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

[Kathy in Alaska]

Stop that! DO NOT ENCOURAGE HER!

[Snow Bunny]

Fashion co-ordinator

I would flunk though I am barefoot, shorts and a t shirt right now. hahahahaa A sorelooserman t-shirt. hahahaha

[radu]

I'm ready to squish anything!! "Bugs" bugging FR, peaceniks, you name it!

[BringingUpPatriots]

Kathy,

I am so glad you are here to ask such great questions. My clue bag is empty!! Every time you ask Tonk about his day, you always ask the questions that I end up saying "Yeah! How DO they do that?" I can't wait for the answers now. Between you and Tonk, I am going to learn so much about the Coast Guard!

[radu]

BUPPY! It's good to see you!

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Halloween costumes! YIKES! I forgot to make one! [Note to self: Get on that.]

[Kathy in Alaska]

I have two of them and people still point at them and laugh. I love it!

[BringingUpPatriots]

Snow...You CAN'T flunk in a SoreLoserman t-shirt!! (my wardrobe has to be based on what doesn't itch).

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"What is the lead line attached to?"

The main line coming down from the helo.
NOTE: NEVER grab the lead line before it hits the deck 1st.
Otherwise you'll get a static electricity shock.

"If it's attached to the rescue basket, is it to keep the basket from spinning?"

Yes the line stabalizes the load, basket, pump etc.

"How does it get back up to the helo when you're done?"

You signal the helo with a thumbs up hand signal, it starts lifting the load,
you "feed" the line back up, hand over hand.
You have to keep tension on the line.

"That has to be an awesome sight to see the helo directly overhead. How high above you?"

100-200 FT.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Halloween costume? Hint

[Soaring Feather]

raduYou're running late I see!So glad you're home...
Remember to hide your self well

[BringingUpPatriots]

Hi Radu! Long time, no see!

[radu]

hehehe! I'm soooo ready for the party. I've got a couple of costumes, found some fu graphics, and thanx to so many here I'll actually get to play this time around. I'm so excited!!

[Soaring Feather]

"Bugs" bugging FR, peaceniks, you name it!

go give 'em girl!

[radu]

fu = fun

duuuuuuuh!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"DING DING, DING DING, DING DING"

Thanks for the curfew alarm.
I WILL sleep soundly tonight. LOL
YIPEE Coast Guard Watch Day in the AM!!!
God Bless and protect our allies and our allies military.
God Bless the USO Canteen.
Good Night All.

[Kathy in Alaska]

"Otherwise you'll get a static electricity shock."

I'll bet that someone only does that once. Is it like telling a kid "don't touch because it's hot", so they have to touch it to see for themselves? Hahaha! One last question....it's past 6 bells.....how does the last 200 feet of line get back up to the helo without causing rotor problems once it passes out of your hands?

[radu]

LOL!! I'm waaaaaaaay behind tonight. We took our friend, who fixed our computer, out to eat. He wouldn't accept payment for his efforts so we decided to wine and dine him. He chose tonight to take us up on it.

[Kathy in Alaska]

You are too funny with all the graphics. They're perfect. Keep it up. LOL!

[radu]

We've missed you, Buppy. I hope everything's been alright your way. I'm glad you're here tonight.