USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ Thank A Vet during the Holidays ~ December 3 2002

68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub and FRiends of the Canteen

[tomkow6]

At sea aboard USS Constellation (CV 64) Nov. 29, 2002 -- Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Chris Rangel and Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Jeremy Roth of the “Fighting Vigilantes” assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron One Five One (VFA-151) pull a skid of Advanced Medium-Range Air to Air Amraam (AIM-120) missiles to an F/A-18 “Hornet” to upload. VFA-151 and Constellation are currently on a regularly scheduled six-month deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Felix Garza Jr.

[TEXOKIE]

"The latest from The Federalist..."

Thanks for posting this, Dutchgirl! Definitely some profound truths here.

[tomkow6]

Aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Nov. 30, 2002 -- Missouri Congressman Ike Skelton, head Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, receives honors during a visit to Truman. Skelton visited the ship for a pre-deployment brief. Truman is preparing for a regularly scheduled six-month deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Airman Apprentice Carl Gibson.

[tomkow6]

At sea with the USS Constellation Battle Group (Nov. 30, 2002) -- Constellation steams through the ocean with ships in its Battle Group en route to a liberty port call in Singapore. Constellation is currently on a regularly scheduled six-month deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Timothy Smith.

[tomkow6]

At sea with the USS Constellation Battle Group (Nov. 30, 2002) -- Constellation steams through the ocean with ships in its Battle Group en route to a liberty port call in Singapore. Constellation is currently on a regularly scheduled six-month deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Timothy Smith.

[tomkow6]

Naval Air Facility, Misawa Japan (Nov. 30, 2002) -- Rulon Gardner, the 2000 Olympic Gold Medallist in Greco Roman Wrestling, gives expert advice to the Edgren High School wrestling team during his visit to Misawa Air Base. Gardner is part of the “America's Golden Heroes” Holiday Tour 2002. U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class John Collins.

[ValerieUSA]

Good Tuesday Morning Canteen

[Soaring Feather]

 U.S. Navy
At sea aboard USS Constellation (CV 64) Nov. 29, 2002 -

This is why I sleep well at night, our Troops are out there doing their job protecting the free world!

[tomkow6]

...You are fortunate indeed to be pursued by such witty muses!

Easy for you to say...........

[Soaring Feather]

Aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Nov. 30, 2002

I'm so proud of our TROOPS!

[Soaring Feather]

At sea with the USS Constellation Battle Group (Nov. 30, 2002)

WOW that's impressive. That ought ot put the fear in 'em!

GO GUYS GO!

[tomkow6]

The Effect Of Inflation On Santa
Written by: Dave Sharpe, Tarnation Magazine, 1948.

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house
how the tinsel was scattered! and twigs by the thous-
and. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care-
They were skewered with ten-penny nails, to be fair.
The children, God bless them, were snug in their beds,
With clothesline to anchor the ankles and heads.

The Wife in her housecoat, and I clad alike,
Had gone to cellar to get the new bike,
When from a dark corner arose such a clatter
I felt a strong urge to forget the whole matter.

The wife said go over and open the door;
I grabbed a stout cudgel and crept 'cross the floor
And gingerly peered through the glass to behold
A wee red-suited man, turning blue with cold.
Suppressing my dire thoughts of a communist trick,
I flung wide the portal, admitting..... St. Nick!

Poor Santa came in stamping snow from his feet
And cursing cold weather and all central heat.
"Your chimney's too small for a man of my girth"---
Which shows what the power of tradition is worth.

I asked him to stay, as the perfect host ought,
And my gimlet eyes gleamed at the parcels he brought.
Upstairs in the kitchen, hot toddy in hand,
Old Santa had both of us folks understand

That the new station wagon he'd purchased this year
To replace his eight quaint reindeer
was the poorest investment he ever had chosen--
It stalled by our house the engine plumb frozen.

My wife asked him then if the high cost of living,
Had interfered much with the job of gift-giving.
"I'll say so," quoth he. "Why, a plain roller skate is
costing me
$40.98;
And the cheapest new belt, since inflation intruded,
Costs $11.27, all taxes included;
My labor is raising all manor of hob--
In fact, this here Christmas is too big a job."

He talked a while longer, but then had to go
When a wrecker from town came to give him a tow.
He left a tin whistle for Joey, our son,
And a watch for Matilda--I bet it won't run;

For the Wife, a new apron that makes her flesh crawl,
And a tie for yours truly completed our haul.
But I heard him exclaim, as he rolled out of sight,
"The blazes with Christmas--Tarnation is right!"

[MistyCA]

Thank, Tonk.

[MistyCA]

Good morning, Meek! Thanks! :)

[TEXOKIE]

"easy for you to say!"

Those voices tie you up, do they?? LOL

[MistyCA]

Thanks, Johnny! Isn't it a shame that we have any military families who are in need of assistance! That should NEVER happen in the United States of America! No Congressman should eat better then the troops and their families!

[tomkow6]

...tie you up, do they??

YUP!

[HiJinx]

Okay, Misty, I'm going to have to post one from one of my favorite artists, Terry Redlin. This is from his series of Christmas prints, and is titled "Trimming the Tree."

The original image is about twice this size, and can be seen at Country Art.Com. Country Art is run by a couple in Canby, MN...your current neck of the woods!

[MistyCA]

Ok,Hijinx...I am going to have to post one from my favorite artist, my mom's cousin in Canada, Glenn Olson....

Sorry...I scanned it from one of the brochures because the prints are too large for me to scan! :)

[MistyCA]

That scene you posted is beautiful! There is so much beautiful countryside here! I can't wait to ride around when everything is covered in snow! I will take some pictures and post them. :)