USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ Supporting the Military Help Wanted ~ February 19 2003

68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub and FRiends of the Canteen

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

USO Canteen FReeper Style looking for people to
help post threads, graphics, links, prayers, jokes etc each day.
Full or Part time help needed.
Pay = Knowing that you helped someone in the military know that they are not forgotten.

Credit to HiJinx for this quote.

"Each day we take some time to pass on a message of support
to our active duty personnel, their families and veterans.
Some of us spend hours on end in the Canteen, and others just post once.
Whichever you doesn't matter, it's getting the message out to those we support that matters!"

[Long Cut]

You have no idea HOW "cool". It took at least an hour to get all of us in place, then the helicopter shot footage for at LEAST another half-hour. The temp was low 40's, so we all were FREEZING, being used as we are to Florida's normally-mild temps. We had to stand at attention the whole time, too.

And that's AFTER standing at attention for two hours in the hangar for Inspection!

[radu]

Thank you!! That really is an awesome photo! Thanks again for sharing that with us.

[Long Cut]

BTW, if you look at the center of the picture, at the very top, you can just make out the shape of a man on top of the hangar. He's the guy who set it all up, and "directed the traffic" to get us in position.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good night and sleep well, snippy. Thank you for all you do for, and bring to, the Canteen. God bless you good!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

RESIZED at 50%

[Soaring Feather]

Thank you Long Cut.

It was hard and cool but well worth it and thanks a million for the picture!

TOOOOOOO COOOOOOOL

[Long Cut]

Hey, that looks great, Tonk! Thanks!

I'm glad you guys all like it!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

BTW: New work schedule released today.
Mine says the same! WOO HOO!

[radu]

I'm so tired, you had me there for a minute while the picture was loading. Computer a bit slow tonight for quite a few of us!

LOL! Sorry 'bout that! I got that from one of my buddies overseas and got a laugh out of it. Guess I should have said that first, huh?

Good night. Sleep well. Thank you for all your support for our fantastic Military!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"I'm glad you guys all like it!"

Well you know how much we love and admire the military here!
Thanks for sending it for us to see.

[Soaring Feather]

Thank you Tonkin!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hi Long Cut, Mrs. Cut, and Mini Cut! Awesome picture, just awesome!! Someone had a wonderful vision and then was able to put it into practice. I hope this isn't a dumb question, but is either of the Orion's yours?

[Kathy in Alaska]

"...representing four separete countries."

And the other 3 would be?

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Easy way to resize
Right click on pic, look at numbers
1st set = width, 2nd = height. I always add border = 0
I just divided by 2 and came up with
>IMG SRC="http://home.twcny.rr.com/shardsshadows/vp305x7.jpg" BORDER=0 HEIGHT=378 WIDTH=529 BORDER=0<

Of course I reversed the < to > so you could see it.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good night and sleep tight, Mrs Cut.

[Long Cut]

"is either of the Orion's yours?"

Yes, in fact, they're our two best-painted ones. VP-30 has about 25 such aircraft assigned to it.

All our training and maintinence takes place in the hangar behind them, too. We call it "The Schoolhouse", as VP-30, being the P-3 Replacement Air Group, has as its mission the training of ORION pilots, Naval Flight Officers, Flight Engineers, In-Flight Technicians, and, of course, Aviation Warfare Systems Operators (that's me).

[Long Cut]

"And the other 3 would be?"

Currently, our staff includes exchange officers and Aircrewmen from Norway, the Netherlands, Australia, and Canada. (oops, I meant FIVE)

At times, we also have BRITISH officers on as staff.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Please thank the guy who "directed the traffic" for all of us. We are certainly enjoying this picture. And thanks to you and all of your buddies for doing your part to keep America free. And thanks to all of you for your service to our country.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Another schedule change? Good thing yours didn't change. "Some things are non-negotiable." Helo ops day and Coast Guard Day and VA Day are all safe.

[Long Cut]

Here's the VP-30 official command patch, worn on all our flight suits:

Note the BIG eagle is carrying the LITTLE one as they chase the sub, and the LITTLE one has his graduation cap on!