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]

Did you have a really long fall, MO? We've had beautiful color well into November, and I LOVE it!

[MoJo2001]

Great to see you!!

[ohioWfan]

I never watch the game with TSUN........I value my health too much........and my TV! :o)

[JudyB1938]

I clicked on Snow Bunny's name when I sent you guys a messae. Of course, you know that YOU and the others who participate on this thread are all included in my admiration. I guess I just wanted to thank you all for the extra effort you go through, because you are acting in my name, too. I am sure other lurkers feel the same way.

God Bless You, God Bless our Troops, and God Bless America.

[MoJo2001]

WHERE ARE YOU? We are never on at the same time?? Whose going to party with me, huh?? COME ON IN HERE!!

[MoJo2001]

LOL!!

I watch the game with TSUN because I like to personally torture myself. If we are this good this year, WATCH OUT NEXT YEAR!! Woohoo!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hi, Kiddo! Guess what? I had a good Friday. I didn't have to do anybody else's work today. Now I'm just trying to get a little snowball fighting in before I go home. Traffic has just about cleared out, and the pea soup fog that has been here all day has finally lifted.*HUG*

[MoJo2001]

Woohoo, Ma!! Are you gonna be able to play tonight?? I'm ready for some F-U-N!! Woohoo!!

[SK1 Thurman]

Is always a pleasue to join my FReep Friends!!!!!!!! When I have a chance that is. All are asleep and I should be to as I have duty til Tues. am and have to go in all weekend at 730 am. Enjoy all the pertinent info on here.

Your welcome for the service as I stand proud everday I put that uniform on.

SK1 T

[MoJo2001]

Snowball fights...brrrrrr!! Water fights in the Pacific Ocean..YEAH BABY!! LOL!

[radu]

LOL!! I wasn't saying you were the instigator....Kathy's the one in "snowland". She's been praying for the stuff. hahaha!

I'm a tropical lizard, myself, and really prefer playing in the sand, on the beach. I just don't live near one. waaaaaaa!

[MoJo2001]

God Bless you!! Yes, you should be in bed!! You need all your energy and sleep!! Don't work too hard on duty.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hi blue! We're here at the same time. Yippee! They sure do look like feetsies. We lost a USAF Awac and crew (RIP) on take off to a flock of geese. Bird strikes can be lethal.

I've heard a little about those "giant bird" reports. I might have to go looking for a story.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[MoJo2001]

Thank you for the warm fireplace!! A very nice place to kick your feet up, huh?? Thanks for the beautiful flowers and a link to help us keep in touch with our troops. Which I use as much as I can!!! *HUGS*

[MoJo2001]

Ma, where's bentfeather? Have you seen bentfeather?? Where Oh Where is our bentfeather??

[Kathy in Alaska]

Candles for Ted Maher and his family.

[radu]

The only requirement on the firetruck is a helmet and gloves, I think. Otherwise, whatever is comfy ought to suffice. Wear something warm...we'll be piled all over the truck. LOL!!

[MoJo2001]

CLICK ON CHICKS

[radu]

Babe the Pig. LOL!!!

You've got to be careful what you ask for, Radix. MoJo's good at delivering. hahaha!
It's good to see you tonight, Radix.