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.

[HiJinx]

Thank you for adding the information about Uncle Mike. These are the stories, the knowledge we need to keep our cause for Freedom alive in America today.

Your Uncle Mike was a heckuva guy to have received the Legion Of Merit as an enlisted man.

S A L U T E to Uncle Mike

[kneezles]

That pic was taken by a friend at the nuke plant with a thermography camera used to detect abnormalities in electrical components. It's kinda fun! It detects heat and produces the color coded image.

[Jen]

Really? I sent a bunch of those to a sailor over there and got no comment about them. I figured if he and the guys didn't read them, he could find some gals who would like them and he could be a 'hero'! hahahaha

I was embarrased to be seen buying them. But, I enjoyed picking the ones that had the ugliest pix of Hillary on the cover... (hehehehe)

[SAMWolf]

They just rip your heart out. God love 'em. It's hard for me to look at such handsome, brave faces and think about them not being on the earth any more.

It sure does. I hope their fellow citizens enjoy the coming 3 day weekend, because these men are the latest who paid for it.

If I sound bitter, I am. Too many Americans have become spoiled and ungrateful, that's what makes the Canteen so special, the people who come here know the cost of our Freedomn and respect those who defend it.

[d4now]

Makes my heart ache to look at these fine men who gave all but thank you so much for posting.

G_d Bless them and their families.

[Pippin]

Good Morning, Hi! Liked the bio. Thanks for your service! BTW (Looking good!) Have a blessed day!

[Jen]

Nerdy geeks make good husbands! I have one at home too. hahahaha

[kneezles]

Yep, I get a long weekend and we're expecting my parents early this afternoon for the weekend up from Houston. Right now I have to go to Home Depot, my garage door opener just crapped out. This is the second one in 4 years... DON'T BUY A STANLEY GARAGE DOOR OPENER!!! THEY STINK!!!!

[lodwick]

Jen, another thought is to include an addressed envelope with a sheet of paper so that the troop can write you a note. There is no need for postage, but you prolly know this already. Have a super day, and Holiday. God bless.

[Aquamarine]

What a great life you are having there on the beach! It's always fun to find a conch shell or a sand dollar. You have to get there early to find the best (unbroken) shells before everyone else gets to them right after they wash up.
I've heard that Ft. Lauderdale beach is the best place to find sea shells although I haven't been there yet.

[Johnny Gage]

Thanks for the ping, I'm starting to see what I was missing before I started reading the canteen threads.

Thank you HiJinx and Thank you to all those are serving and have served.

There is a Vietnam Vet in my office, and my Sis-in-law is finishing her 12th year in the Air Force Reserve. Her unit was activated for the Gulf War, but never got any further than St. Louis Mo.

I think our family is going to have to put together a package for out troops. Thanks for the address!

Have a safe and fun holiday weekend everyone!
David
Minneapolis Mn

[MudPuppy]

have a great time.
Tomorrow we're providing some chow for some Veteran bikers coming from
North Carolina on their way to the Wall.

Hubby and I am really looking forward to Rolling Thunder this year.

Then on Monday we'll be at Quantico National Cemetery with our Young Marines
to participate in the Veteran's Ceremonies. If you've never come out - it's a nice way
to celebrate Memorial Day and pay tribute to our Veteran's.
General Hendrickson will be the speaker.

[Pippin]

Hope you have a nice weekend and Memorial Day. Enjoy the visit with your parents!

[SAMWolf]

Two U.S. Army Special Forces members cross a river during an exercise Friday, May 24, 2002 in Lamitan town on Basilan island in southern Philippines. U.S. Army Special Forces are training their Filipino counterpart on counterterrorism as part of the joint military exercise aimed at wiping out the muslim extremist group the Abu Sayyaf. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)

[d4now]

Morning HiJinx!

Thank you for your dedication and sacrifice.

[Aquamarine]

Last winter I sent a package to a base in Saudia Arabia and put a Hunting Magazine in it that had big pictures of deers in the woods. It was during deer hunting season and thought the "deer hunters" would enjoy seeing that.

[lodwick]

Ooops! That's not right - 2 in 2 years!? I've had success with the screw-drive, as opposed to the floppy chain drive openers. Good luck with it.

[mountaineer]

Good morning Canteeners. Many of us will be off on vacation or having family get-togethers this weekend, but in the midst of the fun, hot dogs, volleyball, swimming, whatever, let's be sure to take a moment to remember our soldiers - our freedom fighters - from the 1700s to the present day. If you have the chance, tell a young person why Memorial Day is so important, because they probably haven't gotten quite the right impression from their public school system!

Thank you Snow Bunny, for all your work here. Have a wonderful and safe weekend.

[lodwick]

The Genie Excelerator, the latest engineering innovation from the originator of screw-drive opener technology, features a powerful 1/2 horsepower DC motor that delivers the company's quietest ever screw-drive opener. The opener is equipped with a gentle start and stop feature for smooth operation and reduced door wear. The polymer-lined rail surrounding the screw drive eliminates metal-to-metal contact between moving parts, enhancing its dependable performance even in regions with low temperature extremes.

[Jen]

Two good ideas! Thanks, I'll add those to my next package.