USO Canteen FReeper Style....OhioWfan & Son Eric .... November 8,2002

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 

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The USO Canteen Honors FReepers
who have served, or are now serving their country.

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This Week's Canteen Honoree

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You may have a loved one who has served in the past.
We at the FReeper USO Canteen would like to honor each and every one.

Today for FReeper Friday
we are looking at a Mother
and son together.
Many of you may already know
OhioWfan and her love for America .
Now we will meet her son Eric that is
carrying on the fine tradition of being a
Patriot in his service to our country.

Because Eric has already been featured
at FR’s Finest and because we here at
the Canteen salute those that have
served in the past or are serving now
we would like to pay tribute to Eric
and his mother together as our
salute to both of them.

Eric was born in 1984, the third of
four children, he graduated from
High School in the class of 2002 .He
He graduated from his highschool
with a 4.0, and was Valedictorian

He has been an avid Civil War collector
since he was 8 or 9, but the only things
he ever really wanted were the guns and
the swords. He ran an entire Cross Country
race on a stress fracture in his foot because
he refused to quit ‘pressing on toward the goal.’

He is quiet, yet bold ,so bold in his faith
that he told his classmates Sunday in his
Valedictory speech that the only way they
could have a truly successful future was
through faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ. His
greatest desire in life is to serve that Savior
and live a Christ-like life, and to serve others.

He is handsome, mature, stable, interested in
history and politics, fiercely competitive,
wanting to be the best he can be at everything
he pursues, a talented athlete and musician,
and well liked by his peers.

Eric entered Basic Training for the U.S. Army
shortly after graduating from high school at the
Army Basic training in Ft. Knox, Kentucky.

Victory Field in Ft. Knox, Kentucky

Eric's finished his training and he received
the Distinguished Honor Graduate award. He
was first in both classes which graduated.

As her son is serving, OhioWfan is
serving our country as his mom, with
all the concerns , prayers and hope too
that a mother has for her child.

She is a FReeper,a prayer warrior
for our President and our country, a
wonderful artist and shares with us
her talent as an artist.

This is a sketch she has done of President Bush

Eric is a fine young man and his honor
and integrity is a reflection on his parents.
We are grateful to have met OhioWfan and
Grateful too that we can share in her life as
Eric’s deservedly proud mom. It is an honor
to have met both of them and we thank them
both for being what America is all about.

OhioWfan had the opportunity to
see and hear President Bush, through
the graciousness of fellow freeper,
WVNan, who invited her to West Virginia .
WVNan was also able to get a ticket for Eric
to go with them as well.

We went to the Civic Center 4 hours
early to get good seats, but were able
to get a spot on the floor right by the rail.
The President was inspiring and energetic
in his speech, and clothed in humility.....in
Eric's words 'he seemed almost embarrassed'
by the adulation he received.

After he had spoken, he came down the stairs
in front of us and began to greet the people
along the rail.

When he got to me, I said "I pray for you
and Laura every day." He looked at me,
and with obvious sincerity said, "Thank
you. That's the kindest thing you can do
for me." Then he reached out, hugged me
and kissed my cheek. He then shook Eric's
hand, who was overwhelmed with the
privilege of shaking hands with his
Commander in Chief.

Eric ~ OhioWfan ~ WVNan

Thank you OhioWfan for being the
lovely lady you are and for sharing
a part of your life with us that is very
special……..your son Eric.And thank you
Eric for your service to our country and
being the fine young man you are.

My Soldier's Mom

My child, you glow in uniform
In pride I live, my heart so warm
I have such precious thoughts cascade
Some old, some new, not one will fade
How hard that day we said good-bye
The joy, the pain, etched in my eye
You left to serve our Country well
My perfect one, my tears did swell
No better soldier could there be
For in my love, that’s all I see
Oh how I pray for you each day
Be safe, be well, God guide your way
I keep your Home in wait with me
Your Mom will guard it faithfully
How great the day when you’ll return
We’ll talk and talk, night-lights to burn
My Soldier’s Mom, is who I am
While you do proud, for Uncle Sam

Written By Roger J. Robicheau
former US ARMY Veteran
Specialist Fifth Class

[ohioWfan]

Well, OK, I will admit to some influence in his life! :o)

It's just that lots of guys have loving and attentive Moms, but not that many have the kind of Dad Eric has. :o)

[BeachBelle]

I'm glad you liked the story, Kathy.
I love your "Florida Snowman"! LOL!!!

[ohioWfan]

Lorena, you are such a dear lady!!

Thank you for those kind words, and your gift of encouragement!

It is an honor for me to know you, and to be a part of this great big FR family!

And in answer to your question.......I will never come down from this cloud! Every time I see our wonderful President on TV now I think, I stood face to face with him and he talked with me as though I were the only person on earth! (and, of course, he did kiss me on the cheek! hehe)

btw, I'm going to start a new sketch pretty soon! Be looking for it!

[ohioWfan]

THANK you, Sabertooth!!

Eric feels the hand of God on him, and is ready to do whatever God calls him to do to serve his Creator, his Commander-in-Chief, and his country.

[BeachBelle]

Thanks for the pings.... and tonight's transporation is indeed hilarious! I'm going to get a front row seat (in the audience that is). LOL!

[BeachBelle]

What a lovely tribute to Eric and his mother, OhioWfan.
Indeed a son to be proud of!

Lovely flowers again today, Tonk- Thank you!

[BeachBelle]

Your backyard sounds like a great place to kick back, HJ!

[BeachBelle]

Your bird is a comedian, Jen! LOL!!!

Does he imitate sounds too?

[ohioWfan]

Just to let you know that Eric was glad to see me too, after 10 weeks of Basic Training! :o)

[HiJinx]

Oh, we've had some great parties there.
If I could get my son to visit us in the Canteen, he'd vouch for it!
(He's stubborn, and I have no idea where he gets it from!!)

[BeachBelle]

Lately I get NOTHING when I try to hear music here.
I know that I'm tone deaf, but this is ridiculous! : )

[Soaring Feather]

Thanks ohio, I love this photo.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Linda, for today's Day in Military History. tra la la indeed! I would love to know what our guys were saying.

[mtngrl@vrwc]

Just to let you know that Eric was glad to see me too, after 10 weeks of Basic Training! :o)

I bet he was! You are so devoted to your family and so therefore they are devoted to you!

Thanks for the ping because I hate to think I might have missed this thread, friend.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hi Judy. Thanks for stopping by to honor our troops. Hope you're feeling well.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Mr_M, thanks for the history of the SR-71A Blackbird.