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

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 

.

.

.

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

.

This Week's Canteen Honoree

.

.

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

[radu]

Hi Blue! I hope you're still here. My hubby sends a HUG for Abbey's P.A.W. pic last night and I want to be sure you get it. :-))

[ohioWfan]

Well, I don't know about a firetruck, but I wouldn't mind lobbing a few snowballs! I still have a pretty good pitching arm! :o)

[MoJo2001]

God Bless you and your son, Eric. What an outstanding young man that you have raised. A big BUCKEYE hug to both you and your family!! Thank you for sharing his story. Woohoo!! Absolutely awesome!!

[COB1]

AWESOME!!

It's growing so fast it's unbelievable!!
That shows how Americans REALLY feel about our military!

STUFF IT, SLICK!!

Thank you for that link, Sandy!

[MoJo2001]

God Bless our wonderful allies. It is during the tough times that we realize who are friends are in this world. God Bless each and every one that stand shoulder to shoulder with us!

[ohioWfan]

Oh........I forgot......it was over 60 here today. No snow!

[Kathy in Alaska]

"Send him to Timbukto with Alex Baldwin!"

Excellent idea, Radix!

[ohioWfan]

Hey, a BIG UNDEFEATED BUCKEYE hug right back atcha! :o)

Eric is PROUD to represent OHIO as he serves in the military!

[Kathy in Alaska]

But this is Alaska. It's almost embarrassing.

[MoJo2001]

God Bless Ted Maher and his family, friends, and supporters!!

[radu]

These are some great photos,tomkow. Of course, I have a soft spot for the one of Mike Wallace signing autographs. He's not the NASCAR driver I root for but it's wonderful to see one of the drivers showing his support for our troops.

[MoJo2001]

Thank you for always posting your airplane and for flying over the Canteen to make sure we are all safe!!

[MoJo2001]

I wish I had your ability for humor. I'm lost!! What a great way to spend the day..reading Burka Man's jokes!! Woohoo!! *HUGS*

[bluesagewoman]

*GRIN* Got it! Thanks:)

[ohioWfan]

Kind of a state pride thing, eh?

[MoJo2001]

Goddess, your history is absolutely fabulous!! Thank you for sharing it with us everyday! Also, those prisoners are treated too kindly by our guys, huh??

[Radix]

Great pics.

Yes I do really mean it.

Yeah right.

Hello.

Perhaps I should post some pics of my mold collection.

That would be just as much fun.


More chicks please.


We want to see the MOJO, The Popcorn, the Turkey, and the grind. After we learn those dances we want to see some more babes.

This ain't Play girl!

Am I getting through?

[Kathy in Alaska]

"1042nd Medical Air Ambulance, Oregon National Guard"

Thank you for your contribution to protecting our freedoms.

[MoJo2001]

Thank you for posting your fabulous information about what is at the Air Force Museum!! *HUGS*

[SK1 Thurman]

Your right!!!!!!!! And I am amazed how it ha grown in less than an hour. Was wondering when u were gonna mention I sent it to ya. HAHAHAHA. My ex-father-in-law sent it to me. Deep down he is still proud and calls me SARGE. It's how our families use to be so close. It meant alot that he did. They still stay in contact with Trish and I.

Sandy