FReeper Canteen ~ Part V of Women Warriors: Asia ~ February 17, 2004

GenderGap.com ^ | February 17, 2004 | LadivaLoca

[LaDivaLoca]

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served in
The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom?
Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

Part V: Asia

During the Shang Dynasty (1766 - 1122 BC) in China noblewomen known as fu held office, paid tribute to the Emperor for the lands they controlled, led armies, regulated agriculture and supervised religious activities. Fu Hao was a royal consort and general who led her armies in the Hunan province around 1199 BC.

In 529 BC, Tomyris, Queen of the Massagetae in southwest Asia, led her armies in defeating the invasion of Cyrus the Great of Persia. The most detailed and earliest account of the story is given by Herodotus. Cyrus, the greatest Persian king (c. 550 BC), sought to conquer the Messagetae who were ruled by the widowed queen Tomyris. He first tried to woo her but she did not respond to this trap and later, when he captured and killed her son by stealth she threatened that 'I will give you your fill of blood'. Another battle ensued and Cyrus and his army were vanquished. Tomyris sought out his body, cut off the head and quenched it in a bowl of blood with the famous words 'Satia te sanguine quem semper sitisti' (Sate thyself on the blood for which thou hast always thirsted).

In the first century the sisters, Trung Trae and Trung Nhi, led a revolt of Vietnamese peasants against Chinese rule. Both sisters led their troops in battle and both were noted for their heroism. In 40 A.D. they led an army of 80,000 peasants against To Dinh forcing him to flee to China and freeing Vietnam of Chinese domination for the first time in over 1,000 years. They took control of 65 fortified towns and trained 36 women, including their mother, as generals. When they were eventually defeated by the sheer numerical superiority of Chinese reinforcements they committed suicide rather than be captured. They became a symbol of Vietnamese nationalism and temples were built in their honor, one of which still stands in Hanoi. The anniversary of their suicide is a national holiday and the name Trung has the same connotation in Vietnam that Amazon has to the western world.

Trien Au (222-248 AD) was a Vietnamese resistance leader who raised an army to fight Chinese rule. She is sometimes referred to as the „Vietnamese Joan of Arch“, she was a rebel leader at the time when Vietnam was a territory of China. She led an army from the mountains which won more than 30 major battles against the Chinese. She then set up her own administration in the freed territory, which she kept independent for several months. She was defeated in 248 and along with Trieu Thi Tink (one of her female generals) committed suicide. Also known as Ba Trieu – Lady Trieu.

Pimiku, the first known ruler of Japan, held power from 197 to 247 AD. She led and participated in both land and sea battles throughout her reign.

Kogo Jingo, Empress of Japan was skilled with sword, bow and naginata. She conquered Korea in 201 AD, personally leading her navy who she prohibited from raping or plundering when they took cities. She governed for 70 years and was succeeded by her son Emperor Ojin. Among the tributes she brought back from her conquests was Japan's first written language.

In the mid-first century Hau Mu-Lan became one of China's most famous warriors when, disguised as a man, she took her father's place in battle for 12 years. She was celebrated in plays and poems. Her commanding officer was so impressed with her military skills that he offered his daughter in marriage to what he thought to be his greatest male warrior. (the Disney animated movie Mu-Lan was based on this true story)

Empress Wu Chao, the daughter of a general, ruled China from 605 to 650. For the first 15 years she was the de facto power behind her Emperor husband, after his death she ruled alone. She ended China's long running war with Korea by leading her navy in a decisive victory at sea. She led her army in quelling numerous insurrections and survived several assassination attempts. She was considered by historians to be a ruthless but extremely effective leader of her country who insured decades of peace and prosperity.

Like their noble European counterparts Japanese women of the samurai caste were expected to protect their family's lands and castles when their male relatives were absent. They were trained in the use of weapons, especially the naginata and knife and taught to train and ride warhorses. In the Kamakura period (1192-1333) clan warfare was so widespread that women frequently took to the battlefield. Itagaki led a charge of 3,000 warriors of the Taira clan against 10,000 Heike soldiers in 1199. In the 12th century Fujinoye, wife of Kajiwara Genda Kagesuya defended Takadachi Castle killing at least two of the attackers in hand to hand combat.

Tamara of Georgia ruled for 24 years and was called "king" by the men she led into battle because she campaigned with them and shared the hardships of an ordinary soldier. Before her death in 1212 she had conquered those parts of Turkey, Persia, Russia and Armenia which bordered Georgia and ended the frequent invasions which had decimated her nation prior to her reign. Saint Tamara was the only child of King George III. Upon his death in 1184, she became Queen at the age of twenty-four. Despite her youth, she ruled the country with such wisdom and godliness — leading it to unprecedented military triumphs over the neighboring Moslem countries in defense of her kingdom, fostering arts and letters, and zealously strengthening Orthodoxy — that her reign is known as the Golden Age of Georgia. After her coronation, she convoked a local council to correct disorders in church life. When the bishops had assembled from all parts of her kingdom, she, like Saint Constantine at the First Ecumenical Council, honored them as if she were a commoner, and they Angels of God; exhorting them to establish righteousness and redress abuses, she said in her humility, "Do away with every wickedness, beginning with me, for the prerogative of the throne is in no wise that of making war against God." Saint Tamara called herself "the father of orphans and the judge of widows,". She herself led her army against the Moslems and fearlessly defeated them; because of the reverence that even the enemies of Georgia had for her, entire mountain tribes renounced Islam and were baptized. She built countless churches and monasteries throughout her kingdom, and was a benefactress also to the Holy Land, Mount Athos, and holy places in Greece and Cyprus. she has always been much beloved by her people, who have memorialized her meekness, wisdom, piety, obedience, and peace-loving nature in innumerable legends, ballads, and songs; the poem written in her honor by Shota Rustaveli, "The Knight of the Panther Skin," is the masterpiece of Georgian literature. the great Queen Tamara departed the earthly kingdom for the heavenly in the year 1212.

In 1600 Shen Yunying, the daughter of a Chinese army captain, took over his command when he was killed in battle. Later by special decree she was made a second captain so that she could legitimately succeed her father and command troops. Approximately 90 years later Chin Liang-Yu fought at her husband's side and after his death continued to lead her army to many victories in a civil war.

Ma Ying Taphan led the all female palace guard in 19th century Siam (now Thailand). Her troops were considered the best trained and most loyal of all the King's soldiers and were never defeated in battle.

Next Tuesday Part VI of Women Warriors:
Celts

[LaDivaLoca]

The FReeper Canteen Military Support Links

Please Thank someone in the military for ensuring our Freedom.
Take a moment and Thank a Service Man or Woman.
Just Click on the graphic to SEND an e-mail.

Your complete listing of military discounts, veterans discounts and deals.

Armed Forces Careers

Army	Navy	Air Force	Marines	Coast Guard

Join the Presidential Prayer Team
Adopt Our Troops In Prayer Campaign

Click the pic to adopt one of
our Troops in prayer.

Thanks to the generosity of anonymous donors, free "Catholic Care Packages" are now available for our military troops. Each packet contains a New Testament, a handmade rosary, a religious medal and small crucifix that can be worn on a dog chain, a Catholic prayer book, two holy cards and a booklet on how to pray the rosary. This packet is provided and sent directly to the designated Catholic troop at no cost to you, as a way of spiritually supporting our Catholics in uniform. Click the picture to order.

The Fisher House program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need by providing homes close to a loved one during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury. There are currently 31 houses located on the grounds of every major military medical center and several VA medical centers. These houses will play a critical role in caring for casualties from Operation Iraqi Freedom. Donations will be used to help meet the cost of lodging for a family whose loved one was injured in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. There is a limit to the number of families who can stay in a Fisher House and program is committed to help provide lodging for families who must find commercial lodging, because the Fisher House is full.

Cick to listen!

Access the Wounded Heroes Guestbook to write a message of encouragement for a hero wounded in the line of duty.   Messages in the Wounded Heroes Guestbook are viewed by wounded soldiers, their loved ones, and the general public.

	Links to Veteran Associations

Share your thoughts, good wishes and messages with American troops deployed around the globe. In turn, we hope those in service will be able to view them on this site, and perhaps respond themselves. ADD A SERVICEPERSON: Please help make this tribute more complete by creating a page for your own friends and family who are currently deployed around the globe.

Support the Military Relief Societies!
Please support the the Military Relief Societies that help families whose loved
ones were injured or killed in battle. Click any one of the following:

Audio Reports from the
3rd Brigade Combat Team

Click on the patch and you can see and hear the voice of
our own txradioguy reporting from somewhere incountry.

Veterans Helping Hospitalized Veterans and Troops Overseas!

click the banner to visit

Click here for information on
Canteen Business Cards

[LaDivaLoca]

Have a wonderful day!



See you all later.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, Diva. Have a wonderful day! Thank you for today's thread...Women Warriors!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Coffee and donuts to sustain the Canteen night visitors until the morning crew arrives.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Duty ~ Honor ~ Country

Click above to visit "A Day in the Life of President Bush"

[Kathy in Alaska]

A PRAYER OF PROTECTION

The light of God surround you
The love of God enfold you
The power of God protect you
The presence of God watch over you
Wherever you are,God is,
And all is well.
Amen.

Bless This House

Bless this house O Lord we pray;
Make it safe by night and day;
Bless these walls so firm and stout,
Keeping want and trouble out:
Bless the roof and chimneys tall,
Let thy peace lie over all;
Bless this door, that it may prove
ever open to joy and love.


Bless these windows shining bright,
Letting in God's heav'nly light;
Bless the hearth a'blazing there,
with smoke ascending like a prayer;
Bless the folk who dwell within,
keep them pure and free from sin;
Bless us all that we may be
Fit O Lord to dwell with thee;
Bless us all that one day we
May dwell O Lord with thee.

(Click on praying hands above, or on banner at the top to hear the music)

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hi, John. Thanks for your service to America. Prayers sent for your success and safety. 27!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hi CPT kj!! Hi Star!! Thank you for serving this great nation of ours.
Prayers for your success and safety, kj.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, 1Sgt Mike, for your service to our country with the Army National Guard.

Prayers for your safety and success in Balad.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hi Stu!! Thank you for serving this great nation of ours.
Prayers for your safety and success in Afghanistan. Thanks to Brad and Graham too.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Our National Anthem

radu

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, Boys!!

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Tuesday !

Have a cup while you Freep !

For those who prefer hot chocolate.....

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Diva.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning Troops, families, veterans, Israeli, British, Australian, Polish, and Italian allies (and everybody else, and all the ships at sea). Thank you for taking such good care of the USA.

Today in Anchorage, Alaska:

Sunrise 8:38am
Sunset 5:49pm

Hi 24°F
Lo 10°F

Mostly sunny

Actual yesterday in Anchorage:

Hi 34°F
Lo 13°F

State Hi 52°F Annette
State Lo -42°F Fort Yukon

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning and good night, Meekie. Off to bed here shortly. I think I'll save my cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows for later this morning. Hope you had fun with your snow.