USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ New Canteen Mission Statement ~ January 21 2003

68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub and FRiends of the Canteen

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Due to an ever changing world it is time to clarify and re-define the Canteen Mission Statement.
When the Canteen first opened on Oct 7 2001 it was in response to the tragic events of 9/11.
It also opened the first day of the war on terror.
At that time there was overwhelming support for the war effort and the military.
Now that we are on the verge of a new phase of the war on terror
there exists an enemy within that has surfaced again.
All one has to do is read or watch the news to see
the anti-American protests start again, just like in the 60's.
It is up to each one of us to counter this movement.
There are many FReepers who can and do attend the counter FReeps.


Join Operation Infinite FReep!

*Infinite FReep Bump List
Click Here to find more Operation Infinite FReeps

For those who cannot attend these FReeps there are many things we can do to support our military.

Henceforth the Canteen Mission Statement is:

Showing support AND boosting the morale
of our military and our allies military
AND the family members of the above.
AND Honoring those who have served before.

So if you see a thread, a post, have an idea etc
that aligns with the Canteen Mission please link it or post it on the daily thread.
If you are a participant in an Operation Infinite FReep please post your notices or reports here.

Know that daily active duty military and their family members come here.
Show them that WE do care and DO stand behind them and their efforts to protect our Freedom.

[LaDivaLoca]

Darn! I just noticed a typo:callenges = challenges

[LaDivaLoca]

[tomkow6]

Kitchen Plaque Sayings
- - - - - - - - - - -
A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.

A Clean House Is A Sign Of A Misspent Life.

A Husband Is Someone Who Takes Out The Trash And
Gives The Impression He Just Cleaned The Whole House.

A Messy Kitchen Is A Happy Kitchen... And This
Kitchen Is Delirious.

Help keep the kitchen clean - Eat OUT.

Housework Done Properly Can Kill You.

If we are what we eat, then I'm easy, fast and cheap.

My next house will have no kitchen --- just
vending machines.

No Husband Has Ever Been Shot While Doing The Dishes.

Thou shalt not weigh more than thy refrigerator.

[Kathy in Alaska]

STEELWORK — U.S. Navy Steelworker 3rd Class Gary Washburn of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Five operates a blow torch, shaving off metal from a sentry gate latch that needed repairing during the construction of a 500-man tent camp for future operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographers Mate 1st Class Brien Aho

[Kathy in Alaska]

Army Pfc. Edward L. Stokes, of the Florida National Guard’s Troop E, 153rd Cavalry, from Ocala, Fla., prepares equipment Jan. 12 for a three-week deployment to Fort Stewart. More than 100 soldiers from the scout unit will help train Florida National Guard infantry soldiers deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Photo by Lt. Col. Ron Tittle

Florida Guard Scouts Support Deployment

By Army Pfc. Bradley A. Staggs
107th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

OCALA, Fla. — It would have been easy to be miserable on a January morning in Florida that started cold and simply got colder as the hours passed, especially once the rain started. It would have been easy to complain about being taken away from family and friends to drive several hours in a noisy 5-ton truck with heat coming only from the engine. But not on this day. And not from these men.

Florida Army National Guard scouts of Troop E, 153rd Cavalry deployed for three weeks to Fort Stewart, Ga., to support Florida soldiers of the 53rd Infantry Brigade headed overseas for Operation Enduring Freedom. Using their annual training time, Troop E was tasked to assist as opposition forces, or OPFOR, to train the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 124th Infantry Regiment.

“We’ll help our guys any way we can,” Sgt. Theron Nelson of Troop E said, as he prepared his vehicle for the convoy to Georgia. “Our role happens to be in support of the guys going overseas.”

The mood among the soldiers working to prepare their vehicles and equipment was upbeat and spirits were high even as some breathed on their hands to keep warm. The Ocala-based soldiers knew their mission was vital in order to assure success of the 124th Infantry Regiment they are helping to train. In their role as OPFOR, the soldiers of Troop E will set up ambushes, attack using unconventional methods, and use civilian style housing to hide in as they make the experience for the 124th Infantry Regiment as real as possible.

With the operations underway in the Persian Gulf, the importance of Troop E’s training mission was not lost on 1st Lt. Lance Sellon, a platoon leader. “Certainly it (raises the importance level), but one of the things we always pride ourselves on is always trying to train at a high level. Regardless of what our mission is, we are always doing our best so 2nd and 3rd Battalion will benefit from the training.”

Many of the Troop E soldiers noted that preparations for their own deployment to Fort Stewart gave them a taste of what personal considerations they needed to take care of prior to deployment. They said families need to be taken care of as well as bills and the little everyday things most of us take for granted, but thanks to an Army pre-mobility program, most were prepared and will be ready if the call comes.

Nelson summed up his feelings: “My family doesn’t like me leaving, but they understand and support me and the guys in my unit. They know when the call comes, I’ll be here. I’m a can-do soldier.”

More than 1,000 soldiers from the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 124th Infantry Regiment mobilized and deployed to Fort Stewart on Jan. 6 for additional training and processing. The 1st Battalion of the 124th Infantry Regiment based out of Miami received their mobilization orders on Jan. 12, with orders to report to Fort Stewart no later than Jan. 19.

[tomkow6]

Politically Correct Terms For Males

* He does not have a beer gut;
He develops a LIQUID GRAIN STORAGE FACILITY.
* He is not quiet; He is a CONVERSATIONAL MINIMALIST.
* He does not have a fabulous rear end;
He has achieved BUTTOCKS PERFECTION.
* He is not stupid; He suffers from MINIMAL CRANIAL DEVELOPMENT.
* He does not get lost all the time;
He discovers ALTERNATIVE DESTINATIONS.
* He is not balding; He is in FOLLICLE REGRESSION.
* You do not buy him a drink;
You initiate an ALCOHOL-FOR-CONVERSATION EXCHANGE.
* He does not fart and belch; He is GASTRONOMICALLY EXPRESSIVE.
* His jeans are not too tight; He is ANATOMICALLY UNDERCIRCULATED.
* He is not a redneck; He is a GENETICALLY-RELATED AMERICAN.
* You do not kiss him; you become FACIALLY CONJOINED.
* He is not a cradle robber;
He prefers GENERATIONALLY DIFFERENTIAL RELATIONSHIPS.
* He does not get falling-down drunk;
He becomes ACCIDENTALLY HORIZONTAL.
* He does not act like a total ass;
He develops A CASE OF RECTAL-CRANIAL INVERSION.
* He is not shortHe is ANATOMICALLY COMPACT.
* He does not have a rich daddy;
He is a RECIPIENT OF PARENTAL ASSET INFUSION.
* He does not constantly talk about cars;
He has a VEHICULAR ADDICTION.
* He does not have a hot body; He is PHYSICALLY COMBUSTIBLE.
* He is not unsophisticated; He is SOCIALLY MALFORMED.
* He does not eat like a pig; He suffers from REVERSE BULIMIA.
* He does not hog the blankets; He is THERMALLY UNAPPRECIATIVE.
* He is not a sex machine; he is ROMANTICALLY AUTOMATED.
* He is not a male chauvinist pig; he has SWINE EMPATHY.
* You do not undress him with your eyes;
You have AN INTROSPECTIVE PORNOGRAPHIC MOMENT.
* He is not afraid of commitment; he is MONOGAMOUSLY CHALLENGED.

[LaDivaLoca]

Canteen Mission Statement - BUMP!

I was truly thankful and thrilled to have discovered FR and most especially the USO Canteen thread where I can say THANK YOU and give honor to the men and women who have served and are currently serving in our Military.

[TEXOKIE]

ROFL!!!!

"A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand. "....especially if one is an oatmeal raisin cookie and the other is a chocolate chip cookie...the chewy variety, of course!

"A Messy Kitchen Is A Happy Kitchen... And This Kitchen Is Delirious. "

"Housework Done Properly Can Kill You. "

Uh oh...looks like you nailed me with those!!

Here's a clue as to why this might be true!!

[TEXOKIE]

Here's another kitchen plaque saying!

BLESS THIS MESS!

[SAMWolf]

You're welcome. I'll keep my eyes our for 82nd pictures to post.

[SAMWolf]

Current Military News
82nd Airborne Live Fire Training

Soldiers of the 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th PIR of U.S.Army's 82nd Airborne, hold a position near a target at a fictitious enemy area during a live fire training Tuesday Jan. 21, 2003 at a firing range near the U.S. base in Kandahar, Afghanistan


Soldiers of the 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th PIR of U.S.Army's 82nd Airborne dash to a fictitious enemy position during a live fire training at dusk of Tuesday Jan. 21, 2003 at a firing range near the U.S. base in Kandahar, Afghanistan


Soldiers of the 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th PIR of U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne, get off from a helicopter near a fictitious enemy position during a live fire training Tuesday Jan. 21, 2003 at a firing range near the U.S. base in Kandahar, Afghanistan


Soldiers of the 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th PIR of U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne, secure the position near a fictitious enemy position during a live fire training Tuesday Jan. 21, 2003 at a firing range near the U.S. base in Kandahar, Afghanistan


Soldiers of the 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th PIR of U.S.Army's 82nd Airborne, advance to a fictitious enemy position during a live fire training Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003 at a firing range near the U.S. base in Kandahar, Afghanistan

[TEXOKIE]

WOWOWOW!!!! OH SAM THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH ONCE MORE FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!!!! THESE PICS ARE GREAT!!! You have no idea how meaningful they are to me and my family!! Thank you so very very much for keeping us in mind!!

[SAMWolf]

37,000 Troops, 2 Carriers Heading to Gulf


WASHINGTON - The Army is sending its most modern combat division to the Persian Gulf region and the Navy is dispatching two aircraft carriers to join two others already within striking distance of Iraq, officials said Tuesday.


The Army's 4th Infantry Division, equipped with tanks, attack helicopters and artillery to defeat armored forces, is heading a group of 37,000 soldiers ordered to reposition in the Persian Gulf region. Their equipment will be shipped first, with the soldiers to go when final basing arrangements are worked out, officials said.


The Army announced on Monday that Task Force Ironhorse will join tens of thousands of other American forces that have been assembling in preparation for possible war against Iraq.


On Tuesday, defense officials speaking on condition of anonymity said Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld had decided to order two more aircraft carriers to the Gulf region. They will be the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been in Perth, Australia, for repairs following a six-month tour in the Gulf region, and probably the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which is currently training off the U.S. East Coast. Rumsfeld also is considering sending one or two more carriers to the region, for a possible total of six.


At U.S. Atlantic Fleet headquarters in Norfolk, Va., a spokesman, Lt. Cmdr. Dave Werner, said Tuesday that the fleet commander, Adm. Robert Natter, had received a Pentagon (news - web sites) order to deploy an additional carrier battle group but had not yet decided whether it would be the Roosevelt or the USS George Washington.


The 4th Infantry Division, nicknamed the Ivy Division, is considered the Army's most lethal, modern, and deployable heavy division, with the most sophisticated information-gathering, command and control equipment.


In addition to about 12,500 soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, nearly 4,000 soldiers from the division's 3rd Brigade at Fort Carson, Colo., and more than 20,000 troops from 10 other installations comprise the task force, according to Fort Hood spokesman Cecil Green.


Green said he could not provide more details, such as the country where the soldiers will be deployed or when they would ship out.


Officials in Washington said it was possible that parts or all of the task force would go to Turkey. The Pentagon has wanted to put ground forces into Turkey to establish the option of invading Iraq from the north. Thousands of U.S. forces already are in Kuwait, training for a possible attack on Iraq from the south.


The Turkish government had resisted the U.S. request for base access for ground forces, but U.S. officials said Tuesday that an agreement was in the works to permit basing of roughly 20,000 troops there.


Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Monday met with Turkish military leaders in Ankara, the capital. Afterward he refused to discuss details.


"Turkey has been a very cooperative partner," Myers told reporters. "I would expect them to be in the future as well."


Elsewhere on Iraq's periphery, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been reluctant to host a large number of U.S. ground forces, although it does accommodate U.S. air forces. The operations center from which the air portion of an Iraq war would be orchestrated is at Prince Sultan Air Base, south of Riyadh, the Saudi capital. In the 1991 Gulf War (news - web sites), most U.S. ground forces entered Iraq and occupied Kuwait from Saudi territory.


Rumsfeld apparently gave the go-ahead to deploy Task Force Ironhorse last week. In remarks to the Reserve Officers Association on Monday, Rumsfeld made no reference to the Army deployment and said it remained possible that the Iraqi crisis could be resolved peacefully.


Rumsfeld insisted that, if war comes, the United States will not have to act alone.


"Let there be no doubt, there are large numbers of countries that are signed up to be helpful in the event that force is needed in dealing with Iraq," he said. "This business about going it alone or unilateral is nonsense. There are a substantial number of countries that are ready to help. There are also a number of countries that are ready to help after it's over in terms of a coalition to assist with the humanitarian aspects of the country."


In a series of deployment orders dating to Dec. 24 last year, Rumsfeld has given the go-ahead for at least 125,000 U.S. forces to head toward the Gulf. They will join the roughly 60,000 troops already training there, and Pentagon plans call for the total eventually to reach 250,000 for war and postwar stabilization.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Fiddlstix, for the surfer music this morning, along with the coffee and donuts.

[Fiddlstix]

Glad you enjoyed it J

[tomkow6]

Hey, Beth! Think we can con SG into cooking supper for us today? I think you need some "mama" cookin'!

[TEXOKIE]

Hey...me too please?...huh? me too Ms Grit? I need some mama cookin too!!! You did so good the other night! I'll bring salad!

[Kathy in Alaska]

A rescuer climbs to passengers in one of six cable cars trapped on a mountain near Pawagadh, in remote western India. Three other cars carrying visitors to a mountaintop temple plunged to the ground when a support cable snapped. Seven people were killed and 25 injured. The Indian Air Force plucked 35 people from the stranded cars.

[blackie]

Mission Statement ... Bump!

Be Well - Be Armed - Be Safe - Molon Labe!

[southerngrit]

Sure, TK. I'll be glad to cook for the Canteen tonight.

I need some requests, though...I'll have to go shopping on my way home from work.

Do you feel like something southern, or since you are so COLD up there, do ya need something that'll stick to your bones?

For all of you affected with 'the crud' - let me know what sounds appetizing. All requests must be submitted prior to 3 p.m. CST so that I have time to put a decent meal on the table!!