USO Canteen FReeper Style .......10-29-01

Graphic Artist Billie and Written by Snow Bunny | October 29 ,2001 | Graphic Artist Billie and Written by Snow Bunny

[Snow Bunny]

USO Canteen Freeper Style

War has come to our shores. It was committed on American soil.  We have been able to live in Freedom only because of those who have fought in the past wars giving life, limb and all the sacrifices for us to live in Freedom and go about our day without fear.

On September 11, 2001, that comfort, that feeling of living in a land that would not be attacked ended.

William T. Sherman said it succinctly, "War is hell."

The day has come for this Nation and its people to understand that there is a risk in losing its freedom, and in reality there always has been. We have ONLY stayed free because of the sacrifices of our military, our warriors.

This is about saving the future of America. Aristotle said, "We make war that we may live in peace."

We are seeing the American Flag flying at homes now more than ever in my lifetime. We are seeing the American Flag flying on vehicles and people wearing Flag pins and small Flags on their clothes. America is united in the cause for Freedom and for our country to WIN against the evil that came upon our land to kill and hurt us. To change our way of life and to destroy America which is US, you and me. To take away our precious Freedom.

This is the Freeper version of the USO Canteen. Where soldiers could come and feel a small part of being at home. It is a place where you that have family in the military can post a thought to a loved one that might be able to read it far away from home. A place where we that support our military can help support them, post to them, fun graphics showing the price in America and our troops. Poems, quotes, cartoons, or articles of how America is behind our troops.

Those in our military are our Nation's warriors. Let us join hands, fly our Flag and let the world know how important our warriors are to us....And that our MILITARY, our Warriors, are America's TRUE HEROS!

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"No Marine was ever honored for what they received. Honor was the reward for what they gave." (Anonymous) CHIEF gave his all in many ways. He touched our lives and his friendship meant so much to all of us. He will live in our hearts forever, and his friendship will always be a bright and shining memory in our hearts and souls.

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[lodwick]

Thanks, and you've not messed up even a little bit! I'm ready to start counting backward...if you know what I mean. If you get the decade right, that is a good thing. Thanks, Jim

[RonDog]

Have you seen this WONDERFUL story? Apparently, it has been posted here MANY times - since it happened just a few days after 9/11, but I just read about it yesterday in a thread from RaceBannon. (Thanks, Race!)

To follow is the version posted on the official website of the USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81):

USS Winston S. Churchill and her Allies
A letter from underway, after the tragedy

The following letter was written home by an Ensign aboard USS Winston S. Churchill, used here by permission:
Saturday, Sept. 14, 2001
Dear Dad,

Well, we are still out at sea, with little direction as to what our next priority is. The remainder of our port visits, which were to be centered around max liberty and goodwill to the United Kingdom, have all but been cancelled. We have spent every day since the attacks going back and forth within imaginary boxes drawn in the ocean, standing high-security watches, and trying to make the best of our time. It hasn't been that fun I must confess, and to be even more honest, a lot of people are frustrated at the fact that they either can't be home, or we don't have more direction right now. We have seen the articles and the photographs, and they are sickening. Being isolated as we are, I don't think we appreciate the full scope of what is happening back home, but we are definitely feeling the effects. About two hours ago the junior officers were called to the bridge to conduct Ship handling drills. We were about to do a man overboard drill when we got a call from the LUTJENS (D185), a German warship that was moored ahead of us on the pier in Plymouth, England. While in port, the WINSTON S CHURCHILL and the LUTJENS got together for a sports day/cookout on our fantail, and we made some pretty good friends. Now at sea they called over on bridge-to- bridge, requesting to pass us close up on our port side, to say goodbye.

Photo by PH2 Shane McCoy/U.S. Navy

We prepared to render them honors on the bridge wing, and the Captain told the crew to come topside to wish them farewell. As they were making their approach, our Conning Officer announced through her binoculars that they were flying an American flag. As they came even closer, we saw that it was flying at half-mast. The bridge wing was crowded with people as the Boatswain's Mate blew two whistles- Attention to Port- the ship came up alongside and we saw that the entire crew of the German ship were manning the rails, in their dress blues. They had made up a sign that was displayed on the side that read "We Stand By You".

Photo by PH2 Shane McCoy/U.S. Navy

Needless to say there was not a dry eye on the bridge as they stayed alongside us for a few minutes and we cut our salutes. It was probably the most powerful thing I have seen in my entire life and more than a few of us fought to retain our composure. It was a beautiful day outside today. We are no longer at liberty to divulge over unsecure e-mail our location, but we could not have asked for a finer day at sea. The German Navy did an incredible thing for this crew, and it has truly been the highest point in the days since the attacks. It's amazing to think that only a half-century ago things were quite different, and to see the unity that is being demonstrated throughout Europe and the world makes us all feel proud to be out here doing our job. After the ship pulled away and we prepared to begin our man overboard drills the Officer of the Deck turned to me and said "I'm staying Navy." I'll write you when I know more about when I'll be home, but for now, this is probably the best news that I could send you. Love you guys.


Click on photo for hi-res version:

Photo by LT Mike Elliot/U.S. Navy
High resolution picture

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Kids say and draw the darndest things to the troops

[lodwick]

Thanks for having the "big grill" on the patio - love grilled everything! Thanks so much for all that you and the FallGuy do, and have done for our country.
We love you guys!
If you don't check out The Only Mattress You'll Ever Need"You will be so sorry, and so sleep deprived, I just can't tell you...this is for all FReepers, please check it out. You have THREE months to find your best settings. Enough, out, JL

[tet68]

E-mail sent.apologize for babbleing on. Hope there is something you can use. Tet.

[Iowa Granny]

lodwick, after the surgeon sliced open my hip, he took a hammer and chiseled 3 hunks of bone out of my hip and fused 3 disks in my neck using my hip bone. Then he put a steal plate in my neck to provide stability. The surgeon was very stern, and gave me reading material that explained how the grafts might not 'take' if the patient was a smoker. I do not want to endure this more than once in my life. After smoking since 1963, I quit. It has been painful, but an unsuccessful surgery would have been more painful.

On day two of the Quit Smoking Event, I sneeked some Skool from my sons can,,,, it was nasty stuff. That's when I went to the drug store and bought the Nicorette gum,,, it's pretty bad, too. Big Red Gum and Cinnamon Tic Tacs are my 'vice' of choice at the momment.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Deviled eggs and potato casserole...yum! Florida corn is just past season but still fine for roasting. We could set up a keg near the barbecue (to keep the Canteen floor clean). Snow Bunny and Billie should probably draw the line at mud wrestling, though...*giggle*.

You had recent back surgery? Let me add my belated prayers to the other Freepers.
I gave up smoking....and started up, again. Now I'd battle anyone who tried to take away my cigarettes or chocolate (just try, U/Osama!). (^:

[ST.LOUIE1]

LOL!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you, RonDog for reposting that wonderful story...I missed it the first time. Destined to become a classic.
Going to fetch kleenex again, I love that story...America should hear it- attention mainstream media!

[Iowa Granny]

Thank you. I am on the mend and getting testy. I have not been allowed in a car since the surgery 7 wks ago. I am ready to go to the Mall,,,,,my family has kept me in chocolate, so I have not had to suffer that withdrawal.

[lodwick]

You are so right on. If you've gott'em smok'em, if you don't, go out and gett'em! Now!

I have done all he quit'em thingies, from the acupunture(sp...screw it, it didn't work) to the nicorette,(made the fags taste sooo much better), to the Hell with it!

I give, you Native Americans get over, just let me have my $30 per carton fags. You win.

[RonDog]

Thank you, RonDog for reposting that wonderful story...I missed it the first time.
Destined to become a classic.
Going to fetch kleenex again, I love that story...America should hear it- attention mainstream media!

FReepers have been doing their best to get the story out, see:

A message from an ensign
Posted on 09/26/2001 19:42:18 PDT by Lyford

Sailor's Letter Home Tells of German Support for U.S.
Posted on 09/28/2001 14:11:31 PDT by RedElephants

A letter from underway, after the tragedy
Posted on 09/30/2001 12:14:22 PDT by Vivaldi's Manifesto

Message from the USS Winston Churchill
Posted on 10/14/2001 04:55:53 PDT by Happygal

Letter from the USS Churchill - Germany shows support
Posted on 10/22/2001 18:45:15 PDT by ModernDayCato

This is an e-mail from a young ensign aboard USS Winston Churchill
Posted on 10/29/2001 06:33:17 PST by RaceBannon

[lodwick]

Tonkin, You've are on the watch! See you in the am. Have a ball, y'all. JL

[Victoria Delsoul]

are there any cookies and milk left?

Here ya go.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

God bless Freepers. Shows how lively this website is, all those posts and a Freeper addict still missed the story...so thanks for posting the story one more time. (^:

[RonDog]

From a thread flagged to me by 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub:

Kids say and draw the darndest things to the troops

Posted on 10/29/01 5:18 PM Pacific by Hillary's Lovely Legs

1 Posted on 10/29/2001 17:18:59 PST by Hillary's Lovely Legs

[Billie]

Clarity was here for a long time - he used to represent FR as their attorney; he left a few months ago. One of his favorite phrases was, "You need rest." He was one of the original "Freeper Island" inhabitants. Funny guy. Some miss him; some don't, like it is whenever anyone leaves. :^)

So, we gonna dance, or what?

[Billie]

I loved the email - and all the pictures - that little Vietnamese girl is about the prettiest thing I've ever seen. I'm going to have to post it on here. Thanks, tet, for "babbling". :^) I'll use some of it for sure!