Free Republic

. Welcome to The Canteen Chapel Although we are always aware that the Canteen is operatingin Cyberspace, we want the troops and anyone who is on the receiving end of prayers at the Canteen,to know that these prayers are very real. I hope the troops and Canteenersalike, will view this Canteen Chapel, as a place where you might go in times of trouble or times of joy to be with your God. "Come unto me all ye who are weary and burdened,and I shall give you rest." (Matt: 11:28). .. . The Chaplain's Corner . J. Grant Swank, Jr.,...

Feb. 7— MUNICH, Germany (Reuters) - Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld faces a hostile reception on Friday from German politicians and peace activists over his remark that the country's anti-war stance put it on a par with Libya and Cuba. Rumsfeld was due to address an annual security conference in the southern German city of Munich on Saturday and was expected to argue that allowing more time for weapons inspections in Iraq makes sense only if Iraq cooperates with the United Nations.Mass protests are planned in Munich on Friday and at the weekend against the security conference, Rumsfeld's visit and...

Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA Set for USO Tour to Cuba       WASHINGTON – The USO and Armed Forces Entertainment are sending Miss Universe® 2002 Justine Pasek, Miss USA® 2002 Shauntay Hinton and Miss Teen USA® 2002 Vanessa Semrow to visit military personnel in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Feb. 10–15.   They will mingle with the troops, sign autographs and tour military installations.  This is the trio’s second USO tour. Miss Universe® 2002 Justine Pasek works with internationally known AIDS and HIV organizations and the media to generate a better understanding and acceptance of AIDS and HIV, and...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “word for the day”. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the “word of the day”; in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... anfractuous\An*frac"tu*ous\, adjective: Full of twists and turns; tortuous. Etymology: From Late Latin anfractuosus, from Latin anfractus, winding : am-, ambi-, around; see ambi- + fractus, past participle of frangere, to break; see bhreg-...

The Ship Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) is America's most technologically advanced super carrier. CVN 76 represents the apex of Nimitz Class design advancements. 3D computer modeling and modular construction techniques used on the Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) have launched the future of aircraft carriers. Design improvements include higher capacity air conditioning, better power and lighting distribution, and a fiber optic-based network for improved communication and machinery monitoring. Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) also features a redesigned weapons elevator system and improved facilities for female personnel. CVN 76 Fast Facts • CVN 76 is 1092 feet long • Top speed exceeds...

Crew members of the Space Shuttle Columbia were concerned about the orbiter's damaged left wing according to United States Senator George Allen. (Republican-Virginia)One of the crew members, Mission Specialist David Brown, sent e-mail messages to his brother Doug during the mission, Allen said. In those e-mails, David Brown said that the crew took pictures of the left wing because they were concerned about it, Allen said.The Senator was only repeating information he recieved from Doug Brown, said his spokeswoman, Carrie Cantrell. There was no phone listing for Doug Brown's home in Arlington and he could not be reached today. A...

Freeper Enlightiator broke the foam story here on Freerepublic many long hous before the media ever touched it. Please read his gracious post regarding his scoop. Also hat's off to leadpenny for the original Columbia observation thread. In Memory of The COlumbiahttp://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/833885/posts?q=1&&page=51[ Browse | Search | Topics | Post Article | My Comments ] #368: Astronauts doomed from the start  ^ To: Jael; Prov1322; Lancey Howard; McGruff; kattracks All the credit goes to the guy who found out first!!! Enlightiator!!! I just did a few more google searches and got a tad more information. The original link at the NASA...

In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of “word for the day”. Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the “word of the day”; in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-) Practice makes perfect.....post on.... Thank you, VRWCMember, for today's WFTD! anabasis, noun:plural:anabases 1. An advance; an expedition. 2. A large-scale military advance, specifically the Greek mercenary expedition across Asia Minor in 401 B.C. led by Cyrus the...

The original idea about organizing a Canteen project to mail packages to the military belongs to MoJo2001 What started out with a simple FReep mail to several people quickly became a hit. My 2 cents was to suggest that we get this project underway in time to get these packages to the military by Valentines Day. I think there are many different ways to do this. Our goal is get get packages and/or cards, letters and e-mails to the military so thay do not feel alone or forgotten on Valentines Day.If you have not been to the USO Canteen Post...

Today's thread is dedicated to 2 of the known active duty FReeper Chiefs USN Senior Chief bkwells (Deployed on USS TARAWA LHA-1) USN Chief Gator Navy (Stationed in Japan)and the countless other retired Navy and Coast Guard FReeper Chiefs.For the visitors with no military background some additional information is necessary. No other armed force has a rate or rank equivalent to that of the United States Navy or Coast Guard. Granted that all armed forces have two classes of service, enlisted and commissioned, however, the United States Navy and the Coast Guard have the distinction of having four (i.e., Enlisted,...

s early as 1997, a senior NASA engineer warned that hardened foam popping off the external fuel tank on the Columbia shuttle had caused significant damage to the ceramic tiles protecting the vehicle from re-entry temperatures.The warning was sure to receive new scrutiny after NASA said yesterday that its investigation into the cause of the destruction of the space shuttle on Saturday was focusing on damage to tiles that may have been caused by foam or ice or a combination of the two. NASA officials also acknowledged that they might have underestimated the potential seriousness of damage sustained by...

Vojislav Seselj, the president of the Serbian Radical Party (SRS) has booked a ticket for Amsterdam for February 24. He is planning a farewell rally for February 23. "I said I wanted to go to The Hague, but not under their management," Seselj said, adding that he was expecting either their call or indictment. He said that "diplomatic sources" have informed him that he would be indicted for organizing rallies in Western Slavonia and for Vocin, where Dragoslav Bokan's "White Eagles" were stationed.

<p>SAN JOSE, Calif.(AP) - As the space shuttle program took shape in the late 1960s, engineers had to find technology that could withstand the heat of re-entry without being too heavy, unreliable or costly.</p> <p>They settled on the small silica tiles that brought shuttles home safely more than 100 times, but have fallen under suspicion in Saturday's loss of Columbia as it descended over Texas.</p>

Investigators focus on debris that hit Columbia at launch Monday, February 3, 2003 Posted: 11:47 AM EST (1647 GMT) NASA released film of what appears to be debris hitting Columbia's left side 80 seconds after liftoff January 16. JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, Texas (CNN) -- NASA officials Monday concentrated on whether a piece of debris that was dislodged during the launch of the space shuttle Columbia may have struck a seam on a landing gear door, a retired NASA engineer told CNN. As a massive investigation sought clues to unlock the mysteries surrounding the final moments of the shuttle, investigators took...

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. We hope to provide an ongoing source of information about issues and problems that are specific to Veterans and resources that are available to Veterans and their families. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood...

"Well, goooooooollllllllllllly!!! Shazam!" Jim Nabors was an all-around entertainer whose gifts extended to comedy, acting, and music. In the latter pursuit, he was especially successful: he recorded 28 albums, including five that went gold and one that went platinum. But to many, his most memorable and enduring legacy was his performance in the title role of the television sitcom Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. The Gomer character originated on the The Andy Griffith Show, where he was Mayberry’s naïve but good-natured gas station attendant. After only one season on that show, Gomer became so well-liked that CBS decided to give him his...

Here is the last known ( published ) photo of Space Shuttle Columbia's Left wing while in orbit.

Australian astronomer's 'extraordinary account' of mishap February 2 2003 An Australian astronomer in California could be a key eyewitness to solving the mystery of today's space shuttle disaster. Anthony Beasley, an Australian working at an observatory north of Los Angeles, said he saw what could be tiles falling off the Columbia as it flew over California and on its way to the scheduled landing in Florida. Most video footage and eyewitness reports of the shuttle breaking up came from witnesses in the central US state of Texas. If Beasley is correct, it indicates the shuttle began to disintegrate on the...

. Welcome to The Canteen Chapel Although we are always aware that the Canteen is operatingin Cyberspace, we want the troops and anyone who is on the receiving end of prayers at the Canteen,to know that these prayers are very real. I hope the troops and Canteenersalike, will view this Canteen Chapel, as a place where you might go in times of trouble or times of joy to be with your God. "Come unto me all ye who are weary and burdened,and I shall give you rest." (Matt: 11:28). Space Shuttle Tragedy, February 1, 2003 Concluding words by President...

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. We hope to provide an ongoing source of information about issues and problems that are specific to Veterans and resources that are available to Veterans and their families. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood...