USO Canteen FReeper Style FReeper FRiday Salutes George W.Bush ....November 1,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style and Snow Bunny

[Snow Bunny]

.

.

 

The USO Canteen FReeper Style
Delivering a Touch of Home

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.

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

.

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

.TODAY'S CANTEEN HONOREE

George W. Bush

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.

---

George Walker Bush
President
Commander in Chief

Have you noticed a difference in the salute given by our military men and women as President Bush walks by? Most folks would not notice anything, but military people see it right away. Watch: When President Bush leaves his helicopter or Air Force One, the honor guards salute and face him as he disembarks, then turn their faces towards him as he passes by. They continue to salute his back as he walks away. This kind of salute has not been seen in the previous eight years, though it is customary courtesy to the Commander-in-Chief. You see, soldiers aren't required to turn and face the President as they salute. They are not required to salute his back. They are only required to salute. They can remain face-forward the entire time. And that is what they did during Bill Clinton's entire Presidency. Our soldiers were forced to obey Clinton's orders, but they were not forced to respect him. From their salutes, we can surmise that they did not. Why is such respect afforded to President Bush? He doesn't even know how to bite his lower lip and not get teary-eyed whenever he speaks!

The following incident from Major General Van Antwerp may give us an insight. Gen. Antwerp is president of the Officers' Christian Fellowship. He lost nearly all his staff when the Pentagon was attacked Sept. 11. His executive officer LTC Brian Birdwell was badly burned and in the hospital when President Bush visited him. Our President spent time and prayed with Brian. As he was getting ready to leave, he went to the foot of Brian's bed and saluted. He held his salute until Brian was able to raise his burned and bandaged arm, ever so slowly, in return. The Commander-in-Chief never initiates a salute, except in the case of a Congressional Medal of Honor winner. The injured soldier did not have to return the salute. But he did, out of respect to his President - a Soldiers' President.

---

George Walker Bush is George and Barbara Bush's first child. George W., shown here in 1947, was born on July 6, 1946, as his father was finishing his studies at Yale University. George Bush grew up in Midland Texas.

---

During the 1950s, fathers had relatively little to do with raising their children. Barbara Bush (right) became the authority figure in the Bush household, taking care of everything from emergency hospital trips to entertaining kids during neighborhood parties at the house.

---

In 1961, George W. left the freewheeling Texas lifestyle for puritanical New England, where he followed in his father's footsteps by attending Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass. George W. told during one interview that his father had a "huge influence on my life." That influence continued as the younger Bush followed the pre-determined path set by his father and attended Yale University.

---

Former enlisted Air Guardsman George W. Bush (left) has his second lieutenant bars pinned on by his father, George H.W. Bush during a September 1968 commissioning ceremony.

George W. Bush applied to join the Texas Air National Guard on May 27, 1968, less than two weeks before he graduated from Yale University. The country was at war in Vietnam, and at that time, just months after the bloody Tet Offensive, an estimated 100,000 Americans were on waiting lists to join the Guard units across the country. Bush was sworn in on the day he applied. He served as an F-102 pilot for the Texas Air National Guard 1st Lt. George W. Bush flew F-102 Delta Dagger fighter jets from 1970 to 1973 with the 111th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Ellington Air Force Base, Texas. Anyone who flies in a high performance fighter is putting his A** on the line for country.

---

Bush fulfilled two years of active duty and completed pilot training in June 1970. During that time and in the two years that followed, Bush flew the F-102, an interceptor jet equipped with heat-seeking missiles that could shoot down enemy planes. His commanding officers and peers regarded Bush as a competent pilot and enthusiastic Guard member. In March 1970, the Texas Air National Guard issued a press release trumpeting his performance: "Lt. Bush recently became the first Houston pilot to be trained by the 147th [Fighter Group] and to solo in the F-102... Lt. Bush said his father was just as excited and enthusiastic about his solo flight as he was."

---

In Bush's evaluation for the period May 1, 1971 through April 30, 1972, then-Colonel Bobby Hodges, his commanding officer, stated, "I have personally observed his participation, and without exception, his performance has been noteworthy." He received a bachelor's degree from Yale University and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. Three months after meeting on a date arranged by friends, George W. and Laura Welch (fourth and fifth from left ) married on Nov. 5, 1977. Laura Bush: "In a lot of ways I guess I felt like I'd known him all my life without really having known him that well."

---

His worked in the oil and gas business in Midland in 1975, and worked in theenergy industry until 1986. In 1977, George W. Bush startled the political scene when he won the congressional primary against established candidate Jim Reese. After working on his father's successful 1988 presidential campaign, he assembled the group of partners that purchased the Texas Rangers baseball franchise in 1989.

---

In 1981, George W. and Laura Bush added to the extended Bush clan when they had twin girls. They were named Barbara and Jenna, after their grandmothers. Over the years, the family retreat on the coast in Kennebunkport, Maine, became a place for the elder Bush to escape from the political landscape of Washington and a place of support for his son, George W., and his family.

---

Cowboy George down on the Texas Ranch

Our cowboy and his girl , beautiful Laura

---

In January 1995, George W. celebrated his inauguration as governor of Texas with Laura in a parade down Congress Avenue in Austin. In an historic re-election victory, he became the first Texas Governor to be elected to consecutive four-year terms on November 3, 1998, winning 68.6 percent of the vote.

---

In 2001 George W. Bush became President of the United States of America.
And Commander in Chief of our wonderful armed forces.

---

It’s a family thing, and we are glad.

---

---

A chew toy away from the Presidency…….

Spot , Barney their cat India

President Bush’s Favorites: Color Blue Ice cream Pralines and Cream Pastimes Reading,
jogging, fishing, watching baseball games.

---

September 11,2001

Terrorists strike our homeland MURDERING Americans as well as people from many other countries.

A man NOT a draft dodger, a MAN not a wimp strikes back in no uncertain terms.

A MAN to be respected by the entire world. Our Commander In Chief, President Bush.

President George W. Bush gives an emotional speech at the Pentagon
October 11, 2001

"Our war on terror begins with al Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated. " "Americans are asking: How will we fight and win this war? We will direct every resource at our command -- every means of diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law enforcement, every financial influence, and every necessary weapon of war -- to the disruption and to the defeat of the global terror network" "Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. " "This is not, however, just America's fight. And what is at stake is not just America's freedom. This is the world's fight. This is civilization's fight. This is the fight of all who believe in progress and pluralism, tolerance and freedom. "

"The civilized world is rallying to America's side. They understand that if this terror goes unpunished, their own cities, their own citizens may be next. Terror, unanswered, can not only bring down buildings, it can threaten the stability of legitimate governments. And you know what -- we're not going to allow it." All quotes by President George W. Bush

---

His quiet confidence let our enemies know that they made a grave miscalculation.
Now, this same man who practiced his faith through a tough election,
who steeled his convictions even more in a drawn-out Florida battle, and who
never once gave in to the temptation to get in the gutter with his foes,
this same man now lifted the weight of the world and
the responsibility of a generation and put it on his modest shoulders
as though it were another unpleasant duty.

---

[BeachBelle]

Tom hears voices, eh? hmmmmmm

I think there's a medication for that. : )

Jeb Bush was in our little beach community today...
I remember when you got to shake President Bush's hand!

(I've been doing my homework, Duchess)
When am I going to learn how to make dolls?

[Kathy in Alaska]

"Is this a little too, too for the flight?"

Weeeeeeeeeeellllllll...maybe just a little too. Western wear seems to be tonight's choice. I think the President will be in our Nation's Capital taking care of this great Nation. Praise God that he is there!

[PhilDragoo]

Snow Bunny

Thank you for posting the picture of Ted Maher at 32.

Ted's other home on Free Republic is the current Ted Maher thread.

Ted's plight is similar to that of Paul Burrell, Princess Diana's "rock"--wrongly accused ally of the deceased.

I've been contacted by Edmond's friends who warn the widow "is a lethal opponent" and "is behind all this".

The state of our fighting force is readiness honed with purpose.

From the return to sea of Kitty Hawk to the reception given the SecNav speaking at sea,

The Finest Fighting Force on Earth is Ready to Roll.

God Speed to them and good riddance to So Damn' Insane.

[BeachBelle]

I read and enjoyed! LOL!

Thanks for sharing.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I'll hook you up with one of the guys' credit cards. Hold the phone. I'm in the middle of a transaction. : ) (Check your mail in a little bit.)

[tomkow6]

You're just jealous that the "voices" don't talk to you............

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Sam, for the information on our President's father, the first President Bush.

[BeachBelle]

Love your "kittiez", Tom. But I gotta tell you that they're considered a "Delicacy" in some parts of Alabama!

I've been pulling sandspurs out of my kitty all day...

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Actually, I am - yeah.

[tomkow6]

Piece of Cake? Sure it is...!

My "voices" inform me that they know what every thig-a-ma-jig, and thig-a-ma-bob on this ship and are thourghly familiar to them. "They" have flown this vessel MANY times on a pirated copy of Microsoft "Flight-Stimulator"!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Kiddo, you do me proud! The Useless News Tidbits is terrific! Job well done. ROTFLMAO!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks Mr_M for today's history lesson about the U-2A.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Jen, that is so cute. Is Mo as out in the open as he looks? It must really keep you busy keeping Killian and Missy's cat away from him. Or did one squirt of the water bottle get the message thru to them? Does he avail himself of all the amenities available?

[Jen]

Most people recognize Montgomery County, Md., Police Chief Charles Moose as the chief spokesman during the October sniper attack crisis. However, few know that he wears another uniform: as Air Force Maj. Charles Moose, squadron commander in the District of Columbia Air National Guard. Photo courtesy of the Montgomery County Department of Police.

Popular Moose Lodges Success in Other 'National' Setting

[SAMWolf]

Date: 09/21/2001 02:32 AM EDT
From: A Michigan Family
To: President George W. Bush
Subject: Children's Questions

Dear Mr. President,

Thank you for your very eloquent speech to the Congress.

As my two nine-year-old sons sat with their mother and I listening and watching your speech, my one son asked, " Is all of this because of what happened last week to the people in New York and Washington?" I said, "Yes it is."

He said, "Daddy, this must be pretty important, isn't it?" I said, "Yes it is."

He said, "Couldn't we just close all of the tunnels and bridges and airports to the rest of the world so that no one could get in?" I answered to him that doing that would not let Americans be free. We would be defeating our selves instead of defeating the terrorists.

He said, "Is The President going to make sure that we will be free?" I said that The President, our neighbors, our soldiers, and our family will make sure that America will always be free.

"Good", he said, "This is important. Its good to be free. We should always be free."

My heart swelled with the pride that a father can only feel for his son, knowing that even at nine years old, a boy in America understands what the terrorists will never know.

God Bless us all.


A Michigan Family
Michigan

---

Date: 09/25/2001 04:13 PM EDT
From: Michael
To: President George W. Bush
Subject: A Great Little Guy

Dear Mr. President,

I just had to tell you about a special little boy, my son. He is 10 years old and has cancer (medulla blastoma) both in the brain and in the spine.

After seeing the New York disaster on television, he said, "Dad, I would like to do something for all those people because I know that there are many who are sicker than I am." Of course tears came into my eyes.

He had spent 12 to 18 hours a day making buttons to sell so he could donate all to the people in New York. A local shopping center, after hearing what he was going to do, let him place his little table with his buttons anywhere, and the television station featured him that night.

He still continues to go to that shopping center in the heat and sells his buttons to help. I know that what he is doing is so very small as compared to what is happening in the rest of the country and all that you are doing, but maybe if you get to read this, you or someone of your staff could just take the time to send him a "hello" as for what little time he may have left to his life. He is a great little guy.

Michael

---

Date: 09/24/2001 01:28 PM EDT
From: Second Grade Class at Washington Elementary School in Canton, Ohio
To: President George W. Bush
Subject: 2nd Grade "Heroes" poem

Dear Mr. President,

Mrs. Konigsberger's Second Grade Class
Washington Elementary School
Canton, Ohio

"HEROES"
Inspired by "Ground Zero Heroes"
Dedicated to our heroes nationwide

H is for . . .
your helping hands and huge hearts,
the hours of hard work, the headaches,
the heartaches, the heroic acts you do,
and the honor you bring to our country.

E is for . . .
your effort and unending supply of energy,
the excellence in the example that you set,
the eyes that look up to you and look to
you for help, and for the encouragement you
give to everyone every day.

R is for . . .
the real life role models that you are,
your quick response for help and rescue,
for reassuring, recovering, and returning
without the promise of a personal reward.

O is for . . .
all you do for others, overcoming fears,
your occupation of helping and saving,
your obvious dedication and bravery,
and your outstanding commitment to bettering
our world.

E is for . . .
each time you endanger your life to help,
exceeding expectations and going the extra
mile, for the hardships you endure in your
experience, and the education and enrichment
you provide.

S is for . . .
the service and the standards you set for
society, the many selfless acts,
the sacrifice, the lives you save,
the sadness you see, and all of the small
things that seem to go unnoticed.

---

Date: 09/17/2001 06:33 PM EDT
From: A Soldier
To: President George W. Bush
Subject: We'll Be Ready

Dear Mr. President,

Siimply put ... thank you, Sir.

I'm a First Lieutenant in a National Guard unit in Alabama. You're setting an outstanding example for all forces of the U.S. and the world.

Just say the word, we'll be ready.

A Soldier
"Where Eagles Dare"

---

Date: 09/21/2001 09:06 PM EDT
From: Keith
To: President George W. Bush
Subject: Re-enlist Wishes

Dear Mr. President,

Your speech tonight was glorious and inspirational. I have proudly served my country for over 21 years in the United States Air Force. I had planned on submitting my retirement paperwork next month; however, will now re-enlist as soon as I can. I'm proud to do so and proud you are my Commander. God bless you and the United States of America.

Keith

---

Date: 09/20/2001 01:54 PM EDT
From: John
To: President George W. Bush
Subject: I am an American

Dear Mr. President,

I am an American.
I am not of one color, but of many.
My forefathers are not from one country, but from all countries.
I have brothers and sisters from Washington state to Washington D.C.,
from California to the Carolinas, from Hawaii to New Hampshire,
from Alaska to Alabama, and from Minnesota to Mississippi.


I am an American.
I believe in the importance of sharing Thanksgiving Dinner with your family,
and Fourth of July parades with your community.
I enjoy the peace of Christmas Day, and the excitement of New Year's Eve.

I am an American.
I believe in a kind and benevolent God,
Who does not condone the taking of innocent life.
I believe our worth is measured not by what we have,
but by what we do.

I am an American.
I believe in Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness,
The Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
And I believe in the Pledge of Allegiance to Our Flag.

I AM AN AMERICAN,
AND I WILL NOT ALLOW
OUR FREEDOM TO BE DEFEATED!

John
Rome, New York

[Soaring Feather]

I think the President will be in our Nation's Capital taking care of this great Nation. Praise God that he is there!

---

yup right you are!!

[HiJinx]

Ms. Feather, this is a little too, too. What you're wearing is just fine!

[Jen]

Yes, he's out in the open - in my sunroom where I have my computer. He has a view of the backyard bird feeders and a hummingbird feeder. He is allowed on his playground only when someone is in the sunroom, I would never leave him there alone with 2 cats on the prowl! It's taken many blasts of a squirt bottle, but Killian and Sasso don't bother him very often. Still, I don't trust them alone with Mo. He enjoys all the amenities, except for the swing. I'll put him on it and he immediately starts working on getting off of it. He really likes the rope bridges and climbing all the way to the top where there is a toy with a bell on it.

[LaDivaLoca]

What a wonderful surprise! A fitting tribute to our beloved President. One may have differences with him with regards to issues but one thing no one can dispute is the fact that President Bush is a decent and honest man. I trust him and he has proven himself time and time again that is he worthy of the office and that he is a true leader. God bless him and watch over him and may He continue to guide GWB in these trying times.

He has class, grace and shrewd to the hilt. Need I say more?

[Soaring Feather]

Oh that's so cute!!!

Thanks HiJinx, very thoughtful of you.