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.

[MistyCA]

Mr. Magoo....I would give ANYTHING if my kids and grandkids could know those memories. Thanks for that post. It's the best one I've seen! :)

[MistyCA]

We will probably have to ping them to it....not too many here right now. :(

[HiJinx]

Shhhhh...wait 'til they're here, then ping 'em!
Or do you want a whole bunch o' people hangin' around our hot tub????

[Mr_Magoo]

Most Excellent, Misty!

I am always impressed when someone can create new lyrics to a song.

"Magoo and Blackie found the jokes for today"

Well, I try to find jokes that
a)the troops would like, and
b) won't get me banned! :-)

[MistyCA]

LOLOL!!!

[MistyCA]

I am sure we are all trying not to get banned! :) Well.....sort of......anyhow.......:)

[Jen]

I think 'some' Canteeners are pushing the envelope...

[Dubya]

And I thank you. Thanks for the ping.

[SAMWolf]

That's great Misty. I love it. I'm gonna steel it and put it on my home page.

[Jen]

It's very cozy but not crowded with just us four. Shhhhhhhhh. Maybe they won't see us over here.

[HiJinx]

Oh, I agree...what happened to that bottle of Merlot?

[Dubya]

May we never let the memories of the American soldier die.

[Jen]

There's some left. You want a glass?

[SassyMom]

ROFLMHO....#369... You've got that right.

Well all, I'm just popping in to say hi. I probably won't be around much this weekend. I will check in when I can.

Gurlz, have fun this weekend. :)

[Jen]

You can't leave till you see #410!!!

[HiJinx]

Love one, thank you!

[4TheFlag]

I only came to feed my alligators!"

ROTFLMAO Jen, GOOD one, and WHAT a sight it was AFTER saying that, LOL!!!!

[SAMWolf]

steel = steal

[Jen]

Cheers! (clink, clink)

[LadyX]

Snow Bunny, you always do such a wonderful job on the themes for the threads,
and this one is a favorite!
It's interesting to get to know more about the friends we have here.

That is especially true of this one featuring you, HiJinx.
Our opinion of you already is a most positive one, and it gratifying to see how you were shaped,
what you have done, and what you have become.

My own two sons were military brats until they were 14 and 15, and always expressed appreciation for their disciplined upbringing and the benefits of living in so many places.
I always stressed not to regret leaving behind friends they made and locations, but to look FORWARD to the new ones ahead.
(They were fortunate to be just 14 1/2 months apart in age, so had a built-in Best Friend,
and were never really lonely.)

That helped them in adulthood, adapting easily to moving around as dictated by their careers.

Thank you, HJ, for exemplyfing the quality of our great family of veterans at Free Republc.

To those seeing this who are on active duty, we so appreciate what you are doing - the continuation you are of those who stand between us and the enemies of this wonderful Republic -
our beloved America.

We pray daily for you and your families.