FReeper Canteen ~ Remembering Our Troops!! ~ 05 January 2017

Serving The Bestest Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ The FReeper Canteen Presents ~

~ Remembering Our Troops!! ~

SHOULDER RESCUE

Army Sgt. Jason C. Carroll carries a young resident through flooded streets in Monroe, LA, March 10, 2016. Carroll is electronic warfare specialist noncommissioned officer assigned to the Louisiana National Guard's 528th Engineer Battalion, 225th Engineer Brigade. The unit used light tactical vehicles as it worked with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office to navigate the high waters and assist residents. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Tarell J. Bilbo

Canteen Mission Statement

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies' military
and family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

SMOKE TRAINING

An airman participates in close air support training, which enhances the ability of airmen to identify a target and neutralize a threat, on Fort Drum, NY, March 5, 2016. The airman is assigned to the New York Air National Guard’s 274th Air Support Operations Squadron, which advises Army commanders on how to best use U.S. and NATO assets for close air support. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Eric Miller

ALASKA TERRAIN

Marines assault and clear a complex during urban terrain training on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 6, 2016. Air Force photo by Alejandro Pena

URBAN TRAINING

A soldier moves through an urban training facility and uses simulated rounds to enhance the training's realism on Fort Hood, Texas, March 10, 2016. The soldier is assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division's Company B, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Banzhaf

RIFLE COURSE

Army Spc. Michael A. Burton, foreground, fires a Carl Gustav M3 84 mm recoilless rifle during a live-fire certification course on Fort Bragg, NC, March 9, 2016. Burton is an infantryman assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division’s 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team. Army photo by Sgt. Juan F. Jimenez

TRAFFIC SIGN

Army Sgt. David Breaud directs a high water vehicle down a flooded roadway at Latt Lake in Grant Parish, LA, March 13, 2016. Breaud is assigned to the Louisiana National Guard’s Headquarters Company, 225th Engineer Brigade. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jerry Rushing

NIGHT NOTES

As seen through a night-vision device, an Army paratrooper notes measurements at night during Exercise Rock Sokol at Pocek Range in Postojna, Slovenia, March 10, 2016. The training exercise between U.S. and Slovenian troops focuses on enhancing readiness between allied forces. The paratrooper is assigned to 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade. Army photo by Davide Dalla Massara

Please remember that The Canteen is here to support
and entertain our troops and veterans and their families,
and is family friendly.

[ConorMacNessa]

Welcome To All Who Enter This Canteen, To Our Serving Military, To Our Veterans, To All Military Families, To Our FRiends and To Our Allies!



Missing Man Setting

"The Empty Chair"

By Captain Carroll "Lex" Lefon, USN (RET), on December 21st, 2004

"In the wardroom onboard the aircraft carrier from which I recently debarked was a small, round table, with single chair. No one ever sat there, and the reasons, both for the table being there, and for the fact that the chair was always empty, will tell the reader a little bit about who we are as a culture. The wardroom, of course, is where the officers will dine; morning, noon and evening. It is not only a place to eat – it is also a kind of oasis from the sometimes dreary, often difficult exigencies of the service. A place of social discourse, of momentary relief from the burdens of the day. The only things explicitly forbidden by inviolable tradition in the wardroom are the wearing of a cover or sword by an officer not actually on watch, or conversation which touches upon politics or religion. But aboard ships which observe the custom, another implicit taboo concerns the empty chair: No matter how crowded the room, no matter who is waiting to be seated, that chair is never moved, never taken.

The table is by the main entrance to the wardroom. You will see it when you enter, and you will see it when you leave. It draws your eyes because it is meant to. And because it draws your eyes it draws your thoughts. And though it will be there every day for as long as you are at sea, you will look at it every time and your eyes will momentarily grow distant as you think for a moment. As you quietly give thanks.

AS YOU REMEMBER.

The small, round table is covered with a gold linen tablecloth. A single place setting rests there, of fine bone china. A wineglass stands upon the table, inverted, empty. On the dinner plate is a pinch of salt. On the bread plate is a slice of lemon. Besides the plate lies a bible. There is a small vase with a single red rose upon the table. Around the vase is wound a yellow ribbon. There is the empty chair.

We will remember because over the course of our careers, we will have had the opportunity to enjoy many a formal evening of dinner and dancing in the fine company of those with whom we have the honor to serve, and their lovely ladies. And as the night wears on, our faces will in time become flushed with pleasure of each other’s company, with the exertions on the dance floor, with the effects of our libations. But while the feast is still at its best, order will be called to the room – we will be asked to raise our glasses to the empty table, and we will be asked to remember:

The table is round to show our everlasting concern for those who are missing. The single setting reminds us that every one of them went to their fates alone, that every life was unique.

The tablecloth is gold symbolizing the purity of their motives when they answered the call to duty.

The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and their loved ones who kept the faith.

The yellow ribbon around the vase symbolizes our continued determination to remember them.

The slice of lemon reminds us of the bitterness of their fate.
The salt symbolizes the tears shed by those who loved them.
The bible represents the faith that sustained them.
The glass is inverted — they cannot share in the toast.
The chair is empty — they are not here. They are missing.

And we will remember, and we will raise our glasses to those who went before us, and who gave all that they had for us. And a part of the flush in our faces will pale as we remember that nothing worth having ever came without a cost. We will remember that many of our brothers and sisters have paid that cost in blood. We will remember that the reckoning is not over.

We many of us will settle with our families into our holiday season, our Christmas season for those who celebrate it, content in our fortune and prosperity. We will meet old friends with smiles and laughter. We will meet our members of our family with hugs. We will eat well, and exchange gifts and raise our glasses to the year passed in gratitude, and to the year to come with hope. We will sleep the sleep of the protected, secure in our homes, secure in our homeland.

But for many families, there will be an empty chair at the table this year. A place that is not filled.

WE SHOULD REMEMBER."

Many Thanks To Alfa6 For Finding Capt. Lefon's Chronicle Of "The Empty Chair."

"Träumerei"
Robert Schumann
(Click)

Never Forget The Brave Men And Women Who
Gave Their Lives To Secure Our Freedom!!

[radu]

Sounds like your temps are the same as ours.

A jacket? Whew, you’re made of tough stuff! It was in the 30s today and I wore a long down-fill coat. LOL
Yeah, I’m a wuss when it comes to cold. :-)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Pro....that is BRRRRRR!!

Have a fireplace?

[ConorMacNessa]

I don't do so well in the heat. :)

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[radu]

I don’t do well in extreme heat.

Some place with temps between 65 degrees at night and 80 degrees during the day would be sublime. :-)

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[PROCON]

No fireplace but I might have to start burning my furniture :-)

[Kathy in Alaska]

In first....The Mayor grabs the gold!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

And a close second....Mac snags the silver!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

And rounding out the top three....Pro bags the bronze!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Sand...((HUGS))...thank goodness Wednesday is almost over!!!!

I am ready for bed, or at least a nap.

You and Charlie have a good day? How’s Maddie? She and Charlie still enjoy running and chasing?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, radu....I made it through the day.

I’m not involved, but my friend is having problems getting it posted. Two of them are working on it.

[Kathy in Alaska]

That’s my wallpaper on my work computer!!

How is the lady of leisure doing?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Janey...((HUGS))...that’s a giant circle.

Are you enjoying your new flying gig?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Mac, for the Missing Man Setting as we remember those who have given their all that we may gather safe and secure.

[radu]

I know you’re relieved to get it behind you!
I feel for your friend and hope they can get it posted. Are you still at work? If so, GET OUTTA THERE before they involve you! LOL!

Nice to see the fog finally cleared out of there. When I last peeked, at around 5 p.m. your time, it was all clear. The snow-capped mountains were so pretty in the sunset.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...are you over the crud?

You and Penny walking?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Yesterday’s fog was REALLY BAD!!!!!!!

I’m leaving now. Back in a bit.

[left that other site]

The weather has been really warm and wet, but Penny and I got three miles in yesterday (To the pond and back), but today she balked and only went a mile with me.

I recovered my dining room chairs, matched some paint and painted a wall, stitched a pillow and moved some furniture around.

Now my living room looks a little bigger.

It’s not, but at least it LOOKS that way! LOL!

I’m am slowly getting my mojo back.

[left that other site]

I think the heating ducts need to be cleaned out, because I keep getting these “colds”.