USO Canteen FReeper Style....Tuesday...March19,2002

Graphics and Layout by Billie and Written by Snow Bunny

[The Thin Man]

Good morning Bunny. You've come up with lotsa great graphics and info today.

[T'wit]

This is not a happy anniversary for the U.S. Navy. On March 19, 1945, the carrier Franklin was off the coast of Japan, launching a strike. A single Japanese dive bomber slipped in undetected and hit the aft flight deck -- teeming with men, planes, bombs, ammunition and fuel lines -- with two 500 pound bombs. In the inferno that followed, every man in the area was "vaporized." More were killed in secondary explosions and fires. Altogether over 800 died -- more than in any other ship that stayed afloat. One was my father-in-law, a surgeon, who died at his post in the ship's hospital below decks. For all this, "Big Ben" made it home under her own power. Two officers won the Medal of Honor.

Here she is, after the fires had been largely brought under control: The Franklin . . . . Another view

[Aquamarine]

Didn't you know? It's International Goof Off Day!

[Jen]

Off we go into the wild blue yonder... BUMP

Good morning to all you current and former blue-suiters!

[Tennessee_Bob]

Did you bring coffee??

[SAMWolf]

Beamer had so much fun skiing with you yesterday that he's waiting on the Ski Slope for you SB.

[SAMWolf]

More Skiing today?

[Billie]

I DO like it! There's something about the eyes on all three of those you've done - no question that they were all done by the same person, and I think it's the eyes. Very good, ohio! Very good! I think I have a tendency not to know when to stop! I keep detailing and smudging and smudging and detailing and shading, etc!

Good job!

[Billie]

Great job on the NORAD links and details and photos!

[Billie]

Love springtime! Will post a Texas bluebonnet springtime! If you're ever in the Texas Hill Country in April (that's anywhere around Austin and San Antonio), all along the highway or Interstate, you will see fields of blue as far as you can see, sometimes sprinkled with red/orange flowers (called Indian paintbrushes or Indian blankets) and pale pink flowers.....it's an amazing sight! These bluebonnets were on a hill off a private road near Austin.

[Billie]

Good morning, Tea! Oops! Afternoon here! And there for you, too!

[lodwick]

Excellent pic! Thanks. (Now everyone will want to move here. heheh)

[Billie]

Thanks, Coby! It's a pretty amazing group we have here, and more times than not, I leave the opening up to you guys! I just post the thread and it's not long before others come along with their incredible stories and graphics!

[MaeWest]

...where's the coffee?

Good morning! Here you go!

[Billie]

Love your license plate!

[Snow Bunny]

Hi Billie. ( big smile)

It was interesting to me about Norad. Mostly what I knew about Norad was that at Christmas time they have a thing where they track Santa and his sleigh. I knew they did many other things but just not exactly all their work entailed.

Have a fantastic day.

[Brownie74]

Good afternoon. I enjoyed your profile page. Thanks for your service.

[Joe Brower]

Good afternoon, SB.

SAMWolf, that's one spiffy fleugzeg in post #56!

[Billie]

Isn't it a pretty sight to see! It's near Lake Buchanan. Taken last April. Too early for any bluebonnets yet, isn't it?

See how pretty our bluebonnets are, Louie!

[Snow Bunny]

What cool pictures Sam. It makes me feel like a sci fi film. hahaha.. What fantastic planes, the one on the bottom picture is so neat!!! All of them , but that one with the way it looks I love it!