USO Canteen FReeper Style..Memorial Day Weekend Begins....Saturday May 25,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style and Snow Bunny

[Snow Bunny]

"TO OUR ABSENT BROTHERS"

They finished a fine noble monument in our town the other day.
It glistens bright on the village green, in prominent display.

It's a grand and noble structure raised by a grateful land.
Yet I recall a simpler one of steel and wood and sand.

I kept my eyes on our point man. He was the first to go down.
I saw how the bullets spun him and slammed him to the ground.

That night seemed to last forever, but it finally came to an end.
And no longer were some strangers, for each was the others best friend.

I looked over at the captain, and he silently answered me.
And he took my arm and nodded, then turned so I couldn't see.

So I walked back to our point man, to the place where I saw him fall.
For dawn had brought with it a quiet, with the peace of God and all.

And I covered him with a poncho, and then to be sure he'd be found,
I fixed bayonet to rifle, and shoved it in the ground.

There wasn't much more anyone could do. My tribute seemed a trifle.
So I picked a battered helmet up and placed it on the rifle.

Long years have passed since I saw him fall that cold and frightful night.
Now his name is carved in marble, but something didn't set right.

The helmet on the rifle seemed a far more fitting shrine.
For the rifle was my brother's, and the helmet, it was mine.

Author Unknown

Eagle Hot Air Balloon

"Thanks For Remembering"

At first there was no place for us to go until someone put up that BLACK GRANITE WALL.
Now,everyday and night ,my brothers and my
sisters wait to see the many people from places afar file in front of this Wall.
Many stopping briefley and many for hours and some that come on a regular basis.
It was hard at first,not that it's gotten any easier,
but it seems that many of the attitudes towards the war that we were involved in have changed.
I can only pray that the ones on the other side have learned something and more Walls as this needn't be built.

Several Members of my unit and many that I did not
recognize have called me to the Wall by touching my name that is engraved upon it.
The tears aren't necessary but are hard even for me to hold back.
Don't feel guilty for not being with me,my Brothers.
This was my destiney as it is yours,to be on that side of the Wall.
Touch the Wall,my Brothers,so that we can share in the memories that we had.
I have learned to put the bad memories aside and
remember only the pleasant times that we had together.
Tell our Brothers out there to come and visit me ,
not to say Good Bye but to say Hello and be together again,
even for a short time and to ease that pain of loss that we all share.

Today,an irresistible and loving call comes from the wall
as I approach I can see an elderly lady as I get closer I recognize her....
It's Momma! As much as I have looked forward to this day,I have also regretted it because I didn't know what reaction I would have.
Next to her,I suddenly see my wife and immediately think how hard it must been for her to come to this place.
And my mind floods with the pleasant memories of 30years past.
There's a young man in a military uniform standing with his arm around her........
My God!!....It has to be my son.
Look at him trying to be the man without a tear in his eye.
I yearn to tell him how proud I am, seeing him standing tall, straight and proud in his uniform.

Momma comes closer and touches the Wall and I feel the
soft and gentle touch I had not felt in so many years.
Dad has crossed to this side of the Wall and through our touch,
I try to convey to her that Dad is doing fine and is no longer suffering or feeling pain.
I see my wife's courage building as she sees Momma touch the Wall.
and she approaches and lays her hand on my waiting hand.
All the emotions, feelings and memories of three decades past
flash between our touch and I tell that it is alright.
Carry on with your life and don't worry about me......
I can see I look into her eyes that she hears and understands me...
and a big burden has been lifted from her.

I watch as they lay flowers and other memories of my past.
My lucky charm that was taken from me and sent to her by my CO.
a tattered and worn teddy bear that I can barley remember having as I grew up as a child.
and several medals that I had earned and were presented to my wife.
One of them is the Combat Infantry Badge that I am very proud of
and I notice that my son is also wearing this medal.
I had earned mine in the jungles of Vietnam and he probably earned his in the deserts of Iraq.
I can tell they preparing to leave and I try to take a mental picture of them together.
because I don't know when I will see them again.
I wouldn't blame them if they were not to return and can only thank them that I was not forgotten.
My wife and Momma near the Wall for one final touch and so many years of indecision,
fear and sorrow are let go.
As they turn to leave I feel my tears that had not flowed for so many years,
form as dew drops on the other side of the wall.

They slowly move away with only a glance over their shoulder.
My son suddenly stops and slowly returns.
He stands up straight and proud in front of me and snaps a salute.
Something makes him move to the Wall and puts his hand upon the Wall
and touches my tears that had formed on the face of the Wall and I can tell that he senses
my presence there.
and the pride and the love that I have for him.
He falls to his knees and the tears flow from his eyes.
and I try my best to a sure him that it is alright and the tears do not make him less of a man.
As he moves back wiping the tears from his eyes,
he silently mouths, God Bless you, Dad

.......God Bless,YOU,Son............

We WILL meet someday but in the meanwhile, go on your way

......There is no hurry.......
There is no hurry at all.

As I see them walk off in the distance ,
I yell out to THEM and EVERYONE there today.
as loud as I can ,

........THANKS FOR REMEMBERING........

and as others on this side of the Wall join in,
I notice the US Flag that is so proudly in front of us every day,
is flapping and standing proudly straight out in the wind today.

[Pippin]

Beautiful and moving!

[SAMWolf]

[Aquamarine]

Very well done! Impressive background.

[Pippin]

CUTE! Does this mean; like the Energizer Bunny , Snow and I keep on going and going!? LOL

[JulieRNR21]

Thanks for the ping.....to the Canteen.

I'd like to add my appreciation to all who have served to insure that America remain 'the land of the free and the home of the brave!" Among those are my own father, 2 uncles and 3 cousins.

[SAMWolf]

We walked among the crosses
Where our fallen soldiers lay.
And listened to the bugle
As TAPS began to play.

The Chaplin led a prayer
We stood with heads bowed low.
And I thought of fallen comrades
I had known so long ago.

They came from every city
Across this fertile land.
That we might live in freedom.
They lie here 'neath the sand.

I felt a little guilty
My sacrifice was small.
I only lost a little time
But these men lost their all.

Now the services are over
For this Memorial Day.
To the names upon these crosses
I just want to say,

Thanks for what you've given
No one could ask for more.
May you rest with God in heaven
From now through evermore

~By C W J (C W Johnson)- May 1975~

[SAMWolf]

To all of you who went and served, who survived wars or died in battle: our eternal and sacred gratitude is to you.
Many people in this country are misinformed or ignorant of the lives lost and sacrifices that were made to keep this country free.
But rest assured, there are many of us who remember, who teach our children about your heroic deeds, that you gave it all.
I cannot pass an American flag without tears of gratitude welling up in my eyes, without my heart roaring warm and strong within my chest, at the thought of what you men and women have done for us.
God bless you, may God look over your dear families, and may we always remember and cherish your memory.

-- Bruce A. Brunger

[cowgirlcutie]

Thanks for the ping. I just want to say a very heartfelt "Thank you for your sacrifice and selflessness and God Bless you" to ALL of our veterans and actively enlisted men and women. Without them, we wouldn't have the freedoms that we take for granted in this great country. Memorial Day is more than barbeques and picnics. It's a time for reflection and prayer for those who have and are serving our country.

[Mr_Magoo]

Another GREAT start to the thread SB.

Confession:

When 9-11 happened, I went to put up our flag. I ruefully discovered that the last outdoor flag we had, had been retired due to wear. The only flag we still had was the one from my Father's casket. We set that one in the window until the matter was resolved.

I had to order a new flag and wait 3 weeks for it to arrive. When I picked up the new flag, there were no flag poles in stock. That is when I got "creative". I cut a 6 foot length of 1/2 inch electric conduit to make a pole out of. I stuffed a 1/2 inch dowel rod into it to add strength. Used "S" hooks to attach the flag, and a plastic chair foot cap to finish the top. Now to mount it to the house . . . 18 inch piece of 3/4 inch conduit to the rescue. I put a 30 degree bend in the center of it and used 2 conduit clamps to anchor it to the brick.

Now the Flag flys 24/7. It will withstand a hurricane if needed. Even looks "store bought"!

God Bless our Troops.

[MistyCA]

Morning Bunny! I would like to post a few things in tribute to someone dear to you, Bob Hope! I did not know that he came to America in 1907 (Born in England) and did not become an American citizen until 1920. We should also have a tribute thread someday to the immigrants like Bob Hope who have come here and given their all! :)

...Thanks, for the Memories

For one of the very nice tribute pages on the web, ....Click Here

[Pippin]

Good Morning/Afternoon! I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy reading your moving, inspiring and sometimes humourous posts! Makes me forget my own troubles and remember what we as a nation are all about. I don't forget or take for granted the service, dedication and sacrifice of you, 4TheFlag, AFVETGAL;HIJINX;Snow Bunny;68-69TonkinGulfYatchclub; And others too numerous to mention. Know that your efforts are appreciated.

This memorila day I plan to stop and remember our fallen heroes by going to Mass on Monday and going for a walk just to admire this wonderful place that many have died defending.

So, Don't let the antics and flurting silliness and cutsey DOLLZ fool you. I'm just doing my part in supporting our troops! Be at peace,Brother! May God richley bless you! CS

[MistyCA]

Good morning everyone! I am glad to see you all here and I think Bunny has outdone herself with another terrific thread! Each morning it is such a pleasure to get up and see what she has come up with, and she NEVER disappoints! God has a special spot for you Snow Bunny, and it lies within the hearts of a whole lot of people.

[Pippin]

Good Afternoon or Morning! Nice tribute to Bob Hope! What an honor and a privelidge it must have been for Snow Bunny to work with him. Particullarly for the USO tours.

please read my post at #71 for my salute to SamWolf and the other FReeper Vets. Be at peace today, My sister! God bless you! CS

[JohnD9207]

SnowBunny...you have honored us once again. Quiet weekend planned to honor those brothers who are with God. God Bless those who made it home...Love your families, hug the grandbabies. It was all for them.

John Danforth

SSGT USA (Ret)

[SAMWolf]

Thanks CS.
I for one am glad you decided to become a Canteen regular. Everyone who comes here adds a little of their personality to the overall Canteen experience.
Thank you for the part of you that you share with us.

[SAMWolf]

You preserved my freedom. You gave me the chance to go from poverty to becoming a doctor. I cannot thank you enough. To those who died in body or soul, I pay special tribute. To all, I thank you for your willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice for me and all other Americans.

-- Deborah Root, MD

[SAMWolf]

The National Cemetery System

National cemeteries in the United States for military veterans and service members began during the Civil War, near the battlefields, military hospitals and campgrounds of the war. On July 17, 1862, President Lincoln signed legislation that authorized the federal government to purchase ground to be used as national cemeteries "for soldiers who shall have died in the service of the country." Up to that time, the dead were hastily buried in fields and churchyards, or close to hospitals and prison camps where they died.

After the war, Army crews searched the countryside to find and rebury the Union dead in the original 14 national cemeteries. The remains of Confederate prisoners of war were included, although it was not until 1906 that legislation approved marking their graves with headstones. The reinterment process took five years and resulted in establishing 50 more cemeteries to hold a quarter-million remains. They were reburied with honor. The new cemeteries were enclosed by brick walls and entered through ornate gates. However, the identities of nearly half of the Union dead are buried in national cemeteries are unknown. A few of the national cemeteries developed around large numbers of Confederate dead who had been POWs of the Union.

Eight years after the war ended, Congress opened the national cemeteries to all honorably discharged veterans of the Union forces. Legislation after World War I opened them to American veterans of all wartime service. Finally, after World War II, Congress expanded eligibility for burial to all veterans of U.S. armed forces, American war veterans of allied armed forces and veterans' spouses and dependent children.

From the system's founding until 1973, national cemeteries were operated by the Department of the Army. Today, the National Cemetery System is part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA operates 114 national cemeteries in the United States and Puerto Rico. The Department of the Interior administers 14 others and the Army administers two (including Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.).

More than two million Americans, including veterans of every conflict in which the U.S. participated - from the Revolutionary War to the Persian Gulf - are buried in VA's national cemeteries.

The cemeteries comprise more than 10,000 acres of land. Fifty-five of the 114 national cemeteries have exhausted available gravesites.

In addition to providing a gravesite, VA provides a headstone or marker, and perpetually cares for the grave at no cost to the veteran's family or heirs.

[MistyCA]

thank you for the flowers! They are beautiful! :)

[SAMWolf]

This weekend I am going to do something different. I am going to buy some carnations each day and go to one of the nearby cemetaries and walk through the sections for soldiers. When I find a grave that has no flowers, I'll leave one and say a prayer for the family of that person, who for some reason could not bring their soldier flowers.

I will pray for our country and all who serve or have served. For their families, who also serve by losing precious days, weeks and months spent with their loved ones who are off serving, preserving peace and the freedom we have in this country. I'll pray for the families who paid the ultimate price, who's loved ones died, or were taken captive and never returned. I'll pray for anyone who may still be held in captivity and thinks perhaps they are forgotten. I do NOT forget.

I'll say a prayer for every person on the Internet who takes a moment from their time to come to sites like yours and be reminded of what this holiday really means. And I'll say a prayer of thanks and ask God's richest blessings on you.

Thank you again.... and God bless!

Sylvia Mohr"

[blackie]

Up, Up And Away...Bump !!

Freedom Is Worth Fighting For !!

Molon Labe !!