FReeper Canteen ~ Road Trip: Fort Polk, Louisiana ~ 24 FEB 2009

Serving The Best Troops And Veterans In The World | The Canteen Crew

[laurenmarlowe]

 

 

~The FReeper Canteen Presents~

Road Trip: Fort Polk, Louisiana

Fort Polk is unique in all the Army because it is the only Combat Training Center (CTC) that also has the mission to train and deploy combat and combat support units.

From its start as a base for the Louisiana Maneuvers in the 1940s, to a basic training post during Vietnam, to the home of the 5th Mech Division in the 1980s, and its current dual missions as the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) and home of the 2nd ACR and Warrior Brigade, Fort Polk has executed all of the Army's mission.

Fort Polk was established in 1941 and named in honor of the Right Reverend Leonidas Polk, the first Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Louisiana and a Confederate general.

Thousands of soldiers learned the basics of combat here during the World War II Louisiana Maneuvers. Afterwards, the post was opened for the Korean War and then closed.

Fort Polk's reputation began in 1962 with its conversion to an infantry training center. As soldiers prepared for combat in Southeast Asia, commanders made the most of Fort Polk's 198,000 acres - especially a small portion filled with dense, jungle-like vegetation.

For the next 12 years, more soldiers were shipped out to Vietnam from Fort Polk than from any other American training base. In 1974, as hostilities in Southeast Asia drew to a close, Fort Polk's continued role in U.S. defense was signaled by its selection as the home of the 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized). About the same time, Congress passed the largest military construction bill ever allocated to a single installation.

Learn More About The History Of Fort Polk Here!

Fort Polk is located in west-central Louisiana, about 45 miles from Alexandria, 70 miles from Lake Charles, 120 miles from Shreveport, 150 miles from Baton Rouge, 250 from New Orleans, and 180 from Houston. Closer to our front gate are the nearby towns of Leesville, La, located in Vernon Parish, and DeRidder, La, located in Beauregard Parish.

The main post consists of approximately 100,000 acres. Fort Polk is divided into two cantonment areas known as North Fort Polk and South Fort Polk. Approximately 98,000 acres of the main post is within the Kisatchie National Forest and is used by Fort Polk under an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service. In addition, the headwaters and bodies of several streams are located within the installation.

The Joint Readiness Training Center provides advance level joint training for the Army (Active and Reserve Component), Air Force and Navy contingency forces in deployment and tactical operations under realistic conditions of low to mid intensity combat.

Currently Fort Polk is supporting the war on terrorism by providing contingency training for the Army's light infantry and special operations forces and by deploying home station and reserve component forces in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, and Iraqi Freedom.

The JRTC and Fort Polk is experiencing a tremendous transformation to be able to continue to accomplish our missions as a Combat Training Center, Power Projection Platform and a Modern Installation that supports our soldiers and families.

The installation is seeing one of its biggest construction booms ever with over $300 million in new construction and renovation projects in support of Fort Polk Transformation over the next several years.

Learn More About Fort Polk Here!

FR CANTEEN 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. 

Please remember: The Canteen is a place to honor and entertain our troops. The Canteen is family friendly. Let's have fun!

We pray for your continued strength, to be strong in the face of adversity.

We pray for your safety, that you will return to your families and friends soon.

We pray that your hope, courage, and dignity remain unbroken, so that you may show others the way.

God Bless You All ~ Today, Tomorrow and Always

 

 

[mylife]

Obama doesn't care, the Dems don't care, but here in the Canteen we still care

North Platte Canteen

[laurenmarlowe]

United States Marine Corps Band~National Anthem

[Old Sarge]

O NOES, I SEEZ FORT POLKS!

[laurenmarlowe]

Good evening my, WE SURE DO CARE!!

Thank ya!

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

February 24, 2009

Managing The Mess

ODB RADIO: Listen Now |  Download
READ: Ruth 1:15-22

Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me? —Ruth 1:21

When we meet Naomi in the Scriptures, her life is a mess. She and her husband had gone to Moab searching for food during a famine. While in that land, their two sons married Moabite women, and life was good—until her husband and sons died and she was stuck, widowed in a foreign land.

Though honest about her pain, Naomi obviously had a sense of who was in control: “The Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me” (Ruth 1:21).

The Hebrew word for “Almighty” (Shaddai) indicates God’s sufficiency for any situation. The word “Lord” (Yahweh) refers to His faithfulness as the loving covenant-keeping God. I love how Naomi put these two names together. In the midst of her complaint, she never lost sight of the fact that her God was a capable and faithful God. And, sure enough, He proved His capability to deliver her and His faithfulness to care for her to the very end.

If there seems to be no way out of your despair, remember that Naomi’s God is your God as well. And He specializes in managing our messes to good and glorious outcomes. Thankfully, He is both capable and faithful. So, when your life is a mess, remember who your God is!

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last. —von Schlegel

Stand back and watch the Lord manage your mess into a glorious outcome.

Bible in One Year: Numbers 9-11; Mark 5:1-20

[mylife]

Whoops!~ North Platte Canteen

Good Video

[laurenmarlowe]

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Larry Baca from Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment monitors the weather as a storm moves in outside of Forward Operating Base Lane, Afghanistan, on Feb. 19, 2009. DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Adam Mancini, U.S. Army. (Released)

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Jared Tomberlin, left, gets a first-hand view of the land with outgoing commander 1st Lt. Larry Baca on top of a ridge near Forward Operation Base Lane, Zabul province, Afghanistan, Feb. 21, 2009. Tomberlin is assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment and Baca is assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Adam Mancini

U.S. Army soldiers look on as Afghan National Army soldiers zero their weapons during basic rifle marksmanship training on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Feb. 11, 2009. The soldiers are assigned to the 1st Infantry Division's Company D, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jill LaVoie

[mylife]

Howdy! Nice thread. Thanks for all the hard work.((((Hugs))))

[laurenmarlowe]

WOO HOO my!

FIRST!!

[AZamericonnie]

Supporting our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen
at more than 1,000 places across the U. S. and around the world.

~Tribute to Our Troops~

[laurenmarlowe]

HOWDY Sarge!

SECOND!!

[mylife]

H00H00! (even if I messed it up)

[easternsky]

I must say that really picked my spirits up,THANK YOU, for reminding us we must keep this the Land of the Free.

[laurenmarlowe]

Good evening and THANK YOU Mayor!

THIRD!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Road Trip: Fort Polk, Louisiana

FR CANTEEN 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.

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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 FR Canteen is Free Republic's longest running daily thread
specifically designed to provide entertainment and moral 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.

NOTE: CANTEEN MUSIC
Posted daily and on the Music Thread
for the enjoyment of our troops and visitors.

[laurenmarlowe]

I was actually very close to Fort Polk the last few days, just south of Alexandria. Wished I could have stopped in!

It’s a nice drive.

[laurenmarlowe]

Evening Connie! *HUGS*

Thank you for the awesome Tribute To Our Troops!

[laurenmarlowe]

Thank you for joining us this evening, easternsky!

Thank God for our Troops who keep us FREE!

[mylife]

The weather didnt make you sad?

[mylife]

And Thank you for honoring Tonk

[laurenmarlowe]

Nope!

I'll tell you about the trip LATER, LOL!

[laurenmarlowe]

Hi MA! *HUGS*

[mylife]

Ok. I bet it was spectacular for you.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[mylife]

Isn’t that a fascinating video?

Them guys got like 5 min in there

[laurenmarlowe]

It was a hoot!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[mylife]

You watchin 24?

[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 graphics for music)

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 graphics for music)

[mylife]

I imagine you dont see that much snow regularly ;)

[Old Sarge]

No, I’m at work 24 - so it seems...

[mylife]

Yark! even stateside? with the ice storm over?

[Feckless]

Basic Training there Aug 72. BRAVO-2-1. Drill Sgt (SSG) McDonald and DS (SGT) Brockes. A Cannuck and a PR, what a team. Brockes: I got a TRICK fer you, trainee!
I actually ran into Brockes in '81 in Aberdeen, MD. He was a SSG and told me he was on the E-7 list. I was in civvies and didn't tell him I had pinned on E-7 the previous month.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Honoring Our Heroes

AbnSarge USA
Allegra
3 sons (armymarinemom and amdad)
Brett USN (CindyDawg)
Brother and Son-in-Law (kalee)
Cannoneer No. 4
CAPT Future Snake Eater USA (RightOnline)
CAPT Jason Clendenin (friend of Frou)
Chris USA (amom)
Chuck USA (RightOnline)
COL Mike (gpapa)
CMS USA
David USAF (LUV W)
Defender2
Deven USA (Shimmer)
Ethan USMC (georgiabelle)
Fred (DocRock)
GulfWar1Vet USA
IS2 Brianne USN (My Hearts in London - Everett)
IS2 Heather USN (My Hearts in London - Everett)
Jade Falcon USN
JemiansTerror USA (Jemian)
Jet Jaguar USAF
Joel (NEMDF)
Jonathan USMC (AZbushgal)
Josh USN (doug from upland)
Karen USA (fatima's granddaughter)
Kenneth (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
Kevin USMC (skimask)
Kevin and David USA (vigilante2)
Laurita USA
LCPL Carter USMC
Lindsay (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
LT David (Coldwater Creek)
M1911A1 USMC (M0sby)
M1Tanker
Major joma89 USAF
MEG33's Navy Grandson
Michael USAR (RightOnline)
Mike1Sg USA (mystery-ak)
Milo828 USA (mystery-ak)
Nate USN (sneakers)
Old Sarge USA
OneLoyalAmerican USCG
PFC Dan USA (son of swmobuffalo)
PFC Jake USMC (son of Enough_Deceit)
Pvt Alex USA (son of Enough_Deceit)
Robert, Jeremy, Daynnis USA (SoldierDad)
Sat-Com Chris USA (son of KC Burke)
SGT Brian USA (repubmom)
SGT Dusty USA (MountainDad)
SGT Ev USA (Mozie)
SGT Gray USA (colorcountry’s son)
SGT Sean Reed (preed)
Son USCG (GodBlessUSA)
SPC Mike USA (AbnSarge)
SSG Mitchel USA (tina07)
SSG Spencer USA (grame)
SSGT Don May Jr USMC (debm29palms)
SSGT John Linde USA (JFoxbear)
Terrence USN (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
The Sailor
tongue-tied USN/USA
Tonkin USN/USCG
txradioguy USA
Valerie USAF (Shimmer)
Victor and Tony D USMC (weldgophardline)
William USA (jackv)

 

[Feckless]

Oh, forgot to mention I went back to Ft Polk in 74. 603rd Trans Co. Haulin’ bullets and beans for the trainees.

[mylife]

Bullets and beans!? what no pogybait?

[laurenmarlowe]

Great pics!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome to the Canteen, Feckless. Thanks to both you and your wife for your service to our country.

[laurenmarlowe]

Good evening to you Feckless, thank you for joining us this evening!

And THANK YOU for your service to our Country!

[mylife]

The said that North Platte served over 6 million soldiers.

Take that McDodos’s!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Families, for your service to our country.

Thanks, unique, for the perfect woohoo.

John Conlee ~ They Also Serve

[laurenmarlowe]

Gotta post and run, y’all have a good week.

Bosses back in town tomorrow, for THREE WEEKS. Sheesh! :o)

[mylife]

Are you gonna get time to join us in Maine this summer?

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha Lauren!

Very fitting and timely tribute to Louisiana....

Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez!

[mylife]

Argghhh....

[mylife]

What was I thinking? Snow? L0L

La snow? L0L I was thinking you was in Virginia. Sorry I was distracted as I am watching 24.

Cya later.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[mylife]

Kath you are the perennial Canteen Boss L0L

[swmobuffalo]

I have a picture of my father posing with his weapon taken at Ft. Polk.