FReeper Canteen ~ Remembering Our Troops! ~ 07 June 2012

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ The FReeper Canteen Presents ~

~ Remembering Our Troops!! ~

COMPOUND SECURITY

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Daniel Thompson posts security while members of an Afghan narcotics interdiction unit search a compound during Operation Speargun in Urmuz, Afghanistan, March 27, 2012. Thompson is a fire team leader assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. James Mercure

Canteen Mission Statement

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies' military
and family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

ROLLOVER TRAINING

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Hannah Rosenthal exits a flipped vehicle rollover simulator with a foam training weapon on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, March 26, 2012. Rosenthal is a paratrooper assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod

UNDERSIDE EFFORT

U.S. Navy Lt. Brian Helman attaches ordnance to the underside of an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter during an ordnance transfer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in the Arabian Sea, March 30, 2012. The Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing 17 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Andrew K. Haller

ADEN SWIM

A sailor jumps off the stern gate of the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans during a swim call in the Gulf of Aden, March 30, 2012. The New Orleans and embarked Marines are part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, which supports maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. The Marines are assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Dominique Pineiro

SIGNAL STANCE

U.S. Navy Chief Master-at-Arms Peter Donaldson signals a helicopter on the flight deck of the guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh in the Pacific Ocean, April 2, 2012. The exercise was part of the required evolutions for the Shiloh to receive her flight deck qualification. Donaldson is an enlisted landing specialist. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Gregory A. Harden II

MEDITERRANEAN TRAINING

Members of the visit, board, search and seizure team aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Porter prepare to maneuver alongside Porter during a training mission in the Mediterranean Sea, April 1, 2012. Porter is deployed as part of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group to support maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Alex R. Forster

FALCON FORCE

An airman prepares an F-16 Fighting Falcon for flight on Joint Base Andrews, Md., April 3, 2012. The 113th Wing provides air sovereignty forces to defend the nation's capital and support forces ranging from local to global employment. The airman is assigned to the 113th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. U.S. Air Force photo by Perry Aston

EGG HUNTERS

Military children search for hidden eggs during the Easter egg hunt at the 2012 Spring Fling Festival on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 4, 2012. April is the Month of the Military Child. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Derrick K. Irions

STATUS UPDATE

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Sears relays a status update to his platoon commander while a logistics transport vehicle approaches to extract recovered civilians during a pre-deployment training exercise on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 3, 2012. Sears is assigned to Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. John A. Lee II

NOSE NUDGE

U.S. sailors position an F/A-18E Super Hornet on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln under way in the Arabian Sea, March 28, 2012. The sailors are aviation boatswain's mates assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 137. The Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan P. Idle

Please remember that The Canteen is here to support
and entertain our troops and veterans and their families,
and is family friendly.

[ConorMacNessa]

REQUEST PERMISSION TO COME ABOARD!

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS!!!





BOSTON, (Oct. 21, 2009) Boatswains Mate 2nd Class Philip Gagnon pipes as USS Constitution performs an underway demonstration in honor of the three-masted wooden frigate's 212th birthday. (U.S. Navy photo by Airman Mark Alexander/Released).
(Click for Bosun’s Whistle)



USS Constitution's 1812 Marine Guard fire vintage Springfield flintlock muskets during the ship's underway. "Old Ironsides" was underway for the "Constitution Day Cruise," which is conducted to thank the family and supporters of Constitution. U.S. Navy photo by Airman Nick Lyman (RELEASED)

OUR TROOPS ROCK!!!!!!!

Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha again Night Owl! ((HUGS))

Think I'm gonna have to borrow my son's Cheese Head hat for the rest of the week. Even the stock market rallied, which ought to make everyone with a 401 or something similar happy.

The rest of the day has been ho-hum, laundry and chores, somethings to do to keep out of the rain. Glad you're happy with your rain!

[AZamericonnie]

Military children search for hidden eggs during the Easter egg hunt at the 2012 Spring Fling Festival on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.,

Such sweet lil faces!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Permission Granted!

[Kathy in Alaska]

G’Day, Janey...((HUGS))...a sunbathing roo. LOL!

One of my favorite “cartoons”.

[ConorMacNessa]

Thanks very much, Kathy!

*HUGS*

And thanks very much for tonight's Remembering Our Troops thread! It does my heart good to see my old outfit, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, included in the album! God Bless all those young men and women who have stepped up to the plate to defend this great Nation! God Bless them good!!!



Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[luvie]

Howdy, Kathy! (((hugs)))

Great thread and lots of wonderful graphics showing our
troops going about the business of keeping us safe and free!

[ConorMacNessa]

Welcome To All Who Enter This Canteen, To Our Serving Military, To Our Veterans, To All Military Families, To Our FRiends and To Our Allies!

Missing Man Setting

“The Empty Chair”

By Captain Carroll “Lex” Lefon, USN (ret), on December 21st, 2004

“In the wardroom onboard the aircraft carrier from which I recently debarked was a small, round table, with single chair. No one ever sat there, and the reasons, both for the table being there, and for the fact that the chair was always empty, will tell the reader a little bit about who we are as a culture.The wardroom, of course, is where the officers will dine; morning, noon and evening. It is not only a place to eat – it is also a kind of oasis from the sometimes dreary, often difficult exigencies of the service. A place of social discourse, of momentary relief from the burdens of the day. The only things explicitly forbidden by inviolable tradition in the wardroom are the wearing of a cover or sword by an officer not actually on watch, or conversation which touches upon politics or religion. But aboard ships which observe the custom, another implicit taboo concerns the empty chair: No matter how crowded the room, no matter who is waiting to be seated, that chair is never moved, never taken.

The table is by the main entrance to the wardroom. You will see it when you enter, and you will see it when you leave. It draws your eyes because it is meant to. And because it draws your eyes it draws your thoughts. And though it will be there every day for as long as you are at sea, you will look at it every time and your eyes will momentarily grow distant as you think for a moment. As you quietly give thanks.

As you remember.

The small, round table is covered with a white linen tablecloth. A single place setting rests there, of fine bone china. A wineglass stands upon the table, inverted, empty. On the dinner plate is a pinch of salt. On the bread plate is a slice of lemon. Besides the plate lies a bible. There is a small vase with a single red rose upon the table. Around the vase is wound a yellow ribbon. There is the empty chair.

We will remember because over the course of our careers, we will have had the opportunity to enjoy many a formal evening of dinner and dancing in the fine company of those with whom we have the honor to serve, and their lovely ladies. And as the night wears on, our faces will in time become flushed with pleasure of each other’s company, with the exertions on the dance floor, with the effects of our libations. But while the feast is still at its best, order will be called to the room – we will be asked to raise our glasses to the empty table, and we will be asked to remember:

The table is round to show our everlasting concern for those who are missing. The single setting reminds us that every one of them went to their fates alone, that every life was unique.

The tablecloth is white symbolizing the purity of their motives when they answered the call to duty.

The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and their loved ones who kept the faith.

The yellow ribbon around the vase symbolizes our continued determination to remember them.

The slice of lemon reminds us of the bitterness of their fate.
The salt symbolizes the tears shed by those who loved them.
The bible represents the faith that sustained them.
The glass is inverted — they cannot share in the toast.
The chair is empty — they are not here. They are missing.

And we will remember, and we will raise our glasses to those who went before us, and who gave all that they had for us. And a part of the flush in our faces will pale as we remember that nothing worth having ever came without a cost. We will remember that many of our brothers and sisters have paid that cost in blood. We will remember that the reckoning is not over.

We many of us will settle with our families into our holiday season, our Christmas season for those who celebrate it, content in our fortune and prosperity. We will meet old friends with smiles and laughter. We will meet our members of our family with hugs. We will eat well, and exchange gifts and raise our glasses to the year passed in gratitude, and to the year to come with hope. We will sleep the sleep of the protected, secure in our homes, secure in our homeland.

But for many families, there will be an empty chair at the table this year. A place that is not filled.

We should remember.”

Thanks To Alfa6 For The Narrative Of “The Empty Chair.”

Schumann - Traumerei
(Click)

Never Forget Those Who Sacrificed All That We Could Live In Freedom!!

Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[ConorMacNessa]

THE SOLDIER’S CODE

---

Gen Dwight D. Eisenhower addresses troops of the 101st Airborne Division 5Jun1944 prior to D-Day Normandy

The Soldier’s Code

1) I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

2) I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender my men while they still have the means to resist.

3) If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

4) If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me, and will back them up in every way.

5) When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am bound to give only name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies, or harmful to their cause.

6) I will never forget that I am an American fighting man, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, August, 1955.

Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[ConorMacNessa]

AMERICA – LAND OF THE FREE . . .

BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!!!!

SEMPER FI AND OORAH!!!

Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS!

Tattoo
(Click)

Must retire – the 0500 Reveille approaches relentlessly – the bugler already mounts the parapet. Will chat with you all on the morrow.

Good night, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America!

Godspeed our Troops around the Globe – especially those in harm’s way – by virtue of their service and sacrifice we continue to live in Freedom!

Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[HiJinx]

The Rogues, a Pipe and Drum ensemble of the U.S. Air Force Band, plays like you've never heard Pipes and Drums before!

They're backed up by the U.S. Air Force Band.

[HiJinx]

I had this queued up to post 20 minutes ago, but got lost listening to several of their songs...

[Kathy in Alaska]

[luvie]

Just...W O W!

Sorta leaves ya speechless and worn out! Thanks for sharing this, Jinxy! (((hugs)))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, HJ...((HUGS))...awesome!!

I love the pipes.

[luvie]

Nite, Conor! Thanks for all you do to honor our troops! (((hugs)))

Take care of you!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, AZ, and thanks for the red, white, and blue tribute.

How was your commute? No critters to hinder you I hope. *HUGS*

Are your summer temps arriving early?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Always hoping loved ones will see loved ones.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, Luv...((HUGS))...have a good Thursday.