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.

[Snow Bunny]

Hi Joe, you are going to have a great time with the Memorial Parade. That is so neat what you plan to do , I love it!!!

I love your Navy doll, so cute.

[SassyMom]

It's a compliment to you that all of the kids in the neighborhood want to be at your house. :) The troops will LOVE their pictures.

[Fred Mertz]

Commentary: Stop to salute on Memorial Day {01}
by Chaplain (CPT) John Rasmussen

EAGLE BASE, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Army News Service, May 22, 2002) -- It was raining "cats and dogs" and I was late for physical training.

Traffic was backed up at Fort Campbell, Ky., and was moving way too slowly. I was probably going to be late and I was growing more and more impatient.

The pace slowed almost to a standstill as I passed Memorial Grove, the site built to honor the soldiers who died in the Gander airplane crash, the worst redeployment accident in the history of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

Because it was close to Memorial Day, a small American flag had been placed in the ground next to each soldier's memorial plaque.

My concern at the time, however, was getting past the bottleneck, getting out of the rain and getting to PT on time.

All of a sudden, infuriatingly, just as the traffic was getting started again, the car in front of me stopped.

A soldier, a private of course, jumped out in the pouring rain and ran over toward the grove.

I couldn't believe it! This knucklehead was holding up everyone for who knows what kind of prank. Horns were honking.

I waited to see the butt-chewing that I wanted him to get for making me late.

He was getting soaked to the skin. His BDUs were plastered to his frame. I watched-as he ran up to one of the memorial plaques, picked up the small American flag that had fallen to the ground in the wind and the rain, and set it upright again.

Then, slowly, he came to attention, saluted, ran back to his car, and drove off.

I'll never forget that incident. That soldier, whose name I will never know, taught me more about duty, honor, and respect than a hundred books or a thousand lectures.

That simple salute -- that single act of honoring his fallen brother and his flag -- encapsulated all the Army values in one gesture for me. It said, "I will never forget. I will keep the faith. I will finish the mission. I am an American soldier."

I thank God for examples like that.

And on this Memorial Day, I will remember all those who paid the ultimate price for my freedom, and one private, soaked to the skin, who honored them.

(Editor's note: The president has called for a "National Moment of Remembrance" at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day with a one-minute pause to remember those fallen in service to the country. Capt. John Rasmussen is now a chaplain with Multinational Division North in Bosnia.)

[Snow Bunny]

Cobby, you are so right, there is NO greater love! Thank you for the graphic and Bible verse. God bless you my dear friend.

[Billie]

Thanks, Blackie. I know how fortunate we are to be Americans. It breaks my heart to see the way some other countries treat their citizens. We give our animals more love and respect than some of those poor souls ever get.

[Snow Bunny]

Hi my friend Sassy!! Your screen name always makes me smile.This cute sassy thang and your not even sassy. hahahaa.You are very kind.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend. I will be around here at the Canteen most of the time. Just a few errands each day.

[Snow Bunny]

ROTFL....you are so funny. What kind of picture is that.hahahahhaaha

Was that BEFORE the fall or AFTER the fall. heh heh

Good to see you. That is a fun picture.

[MistyCA]

...Battle Hymn of the Republic

[SpookBrat]

I know it is hun, and everytime I think about complaining, I remind myself, they could be off some where doing something they shouldn't be doing. This way, I always know what they are doing and who they are playing with. I'm the Kool-aid mom and I love kids. There is a little girl over here right now, who doesn't have a mother and she clings to me like a vine. She's a sweet thing and I feel sorry for her.

We are off to go eat some dinner with my brother. Did I tell you he was here? My sister is here too, but she went to see the baby she gave up for adoption down by Orlando today. Isn't it great she gets to see her baby? (She gave it to some friends of ours. I'm so proud of my sister).

[Snow Bunny]

Fred this is so good by Chaplain John Rasmussen . Thank you so much for sharing it here at the FReeper USO Canteen.

[Snow Bunny]

Hi Mudpuppy,I love, no I LOVE Rolling Thunder.I am so excited for you to spend some of your Memorial weekend with them.

Have a great day my friend.

[Snow Bunny]

Hi Johnny ! Please thank your sister-in-law for serving in the USAF Reserves.

It is so good to see you my friend.

((( hug )))

[Howlin]

You are THE posting queen.

[Joe Brower]

I just have to remember to put on some sunscreen before the event starts, or I'm gonna be in trouble.

I have to laugh that our little Florida town is having a Memorial Day parade, but is NOT having a parade on July 4th, citing "liability insurance costs are too high". Both Sarasota to the north and Nort Port to the south are having parades though. What's wrong with this picture? Sheesh!

[MistyCA]

My brother and husband will be working on a big Memorial Day Bar-b-que for the vets this weekend. The Vietnam Vets seem to have a good theory.....if the parade doesn't come to you, make your own! :)

..Yankee Doodle Boy!

Probably a little premature, but I love this one anyhow! :)

[firewalk]

Hope you have a great weekend too! (:

[Snow Bunny]

Yes, your right Jen. I cannot tell a joke. LOL

I think I am better at baking. heh heh

FallGuy said I am more of a ham it up then a joke telling........yep. I just keep loosing the punch lines. hahhahaaha

Hi Tomkow good to see you too.I liked your joke !

[Snow Bunny]

Hi Sam, thank you for our troops pictures. I love how you show us all the different ones from all over the world. Our military is serving in so many places.

Thank you !!

[MistyCA]

What a moving story! It really touched my heart as I am sure it has yours. :) Thanks for sharing it!

[lodwick]

What an outstanding post - thank you.