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

[E.G.C.]

MONACO, FREE TED MAHER NOW!!!!!!

[tomkow6]

Good morning, Snow! Good morning, EVERYBODY!

Happy FRIDAY!

[tomkow6]

Today's FEEBLE attempt at humor:

At one job I had, the boss man got the idea that the IT
department should be living up to the slogan, "Giving every
user what they need."

I politely requested, "How do we get them to turn around so
we can kick them in the a$$?"

[tomkow6]

Did ya know............?

Ivy has long been identified with immortality. Because it's always green and clings tenaciously to life, it is often used as a symbol of eternal life in Christian art.

[anniegetyourgun]

Good morning, proud mama!

[SAMWolf]

Congratulations Eric and OhioWfan.

I thank Eric for his service and Mom you have to be so proud! As long as their are men like your son and Mom's like you our Country will continue to be the best in the world.

[tomkow6]

At sea aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Oct. 5, 2002 -- An F/A-18E “Super Hornet” assigned to the “Eagles” of Strike Fighter Squadron One One Five (VFA 115) prepares to launch from one of four steam driven catapults on the ship’s flight deck. The “Super Hornet” is about 25% larger than its predecessor, the F/A-18C/D, but contains 42% fewer structural parts. The single-seat F/A-18E flies greater ranges with heavier payloads, has a more powerful engine, and provides greater survivability. Lincoln and her embarked Carrier Air Wing One Four (CVW-14) are conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Philip A. McDaniel.

In response to hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone, Operation Southern Watch aircraft, including the Super Hornets from the Abraham Lincoln, used precision-guided weapons to target two surface-to-air missile systems (SAM), and a command and control communications facility.

The SAM systems were near Al Kut, approximately 100 miles southeast of Baghdad. The command and control facility was near Tallil, about 160 miles southeast of Baghdad. The strikes occurred at about 6:30 a.m. EDT Wednesday.

Target battle damage assessment is ongoing.

Coalition strikes in the no-fly zones are executed as a self-defense measure in response to Iraqi hostile threats and acts against coalition forces and their aircraft. Today’s strike came after Iraqi forces fired anti-aircraft artillery at coalition aircraft in the southern no-fly zone and moved the SAM systems into the no-fly zone in violation of U.N. resolutions.

The last coalition strikes in the southern no-fly zone were Oct. 22 against a command and control communications facility near Al Jarrah, and an air defense operations center near Tallil.

Coalition aircraft never target civilian populations or infrastructure, and go to painstaking lengths to avoid injury to civilians and damage to civilian facilities.

[SAMWolf]

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Amanda Moormann, a chaplain's assistant from the 438th Air Expeditionary Group, sets up for a service at a forward-deployed location supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The base chapel program provides various services to the base community throughout the week, including worship, religious education for various faiths, and counseling. U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. William Greer

Father (U.S. Air Force Lt. Col.) Robert Keller, a chaplain from the 438th Air Expeditionary Group, conducts a service at a forward-deployed location supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The base chapel program provides various services to the base community throughout the week. U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. William Greer

Members of the choir sing during a chapel service at a forward-deployed location supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. William Greer

[SAMWolf]

Erie Williams was a Marine mom during WWII.
Her Marine did not come home.
He was one of the many killed at Tarawa in 1943.
She loved to write poetry.
This poem was written in his honor.




Returning Soldier
By Erie Williams

Dear son, once more the roses are in bloom;
The rambler trellis is a massive sight.
To-day I've hung fresh curtains in your room;
Your bed is ready-made for you to-night.
Your voice, your footsteps how I long to hear,
And at the table see you in your place.
Here's many things for you- this hour
Our hearts are lifted to His throne of grace.

I thank the Lord for such a son as you-
A son that I am proud to call my own;
You've tread the path of duty fearlessly;
With God to guide who can one's fate bemoan?
War is so horrid, time of fear is long
In waiting your return across the sea;
And how the nights are dark,
when vigil
Keeps reminding sacrifices are liberty.

To make a better world, it takes the best;
The stars of broken homes confirm it's true
That some must fall- they never more return.
No peace without some righteous ones like you-
The spirit seems to say, you cannot come,
That you're with Him,
You're waiting now for me.
Oh Heavenly Father help me still to pray,
To see that sacrifices mean Victory.

[SAMWolf]

"A Mother's Prayer for her Soldier"

God, Father of freedom, look after that boy of mine, wherever he may be.

Walk in upon him. Keep his mind stayed on Thee. Talk with him during the silent watches of the night,
and spur him to bravery whenever called upon to face the cruel foe.

Transfer my prayer to his heart, that he may know the lingering love I have bequeathed to him as an everlasting gift.

Keep my boy contented and inspired by the never-dying faith in his mother's God.

He is my gift to freedom. May that freedom forever remain untarnished, God.

Through the lonely and confusing hours of training and combat, and throughout all the long days of a hopeful victory,
keep his spirit high and his purpose unwavering.

Make him a proud pal to all with whom he comes in contact and make his influence a noonday light
wherever his duty takes him. Satisfy the hunger of his soul with the knowledge of this daily prayer of
mine.

To my country, and to world freedom, Oh Heavenly Father, have I bequeathed this boy of mine.
He is my choicest treasure.

Take care of him, God.
Keep him in health and sustain him under every possible circumstance of events.

Warm him anew under his shelter and under the stars.
Touch him with my smile of cheer and comfort and my full confidence in his every brave move.

Silent and alone, I pray, God, but I am only one of millions of mothers whose prayers stream day and night to you.

This is our Gethsemane. Lead us victoriously through it, God,
and lead that boy of mine through his.

Fail him not....and may he not fail You, his country, nor his mother.

Thank you, God

[firewalk]

Good morning & have a great day

[BeachBelle]

http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/50317.htm

Good Morning Troops and USO Canteen FReepers!

If you have a minute, check out this heart warming story about a WWII Vet.

[bluesagewoman]

Such a wonderful tribute this morning. We've been able to follow Eric these past few months, and this has put such a "reality" touch on his story. Yes, Mom, you should be very proud! Thank you for letting us share.

[Soaring Feather]

Good Morning, Snow Bunny, OhioW

This is so very lovely.

[zip]

GOOD MORNING CANTEENERS, MILITARY PERSONNEL, PAST AND PRESENT, YOUR FAMILIES AND OUR CANADIAN AND ISRAELI ALLIES.

THANK YOU TO ERIC & OHIOWFAN FROM THE MID MISSOURI PATRIOTS. We appreciate all that you do for us.

[Johnny Gage]

Bunny: Thank you for the "as usual" fantastic expose' of our military members.

Ohio: You have much to be proud of. Eric is a wonderful example of what we all pray our children grow up to be.

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THREE "CHEERS" FOR ERIC.

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Station #51 is open for Tours & Rides
Hot breakfast, bagels & coffee in the kitchen

Time Out: 08:44
KMG-365

[ohioWfan]

OH, SNOW BUNNY!! I just got here this morning, and I am OVERWHELMED by your beautiful tribute!!

Praise the LORD for his gifts. Everything I have and am is from my FATHER in Heaven!

Thank you for this wonderful thread!! THANK YOU!!!

[ohioWfan]

Thank you all so very much!!

Eric has been through in processing at his home Unit, and the logistics are being worked out for transferring to Minnesota where he'll go to college. And he is still thrilled that he shook hands with his fantastic Commander in Chief!

But recently the possibility that his college education will be put on hold because of the war on Iraq has begun to weigh heavily on him. The Pentagon's statement that many reserves will be called up made that possibility seem even more real.

He is ready and willing to go if called.....his boots are shined :o)........but obviously, he would also love to go to college as planned.

To those of you who have prayed, THANK you......I would appreciate your continued prayers for him!

[ohioWfan]

You're welcome, bluesagewoman! It has been my pleasure to share Eric's experience with others here to 'put a face' on our military. He is only one of thousands of young men and women who are serving to defend the freedoms we so often take for granted.

Trust me......I don't take anything for granted any more! :o)