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

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style and Snow Bunny

[Snow Bunny]

.

.

The USO Canteen FReeper Style
Delivering a Touch of Home

.

.

A Touch of Home

.

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

.

.

.

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.

.

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]

Good Night Tonkin, Bless you and stay safe!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"How high above you?"

Picture night and a spotlight.

[Snow Bunny]

I know this looks crazy, but tomorrow is Halloween and all. Linda and I are on the phone and the thread for tomorrow.......tee hee.....is almost ready. That is why I am here and not here. A Bunny ghost. OH MY GOSH WAIT TILL YOU SEE WHAT LINDA HAS DONE.
Now where did I put my corn candy, or is it candy corn. LOL

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Um, NO, I DIDN'T take a ba........bat.........(I can't say the word)

You know, Tom, it's really nothing to be afraid of. I do it every day.

[radu]

giggle! I can't wait to see what you two have put together for the troops' Halloween Party. I know it's going to be fantastic!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

"He chose tonight to take us up on it."

Tonight was good. He could have chosen tomorrow night!

Hahahaha!

[radu]

Halloween transportation has just been arranged. hehehe!

Oooooh Tonk, I shiver with anticipation. I know it's going to be GOOD!!

HUG

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"One last question....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?"

Once the "Load" is in the helo, the helo starts to "back away" slowly
and once the line clears the boat the wench operator on the helo pulls it up.
Nite!
*HUG*

[Snow Bunny]

OH wow WOW Tonkin I just found your post about tonight. That is so fantastic what you did. Gosh I sure do love hearing about it. I can tell they are so proud of you and honored to know you and so am I.
Love ya my brother.
(((((( hug )))))))

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

NOW YOU'VE GOT ME TOTALLY EXCITED!!! Yipeee!!! (I just found my costume, too!)

[radu]

LOL! If he'd chosen tomorrow night, it would have been without me. I plan to be right here!

(I'm going easy on the graphics tonight because they still slow me down and I'm sooooo far behind. I'm not quite a master of them yet. giggle! With time.....)

[Snow Bunny]

ROTFL....you are so cute Duchess. Love the bathtub. hahahahaa

[BringingUpPatriots]

OH! So YOU'RE The one with the candy corn...I went out to the store today and all the candy corn was gone!!! I guess I'll have to come over and borrow a cup of "corn", neighbor! Tee Hee!

[Kathy in Alaska]

!??"¥f? Good night and sleep WELL. Watch those first few steps in the morning. Listen to Duchess, lots of water! God bless you good for your service to our country: years ago, now in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and here at the Canteen. Have a super day tomorrow. It's a little late to be asking, but uniform pressed, shoes shined and beard trimmed? *HUG*

[Snow Bunny]

OH goodie! She will be calling me back in a little while , then she is going to post it and I will ping everyone.
I love details and she has put a lot of details in it to see and what it says too is a kick.hahahaa

I am sooooooo glad you have a costume. yipeeeeeee

[Snow Bunny]

hhahahahaha...That is perfect that it was tonight and not Halloween night. Perfect.Glad you are here now Radu.

[radu]

Whoa, Kathy! Look at you!! Music!! Way to go!

[Snow Bunny]

Yes I am typing with my fingers crossed mentally anyway. haahaha Please Mr. Robinson keep FR ok and no more error messages. hahaahaha

[Soaring Feather]

Kathy, hold onto your hat!

Scarry things are gonna happen starting with this guy

This green guy is going to jump out and say Boooooooo to you!

Then..... a happy pumpkin is going to be lit who knows with what??

And your mother is not going to be very happy about any of this

[BringingUpPatriots]

I got kicked off a while ago and it took me a long time to get back on. My curfew is now...bummer dudette! I promised Quickdraw I would get my rest this week. I'll check out the thread first thing when I get up tomorrow.

Good Night and Thank You, Troops! I love ya'll! God Bless Every One Of You!!! God Bless All the Canteen, America and our President!

BUPPY