USO Canteen FReeper Style Themeless Thursday .... November 7,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style and SAMWolf

[SAMWolf]

ARMED AND READY — Senior weapons loaders arm munitions on an F-16CG flown by Maj. Todd Higgs before a sortie from Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The airmen are deployed with 125th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, from the Tulsa, Oklahoma, Air National Guard, in support of Combined Task Force, Operation Northern Watch. ONW has been enforcing the no-fly zone over Northern Iraq since 1997. U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Anna Hayman

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[SAMWolf]

U.S. Soldiers at Bagram
Adopt an Afghan Village

By U.S. Army Spc. Joe Healy
82nd Airborne Division

BAGRAM, Afghanistan — A convoy of seven vehicles drove off Bagram Air Base recently, traveling on a dusty, dirt road to a remote village three miles northeast of the base. The 25 volunteer soldiers in the convoy had one mission - to provide humanitarian aid to Afghans. The Adopt-a-Village program had begun.

“It is always great going out and helping the locals,” said Staff Sgt. A.J. Handler, of the 401st Civil Affairs Battalion. “This is the first time we’ve provided aid to the village of Surat Khawl.”

Although the distance between the base and Surat Khawl is short, the difference is life style is remarkable, said Sgt. Maj. Jim Miller, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 82nd Airborne Division. “These people here are dealing with basic survival issues,” he said.

About 300 residents live in Surat Khawl, said Handler. Approximately 100 villagers were on-hand to receive the boxes and bags of humanitarian aid from the U.S. soldiers. The aid included large bags of beans, rice and flour. Children received stuffed animals, rubber balls, games and school supplies. Hats, jackets and mittens were dispersed to everyone. Female U.S. soldiers distributed clothes and shoes to female villagers.

“The mothers and daughters really appreciated the clothes and shoes we gave out,” said Sgt. 1st Class Shannon Cromartie, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 82nd Airborne. Div. “You can’t realize the living conditions until you see it.”

Handler said without Miller’s work, the Adopt-A-Village program would not have been successful. “It was Sergeant Major Miller’s idea,” said Handler.

Miller said he got the idea after going out with Civil Affairs to visit an orphanage. After the visit, Miller emailed his friends and family in Jeffersonville, Ind., and recounted the experience.“Once I e-mailed my friends back home, the project took a life of its own,” he said. “Boy Scout troops, churches and local businesses got together and started sending items over here.”

After collecting donations for six weeks, Miller’s office was full of boxes. He acknowledged the volunteer efforts of 82nd Airborne Division soldiers.

“I am also proud of the soldiers who volunteered to help out,” said Miller. “Especially the young soldiers who get to see first-hand the desperation of the people here.”

Miller said the Adopt-a-Village program has targeted Surat Khawl for future donations. “We are going to sponsor and work closely with Surat Khawl in the future,” he said.

Cromartie said she wants to go on the next aid mission to Surat Khawl. She wants to visit her new friend.

“After all the goods were passed out and all of us soldiers were back in our vehicles leaving the village I saw one girl, all alone, looking at me,” said Cromartie. “There was one teddy bear left in a box, so we stopped our vehicle and I gave it to the lonely girl. The smile that spread across her face was beautiful.

“That’s what Adopt-A-Village is all about.”

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Today's transportation for you and the Girlz.

[tomkow6]

When people come round to see me and they see
the cat's litter box, they always say, "Oh you
have a cat?"
I often joke with them, saying "No it's for
my guests."

[g'nad]

Mornin' Miss Bunny... sorry I ain't been around much... work, slow network and firewalls have been plaguing me.

We have a Missionary couple from Bhurkina Faso staying at our home this week... Gaston is starting up a Christian religious ministry for their military...

On another front, I just received this e-mail from my dear old Marine buddy, Hal, and his wife, Betsy... he is stationed at 29 Palms, and his newborn son is dire need of prayers...

Just wanted to let you all know that I've been off line for awhile.
Last Monday, the 28th, during a routine check-up of our week old, Dillon, the Dr.'s noticed erratic breathing and a heart murmur. He was taken to the emergency room and from there medevaced to Loma Linda University Medical Center.
He was examined by a cardiologist that day and found to have some serious heart problems. Initially they hoped that these problems could be dealt with by surgery. On Thursday the cardiologist spoke with us again on Thursday, the 31st, and told us that the problems we're greater than previously thought, and that while they could try a series of surgeries to correct them, his odds of surviving that surgery were minimal. Therefore he recommended a heart tranplant as the best option.
Dillon is on the list, waiting for a heart, as of this past Monday. He is at the best possible place for this, since Loma Linda was the first facility to do infant heart transplants back in the mid-80s. The staff there has been very good and they are taking good care of him. The waiting is the hardest part, since there is no predicting when a donor heart may be available. Also, the greatest mortality rate is during this period, about 20% of all infants awaiting a transplant die before and organ becomes available.
Would appreciate you saying a quiet prayer for Dillon.
Thanks,
Hal

Please let all the prayer warriors know about this...

Thanks Miss Bunny

[Dutchgirl]

David Letterman.... Top Things A Drill Instructor Would Never Say:

"%$&@ the 0400 crap -- I'm getting up at noon";

"I'd be lost without my yoga";

"For a zestier tuna salad, add a pinch of dill";

"I'm yelling because I have self-esteem issues";

"Dude, you're getting a Dell";

"Marine, you have the piercing blue eyes of a young Paul Newman";

"With Pert Plus, I just wash...and go";

"When are the Tony Awards?";

"Dr. Phil has changed my life";

"I still live with my parents."

[kelly USA]

No, but I have seen it happen! LOL! Good morning to you! :)

[Mudboy Slim]

Howdy, Tonk!! Top of the mornin' to ya...MUD

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Would appreciate you saying a quiet prayer for Dillon."

Prayers being offered Brother.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Welcome to the USO Canteen!

[Soaring Feather]

Adopt-A-Village


Good Morning SAM,

What a wonderful, uplifting, heart warming story!

Thank you for posting this.

[Soaring Feather]

~~Troops~~Canteen Men~~

The flowers this morning are so beautiful, red roses how very special!

Thank you.

[Johnny Gage]

prayers said.. and I passed this along to others as well.

God bless and heal Dillon.

[Pathfinder]

Prayer sent for Dillon and family. Bless YOU for spreading the need.

[g'nad]

Thanks brothers...