USO Canteen FReeper Style....Saturday....March 23,2002

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!

"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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U.S. Coast Guard Vietnam, Killed In Action

by: John R. Hawkins IV,
RDCS (E8) U.S. Coast Guard Retired,
USCGC RUSH (WHEC-723),
Operation Markettime,
1970 -1971

I request a Rose be placed alongside the names of the seven U.S. Coast Guard who are on the Wall, and a poem posted in their honor. While I know some don't view the Coast Guard as a military service, we are and have served as honorably as any member of the Big Four. In Vietnam, we served as ammo loading supervisors, loran station techs and watchstanders, established aids to navagiation in the bays and rivers, flew combat SAR missions, and served on ofshore patrol boats and oceangoing cutters in Operation Markettime (CTF115, which provided naval gunfire support to friendly forces when in range. Unsung, unknown, but nevertheless there and on The Wall.

The seven names are:

LTJG (O2) David Charles Brostrom, (Patrol Boat Commanding Officer) killed in a Friendly Fire incident when his Coast Guard Cutter was straffed by US Air Force aircraft on 11 August, 1966. Panel 09E Line 126.

EN2 (E5) Jerry Phillips, (Patrol Boat Crewman) killed in Friendly Fire incident alongside LTJG Brostrom, when his Coast Guard Cutter was straffed by US Air Force aircraft, 11 August, 1966. Panel 09E Line 128.

LT (O3) Jack Columbus Rittichier, (CG Exchange pilot with 37th ARRS Da Nang) killed when aircraft hit by A/A, crashed and burned 9 June, 1968. Body not recovered. Panel 58W Line 014.

FN (E3) Heriberto Sedgovia Hernandez, (Patrol Boat Crewman) killed when his cutter's small boat was attacked in a canal, on 5 December, 1968. Panel 37W Line 046.

ENC (E7) Morris Sampson Beeson, (Patrol Boat Engineering Officer) Assasinated on 22 March, 1969. Panel 28W Line 008.

LTJG (O2) Michael Ward Kirkpatrick, (Patrol Boat Commanding Officer) died of wound received when 81mm mortar/50cal main weapon exploded due to loading accident on 8 August 1969. Panel 20W Line 119.

EN1 (E6) Michael Harris Painter, (Patrol Boat Crewman) died of wounds received alongside LTJG Kirkpatrick, on 8 August, 1969. Panel 20W Line 115.

They were there, as were a great many other Coasties. You may not have seen us, but we too served.

Coasties On The Wall
© 1997, by: Dolly Juhlin

Could it be your brother there?
Or a sweetheart, or your friend?
All the years that have gone by
Still the memories never end -

Time stands still for seven of them
In memories they stand tall
Seven U.S. Coast Guard men who served
Shadowed names upon a wall -

On a mission far from home
Not knowing what would be
They sacrificed the ultimate
Heroes for you and me -

Ever ready to go forth
Who would know their end
Atta boy's are silent now
Let's not forget these men -

Long ago they sailed away
to a different port of call
Do salute them silently
Coasties one and all.

The SPAR division - an acronym for the Coast Guard motto, Semper Paratus / Always Ready, was created in 1942 when the Coast Guard, like other military branches, found itself in need of more men at sea and on foreign soil. Women were assigned to shore positions such as clerks, parachute riggers and storekeepers.

SPARs, like Army WACs and Navy WAVESs, were promoted as attractive, wholesome, high-spirited young women with impeccable grooming habits and no ambition beyond serving their country and, after the war, getting married.

Though the branches disbanded six months after the war ended, many said their existence during wartime helped pave the way for women to join the military as equals with men. Like the other units, the SPARs were a reserve branch, not given the same benefits accorded their male counterparts.

Above deck? Below deck?
Aw, heck, who knows which deck, I'm just a sorry ground-pounder!

This corner of Arizona isn't as wide open as it used to be, but there are still lots of places to get out where you see nobody but your shadow. My son and I are headed to Parker Canyon Lake in an hour or so to wet a line. They have 3 nesting pairs of bald eagles there, and I'm taking the digital camera on the off chance that we get to see one.

There's a bond here in the Canteen that transcends what we traditionally think of as family, a bond that comes from shared service and values. You said your Mom still lives down here. Well, here's an offer I hope you never have to accept, but it's here anyway. If you ever need anything for your Mother, and I can help, call on me. I will do whatever I can...

The US Lighthouse Service can trace its beginnings to August 7, 1789 when President George Washington approved an act of Congerss which incorporated all esisting and future aids to navigation into a federal system. It was not until 1939 that the US Light Service was merged with the US Coast Guard. Lighthouses in the United States have come and gone over the past 300 years. A wide variety of styles and construction materials have been used. Today, the vast majority of operational lighthouses are no longer manned by "keepers" as they have been automated. Many have long since passed into history.

Cape Hatteras Light New London Light Thomas Point Light
Cape Hatteras, N.C New London, CT Annapolis, MD

Click to view other lighthouses

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