USO Canteen FReeper Style ....Themeless Thursday .... August 22,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style SAMWolf and Snow Bunny

[Snow Bunny]

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If you know a Veteran, someone in your family,
friend of the family, neighbor, who served their
country, take a brief moment of your day to thank them.
Thank them for the sacrifice they made
for the better good of their country.

We at Free Republic, and the USO Canteen FReeper Style,
are thankful for every service member
in our military, who has served our great nation.

So, to the men and women who answered the call,
in both times of war and peace, thank you.

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Message from Snow Bunny to all those who visit the Canteen.

This is how I think of the USO Canteen Freeper Style.
It is like a cottage down a road,
a place where a weary veteran can spend the night.

Since it opened, it is magical how so many
Freepers who post here, feel it too.
It has been so dear how the Freepers
kept making it a cottage - a home-type of place
that had a huge living room
for them to visit in and a dance floor, a library, etc.

Many Veterans have written to me,
saying that the Canteen is like home
to them for the first time since they served.

This is your Canteen -
a respite from our busy
and sometimes troubling world.
Make yourself at home.

..................................................................................................................................

[tomkow6]

A man walked out into the street in New
York, and managed to flag down a taxi
just driving by.

He got into the taxi, and the cabbie said,
" Perfect timing. You're just like Dave."

The passenger said, "Who?"

The cabbie said, "Dave Bronson. Now there's
a guy who did everything right. Like my
coming along just when you needed a cab. It
would have happened like that to Dave."

The rider said, "Well, nobody's perfect."

The cabbie said, "Dave was. He was a
terrific athlete. He could have gone on the
pro tour in golf. He could have played
tennis with the best pros. He sang like an
opera baritone, and danced like a Broadway
star. He had a memory like a trap. Could
remember everybody's birthday. He could
fix anything, not like me. If I change
even a fuse, I black out the whole
neighbourhood."

The rider said, "No wonder you remember
him."

The cabbie said, "Well, no I never actually
met Dave."

The rider asked, "Then how do you know so
much about him?"

The cabbie exclaimed, " I married his widow!"

[Pippin]

Cute!

[radu]

Howdy, everyone! Good day to y'all!!

I'm still trying to recover from my swoon at seeing Sam Elliot first thing today. aaaahh!

Hello troops, veterans, and allies. Thank you for all you do, or have done, to keep this wonderful country free.

I hate to do a post-and-run but need to do a few things before I can stay and play. I did want to at least say 'hello' before I got busy. I WILL be back! :-))

[tomkow6]

How are your kitties today?

[radu]

Beautiful flowers, Tonk. Thank you! You spoil us, y'know? And we love ya for it!

*HUG*

[tomkow6]

A dietician was once addressing a large audience in Chicago.

"The material we put into our stomachs is enough to have killed most of us sitting here, years ago. Red meat is
awful. Vegetables can be disastrous,and none of us realizes the germs in our drinking water. But there is one thing
that is the most dangerous of all and we all eat it. Can anyone here tell me what lethal product I'm referring to?,
You, sir, in the first row, please give us your idea."

The man in the front row lowered his head and said,
"Wedding cake."

[SAMWolf]

An unidentified U.S. military dentist, left, assisted by a local counterpart, prepare a Muslim woman for a tooth extraction during a medical mission Thursday, Aug. 22, 2002, on Basilan island in the southern Philippines. American soldiers remaining on the island after concluding a six-month joint counterterrorism training exercise are conducting humanitarian medical missions before their departure. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Isaac Wells from Washington takes notes as he interviews a Muslim woman during a medical mission Thursday, Aug. 22, 2002, on Basilan island, southern Philippines.

A group of American soldiers sit on a truck as they prepare to leave after conducting a medical mission Thursday, Aug. 22, 2002, on Basilan island, southern Philippines.

Veterans who served on the USS Power recite the Pledge of Allegiance before a meeting Tuesday, Aug 20, 2002, in Annapolis, Md. Sailors who were sprayed with chemicals aboard the USS Power 37 years ago got assurances from Pentagon and Veterans Affairs officials that the government is doing everything it can to determine if the tests are responsible for their health problems. From left are, Ernest Blanks, Homer Tack, and Jim Brocklebank. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

[tomkow6]

The Pope dies and goes to heaven. When he gets there, Saint Peter shows him to his new quarters which turn out to be a tiny one bedroom apartment.

The Pope is horrified and wants to know why he doesn't have the penthouse apartment, which is huge.

Saint Peter informs him that the resident of the penthouse is a lawyer.

"A lawyer," says the Pope. "But I'm the Pope, surely I'm more important."

"With respect Sir," says Saint Peter, "We have lots of Pope's up here, but we only have ONE lawyer!"

[Kathy in Alaska]

What a great link, Meekie. A President we can be proud of. Hear, hear! Thank you President Bush for bringing character back to the White House.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Have fun with the babies today, Sassy.

[MoJo2001]

Good morning Linda! Actually, good afternoon!

Hello everyone! I haven't been on much lately because I'm trying to wrap up the summer stuff and start getting my kids ready for school. The summer just flew bye. Anyways, one of the highlights of this summer is definitely finding all of you here at the Canteen.

I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to Outlaw's family. Zip sounded like a man of great character. God Bless you Outlaw and your family.

I would also like to extend best wishes to all our military men and women serving this great country. It can never be stated enough and it shouldn't be taken for granted. Thank you for the sacrifice that you've taken in order to take care of the nation's business. I guess I'm reminded that you don't just look after America's freedoms, but those of millions of others that don't tell you. So? Thank you on their behalf as well.

I don't mean to be a nosy chick, but where is Liberty Call for this weekend?? Is it one of those...Check in and you'll find out?? LOL!! If so, I'm looking forward to it. Shoot even Siberia sounds good at this moment!!

[MoJo2001]

Decisions, decisions!! Oh! I don't know..I'm kind of partial to the Garden Of Eden look!! LOL!

[tomkow6]

Hi, MoJo!

[MoJo2001]

I don't know about you, but I totally sympathize with this lady. I probably look the same way when the dentist turns the drill on!! UGH! LOL! Anyways, thank you for sharing Sam! God Bless the talented military personnel!!

[MoJo2001]

Hi Tom!! You've caused quite an uproar at my hubby's command with some of your jokes. His commanding officer even thought some of them were funny. Obviously, they have way too much time on their hands. Leave it to tomkow! Always there to support our military in times of boredom!!WOOHOO!

[SAMWolf]

Greyhounds of the Sea. The destroyer evolved from the need of navies to counter a new ship which made a devastating debut in the Chilean Civil War of 1891 and in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894. This was the swift, small torpedo boat that could dash in close to the larger ships, loose their torpedoes and dash away. The world's navies recognized the need for a counter weapon and so the torpedo boat destroyer — later just "destroyer" — was born. From the first U.S. destroyer commissioned in 1902 to the famous ships of World War II to the Spruance-class to the Arleigh Burke-class, the U.S. Navy's destroyers have been evolving. And that evolution continues into the 21st century with the coming of DD 21, the Zumwalt-class.

Nov. 24, 1902 - The first U.S. destroyer, USS Bainbridge (DD 1), was commissioned. Bainbridge, was actually a torpedo boat destroyer, was 250 in length, displaced 420 tons, and had a speed of 29 knots. She carried a crew of 75.

Oct. 31, 1941 - USS Reuben James (DD 245) was torpedoed and sunk with a crew of 115 by the U-552 while escorting a convoy from Halifax, Nova Scotia. She was the first U.S. vessel destroyed by the Axis Powers.

Apr. 16, 1945 - USS Pringle (DD 477) sank and USS Laffey (DD 724) was heavily damaged by six aircraft and four bombs during a kamikaze attack off of Okinawa. Laffey had all of her gun turrets destroyed and lost 103 men during the attack.

Aug. 2, 1964 - USS Maddox (DD 731) was attacked by three North Vietnamese patrol boats in international waters of the Tonkin Gulf about 30 miles off the coast of North Vietnam. Maddox eluded two torpedoes and sank one of the enemy boats.

Feb. 19, 1952 - USS Shelton (DD 790) and Taupo, a New Zealand frigate, destroyed 45 enemy sampans off the east coast of North Korea. A few sampans made it to the beach only to be captured by a company of South Korea Marines commanded by 1st Lt. Joseph Bartos, USMC

Sep. 20, 1975 - USS Spruance (DD 963) was commissioned at Pascagoula, MS. and became the first gas turbine-powered U.S. destroyer.

Jul. 4, 1991 - USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) was commissioned on this date. She is 142 meters (465 feet) in length and has four gas turbines turning two shafts. She was named for the Navy's most famous destroyer squadron combat commander and three-time Chief of Naval Operations, Arleigh Burke was the most powerful surface combatant ever put to sea.

Jan. 6, 2000 - Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig announced that the new DD-21 will be the Navy's first class of ships to be powered by electric drive. The first of the DD 21 class of destroyers is expected to be in commission by the end of the decade.

[MoJo2001]

Thanks for sharing this information with us!! I've always wondered what it would have been like to have served Arleigh Burke. I've read a few things about him, but I wish I had time to find more stuff.

[tomkow6]

I guess it really means something if the CO thought some of them were funny! I'm glad that the jokes(?) are being enjoyed. I should send your hubby some of the REAL good ones that I can't post here.

[MoJo2001]

Well, have a great day!! I've just found my dust fairy to help me clean!!

[MoJo2001]

He's a very nice guy!! He has a great family and he really does love America. I know that sounds strange, but I've met a few in my lifetime that have made me wonder. Anyways, BY ALL MEANS send them!! Um, please please..do not send any jokes insulting Marines. My cousin will be visiting soon and he's a proud Marine. Of course, the hubby thinks it's a good time for a cookout and an invite to all the Sailors he works with. So? If you have any jokes that could help my cousin out, I would really really appreciate it!! Thanks Tom!