USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ Wednesday's Warriors ~ April 9 2003

Friends of the Canteen

[SAMWolf]

Dear Lord,

There's a young man far from home,
called to serve his nation in time of war;
sent to defend our freedom
on some distant foreign shore.

We pray You keep him safe,
we pray You keep him strong,
we pray You send him safely home ...
for he's been away so long.

There's a young woman far from home,
serving her nation with pride.
Her step is strong, her step is sure,
there is courage in every stride.
We pray You keep her safe,
we pray You keep her strong,
we pray You send her safely home ...
for she's been away too long.

Bless those who await their safe return.
Bless those who mourn the lost.
Bless those who serve this country well,
no matter what the cost.

Author Unknown

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FReepers from the USO Canteen, The Foxhole, and The Poetry Branch
join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time.

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Welcome to "Warrior Wednesday",
where the USO Canteen profiles a different veteran each week.
The "ordinary" Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine
who participated in the events in our Country's history.
We hope to present events as seen through their eyes.
To give you a glimpse into the life of those
who sacrificed for all of us - Our Veterans.

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A nation that forgets its past has no future."
Sir Winston Churchill

"Those Who Have Long Enjoyed Such Privileges As We
Enjoy, Forget In Time that Men Have Died To Win Them."
Franklin D. Roosevelt

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Pte Leo Kelly:
The Battle of Vimy Ridge

This Wednesday the Canteen honours the soldiers of our neighbor to the North, Canada.

The victory at Vimy Ridge is celebrated as a national coming of age. For the first time Canadians attacked together and triumphed together.

Four Canadians won the Victoria Cross and Major-General Arthur Currie, commander of the 1st Division, was knighted on the battlefield by King George V.

"They fought as Canadians and those who returned brought back with them a pride of nationhood that they had not known before."



Dear Readers,

I first heard of Vimy Ridge and trench warfare as a high school student sitting in Mr. Stephens' history class. We watched movies like “All Quiet on the Western Front” and attended Remembrance Day services. It would not be until years later however that I came to fully understand what it was I was to be “Remembering”. This epiphany came to me in the form of a letter, a lost piece of family history. My maternal grandfather wrote this letter from his hospital bed where he was recovering from wounds sustained in the battle of Vimy Ridge during W.W. I.

Some historians would say the Canadian victory achieved on Vimy Ridge changed the outcome of the war and helped shape the country we live in today. This letter is my grandfather’s, account of the battle.

Heather Reid, Brampton, Ontario , Canada



Pte Leo Kelly, Fulham M. Hospital
London W., 6, H.1.W.

Mr. P.M. Kelly;

Dear Father,

I am writing to you a short story on what took place in the great battle won by the Canadians on Easter Monday on Vimy Ridge.

On the morning of April 9th between the hour of five-thirty or six o’clock was the time selected for the Canadians to make the big drive on the Germans at Vimy Ridge. All day Easter Sunday and all that night the boys worked hard preparing for the awful work which they had before them still they never faltered but I laughed and sang as if nothing was going to happen. We all spent the night in a tunnel about forty feet in the earth. It was the only safe place around Vimy Ridge then for it was about as much a hell hole as one would want to be in.

About three o’clock that morning we had breakfast which was a very good one. It consisted of bacon, bread, butter, tea and oranges, a meal we do not get very often out here. I guess the cooks opened their hearts for once. They knew the boys would have a hard day and that it would be the last meal for quite a few of them. Never the less our Battalion was very fortunate in the line of casualties, which I think was quite light.

After breakfast we got our issue of rum, which was rather small, but we don’t need rum to fight, all we need is grub and cigarettes. Well, Father, it was getting near the time for work. We got the order “ get ready” which we were not long in doing. We had a heavy load to take across. I was in the Machine Gun Section and had to carry ammunition for the gun. We then lined up in the trench, got into position, fixed bayonets; everything was as quiet as a mouse. The Huns knew we were going over but little did they expect us on that morning.

We did not have long to wait. Our engineers blew two mines that ran under the Hun’s front line. This was a signal for the artillery. The explosion was hardly heard when many thousands of guns both large and small opened a terrific barrage on the Hun front line. The boys waited no longer, they went over the top in a moment, making their way bravely across “No Man’s Land” to meet the Germans. To our surprise when we got there we found the line quite empty as the enemy could not stand our terrific artillery fire and fled for shelter to their dugouts and were taken prisoners. The barrage was now playing on the German’s second line, which was our objective, so we pushed over the shell ploughed ground, mud and water to the waist. Men were falling here and there but still the boys kept on.

Our gun crew got scattered. The man who carried the gun and I we were alone and we did not go far when he fell. I turned him over but he did not move. I could not wait so I picked up the gun hoping to get it to the second line safely, for a machine gun is a great weapon against the enemy. It fires six or seven hundred rounds a minute. But luck was against me for I did not go very far when it was smashed to pieces on my shoulder; it had been struck by sniper fire. I was not hurt and I did not mind the gun only I now had no weapon. I had thrown my rifle away when I had picked up the machine gun. All I had was a revolver but it would not work for mud. I reached the second line safely, I seen Jack and Leo McGuire and they were O.K; they said it was great sport.

Well father, I was looking for souvenirs when I got hit with shrapnel in the left hand. One of our officers sent me out to a dressing station, so they kept me going until I finally arrived in a London hospital. It was a beautiful place and the people were so kind especially the young nurses. Well Father, if the town people of Pembroke had seen the Pembroke boys of the 130th battalion (now the 38) go through the Hun that morning they would not say that they were Kitchener’s last hope. There are quite a few Pembroke boys in the 38 Battalion.

Well father, I guess I will ring off, wishing you all had a Merry Easter and eat some eggs for me.

Your loving son,
Leo Kelly

[radu]

GOOD EVENING Y'ALL!

Boy, do I feel like a heel. In all the excitement of the events of this morning, I flat out forgot to say THANK YOU to our fantastic troops, veterans, and allies across the globe for so proudly fighting for the cause of freedom, for the USA and for the free world. Your efforts and sacrifices are most definitely appreciated!!

[snippy_about_it]

Attention. We are on standby until new time for tank parade...2045...meanwhile, just hanging around.

[radu]

Okie dokie. I posted my tank this morning but I'll bring it out again, to be on the safe side. *giggle* I'm reading the opening of the thread....I missed that this morning, too. My eyes were somewhat glued to the tv screen. Oh my, what a morning!! GO TROOPS!!!! *grin*

LET'S ROLL!!

[snippy_about_it]

[LaDivaLoca]

Good evening my fellow Canteeners, our Troops, Vets, Allies, Volunteers and your families.

THANK YOU, Sam, for this very interesting piece of history!

"A BATTLE PRAYER"

Young Warriors;
Should fate find you on the battlefield,
May your cause be a just one.
May your courage not falter.
May you show mercy to your enemies.
May your efforts bring the blessings of peace.
May you be triumphant and earn victory.
May your sacrifice be always appreciated.
May you endure the conflict unharmed.
Should you be harmed,
May your wounds heal.
Should you perish in the struggle,
May God embrace you and find a
Place for you in his Kingdom.
By Scott A. Tackett Sr.

Luke 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

[Kathy in Alaska]

"God bless our President on this day
He will be known forever as 'the Liberator of Iraq'!"

God bless our President, indeed! Thanks, EV.

[LaDivaLoca]

TANK PARADE? Present!

[American Preservative]

To our Military -

Thank you for protecting US. Sleep well and safe. May you be protected. May your families' hearts be at ease.

"Maple Leaf"

Thank you to our Allies.

[Soaring Feather]

USO CANTEEN FReeper STYLE

TANKS ARE US ON PARADE

Message from TEXOKIE

I'm a mess and I'm too shy to come out right now. (My hair is FILTHY from all that desert dust! Plus I have all that grease smeared across my face. My lips are chapped and cracking. I've gained 5 pounds from all the chocolate chip cookies the guys have been sharing with me from their care packages. The sand fleas have been getting me, and I have all these little red dots everywhere. It looks like measles, but it isnt cause they itch like FIRE! No, you'll just have to wait until this particular tank rolls into Baghdad and I've had a chance to go to that Hotel Sheraton or maybe even Saddam's Palace for a bath before I'll pose next to my tank!)
It's so GOOOOOOOOD to see you! I have really missed you and the canteen.

Now hear this!

Thank You Troops!
We Love Ya!!!!
God Bless The United States of America
God Protect Our Troops

[LaDivaLoca]

Man! These Iraqis sure know how to shop! LOL! I am so happy for them - I cannot begin to imagine what life was like for them. I can't blame them for one minute for their reactions to be finally FREE of the tyrant! I'll be praying for the Iraqi people especially the children who deserve a better quality of life.

[LaDivaLoca]

[LaDivaLoca]

WONDERFUL pictures, Sam!

[radu]

Thank you for this excellent thread, SAM. TheCanadians who fought at Vimy Ridge were truly courageous men.

[LaDivaLoca]

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND ALLIES! THEY ROCK!

[tomkow6]

Is that 2045 ZULU?

[radu]

"TANKS ARE US ON PARADE"

AWESOME, MS.FEATHER!!!

[LaDivaLoca]

Link to site

[Kathy in Alaska]

Just in case the weather was ugly on your drive home. Kick back and have dinner. LOL!*HUG* Welcome home. It's Friday! Tomorrow is Coast Guard Day!! Limber up those fingers. Lots of typing to do.