USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ Canteen Thanksgiving Messages to the Military ~ November 27 2002

68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub and FRiends of the Canteen

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

On the eve of Thanksging in the continental United States we pause to remember those who are overseas.
Many of our service men and women will be spending their 1st Thanksgiving
away from home, family and friends.
Today military stationed in countries overseas will be celebrating Thanksgiving.
It is because of their devotion to duty, honor and country
that we will be able to celebrate our Thanksgiving tomorrow.



Senior U.S. officers serve their troops an elaborate Thanksgiving Dinner at Camp Doha in Kuwait on November 22, 2001.
U.S. soldiers serving in Kuwait, including some who had just arrived from the United States,
later headed to the Kuwaiti desert
for a military exercise close to the border with former occupier Iraq.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Defense Agency Provides U.S. Troops Overseas with Holiday Meal

United States troops overseas will be receiving traditional Thanksgiving meals this year, thanks to efforts of the Defense Logistics Agency's (DLA) Defense Supply Center Philadelphia.

The task of supplying approximately $2.3 million worth of traditional holiday fare to soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines serving America in a variety of Southwest Asian, European and Pacific locations is no small feat. This year's aggregate meal items include:

201,847 pounds of turkey; 131,720 pounds of beef; 114,036 pounds of ham; 6,381 pounds of duck; 9,498 pounds of Cornish hens; 64,676 pounds of seafood; 16,954 cans of sweet potatoes; 67,089 pounds of vegetables; 1,344 boxes of corn-on-the-cob; 8,035 cans of cranberry sauce; 67,895 pies; 4,117 pounds of fruitcake; 24,380 cans of eggnog; 8,299 cans of nuts; and 20,217 pounds of candy.

The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia provides approximately $7.8 billion worth of food, clothing and textiles, medicines and medical equipment, general and industrial supplies for U.S. troops worldwide and their eligible dependents annually. The center is a field activity of the Defense Logistics Agency.

The Defense Logistics Agency provides supply support, and technical and logistics services to the military services and to several civilian agencies. Headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Va., DLA is the one source for nearly every consumable item, whether for combat readiness, emergency preparedness or day-to-day operations.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, amom, for helping the Canteen honor and thank our troops.

[Soaring Feather]

201,847 pounds of turkey; 131,720 pounds of beef; 114,036 pounds of ham; 6,381 pounds of duck; 9,498 pounds of Cornish hens; 64,676 pounds of seafood; 16,954 cans of sweet potatoes; 67,089 pounds of vegetables; 1,344 boxes of corn-on-the-cob; 8,035 cans of cranberry sauce; 67,895 pies; 4,117 pounds of fruitcake; 24,380 cans of eggnog; 8,299 cans of nuts; and 20,217 pounds of candy.

Dang gald I'm not cooking that meal!! LOL

[kayak]

Psalm 100

A Song of Praise for the Faithfulness to His People

A Psalm of Thanksgiving.
¹ Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
        ²Serve the LORD with gladness;
        Come before His presence with singing.
        ³Know that the LORD, He is God;
        It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
        We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

        ⁴Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
        And into His courts with praise.
        Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
        ⁵For the LORD is good;
        His mercy is everlasting,
        And His truth endures to all generations.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Real World Lessons on the Arabian Peninsula
Story Number: NNS021126-07
Release Date: 11/26/2002 12:18:00 PM

By Chief Journalist (SW) Douglas H. Stutz, Joint Task Force Southwest Asia Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA (NNS) -- While thoughts of being forward deployed conjurs images of open ocean for most Sailors, those assigned to Joint Task Force Southwest Asia (JTF SWA) find themselves faced with quite the opposite.

Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Joshua D. Lively is one such Sailor forward deployed in this unique situation. Lively is stationed on the Arabian Peninsula as an intelligence analyst for JTF SWA.

The ocean is a long way from where he plies his trade. He finds himself surrounded by an endless visage of sand. He is one of a handful of Navy and Marine Corps personnel, who along with U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army personnel, make up the multinational force that includes the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other coalition partners such as France, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar.

Instead of occupying a position back on Third Fleet's staff, Lively is now in a multidimensional Command Air Operation Center. Not only is the locale different, but so are the conditions, as he engages in supporting actual combat operations. His duties include collecting and interpreting intelligence data from a variety of sources by analyzing such significant data-revealing material as photographs, maps, reports and charts.

"Learning the whole process of time-critical targeting and working with all branches of our services and other foreign militaries has been such a daily educational experience," Lively commented. "The best part about being here is that it has helped me learn different aspects of intel work that I never knew existed."

Lively's job is about as real world as it gets.

"There is so much to learn and absorb here," said Lively. "For example, I never had any training in targeting before coming here and already I've learned quite a lot in that."

Lively's experiences go beyond being taught such job related functions as target identification and acquisition. There is personal as well as professional growth and experiences.

"Being forward-deployed here on land in Southwest Asia is definitely a lot different than being on a ship," said Lively. "On a ship, there is only Navy, and maybe some Marines. Here, there are all branches of the military, including foreign services. Everyone seems to get along great. The motto is, "One Team, One Fight!"

"The living conditions are a lot better than I expected," Lively continued. "I live in a barracks, with four to a room. On my off time, I always take advantage of the facilities like the gyms, pool and the Learning Resource Center. Most of the facilities are open 24/7."

Operations are also conducted around the clock. Lively has found that a day's schedule can be modified quickly. "There can be a lot of change here," Lively noted, "because we are conducting real-world operations. But another very big change for me is just coming from a ship to an air base in the middle of the desert, along with working with all branches of services and foreign militaries. It was tough at first, but I'm getting more accustomed to the demands."

From strategic airfields on the Arabian Peninsula to the decks of Navy vessels on the Arabian Gulf, the task of supporting Operation Southern Watch continues unabated. Lively is doing his part to ensure it stays that way.

[Dubya]

Thanksgiving Blessing

Lord, today I am so truly
thankful for so many things.
You have blessed me in so many ways.
I thank You for the wonderful country
I live in...and for all its many heroes.

I thank You Lord for my wonderful family
and friends. They are my greatest blessing.

Thank You Lord for the creatures you have put
on earth for us all. They teach us so much,
unconditional love, loyalty, and understanding.
I ask You Lord that all who suffer with illness
have this day free from pain.

Thank You Lord for all who have tables filled
with food and someone to share it with.

And for those that have no family or food,
Lord, I ask that You comfort them.

I thank You Lord for the time I had with my
loved ones that have gone on to be with You.
They shall always be loved and greatly missed.

Thank You Lord for allowing me to have love and understanding in my heart.
It is these many blessings that make my
humble life happy and fulfilled.

Thank You Lord…..Amen

May your Thanksgiving
be blessed with love and peace.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Kayak, what an absolutely beautiful prayer of thanks for this Thanksgiving Day for our troops. Thank you for bringing it to the Canteen for our military to see.

[Dubya]

Good info Kathy. Thanks for posting it.

[Kathy in Alaska]

TERRIFIC!! Mo, here I sit, everybody else is asleep, and I come to this Thanksgiving Grace. I love it. Then I click on the link and can't turn the sound down fast enough not to wake somebody up from me laughing and enjoying the music. Thank you so much sharing it with our troops.

[Dubya]

Great Post thanks Kayak.

[Dubya]

The first two years of MCJROTC satisfies the two-year Physical Education requirement for graduation. LE-3 and LE-4 courses are elective courses. There is NO military commitment for Junior ROTC, but cadets completing two or more years of JROTC are offered special promotions upon entering the service.

[Dubya]

The United States Marine Corps provides all uniforms at no cost to cadets and pays for tailoring uniforms. Cadets are responsible for the proper wear and maintenance of the uniform during the school year. MCJROTC has 15 ranks and over 30 ribbons for cadets to earn for wear on their uniforms. Cadets may participate in many teams and events including: Color Guard, Drill Team, Youth Physical Fitness, JROTC Sports Competitions, Military Balls, parades and community service events.

Our graduates have served and are currently serving around the globe in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard. They are also attending colleges around the country including the United States Naval Academy and United States Military Academy. Many have completed college or military service and are responsible citizens working in both the private and public sector.

[Dubya]

Objectives
Develop informed and responsible citizens.
Develop leadership skills.
Strengthen character.
Form habits of self-discipline.
Explore opportunities in public service and the military services.
Develop respect for , and an understanding of, the need for constituted authority in a democratic society.
Promote an understanding of the basic requirements for National security.

Program Benefits
Upon successful completion of at least two years of JROTC, graduates are entitled to advance promotion to the grade of E-2 on initial enlistment in an active or reserve component of a military service.
Military Departments may award the grade of E-3 for successful completion of three academic years of JROTC.
The cadet who has completed three years of JROTC may be entitled to one year credit of Senior ROTC by the college concerned.
Graduates may apply for the Marine Corps PLC program during the summer prior to the freshman year of college.
Cadets may apply to the military academies in a special JROTC nomination category.
Self-discipline, self-confidence, and personal responsibility.

[Kathy in Alaska]

"May your Thanksgiving be blessed with love and peace."

[Dubya]

SEMPER FI MATT
We are very proud of you

[Dubya]

Thank you Kathy. I'm hoping to hear from Matt anytime.

[Kathy in Alaska]

What a good program for our young people to be a part of.

"Self-discipline, self-confidence, and personal responsibility."

[Kathy in Alaska]

LOL! You sound like a proud Grandpa, as well you should.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks so much, Geek, for helping to thank and honor our troops.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hmmmmmmmmmm............Seven, I wonder what is going on with Putin and the Red Star bit. Very strange.