USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ More Canteen Thanksgiving Messages to the Military ~ November 28 2002

68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub and FRiends of the Canteen

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

On the eve of Thanksging we paused to remember those who are overseas.
Many of our service men and women will be spending their 1st Thanksgiving
away from home, family and friends.
Today military stationed in the continental United States will be celebrating Thanksgiving.
It is because of their devotion to duty, honor and country
that we will be able to celebrate Thanksgiving.

[radu]

Thank you for the flowers you deliver to the Canteen Girlz each day, Tonk. This is a gorgeous centerpiece for the dining table today.

(HUG) (HUG) (HUG) (HUG) (HUG) (HUG) (HUG)
I had a lot of hugs to make up for. I know I've been away too much the past few days.

[Soaring Feather]

Hey radu, good to see you!

How's it goin' in the bat cave? We have had a wonderful time here tonight, hope the troops enjoyed it!

Took that huge Limo out for a spin around the bases, they kept leaving me, although that was denied!! LOL

Whipped out on some beach, never did see what happened there! LOL

That crazy Radix put my phone number on the board!
Can you believe that? Just can't trust anyone today! LOL

[radu]

Howdy, Dubya! Good to see you!

It was a good day, hectic, but good. But I have to say I'm glad everyone's asleep so I can sit down and spend some time here. I've been getting antsier by the day. hahahaha!

[radu]

Doggone! It sounds like I've missed some fun. I tried to get everyone so full they'd conk out early but darn if they didn't gulp a bunch of coffee!! LOL! They're out for the count now and I'm gonna do my best to get through this whole thread. I've missed entirely too much lately and I've missed everyone soooooo much!

[Soaring Feather]

Big surprise for you kiddo!

Thank you for being here in the Canteen you have helped me so much!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good night and sweet dreams, ms feather. God bless you good for all you do to help the USO Canteen FReeper Style honor our troops and veterans and families and allies every single day. It takes ALL of us to keep this place a safe haven for our troops to catch a little piece of home. So many of them talked about the "Wild Riders of the Night". And you are such a big part of helping on those rides. It makes me laugh how we feed off of each others talents.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

[SevenofNine]

Here update on UK Times
There is report that Ariel Sharon has gave order for BOTH IDF and Mossad go after any suspect connect to this bombing this is update to the story I told you about Kathy

Also UK Times also reporting that FBI few hours before the attack had warning they thought it might be goof

YEAH RIGHT

NICE GOIN FBI

[radu]

WOW!! Would you look at that limo! You really know how to treat us like queens, Tonk!! This is awaesome.

[Soaring Feather]

Good night ~ dearest Kathy In Alaska!

[Kathy in Alaska]

#277 Happy Thanksgiving, radu and Mr radu.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Seven, for the update. Go IDF and Mossad! Get the murderers.

[radu]

Ooooo, I like surprises, if they're good ones any way.

Hmmm, I'm not sure how I've helped you....I see it as the other way around. So thank you :-))

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

This had to be one of my best Thanksgivings ever!
Spent the day working in the Operations Office and going out on 3 different boats.
1st 2 were as a breakin crew member while Coast Guard base family members were taken out on one hour cruises.
The "cruises" included man overboard drills etc.
At 3 PM we all sat down to eat one of the best Thanksgiving dinners I have ever had.
There I was shoulder to shoulder with my Coast Guard Brothers and Sisters and their families.
At 4 PM I went out on a boat that went 25 miles offshore
to pickup the father of
one of the 3 Coos Bay city firefighters who died Monday fighting a fire.
The father is a merchant seaman and trying to make it to the memorial service tomorrow.
He was on a slow moving tow barge at sea and would not make it in time.
So the Coast Guard was asked to pick him up.
The scene of family members that met hinm on the pier was heartbreaking.

Oh yeah I had verification by the CO and XO
that yours truly, as a Coast Guard Auxiliary
actually made Coast Guard history!
I might even to telling you All about it,
but then again I might use it as "bait" to get you to come to tomorrow's thread. LOL

[radu]

LINDAAAAA!! You're back!!! Helloooooo!

[radu]

Hope you had a great time today celebrating Thanksgiving in WARM California. We're freezing here in Tenn. but had a good time.

Thanx for pointing me to Linda's surprise. Wow!

[Kathy in Alaska]

ABOARD USS MOUNT WHITNEY (LCC/JCC 20) - An air crew watches as a H-46 Sea Knight, 01, lands. Sea Knight helicopters and their crews were embarked from Air Squadron 6, Norfolk Naval Base, Va. to aid the ship and members of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa whose mission is to disrupt and defeat international terrorist groups posing threats against the United States.
Photo by: Cpl. Andrew W. Miller

ABOARD USS MOUNT WHITNEY (LCC/JCC 20) -- A rigid inflatable boat(Zodiak)with fuel tanks enhances force protection for both the crew and members of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. The ship and the task force sailed from Norfolk, Va. Nov. 14 for northeast Africa to help fight terrorism.
Photo by: Cpl. Andrew W. Miller

ABOARD USS MOUNT WHITNEY (LCC/JCC 20)(Nov. 25, 2002) -- USS Mount Whitney, flagship of the Second Fleet/Commander Striking Fleet Atlantic, was headed for the shipyard in November. The crew was looking forward to a break. However, fate stepped in.

In early October, USS Mount Whitney's captain and crew were given a mission to northeast Africa, hosting the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa staff. An abundance of modifications were needed in a hurry, which suddenly put the ships' crew on "overtime." Within a short period of time, USS Mount Whitney would be sea- and mission-ready.

"To understand what modifications were made to the ship, one must first understand the planning that had to be made by the 2d Marine Division, (based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.), to figure out what services were needed to sustain the CJTF-HOA," said Maj. Christopher A. Feyedelem, CJTF-HOA commander-of-troops.

Division personnel paid a visit to the ship Oct. 6.

"Liaison trips are important steps to building cordial working relations with our hosts," explained Feyedelem, native of Norwalk, Ohio.

Pleased with the results of the visit, Division personnel could now begin building supply blocks, or pre-packaged supplies, needed for the deployment. For their part, the crew of the USS Mount Whitney also began preparing for the mission ahead.

By Oct. 8, Sailors were working feverishly to prepare the ship in time to deploy. Routine and scheduled maintenance had to be completed, as well as ensuring the ship could support the missions of the CJTF-HOA Marines and Sailors coming aboard.

First, U.S. Second Fleet relinquished all command and control spaces to CJTF-HOA. The joint operations center took on a new face, and CJTF-HOA information systems personnel were able to establish networks and communications links.

Berthing, or sleeping areas, were also prepared for CJTF-HOA personnel. This included new mattresses, pillows and privacy curtains.

Further, additional protection measures were implemented. A rigid inflatable boat (Zodiak) with fuel tanks and a small crane for the Zodiak was added to the boat decks. On the weatherdeck, additional gun mounts were added for .50 caliber machine guns and MK-19 grenade launchers. These additions increased the ship's fire power and more are to be added upon arrival in Rota, Spain. Ammunition lockers were also installed for both types of weapons.

Finally, H-46 Sea Knight helicopters were embarked from Air Squadron-6, Norfolk Naval Base, Va., and temporary working shelters were made for the crews.

Thanks to the crew's hard work, all of these changes and others have enhanced the working and living environments for CJTF-HOA personnel during their deployment aboard ship.

"USS Mount Whitney was made to ideally suite our mission," said Feyedelem. "The crew working with us has been great and cooperative in establishing our cordial relationship. Remember, we are one team, one fight."

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

WOW!
My Thanksgiving just got better!
Welcome Back!!!!
*HUG*

[radu]

I'm so glad you had such a wonderful day today, Tonk. Your exhuberance shines through cyberspace. Are your feet touching the ground yet? My guess is the answer is "Noooooooo". giggle!

That was so nice of the Coast Guard to go out to pick up that firefighter's father today. Even though it's a sad occassion, you made his day, I'm sure.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Are your feet touching the ground yet? My guess is the answer is "Noooooooo".

You guessed right!
*HUG*