USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ Sports Day: GAMES! CALLING ALL GAMERS! ~ July 31 2003

MoJo2001, Kathy in Alaska , 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub and FRiends of the Canteen

[Kathy in Alaska]

To the fallen

Lance Corporals Billie Pickering, left, and David Mattson, of 1/2 Charlie Company drink shots of liquor June 24, toasting the buddies they lost in Iraq, in a bar near Camp Lejeune. Mattson was evacuated from Iraq after being hit in the face with shrapnel on March 23, during the battle for Nasiriyah. Their company suffered 18 deaths and 14 wounded in the fight.

[Kathy in Alaska]

A chance to relax

Lance Cpl. Ryan Steiger, far left, Pvt. Jason Keough and Lance Cpl. Brian Niebauer (occupied with Melissa Williams) relax June 24 in a bar near Camp Lejeune after returning from deployment in Iraq. After nearly losing his leg and being evacuated from Iraq, Keough took time to visit his fellow Marines after their return.

[Kathy in Alaska]

A brother's father

Gary Fribley, whose son Lance Cpl. David Fribley was killed in action in Iraq, shakes hands June 24 with members of his son's platoon from 1/2 Charlie Company at Camp Lejeune. David Fribley died in a firefight March 23 in Nasiriyah.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Meal, almost ready to eat

Gunnery Sgt. Jerry Blackwell grills steaks at Camp Lejeune on June 23

[MoJo2001]

Married men in France use more cosmetics than their wives.

What's the saying? "France! Where the women are women and the men are too!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Signs of support

Relatives hold signs as they wait to be reunited with Marines from 1/2 Charlie Company on June 22 at Camp Lejeune. The company suffered more casualties in a single battle then any other unit during the war on March 23.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Reunited

Lt. James Reid, left, hugs First Lt. James Lane, who helped evacuate him by helicopter from an Iraqi battlefield. Reid was evacuated after receiving an AK-47 bullet to the chest and getting hit in the face by shrapnel.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Words from home

U.S. Marines of 1/2 Charlie Company read letters that arrived in the mail from home on April 14 near Al Kut, Iraq

[E.G.C.]

Enjoy the rest of your Friday, Southernhawk.

[Old Sarge]

Evening, Folks and FRiends! Sarge is back for another duty watch.

Not too bad a weather picture, for once. A little rain this morning, but we got a steamy humid day out of it.

Here's a few pics for y'all!

This is the shoulder patch of the 35th Infantry Division, "The Santa Fe "Division". The Santa Fe Cross was a symbol used to mark the old Santa Fe trail, an area where the unit trained, and was officially designated as an identifying device for the unit by Headquarters, 35th Division, General Orders Number 25, dated 27 March 1918. The organization is referred to as the Santa Fe Division.

This is the patch of the Kentucky Army National Guard.

Red, white and blue are our national colors. The color Yellow and the red and blue allude to the combat arms: Armor (Cavalry), Artillery, and Infantry. The long rifle is inseparably associated with the early history of Kentucky prior to and after its admission to the Union as the 15th State.

Pretty neat history bites, huh?

I'll be on watch the rest of the night. See You Online!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hygiene in the field

Marines from 1/2 Charlie Company take a makeshift shower April 14 near Al Kut, Iraq.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Pretty neat history bites, huh?

Pretty neat is right. Thanks, Sarge.

And thanks for your service in said Kentucky Army National Guard.

[MoJo2001]

Have a safe and good time this weekend! *HUGS* to both you and the Diva!! Let me know when you get mail!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good afternoon, Tom! Good afternoon Patriotic Pattie! I'm just catching up. Have you been good this morning?

[MoJo2001]

Good evening, Old Sarge!! Thank you for showing us the patch of the Kentucky National Guard!! We hope to entertain you and the rest of our troops this evening. Surely, there has got to be some sort of music you'd like to hear! If so, the Canteen Gremlins will find it for you!! Let us know!!

[Soaring Feather]

Howdy Old Sarge, good to see you!! Glad you'll be on watch, Southern Hawk just left a bit ago.

Neat history you have given, thanks a bunch.

[MoJo2001]

Oh look who got 250?? So? Who's going to give Old Sarge the "treatment"? LOL!

[Old Sarge]

Hmmm... "The Treatment", eh?

(digging into the ammo pouch)

(backing up to the Canteen wall)

(adjusting the Kevlar)

Okay, I'm (gulp) ready...

[Kathy in Alaska]

You are sure right, SH, it does remind us of Tom. LOL!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Beautiful flowers today, guys. Thanks.