USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ Dear Soldier: You don't know me, but... ~ October 6 2003

Canteen Co-Captain LindaSOG and A Grateful American

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

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Dear Soldier:

You don’t know me, but I know you.  You were the boy next door, the kid who delivered my paper, the skinny girl in my daughter’s gymnastics class.  You played ball with my son and worked summers at my favorite burger joint.  We have probably never met, but I know you.

	You are a brother, sister, favorite niece or nephew, and someone’s best friend.  You are the child of parents who love you more than they can explain, feel pride words can’t carry, and bear a weight of worry they never dreamed possible.

There are probably a thousand things you’d rather be doing than what is before you now or what may be asked of you soon.  Combat is always possible when one wears the uniform, yet you donned it with full knowledge of the risks.  Not everyone would do it; I, for instance, did not.  Perhaps I’d make a different choice today but this time the decision was yours.  You chose to serve.

The type of people we consider heroes is kind of odd when you think about it:  athletes chasing records, movie stars and musicians, some of whom likely adorn posters in your old room back home.  Yet these folks rarely sacrifice more than time and effort, pursuing ambitions that profit only themselves.    There’s nothing wrong with that in itself; it’s what most of us do in some form or another.  It’s just not the stuff of heroes.   You, on the other hand, hazard your life for a wage that has many military families on food stamps.  You wager it for an ideal and a way of life, not wealth or fame.  If the chips fall wrong, the price you pay is for others.

Who’s the hero?  We’ll probably never know your name; I suspect you don’t care.  My own children are just short of military age but I have raised them to do what is right because it is right, not for gain, glory, or even gratitude.  If these things come, so much the better.  If not, your success is no less because personal reward wasn’t the object in the first place.

	Despite a few noisy voices, history shows the price of freedom is nothing less than blood.  It is not bought so much as leased, a fact some have forgotten after years of relative peace and the increasingly unrestrained license that has come to pass for liberty.  I admit some of us thought your generation might be the first to lose sight of that altogether.  We were wrong, and I’m glad.

I’d have written sooner but I’ve been pretty busy. If that sounds shallow, I suppose it is.  At least it finally occurred to me I have the luxury of busyness with career and family because you and hundreds of thousands like you are willing suit up, ship out, and take your chances.  Seeing your young face on television, a face I have seen at the playground and on the high school volleyball team and in the grocery store, drives home how very much you have on the line.  The least I can do is drop a note to say thanks.

	I do know you, and I know your family.  I know how anxious they are and how much they want for your future.  I understand how tremendously proud they are.  The rest of us are too, even if we’re too wrapped up enjoying the freedoms you protect to remember to say it.

Please look after yourself and be as careful as you can.  I will be praying for you and your family.  We all want you home safe.    A Grateful American

 

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

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[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Click on the graphics and I'll guide you
to the start of today's thread
by Canteen Co-Captain LindaSOG

LindaSOG will be away today observing Yom Kippur

Army	Navy	Marines	Air Force	Coast Guard

USO CANTEEN FREEPER STYLE MISSION STATEMENT
Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.
CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREAD.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thank You Co-Captain LindaSOG for today's thread.
Happy Yom Yom Kippur, see you on Tuesday.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

In Honor of those who gave their lives and those who were wounded.
Thank You Brothers and Sisters for your sacrifices.


And Thank You to ALL who have and still support our Armed Forces.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.

To our military readers, we remain steadfast in keeping the Canteen doors open.
The Canteen is Free Republics longest running daily thread specifically designed
to provide entertainment and morale support for the military.
The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.
We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.



FReepers:

If YOU are interested in participating in doing threads, either your own,
or helping on existing ones, please contact LindaSOG by FReep mail.

If you are interested in helping on a Sports or Music thread
please FReep mail MoJo2001

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Hondo1952 has provided the Canteen with this information.

Veterans Helping Hospitalized Veterans and Troops Overseas!

CLICK on Graphic to visit this site.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Have YOU signed this petition yet?

I have started a petition for Military Families and Veterans
Petitions Online ^ | 10/2/2003 | Armymarinemom
Posted on 10/02/2003 7:20 PM PDT by armymarinemom

"This petition will be up until May of 2004.
I would appreciate everyone spreading this link to all Military Families and Veterans Groups
who really support our country and Military."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN PETITION

[SevenofNine]

OH Linda Happy Yom Kippur

Latest from Hareetz wire Arafat just intiaitave Emergency meeting with his advisor on if he should lay smackdown on Israel for revenge on Islamic Jihad

Also UK Times reporting that maybe one of Blair folks that sex up report on WMD

Also reporting off Jerserlum Post that Saddam had weapons not as much they were move to Syria

Gee now I understand why IDF lay smackdown on Syria

NICE GOIN Syria

[SevenofNine]

OH MAN breaking news off Hareetz wire TWO ITEMS

Report that IDF has lay smackdown on more target in Syria killing two miltants

That cool

Also report off Hareetz wire that IDF in Israel busted two more miltants connect to Saturday bombing

BUSTED ITTTT


Also Wash Times reporting that husband of expose CIA agent is plan to campaign as revenge on Dubya administration leak the name of CIA agent

He going campaign with Demos he said he very hurt

He feel Dubya don't want get bottom of this

MAN what diva

I think Dubya getting bottom of this

He cooperate unlike Ex-42 and Hill Beast


Well ain't the truth here

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

CLICK HERE for Troop Prayer Thread 8

Thank You

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Happy Yom Kippur

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

From the men in the Military and the Canteen

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[Fawnn]

G'nite....

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Monday !

Have a cup while you FReep !

For those who prefer hot chocolate.....

[MEG33]

Thanks,Meek.Happy Monday to all.Thank You to each and every one of you serving this Nation.God Bless Our Armed Forces!