeners that get out and support us holding up such  great signs. It may be crowed on your (OUR) side of the street since you have all of us right beind you, thousands of us! The other side of the street can't see, but know what, they wouldn't see anyway. LOL It is an honor to serve and know people like all of you are back home.

Thank you for the support from the Canteeners/Freepers.

Benjamin
USAF

---

Dear Fluffy Bubble Brain and one and all,
Ahoy ! From the Pirate Ghost Ship

Aye a party it was and the sky was aflame with a magnificent sunset for one and all. A thank you for those beyond of their approval of all the gouls and gobblins. What fun we had throwing the evil ones off the plank and the cheers that soared with each PLUNK into the icy sea.

Now don't be alarmed when on a  foggy night ye might hear the wails of woe calling through the heavy mist. Scully and the Pirates are there for ye and won't let a single thing happen to the wenches (our Canteen girlz) we love back home.

  Lumpy Banana Head (Yatch Man Tonkin) somehow you managed to get a great shot of Scully and my Pirates. And then our Ghost ship too, you're a fine man Lumpy and a big thanks for doing this. LOL We loved it man! So if you get a radio call one night and it sounds far off but you hear a whistling of wind and heavy gusts you'll know it is us just saying hello to our friend.

Buttercup Giggle Lips Linda, a mighty WOW ! Thank you for the Halloween Party. XO XO XO XO from Marty, Al, Joe and me.

What a time we had and this one is still making us laugh when we think about it. We gave our Chief his name and he is Zippy Gerbil Shorts. ROTFLMAO
Ya gotta love him!

Thank you for the music, the party and being there for us. A special thanks for the party!

I got to thank you MOJO too for the Useless News Tidbits! That is a big hit with us!

Do we dare try to name you all? Say this three times fast - Lumpy Banana head (YatchMan) - Buttercup Giggle Lips (Linda)(xoxoxoxoxox) - Loopy Hamster Sniffer (I love you Duchess) - Tushie Monkey Fanny (HiJinx) - Buckaroo Banzai (Starman) - Fluffy Chuckle Shorts (deadhead) - Greasy Gerbil Juice (Aomagrat) - Fluffy Toilet Buns (BeachBelle) - Gidget Pizza Lips (Radu) - Greasy Bubble Chuncks (Radix DON"T ever stop writing) - Flunky Gizzard Fanny (Kathy let me count the ways xoxox) - Falafel Potty Juice (Tomkow6, you make our day so much better thank you) - Buttercup Waffle Tush (I am in love with your heart and poetry) - Doofus PottyShorts (tutstar) - Cheeseball Potty Pants (Redhead's daughter) - Crusty Hamster Butt (sure do love Redhead) - Stinky Bubble Brains -
TAKING A DEEP BREATH HERE
Gidget PottyBrain (JohnnyGage) - Buttercup..Pizza..Nose (light speed with those awesome pictures) I am worn out now and have to take a nap ! I think I got out of breath and am light headed. ROTFLMAO

Hot damn do you all know what you mean to us! Well KNOW it and OWN it!

OH and before we forget, sure hope Militiaman7 is ok. We miss his Eagles and his one liners with the Eagles! You're a good man Militiaman7. Thanks for serving our country.

Radix, keep your pen handy, your writing is so real sure do like it.

Calm seas ahead and thanks for your prayers too. I don't like to get too mushy about that stuff but your prayers for all of us, for all those serving is very much appreciated.

Thanks to Chappy Grant too. We probably could all use some preaching (we pirates are a rowdy group LOL) but let's just say, your messages and prayers help. See Mom, I do know I am a handful. LOL

Hugs to my Coteblanche and a special one for Fluffy Bubble Brain that came up with the Canteen and has our hearts (Snow Bunny).

GREAT PARTY and  THANK YOU ! We Love our Canteen and the Cottage. Thanks for not making us leave our boots at the door. heh heh

Marty,Al, Joe and me
Scully and the Pirates
USNAVY

---

Dear Snow Bunny, Coteblanche and Canteeners,

Now you went and did it, a Marine crying, yep crying and if anyone sees me I will punch em. LOL Naw it is ok.

Snow Bunny wrote me to make sure to look at the Anthology area for October Chapter #10. Coteblanche how can I ever in a million years of skies full of stars ever thank you. If I could I would pick a bouquet of stars for you and put a satin ribbon around them for you to keep. Graewoulf, Snow Bunny said you were someone with a  wonderful heart and she is right. I am saving this! Thank you so much. But I want to share it in my email for all to see, you wrote something so special to me.

Thank you too for the Halloween Party. Linda you are MY buttercup giggle lips. Tee hee You all had me laughing so hard. What a great group you are ! I know you have jobs and families but you put so much effort into making the Canteen cottage my home away from home. It shows and I can't get over the kind of people you all are. Your support means everything!

I love the Useless News Tidbits thank you MOJO, you're so ON with what you say! XO

I am very humbled that I got to be at the Anthology and for Graewoulf and others to have written things for me. I kept them all and thank you.

To Marine Smitty,
You have said it well.
The duty you have chosen,
The place where you dwell.

Long ago I too
Stood poised to fill the breech.
It cannot be explained
The empty, insane and mad.

While back at home
All was normal
And warm as a tea kettle.

The disconnect,
The slowing time,
And, of course, the unknown,
Were strangely juxtaposed
When I would think of home.

Stay well, Marine Smitty,
As you labor for us.
We owe our gratitude,
May God Bless the paths you take.

By Graewoulf

Your friend Smitty
USMC

---

Hi Snow Bunny and everyone of you at the Canteen Cottage

Thank you Jim Robinson. I wrote my family about the Canteen and FR and they are official lurkers now. I told them to just try it out and then register when they could not stand to sit there and watch the world go by. ROTFL That means they will. ha ha ha ha ha

Thank you for the Canteen and your support is the best I ever saw or felt!

Jim
USNavy

---

Dear Canteeners and Wild Riders in the Night!

This is my first letter to you all but I agree with Leatherneck Jody! I love this place! Thank you so much and a big hi to all the Canteen Girlz , the Bad Boys now and future Bad Boys! To All of you from one grunt that loves you all.

Rick
Semper Fi
USMC

---

MAIL CALL

There's a scramble in the barracks
When our mail call time arrives,
And we hit the stair at double-time,
And our interest has revived.

We assemble in a circle
While some sergeant reads the list
Of addresses on the envelopes
Lest our letters should be missed.

There are many disappointments
When our letters do not come,
And we hit our bunks again
Feeling blue and looking glum.

But the man who gets a letter
Wears a smile so bright and gay,
Like the glimmer of the summer sun
When the clouds have passed away.

So you true and loyal civilians,
If you want to do your part,
Why not write a card or letter
To delight some soldier's heart!

Sir Lancelot

---

[LaDivaLoca]

Carol US Army (Fluffy Pickle Squirt)

Diva, in FR especially USO Canteen, you are home away from home! Your sweet letter was so touching....my keyboard got a little wet too. What we do here for you at the Canteen is the least we can do especially from those of us who are not in the military at all like myself. I am eternally grateful to you and all those who have served and continue to serve in our military, for your dedication and service to our country. If I never get a chance to pick up a weapon to fight for this country, it's because of our strong military - the courageous men and women who are in the front lines defending us. So, Diva, I THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

If I can do it, you can do it.

[LaDivaLoca]

Benjamin USAF

Your dad is so cute! And like him, I don't go anywhere else either to catch up with any breaking news because FR has it all.

We are all so very proud of you - you put your lives on the line to protect our great nation and her people. I applaud your courage and dedication and May God always watch over you and keep you safe. Thank you for all that you do!

[Kathy in Alaska]

I did notice that there were no classes, but I heard that you were signed up for a demo instead.

[SAMWolf]

Soldiers from the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division conduct a sweep of homes Saturday Nov. 2, 2002 in the village of Naray in southeastern Afghanistan. In a stable, they found 115 107 mm rockets - the same kind that are shot almost daily at the U.S. bases. They also found 14 rocket-propelled grenades, land mines, detonators, and thousands of rounds of ammunition, some of it armor-piercing. Five people were detained for further questioning.(AP Photo/Scott Nelson,Getty Images)

Colonel David Gerard of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division explains the purpose of a two-day sweep of homes to local Afghan men Sunday Nov. 3, 2002 in the village of Naray in southeastern Afghanistan

A soldier from the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division counts more than one hundred 107mm rockets found Saturday Nov. 2, 2002 in the village of Naray in southeastern Afghanistan during a sweep.

Soldiers from the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division search haystacks after finding hidden weapons among them during a sweep of homes Saturday Nov. 2, 2002 in the village of Naray in southeastern Afghanistan

Soldiers from the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division remove confiscated rockets from a home Sunday Nov. 3, 2002 in the village of Naray in southeastern Afghanistan

An local dog tries to bite a soldier from the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne as his squad conducts a sweep of homes Saturday Nov. 2, 2002 in the village of Naray in southeastern Afghanistan (

A soldier from the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne guards an Afghan elder as troops conduct a sweep of homes Saturday Nov. 2, 2002 in the village of Naray in southeastern Afghanistan

[SAMWolf]

Feyzabad, Afghanistan — A U.S. military Chinook helicopter stands ready to receive medical supplies and whooping cough vaccine donated by the World Health Organization. U.S. officials approved a request by the organization to carry three doctors and enough vaccine to treat 2,000 people to Badhakshan Province, in northern Afghanistan, where an outbreak of whooping cough had claimed the lives of between 70 and 200 children. Two doctors were from the Afghan Ministry of Public Health and one was from the Aga Khan Development FoundationTreating the children was complicated by the fact that travel takes three days by horse or mule to get over the mountains to the affected area. The only other way in is via helicopter and the altitude is such that most helicopters can’t fly that high because the air is too thin to provide lift capabilities. The affected region is 15,000 feet above sea level. Going over the mountains by pack animal was out of the question simply because the vaccine becomes inert after being un-refrigerated for more than 48 hours. Photo by SPC Marie Schult

Feyzabad, Afghanistan — U.S. soldiers help Afghan medical officials load medical supplies and whooping cough vaccine onto a U.S. Chinook helicopter. The U.S. military carried doctors and the vaccine to the Badhakshan Province to treat children affected by an outbreak of whooping cough. Photo by SPC Marie Schult

Feyzabad, Afghanistan — A U.S. Army helicopter crew member walks across an airfield to help Afghan medical officials unload medical supplies bound for the Badhakshan Province in Afghanistan where an outbreak of whooping cough had claimed the lvies of between 70 and 200 children. Photo by SPC Marie Schult

Badhakshan, Afghanistan — Villagers in northern Afghanistan come out to watch a U.S. Army Chinooks land near a river to drop off doctors from the Aga Khan Development Network who are in the region to vaccinate children there of whooping cough. Photo by SPC Marie Schult

Badhakshan, Afghanistan — Villagers in northern Afghanistan watch a U.S. Army Chinooks land near a river to drop off doctors from the Aga Khan Development Network who are in the region to vaccinate children there of whooping cough. Photo by SPC Marie Schult

Badhakshan, Afghanistan — Afghan doctors stand near their medical supplies and boxes of whooping cough vaccine after a U.S. Army Chinook brought them to the region to enable them to treat the children there. Photo by SPC Marie Schult

[Soaring Feather]

~~Mark US ARMY~~

A friend of my sister is a Freeper and she got a business card that was for the USO Canteen FReeper Style

It's so encouraging to hear people are using the Canteen Business Cards, and coming to Free Republic.

Thank you so much everyone for being there for us. I see you really care about us and if has me to proud to be serving when I know there are people like all of you back home.

We are here to support and honor the troops defending our great nation. It's a privilege to do so!

Thank you for your service.

The welcome mat is out, the light is on, coffee in the canteen kitchen! You are home Mark.

Bentfeather

[LaDivaLoca]

Marty, Al, Joe, Scully

The rowdy bunch, eh...more like the four Musketeers! LOL! Oh yes, I think I will refer to your group as the Four Musketeers.

Thank you, gentlemen,for your service. God bless you and keep you safe.

[Soaring Feather]

~~Benjamin USAF~~

Hello Benjamin,

It is an honor to serve and know people like all of you are back home.

Thank you for those wonderful words, bless you. We honor and thank you.
Glad to hear your dad is a FReeper! Way to go dad!Take care of yourself, thanks for writing.
Bentfeather

[BeachBelle]

I know of at least one person in Massachusetts that apparently appreciates the Military, and that's you, :D!

Thank you for the note, and more importantly, thank you for your service to our great country.

I heard a lot of stories from my father, but I'd have to do some editing to put them here. LOL!

While going through my father's private things after he passed, strangely, we found some sort of Nazi pin/medal, along with a German Rugar (sp?) gun that he saved for a
souvenir. Hmmmmmmm He obviously didn't share that story with us.

It was nice to "meet" you, Arioch7.

[LaDivaLoca]

Smitty USMC

At the Canteen, you are home and always remember that we are here for you. I cannot Thank You enough for all that you do and I will continue to offer my support for all of you in the military until there is no more life in this body. The Canteen is truly a blessing for us all. God bless you and watch over you.

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
Mark 11:24

[Soaring Feather]

~~USNAVY Marty, Al, Joe and me Scully and the Pirates~~

Hi Scully and the Pirates!

So glad to hear you enjoyed the party. We had a blast, sounds as though you did too! LOL

Buttercup Waffle Tush (I am in love with your heart and poetry)

Thank you so much for these words, bless your heart. For me to know any words I write have meaning to another, is a humbling thought. You have no idea how very much this means to me.

I love all you guys, your humor, your strong sense of honor to your country. Thank you for your service, be safe and write again. God keep you all safe!

Thanks for not making us leave our boots at the door.

When you come to the canteen, wipe your feet on the Welcome Mat, come on in, grab a seat and let's chat guys! LOL

[LaDivaLoca]

Jim USNavy

You and your family are always welcome to the Canteen. It would really be wonderful if we hear from them too so we can personally thank them for having a courageous son serving in our military. From me to you, a heartfelt Thank You and may God bless you and watch over you.

Prayer Warrior

"For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, They are plans for good and not evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. You will find me where you seek me, if you look for me in earnest." Jeremiah 29; 11 -13

[LaDivaLoca]

Rick USMC

It's always wonderful to hear from our men and women in the military. We would like for all of you to know that we are here praying for your safety, hoping to entertain you in some way, bring you some fun and laughter, and just simply reaching out to say, we love you and that we are very proud of you. Most of all, we want you to know how grateful we are for having such a strong and powerful military who keeps our enemies at bay. Thank you and God bless you.

[LaDivaLoca]

That is a beautiful poem, Johnny. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[Arioch7]

The pleasure is all mine. :D

I cant wait until you edit the stories!

And you are very welcome, I did not do it for thanks but it is nice to receive all the same... although it makes me blush. LOL!

[LaDivaLoca]

Everybody go vote tomorrow!

I will be at the polls first thing tomorrow. Every vote counts!

[LaDivaLoca]

You are in good form today, tomkow6! Or shall I say, you are in good form every day - love your jokes!

[Radix]

"In Massachusetts, there is a relatively strong disdain for the Military and its good to see the canteen offering a "Watering Hole", for us all. I am sure the Military people love the letters that they get from the canteen."



It does seem to be that way.

TY for saying it, neighbor!

[LaDivaLoca]

I GOT TO SEE THE PRESIDENT LIVE!

OK then, where are the details? Well..... I'm still way behind reading the posts so you may already have posted it. However, if you haven't yet, please post some details! Thank you.