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

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

[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.

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"I can't see the transportation pics."
Monday Mail Call transportation for you and the Girlz.

[Radix]

I hope that you are not "dead."

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thanks for the update.
I still have you in my prayers for your health.
Please let us know what happens.
Wishing you luck in staying in JAX.
*HUG*

[Soaring Feather]

Thank you Tonkin and Troops for the lovely warm room!
I appreciate this so much.

[SAMWolf]

I love the eyes, thanks Bentfeather.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Girlz, my apologies if I'm the only one who couldn't see today's transportation. This is just my speed for a Monday night. Those that would rather watch can join the "audience" that has already gathered the watch lift off. Those that are up to traveling, once we get into orbit, it's as smooth as silk. Check out those that have gone before us.

This looks like lots of fun. Radu and Jen and whoever else can do the countdown and lead the cheering. Duchess, this might be time for your new uniform. Bunny can come if she can sit still. Bentfeather, Just a little entertainment might be fun. LaDiva, small snacks would be just fine. NO LIQUIDS! We will be weightless. Everyone is in charge of their own crumbs.

[zip]

I'll be happy with even just a dip in clear blue waters.

Our USAF troops stationed in Athens can tell you about clear blue waters. Years ago, I was lucky enough to scuba dive off of Athens beach. (R&R from Turkey) It was so clear that you could read a book at 15/20 feet. Loved it. It was one of many "perks" I received courtesy of the US military.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Belle, you look smashing in your new wardrobe!

[MoJo2001]

REMEMBER, TOMORROW IS ELECTION DAY!! So?? If you check on FreeRepublic and you can't get on, just keep that in mind. Also, I will try to get the Useless News Tidbits up early tomorrow morning. I just hope the servers can handle all the people coming in here tomorrow (Free Republic). So? Be prepared everyone!! Also, if you expect to be visiting Drudge....he had almost 25 million hits the last election. Keep that in mind as well!

[SAMWolf]

Big Mud Puddles and Sunny Yellow Dandelions
Author Unknown

When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard.
My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.


When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away.
My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.


When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen.
My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don't know them, they make up their own.


When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk.
My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.


When I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that.
My kids say, "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet. I would miss my Mommy and Daddy."


When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets.
My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross, and worms to play with.

I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from? No wonder God loves the little children!
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

I wish you Big Mud Puddles and Sunny Yellow Dandelions!!!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Also, if you expect to be visiting Drudge....he had almost 25 million hits the last election."

He's the one who posted the inaccurate VNS poll data BEFORE the polls closed in FL.
Then FOX NEWS was the 1st network to broadcast Drudge's "report" BEFORE the FL polls closed.
I hope they and all the other networks let people vote 1st!

PS MoJo2001
*HUG*

[Soaring Feather]

Bentfeather, Just a little entertainment might be fun.

What's this mean Kathy, have I been over doing it?LOL

What time is lift off? I have not completed my chores, I have to finish my letter writing to the troops.:-)

Who are those strange looking, round headed, guys?

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thank You for your continual support of the military.
*HUG*

[MoJo2001]

Very true! Thanks for that information!! Although, I heard that crap about the FL election on MSNBC about an hour before Drudge. Which totally sucks as well. *HUGS*

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Evening SAM

[Kathy in Alaska]

Benjamin, USAF – Good to “see” you Benjamin. I’m glad you told your Dad about FR and that he got registered. It’s good that both you and your Dad found the USO Canteen and know that it is a place that honors its military, past and present, as well as their families and our allies. It’s a good thing you get to see bluesagewoman, zip, Dogrobber and the others out there letting the peaceniks know that our troops are supported, and that you are “out there” with them. God bless you for your service to our country and for helping protect our freedoms.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"I heard that crap about the FL election on MSNBC about an hour before Drudge."

Per O'Reilly, FOX was the 1st network to release the inaccurate data, they got from Drudge.
FOX "forgot" that FL has 2 time zones.
That 2nd time zone cost President Bush a LOT of votes.

[SAMWolf]

Hi Tonk.

[BeachBelle]

Hello Tonk!

So true about the networks screwing up time zones and costing votes. Believe it or not, some of us Floridians live in the Central Time Zone! (everything east of Tallahassee) It would be nice if our vote counted! : )

I read a report in the local paper that the Dems are going to pull another Gore tactic. Blacks and Seniors here vote primarily Democrat, so they're pulling out all the stops!
EEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

Hugs

[Kathy in Alaska]

"It is the soldier who has made and will continue to make the United States of America the greatest nation on earth."

ProudEagle, always nice to see you. Thanks for dropping in on this Mail Monday.