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]

oh wow Jinx, that a beautiful touching story.

[tomkow6]

That's all it takes for Cleveland..........one time

[4TheFlag]

Thank you kindly DEAR FRiend, good to see you!!:)

[Snow Bunny]

LOL.....Oregon or bust!

[Mr_Magoo]

THE RABBIT IS DEAD

A man is driving along a highway and sees a rabbit jump out across the middle of the road. He swerves to avoid hitting it but unfortunately, the rabbit jumps right in front of the car. The driver, a sensitive man as well as an animal lover, pulls over and gets out to see what has become of the rabbit. Much to his dismay, the rabbit is dead. The driver feels so awful that he begins to cry.

A beautiful blonde woman driving down the highway sees the man crying on the side of the road and pulls over. She steps out of the car and asks the man what's wrong. "I feel terrible," he explains. "I accidentally hit this rabbit and killed it."

The blonde says, "Don't worry." She runs to her car and pulls out a spray can. She walks over to the limp, dead rabbit, bends down and sprays the contents onto the rabbit. The rabbit jumps up, waves its paw at the two of them and hops off down the road. Ten feet away the rabbit stops, turns around and waves again. He hops down the road another 10 feet, turns and waves, hops another ten feet, turns and waves and repeats this again and again and again until he hops out of sight.

The man is astonished. He runs over to the woman and demands, "What is in that can? What did you spray on that rabbit?"

The woman turns the can around so that the man can read the label. It says...

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(Are you ready for this?)

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(Are you sure?)

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(This is bad!)

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(You know you could just click off and not read the punch line....)

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(You know you're gonna be sorry)

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It says, "Hair Spray - Restores life to dead hair, adds permanent wave."

[Scuttlebutt]

Ya think we should have Tonk along to ensure our safety and give his opinion of our selections?

We will allow Tonk to join you but only if he can convince y'all to get counter-rotating tassels for the bikini tops. There isn't much ventilation in the berthing compartment and any additional breeze would be most welcomed.

[lodwick]

The Real Boulder Holder, Over the Shoulder Deal. Saddle up, Hold'em up.

[Snow Bunny]

giggle...then I am not going to worry about a coconut dropping on my head when you get up from the table at the outdoor tropical bar. hahaha

You are hilarious.

[LadyX]

Hmmm...SB, consider that AFVetGal and tommy might be conspiring to produce an expose of the Canteen Gurlz Gone Wild.

Just a coincidence VetGal is going around snapping pictures right and left, and tommy boy -
a known entertainer - just made a reference to Fox News??

Are we prepared for Prime Time???

Will he include blonde jokes, SB??!
(please reply in our Secret Gurlz Code)

[tomkow6]

Now you did it!

The mother of a problem child was advised by a psychiatrist, "You are far too upset and worried about your son. I suggest you take tranquillisers regularly."

On her next visit the psychiatrist asked, "Have the tranquillisers calmed you down?"

"Yes" the mother answered.

"And how is your son now?" he asked.

"Who cares?" she replied.

[4TheFlag]

Clara Suzanne! DO NOT lose those coconuts!!!!!!

Hey Misty, hehehehehe

[Snow Bunny]

Thank you Aomagrat for the USS Kansas picture and the story about the ship.

I was watching the Fleet Week on Fox News channel and it was so moving.

[SAMWolf]

Fox would do "When Canteen Gurlz Go Bad"

[tomkow6]

WARNING!

I found my "blond" jokes list!

[Snow Bunny]

Hi Meekie.Can you believe I am finally getting to my hi to you. hahaa.I have been jumping all around the Canteen today.

Good to see you my friend.

[MistyCA]

Yup....sure did! I can only take those coconuts for sooo long. lol.

[patton]

All right, I am now officially in trouble. I spent the week TDY, and brought home T-shirts for my three kids.

The wife is horribly offended.

(Lessons learned, guys - a t-shirt can warm your bed - or not.)

[Pippin]

GROAN!! LOL!!!

[MistyCA]

Later, Jen! :)

[4TheFlag]

Yeah! I think I'll take them off ;o)

WOOO HOOO! That pond is looking mighty inviting!