USO Canteen FReeper Style....FReeper FRiday ....GATOR NAVY ......August 23,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style 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.

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The USO Canteen Honors FReepers
who have served, or are now serving their country.

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You may have a loved one who has served in the past.
We at the FReeper USO Canteen would like to honor each and every one.

Thank You GATOR NAVY for Serving our Country

Because 5 of 6 ships I have been on have been amphibious ships,
or "gators".

Also, my job is navigation, or a 'gator.

I am a Chief Petty Officer and just went
over 20 years service this March.

My ships have been :
USS CROMMELIN (FFG-37) plankowner
USS BRISTOL COUNTY (LST-1198)
USS ST LOUIS (LKA-116)
USS SAN BERNARDINO (LST-1189) decomm crew
USS DUBUQUE (LPD-8)
USS JUNEAU (LPD-10)

I have been stationed in Japan since 1990.
I am currently on shore duty near Tokyo,Japan/

Prior to this tour all my Japan time was in Sasebo, on Kyushu.

I have been happily married for over 9 years to my lovely wife Atsuko.

We have two sons, Takezo, age 7, and Shuzo, age 5.

Here is my son Takezo

Here is my son Shuzo

Although I read FR daily, I don't usually log on unless I want to
reply to a thread. But I will always get back to you (ask Snow Bunny)
sooner or later if you send something my way.

[Jen]

Hi there and welcome to the Canteen. I'm glad to meet you! You have a terrific home page. I enjoyed reading about your experiences in the Army's Navy. Please visit with us daily!

I get so excited when I meet new people here!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, Sir, for your past and continuing service to our country. I hope you visit the Canteen often.

[GATOR NAVY]

That's quite the gator. The CPO hat is a nice touch.

[tomkow6]

If you want me to be your escort to the Rodeo, you'd better speak up now!

Otherwise, I'm thinkin of having a contest here at the Canteen between ALL the Canteen Cuties, & the LUCKY winner will be my escort for the Rodeo!

What ya think of that?

[Johnny Gage]

Very nice!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much. I love all of the graphics everyone has made for me.

[GATOR NAVY]

What are our female Navy personnel called today?

No special name anymore, just Sailors.

[kneezles]

Wow Johnny, we're surrounded by the Canteen Cuties today! Just about all of them are here!!!

[bluesagewoman]

I'm getting fishing fever, too. But, I'm waiting for a new trolling motor from my honey!

[headsonpikes]

And a glorious sunshiny morning it is, too!

This has been a fine summer on the Wet Coast. ;^)

[Kathy in Alaska]

All the dipsticks are in Washington, DC.

YES!!!!!

[Mr_Magoo]

Missing Army Helicopter Found With No Sign of Survivors

WASHINGTON (AP) - The crash site of a U.S. Army helicopter that disappeared during a night training flight Thursday was found Friday with no sign that either of its two pilots survived, U.S. defense officials said. Details of the discovery were not immediately available.

(Excerpt from thread) Prayers for the 2 missing Pilots.

[GATOR NAVY]

Thank you for those great Ninilchik posts.

[kneezles]

I need to put a builge pump in my old boat and get the motor worked on, but I can still take it out if I want to. I usually have to have someone help me since it's a bit big for me to handle trailoring by myself. One of these days I'm gonna get an electric wench for the trailor.

[Jen]

Hi! Nice to meet you at the Canteen. I'm glad you stopped in to visit with us and pay respects to our fighting men and women in uniform. Please visit daily if you can. We love new people here!