USO Canteen FReeper Style ....High Flight .... October 30,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style and Snow Bunny

[Snow Bunny]

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The USO Canteen FReeper Style
Delivering a Touch of Home

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A Touch of Home

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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.

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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Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields. 

John McCrae 

High Flight

High Flight was composed by
Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee, Jr.,
an American serving with the
Royal Canadian Air Force.

He was born in Shanghai, China
in 1922, the son of missionary
parents, Reverend and Mrs. John
Gillespie Magee; his father was an
American and his mother was
originally a British citizen.

He came to the U.S. in 1939
and earned a scholarship to Yale,
but in September 1940 he enlisted
in the RCAF and was graduated as
a pilot. He was sent to England for
combat duty in July 1941.

In August or September 1941,
Pilot Officer Magee composed
High Flight

He then sent a copy to his parents.
Several months later, on
December 11, 1941 his Spitfire
collided with another plane over
England and Magee, only 19 years
of age, crashed to his death.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vc

His remains are buried in the
churchyard cemetery at Scopwick, Lincolnshire.

The poem, High Flight, has over
the years become a mantra to pilots.
It is a tribute to, and in memory of
pilots of all generations.

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high unsurpassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee
No 412 squadron, RCAF
Killed 11 December 1941

[Soaring Feather]

ZOUNDS KATHY

HUB BA HUBBA

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Hahah - I love "Trading Spaces" - but you knew that. ; ) (I can expect you to be posting graphics first thing in the morning, then! LOL)

After you master that, I'll show you where we "shop" for clothes. There are a couple of guys here with the credit cards, and if you're really nice to them, they'll let you use 'em. ; )

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Oh, I like that one! Thank you, Tonkin! (How are you feeling tonight, my friend and temporary Canteen guardian?)

[Soaring Feather]

Oh thank you for this most welcome sight!

Troops and guys from the Canteen I really appreciate this tonight, I am about fit to be tied!

You see I'm already bundled up for a cold night!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Coffee, just in case you froze today. Food for the body.

Food for the soul.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[Kathy in Alaska]

There can never be too many people coming to the troops Canteen to honor them, both past and present. We have a lot of fun doing it, bringing them a piece of home, providing some fun stuff, lots of pictures of them, in hopes that their loved ones will see them and as a reminder to the rest of us about what they are doing to protect us, lots of jokes that they tell us (especially Burka Man and Mr_Magoo) they really enjoy, news stories and all sorts of other neat stuff. I'm glad you are joining us in that honor.

Duchess is sure a good shopper and she's so willing to share. (Don't tell her I said that.) But, she has this little problem: speed. She has to be watched on occasion. LOL!

[Kathy in Alaska]

southerngrit, it was lots of fun having you join the night crew. Please come back any time, like tomorrow. And maybe FR will be better behaved.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

WOOHOO!
Had a GREAT Coast Guard "Fri" night!
We left to do helo ops on the 47 boat just before 6PM (sunset was 5:14PM today.)
We went out in the ocean about 2 miles offshore and met the helo.
Tonights traning involved lowering the rescue swimmer from the helo to the back of the boat.
Then raising and lowering the rescue basket.
My Brothers let me participate in the drills.
My task was to grab the lead line AFTER it hit the deck, then start pulling the line down.
You have to keep the line taught so it doesn't fly up into the rotors above.
What an awesome sight looking staright up at that 3000+lb helo
hovering over you with it's floodlight lighting up the boat.
My Brothers said I did my part just right.
After our drills were done the helo and swimmer went a little furher
out and practiced more while we stood by.
The sky was awesome tonight, clear and filled with stars.
WE swapped sea sorues about the ocean at night.
And WOOHOO! I'll be back in the AM for my watch.
That time in the ocean tonight is what I needed to re-find my peace of mind.
(Note to self, wear heavy socks next time. LOL)

[Kathy in Alaska]

I think you are right. These bugs have got to go!

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I heard that! : )

(Belle can tell you that in real life, I share my clothes and shoes, too. Don't I, Belle?)

So what's the problem with a little speed? And when are we gonna get to ride with the Coasties again?

[SevenofNine]

Breaking news off Reuters wire IDF just busted Senior Hezollarh member near Lebanon and Israeli border

Also earlier tonight there was report off Hareetz wire that Ariel Sharon coaltion govt has just fallen after resignation of another Minister

Good possibity EARLY ELECTIONS

[Kathy in Alaska]

LOL!! *HUG*

[Kathy in Alaska]

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

LOL!!! Thanks!
My feet were the only thing that got cold.
The full body floation suits keep you really warm.
Gloves, watchcap helmet, googles take of your head.
However my feet did get cold.
Thank You for dinner, coffee and the prayers.
*HUG*

[BringingUpPatriots]

Hi SNOW BUNNY!
It's good to see you too. I am hoping next week, I'll be running a little bit less. How is everything going? I have been having trouble with posting and I am told that this weird stuff has been going on all week.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[southerngrit]

Thanks for the warm welcome. I'll visit as often as I can. If someone happens to draw my name for Christmas, I SURE would like to have a snazzy outfit like you guys - hint, hint,hint. I'm 5'2", reddish blonde hair - whatever ya'll feel is appropriate. Don't forget the bullwhip - it's an important accessory for crowd control - lol!

Of course, if you asked my kids they would tell you I need no more effective weapon than the famous "look". Ya'll will recognize it - words are completely unneccessary when mothers give their children 'the eye'. Maybe I can give lessons - ha!

Life is good, we live in the greatest country on earth, and I am glad I stumbled across this place. Ya'll are such good people.

I'm going to bed now. Carry on.

Love, Karen

[Kathy in Alaska]

I hope you are sleeping soundly. I finally got to read today's history. Thank you for doing it each day. And just this very minute my TV showed the very same NY Times newspaper cover as you did. LOL! You scooped em.