USO Canteen FReeper FRiday.......June 21,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style and Snow Bunny

[Snow Bunny]

We are honored to introduce to you
G'nad

...."My mom always said she wasn't surprised I wanted to be a Marine...I still love scars and bruises...I acquired quite a collection over the years...

Newly commissioned, boot 2ndLt g'nad......

1stLt and Mrs. g'nad headed for the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. She's my best friend...my reality check...God has blessed me with her.

Above and Below...Desert Storm, cleaned up afterwards ... somewhere in Kuwait.......

Reunion with Mrs. g'nad, this photo ran in the OkiMar Edition of Stars and Stripes.......

On the range at 29 Palms with a buddy, our custom rifles, and M-14s...Life is good!.......

Winter warfare training with some of my Marines at the Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, CA. I'm the one standing far left. This was with 2d Marine Regiment... my best time, and my best Marines.......

The family as of Nov '01. Rebecca, Mrs. g'nad, Jake and me on the beach at Emerald Isle, NC.

I knew I wanted to be a Marine since I was three-years-old. I signed my Delayed Entry Program papers in Oct of my senior year, but in December the Officer Selection Officer (OSO) asked me if I wanted to try for an NROTC Scholarship. I never had any intention of being an officer, and my family was too poor for me to even consider college. I was accepted and attended Iowa State University and OCS, and was commissioned. I owe the Marine Corps a great debt.

. Still on active duty as a Major at Headquarters Marine Corps...my first desk job, and it's killin' me...

Been a lot of places, seen a lot of things... some bad, some good. But I have always served with the finest of men, Marines.

I trust in Jesus as my Lord and Savior...I believe in Duty, Honor, Sacrifice, Integrity...

I believe that there is no substitute for hard work... that pain is a good thing...if no one's shooting at you, there is nothing to stress about...oh yes, and beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy...

Die first, then quit.......

G'nad

Thank you G’nad for serving our country and for sharing with us here at the FReeper USO Canteen. It is an honor and blessing to know you.

[Sir Gawain]

Thanks for the tip, lol.

Are you getting paid by Real Audio? ;-)

[g'nad]

Tanks Dave! In the words of my old chaplain from 10th Marines, "God bless you real good!"

[Victoria Delsoul]

I wish! LOL.

[Victoria Delsoul]

I like your sig. John. ;-)

[SAMWolf]

So far so good.

Trying to settle down. Seems like I spend any time I have at home arguing over dumb things.

I hate doing that, because I don't have enough time as it is. Seems a shame to waste it in arguements about things that shouldn't really matter much in the overall scheme of things.

[daisyscarlett]

The welcome home and expressions of gratitude to old vets like myself, the words of encouragement to today's troops are a far cry from what I and several others experienced while traveling about in uniform during the Viet Nam era. Though never spit upon, I did receive a lot of looks of disgust from folks who shook their heads in contempt at those of us in uniform.

It is painful for me to read your comments. I never spat upon a man in uniform in those days nor did I give looks of disgust...but neither was I appreciative or respectful of those who went to VietNam. I was a young college lass, totally self absorbed, and had the attitude "why is he so stupid to be in the service-why doesn't he sign up for college or go to Canada".

Thanks for your post and thanks for your Service. And forgive me if you are one of the young service men whom I saw in passing in an airport or wherever and averted my eyes or changed my seat so as not to have to engage in idle conversation.

[Mr_Magoo]

John Mark McGuire Sammy Sosa Huang2

:-)

[Victoria Delsoul]

LOL! Cute Teddy, hahaha.

Victoria

[Victoria Delsoul]

Good afternoon, Clara. Hope you're having a wonderful day as well.

[COB1]

If you want a real treat go through the Audie Murphy exhibits in the Audie Murphy Veteran's Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.
Now, this guy was a genuine American hero!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Hi there, Cob! Hope to see you here tomorrow.

[g'nad]

Thank you, lovely lady! It's an honor to serve the citizens of this Republic. God bless you too ma'am. I'll give the teddy bear to my daughter, she'll love it...

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thanks for the coffee, Mayor. You're too kind.

[COB1]

"And forgive me...."

Daisy, the youngsters of that era like yourself are not the only ones carrying a load of guilt.
Just like WTC, NEVER AGAIN!!

[Aquamarine]

Thanks for you service to our country for the cause of freedom.
I enjoyed learning about your family and getting to know you better. (your son looks just like you). :)

[Victoria Delsoul]

That is so sad. Thanks for posting it.

[Victoria Delsoul]

You're very welcome.

I'll give the teddy bear to my daughter, she'll love it...

Happy to hear that.

[Aquamarine]

Way to go, Vic! ;-)

[Victoria Delsoul]

Well, look at it this way, Sam. Only a few more days to…

FREEDOM!!!

[daisyscarlett]

Always great to see our Active Duty guys and gals getting to view an athletic contest. We Americans do love our sports.....

U.S. soldiers react as they watch the televised 2002 FIFA World Cup match between the U.S. A and Germany at the Yongsan Army Garrison in Seoul, Friday, June 21, 2002. Germany won 1-0. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man). - Jun 21 11:42 AM ET