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The Tennessean is link only, per FR policy. Read Article Here.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2007 – A South Carolina-based troop-support group and a national restaurant chain have teamed up to see that at least 500,000 servicemembers get a note of thanks this holiday season. Brian Bohlman (left), a chaplain with the South Carolina Air National Guard, visits with Army Cpl. Brandon Schadrie in September 2006, during his deployment to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. Bohlman, who founded Operation Thank You, a troop-support group, shares notes of support his organization collected from people back home for deployed servicemembers. Photo by Thomas Warner, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Public Affairs  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution...

This Sunday there will be a town hall regarding the Iraq war. It is being led by far Left/Marxist Assembly Leader Karen Bass. Let's all get out there so that the truth is known, not the propoganda of these folks. Stand up for the troops and freedom! California Assembly Leader Karen Bass is a devout Marxist who believes in same sex marriage, that their should be no private property and the deletion of the 2nd Amendment. She was a radical leader of the Communist Venceramos Brigades who gathered up disenfranchised and vulnerable youth and took them to Cuba to support...

MORE CASH AWARDED TO INJURED TROOPSThe most seriously injured troops are to receive more cash under reforms to the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme announced on Thursday. Defence Secretary Des Browne said personnel who were hurt in the line of duty would be eligible for payouts for all injuries suffered in a single incident - rather than just the three most serious. Those who have been injured since the start of the scheme in April 2005 will receive additional payments so they receive the same benefits. The maximum lump sum payout would stay at £285,000 under the proposals - which will...

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before. FOOTBALL FACTS Thanks for joining us once again as we look at some football facts. More to come in the weeks ahead. While the game was being banned in colleges, it was growing in popularity in various New England prep schools. In 1855, manufactured inflatable balls were introduced. These were much more regular in shape than the handmade balls of earlier times, making kicking and carrying easier. Two competing...

I'm weary of seeing news stories about wounded soldiers and assertions of "support" for the troops mixed with suggestions of the futility of our military efforts in Iraq. Why aren't there more accounts of what the troops actually do? How about narrations of individual battles and skirmishes, of their ever-evolving interactions with Iraqi troops and locals in Baghdad and Anbar province, and of increasingly resourceful "patterning" of terrorist networks that goes on daily in tactical operations centers? The sad and often unspoken truth of the matter is this: Americans have been conditioned less to understand Iraq's complex military reality than...

Hello everyone, Not sure if this is allowed on FR, but here I go. With all of the news lately, I just can't keep quiet anymore. On September 16, over 500 families joined together with Families United For Our Troops in DC. We were joined by, and honored by the Veterans For Freedom. All of us, not just one individual as posted on some blogs were invited as a group, to the White House for breakfast. It was arranged in advance that the Gold Star families would meet the President. After wading through the masses, we did! Some of us...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26, 2007 – The Army, stressed and stretched by six years of conflict, needs continued and uninterrupted support and resourcing to maintain its current operational levels while preparing for the future, its top civilian and military leaders told Congress today. (Video) Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. outlined four imperatives for the House Armed Services Committee that he called critical to the Army’s ability to restore balance and maintain the all-volunteer force: -- Improving the way the Army sustains soldiers, families and civilians; -- Preparing troops for success in the current conflict; -- Resetting...

Dear Freepers, I wanted to share an After Action Report on the MIA/POW rally held in San Marcos for Pvt. Byron W. Fouty and the young man who went missing with him SPC Alex R Jimenez. This was on MIA/POW National Day. When I talked to the Mayor, I told her I had lots of pro-troops signs and that I was with FreeRepublic.com, which she did not recognize but offered me a booth. OK. I set up the signs saying Thank you Soldier, sailor, airman, Coast Guard and God Bless Marines. I had 2 signs from other freeps for individual...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2007 – For some servicemembers of past generations, the USO evokes images of comedian Bob Hope telling jokes while clutching a golf club. But during USO Night yesterday at RFK stadium here, troops on hand were treated to an up-close view of professional baseball players wielding Louisville Sluggers. Marine Sgt. Justin L. Clough; Army Spc. Marion D. Pettus, III; Air Force Senior Airman Nicole P. O’Hara; Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Samuel S. Jordan; Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel J. Walsh; and Ned Powell, president and chief executive officer of USO, pose with Screech,...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2007 – President Bush praised contributions made by military support groups and veterans organizations at a morning gathering on the White House’s South Lawn today. “I want to thank the service organizations and those who have come together to support our families and our troops,” said Bush, who was accompanied by first lady Laura Bush and a group of senior administration officials that included Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Veterans Affairs Secretary R. James Nicholson, Army Secretary Pete Geren, Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter, and Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright. The Veterans...

Fred Thompson must be the luckiest guy in American politics – he doesn't yet have a platform available on his web site, skips debates, waits for months before announcing under the assumed role of “testing the waters”, records videos on his web site and somehow manages to bring in impressive support from the American people.

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before. Welcome back to the FReeper Canteen Hints & Tips. This week we'll get some hints that will help you in the laundry. *** Bloodstains can be among the toughest stains to remove from clothing and fabrics. Soak the stained clothing or cloth in cold saltwater, then launder in warm, soapy water. *** Yellowed perspiration stains can really ruin T-shirts and dress shirts. Add 4 tablespoons salt to 1 quart...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2007 – Turbocam International’s support of its deployed employees with technology to use in the field and a special supply fund has earned the company a place of honor alongside 14 other organizations being recognized today with Secretary of Defense Employer Freedom Awards. Since Sept. 11, 2001, three Turbocam employees have been called to serve overseas: Brian Barber, a New Hampshire Air National Guard crew chief on KC-135 Stratotankers; Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Tom McGee, who served in 172nd Field Artillery in Iraq; and Army National Guard Cpl. Chris Wentworth, who served in 744th Transportation...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2007 – Marine reservist Cpl. Blake Milam says his civilian employer, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc., has gone the extra mile to make him feel good about his military service. Last year, the Tulsa, Okla.-based rental car company gave a welcome-home party for Milam after he’d returned from an 8-month duty tour in Fallujah, Iraq, he said. “They’ve been really supportive,” the 23-year-old automobile inventory technician said of his employer. “They’ve gone out of their way to help me out.” Milam nominated his employer to receive the prestigious Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. Dollar Thrifty...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2007 – The U.S. military is battling terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq so Americans don’t have to fight them in the homeland, a senior air-defense noncommissioned officer said. “If we’re not over there solving that problem now, it’s definitely going to be on our front door,” Army Sgt. 1st Class Steven M. Adams told American Forces Press Service. Adams, 34, has served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Qatar, and is currently assigned to U.S. Space Command, at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. He is among an elite group of soldiers trained to operate the Joint Tactical Ground...

I generally have little patience for "chain-mails," there are though exceptions.

The White House believes it has made significant progress over the past month in swaying public and political opinion toward supporting a continued U.S. military effort in Iraq, one of President Bush's closest advisers said in an interview. "The end of the August feels a lot better than the beginning of August when it comes to where we are relative to perceptions of our Iraq policy and what is working," said Ed Gillespie, counselor to the president. Congress returns Tuesday from a monthlong recess that did not go according to plan for Democratic leaders and the antiwar movement, who were...

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before. Welcome back to the FReeper Canteen Hints & Tips. Tonight, we will once again take a look at some very important hints. Things that can be done every day. *** Remember to treat yourself to a break once in a while. *** Remember that not everything needs to be a struggle.*** Think warm and fuzzy thoughts.*** Take time to really appreciate the wonder of it all.*** Have fun. See?...

So lack of sleep due to an excess of caffeine gave me a few hours to put this together. I've been wanting to do this for a while as a thank-you to our troops. Fisher House is an organization the builds and provides housing for the families of injured troops so they can be near these brave Americans as they recover. Each time this video is viewed 49 cents goes to Fisher House. http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/328650If you can, send it to anyone who knows someone in the military. Send it to anyone who knows an American . Scott