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USO Canteen FReeper Style..Memorial Day Weekend Begins....Saturday May 25,2002
FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style and Snow Bunny

Posted on 05/25/2002 2:47:41 AM PDT by 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.



TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: usocanteen
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub
Lest We Forget...Bump !!

Freedom Is Worth Fighting For !!

Molon Labe !!

81 posted on 05/25/2002 9:08:14 AM PDT by blackie
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To: deadhead
Morning Colleen! Here is a musical tribute to all Americans, but especially to our fallen heros...of which we have way too many but could never say enough.

...American Medley

82 posted on 05/25/2002 9:15:38 AM PDT by MistyCA
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To: MistyCA;All
I wish to make a special tribute for the survivors and the deceased of all the wars that has plagued this country and others. Not only do they deserve our special tributes but they also need our daily blessings and prayers that they may live the rest of their lives in peace and harmony. Also prayers need to go out for the young men of today that are fighting to bring our nations to peace. Our young men need encouragement, letters, and thanks for doing a service of duty for our nation. May we all say a slient pray for these men as the Memorial Day comes upon us. As we play, sing and dance they are defending our country and others. God Bless All Who Serve our Country.

-- An Unknown Friend to All

83 posted on 05/25/2002 9:22:29 AM PDT by SAMWolf
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To: ClaraSuzanne
Here is a link to an 1884 speech by Oliver Wendell Holmes who was trying to express why we keep up Memorial Day.....

"In Our Youth Our Hearts Were Touched With Fire"

84 posted on 05/25/2002 9:36:22 AM PDT by MistyCA
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To: Snow Bunny

Some Gave All

85 posted on 05/25/2002 9:37:31 AM PDT by SAMWolf
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To: JohnD9207
Thank you for your service and dedication. :)
86 posted on 05/25/2002 9:38:46 AM PDT by MistyCA
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To: SAMWolf
This that you just posted Sam is beautiful, I agree with it so much. Thank you.

Good morning Sam thank you for all your help and all you do. You served our country and in many ways are still serrving with your support of those serving now and your love for this Nation.

((( hug )))

87 posted on 05/25/2002 9:39:42 AM PDT by Snow Bunny
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To: MistyCA
Hi Misty, thank you for your tribute to Bob Hope.He truly is a Patriot.
Many times as he would turn to leave the stage for another entertainer to come on he would have big crockadile tears in his eyes of such love for the troops.

Thank you for your kind words also Misty, they mean so much to me.You are a very dear person.

(( hug ))

88 posted on 05/25/2002 9:44:10 AM PDT by Snow Bunny
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To: Clara Suzanne
Hi Clara, that is beautiful, thank you, it takes each person here, you and everyone to make the Canteen happen.

I know what you mean about how even when we are kidding around and having fun, it is always there in our hearts how we feel about our troops and our veterans.

89 posted on 05/25/2002 9:47:28 AM PDT by Snow Bunny
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To: Snow Bunny
Good Morning Snow Bunny.
I really wish you and FallGuy could be here Monday.
My family and I are going up to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington Park
It's a beautiful Memorial and I would love to have you and Fallguy visit it.
This will be the first year I go up there without Roger.
It's fine to have your family with you, but it meant something special to go up there with a friend and Vet.
It's just going to feel different.
90 posted on 05/25/2002 9:47:38 AM PDT by SAMWolf
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To: AFVetGal
Thank you for posting that beautiful story about the Memorial and a Soldier at Ft. Campbell.
91 posted on 05/25/2002 9:50:16 AM PDT by leadpenny
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To: SAMWolf
Sam, that's such a beautiful idea. At the cemetary across the way where my father is buried, little flags are set out on the grave of each of our veterans. There is a ceremony planned for Memorial Day and the Veteran's Organization will be setting out wreaths in memory. It is a wonderful idea to put carnations at the individual gravesites of our veterans. Thank you for your service, Sam. Thanks for all you do here. :)
92 posted on 05/25/2002 9:51:30 AM PDT by MistyCA
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To: SAMWolf
Ohhhh Sam, I love this song. It is playing right now and it seems to always play in my heart.
Thank you Sam.
93 posted on 05/25/2002 9:54:37 AM PDT by Snow Bunny
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To: SAMWolf
Thank you, Sam! ...Amazing Grace
94 posted on 05/25/2002 9:58:11 AM PDT by MistyCA
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To: SAMWolf
Oh, I have a feeling Roger will be there...you, his dear friend, will see to that :)
95 posted on 05/25/2002 10:01:39 AM PDT by MistyCA
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To: Snow Bunny
Afternoon, Bunny.
96 posted on 05/25/2002 10:02:22 AM PDT by ST.LOUIE1
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To: AFVetGal
"I thank God for examples like that".

And so do I.

Thanks, 'Gal'.

97 posted on 05/25/2002 10:06:30 AM PDT by ST.LOUIE1
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To: AFVetGal
bttt
98 posted on 05/25/2002 10:08:20 AM PDT by summer
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To: mountaineer
bttt
99 posted on 05/25/2002 10:13:33 AM PDT by summer
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To: MistyCA
I have a feeling Roger will be there

Thanks Misty. You just brought a tear to my eye, You're right, I just didn't see it until you reminded me.

100 posted on 05/25/2002 10:14:43 AM PDT by SAMWolf
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