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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.
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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
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