USO Canteen FReeper Style....FReeper FRiday..May 24,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style and Snow Bunny

[Snow Bunny]

I would like you to meet FReeper Veteran HiJinx.

Thank you HiJinx for serving our country !

Somehow I always knew I was destined to be a part of the U.S. Armed Forces and travel around the world. That may be because my Air Force Father brought me in to this world as an Englishman, then taught me to walk and talk as an Italian! My poor grandparents couldn't understand a word I was saying when I first met them in Dayton, Ohio.

My Dad was career Air Force, my Step-Dad was Navy, so my brother and I joined the Army. Natural choice, right? This is the obligatory graduation photo, complete with the old bus driver's cap.

For some reason, they didn't trust us with live ammo on the live fire rush and cover course, so we used blanks. I'm not really pointing my M-16 at the photographer, it just looks that way. Maybe there's a good reason for them not to trust us!

The training was completed, graduation was a day away, and we were restricted to our barracks. Note the WWII era corrugated sheet metal construction. Our Basic Training Company, C-2-3, was the only one in the 3rd Battalion 'living' in Quonset huts in 1976. At the end of BCT I had lost 35 pounds and Mrs. HJ had not seen me for 3 months. On the back of this picture I penned "Here's a lousy picture by a lousy photographer, but it gives you an idea what we do on the weekends - sit around and wait!!"

My entire career was spent as a Military Intelligence NCO, and I'm rather proud to have been one of President Reagan's Cold War Warriors. My first duty station was at the USASA Field Station Berlin. Everything above the third floor of the main ops building (the one in the back) was antennas. Ostensibly, we were there providing worldwide communications support to American forces. The site has now been turned over to a German concern and is in use as a resort with a ski-lift, grass ski-slope, and toboggan run down the backside. There's also a 'clothing optional' beach at the base of the mountain. No, I never went there...wink-wink!

I re-enlisted 4 times during my career, this was the first. The Company Commander in this ceremony, a Captain, just finished his tour last year as the Deputy Commanding General of the US Army Intelligence Center at Ft. Huachuca.

Much of the photographic record of my time in uniform has me out of uniform! Our blonde Cocker Spaniel Sebastian is receiving a new pillow for his bed for Christmas. The poor boy begged for everything. Check out those paws...to dust those hardwood floors, we'd toss a ball for him to chase...he made a great dust mop, and got lots of exercise to boot!

My first CONUS (stateside) assignment was to the Big Red One (1st Infantry Division) at Ft. Riley, KS. Here Dad is doting on Jonathan, who is a natural ham. He'd follow a camera anywhere!

Another of the sights that all MI soldiers should be familiar with is the AN/FLR-9 (Flare 9) HF/DF Antenna System. This is the Augsburg site, where I spent 3 and a half pretty good years. On an earlier thread we paid tribute to NSA soldiers and civilians who had lost their lives in the line of duty, and the memorial says they 'Served in Silence.' That is still true to some extent. These sites are only shown now because they are no longer in use. ~Photo courtesy Carl Schweibinz

My final tour of duty was as a Combat Developments NCO here at Ft. Huachuca. I'm here to tell you, this was rough duty! TDY every month, living out of a suitcase, and putting on Dog and Pony shows to convince the Army to develop our new systems. The Association of the US Army (AUSA) shows weren't too bad, until the Chief of Staff, Army (GEN Sullivan) showed up for his briefing with 35 staff officers in tow!

This is what consumed my final years of service. The Army Family of Common Sensors was to be the last set of Intelligence and Electronic Warfare systems the Army would ever need, with reconfigurable electronics and antenna systems to handle the mission of the 10 different systems currently in the field. Pictured from left to right are the Ground Based Common Sensor-Light on a Heavy Hummer, the GBCS-Heavy on an Electronic Fighting Vehicle, and the USMCs Mobile Electronic Warfare Support System on an LAV-25. The upgraded Black Hawk is the Advanced Quickfix system with COMINT/ELINT sensor package and extended range fuel tanks.

For those who would like to see a larger, more detailed picture of Field Station Berlin on top of the Teufelsberg, click here. This is quite large, please be patient. Ditto for a larger picture of the AFCS Intelligence Collection Systems, click here.

[Joe Brower]

ya gonna carry one o' them high tech military style weapons like the folks in this picture?

Tempting, but no. Don't want to scare the sheeple. We have to reclaim our birthright one baby-step at a time, lest the herd get spooked.

I've actually been thinking about getting a Kentucky rifle kit from CVA and putting a front-stuffer together just for fun. I had one when I was a teenager, along with the matching pistol, and found that black powder does have a charm all it's own. Up to now, due to financial constraints, I've focused on more "serviceable" choices.

Congrats, by the way, on being this Friday's "Featured FReeper". Fun, isn't it?

Stay safe.

[Bahbah]

Oh, this whole thread is just making me cry. My deepest gratitute to our military and to you for keeping them always in our hearts and minds.

[SpookBrat]

HI JOHNNY!!! (waving madly)!!!! I owe you a freepmail. Sorry, I've been so busy with the beach and all. Bummer of a life, eh? So happy to see you at the canteen. Don't you love it in here? The best Freepers (Americans) are in here!

[g'nad]

Thanks COB..Great to have you here!

[Jen]

Prize?!?! Chocolates are nice... Or sparkly jewelry...

[SpookBrat]

So HiJinx, did I understand correctly? That picture is of the USASA Field Station in Berlin? I think it's so exciting to see were Dad worked. I wish you could have known him. I showed the picture to my brother who is here with me. Thanks for making our day.

[Diver Dave]

Thanks for the ping and thanks for reminding us - "God Bless America - Land That We Love."

Amen

[g'nad]

G'mornin' Billie. Thank you. It's an honor to serve.
Great picture, heartfelt words...

[Billie]

Texas, My Texas, is ......TEXAS! (And I love it and wouldn't want to live anywhere else) :)

Texas has 5 seasons:


• Spring, Feb 16 to April 15
• Summer, April 16 to July 15 (temp 90 to 98 degrees)
• Super Summer, July 16 to Sept 10 (temp 100 to 115 degrees)
• Summer, Sept. 11 to Oct 1 (temp 90 to 98 degrees)
• Fall, Oct 2 to Dec. 1
• Winter, Dec. 2 to Feb 15

The wind blows at 90 MPH from Oct. 2 until June 25, then it stops totally until Oct 2.

[firewalk]

May God bless our men and women who defend this country from afar,
and may He bless those here at home who protect us from the ravages of those who hate us.

You said it all...bttt!

[Billie]

Hi, Howlin! It is great to see you. :)

[lodwick]

That one "gets" me, no matter how often I read it. Thanks.

[Jen]

I keep telling my unmarried (really cute) younger sister that, and I think just maybe she's ready to stop playing with 'bad' boys (not our Canteen Bad Boyz, mind you...) and settle down.

Oh fellas... Anybody in metro Atlanta area interested in meeting my sister, just freepmail me or send an email to the address on my profile.

[Diver Dave]

Tributes to Uncle Mike are always welcome.

Uncle Mike served for us. He will not be forgotten.

Prayers of peace and comfort for you and you family.

[Johnny Gage]

*wavingly wildly* Yes I think you are behind in your freepmails...LOL

Enjoy the beach. Glad the weather is nicer down there than up here... Still waiting for it to get more "late spring-like" up here. *sigh*

[firewalk]

Hi Billie. Nice picture! Thanks for the ping.

[lodwick]

Howdy!

[Billie]

I know what you mean, Bahbah. The daily Canteen threads always have a wonderful, patriotic start for each new day.

I will be doing my special Memorial Day thread on the real Memorial Day next week, and I know the Canteen threads for the next few days will also have many Memorial Day graphics and tributes posted.

[Diver Dave]

Thanks for that great poem.

Let us never forget the victims of 9-11 - those who died, were injured, and the families left behind.

[SpookBrat]

I really missed you. I'm glad you are back.