FReeper Canteen ~ Road Trip: Marine Barracks, Washington, D. C. ~ 29 SEPT 2015

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

[Publius]

I should be 100 percent in a few days.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Oh no....well, at least there was a reason. LOL!

[luvie]

I hope so, for your sake.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, gentleman of leisure. Nice day to relax?

Raining most of the day, changing to snow sometime tomorrow. No hint of how much, and it probably won’t stay around.

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT
OUR TROOPS AND OUR
BELOVED NATION!!



The Legend of Arlington Ridge

It has been said that ever since the dedication,
Of the Iwo Jima Memorial on Arlington Ridge,
A ceremony takes place each morning
In the hours just before dawn.
As a low, knee-high ground fog
Sweeps across the Ridge in the cool morning air,
A band is heard playing the "Marines Hymn".
From an unknown distance and very low at first,
The music becomes increasingly louder.
Yet, no band is ever seen.
It is then said,
That out of the tree line of Arlington Cemetery,
A company of Marines clad in dress blues appears from the mist,
Marching through the ground fog toward the Memorial.



Flags at the head of the column stand straight out,
Snapping in the wind, yet not even the slightest breeze is felt.
The Marines march to the Memorial in perfect cadence,
While no orders are heard by those who witness this event.
Like "The Silent Drill Team",
the Marines execute each move in flawless synchrony.
As they reach the Memorial,
They suddenly halt, face right, and "order arms"
As the lights from the monument
Ricochet off of their fixed bayonets.
The Marines possess an eerie transparency
That sends shivers down the spines of onlookers,
Yet there is no fear.
In fact, a feeling of pride and honor
Sweeps over those who gaze upon the apparition.
Four Marines ceremoniously step out from the ranks
And lay a wreath of red and gold roses at the base of the Monument.
It is believed that these four men
Are Sgt. Michael Strank, Cpl. Ira Hayes, Cpl. Rene Gagnon,
(three of the six flag raisers on Iwo Jima),
And Medal of Honor winner John Basilone.
Strank and Basilone were killed
On that hellish black sand island in 1945
While Gagnon and Hayes were destined to relive that fateful day
Until mercifully relieved of their posts.

Sgt. Michael Strank USMC

Cpl. Ira H. Hayes USMC

Cpl. Rene Gagnon USMC

GySgt. John Basilone,
USMC, MOH

Two buglers are heard playing "Echo Taps,"
But once again, there are no buglers in sight.
The ceremonies conclude just before the break of dawn
As the Marines come to right shoulder arms, face right,
And silently march back to Arlington Cemetery.
It is said that they are from all eras of Marines buried in Arlington,
And they are charged with guarding their Memorial
And the honor for which it stands.
All of this may be difficult for some to believe,
But legends are, after all, only legends.
Yet, ask any Marine if they believe the legend,
That Marines guard the gates of heaven
And see what they say.
The "Legend of Arlington Ridge",
Is no more than the belief in honor.
Marines live it every day of their lives.
Honor is what we were taught when entering the Corps;
Honor is what we took when we left.
Throughout life and beyond,
It is our most cherished possession.

©2001 - L/Cpl Bruce Knipp – 1883755

Saepe Expertus, Semper Fidelis,
Fratres Aeterni!
"Often Tested, Always Faithful,
Brothers Forever!"

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks...I will be on the lookout next football half-time if we get to see.

And youtube should have some excellent examples.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRSz2UgC2z4

[Kathy in Alaska]

A little late...hope you and your computer are doing well.

Permission Granted!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

Hope your Monday went well.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...hope you had a Marvelous Monday.

Mine went well. I’m ready for Tuesday. I’m off for home.

[Batman11]

PFL

[left that other site]

I’m glad you had a good day!

I really enjoyed watching the eclipse last night.

[ConorMacNessa]

Thanks very much, Kathy!
***HUGS***



Coming aboard as we speak.
Rendering Hand Salutes to our National
Colors and to the Officer of the Deck!

[PROCON]

I'm back into working only Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, so leisure time is aplenty!

Cool here in the mornings (45), warming up into the high 70's, early 80's.

Dang, I love my new city :-)

[ConorMacNessa]

I am doing well, thank you! The computer is coming along - but every day I come upon files that I cannot access - most, I can recover - some totally gone.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[Kathy in Alaska]

Well...I lost my response...nuts!

Maybe you can use a thumbdrive as well as your regular back up for stuff that you really can’t do without. I use one to carry my threads to work. It’s never let me down.

Good luck finding your stuff.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Rain last night, most of the day, and tomorrow morning...leading to snow.

[Publius]

“Sleepy Hollow” returns on Thursday. My great guilty pleasure.

[MeekMom]

Did u turn in for the night Ma?

xoxoxo

[itssme]

I often come to this site to admire the beautiful photos and stories of brave men and women of wars past who gave their lives so that we may be free. And I say in my prayer to those soldiers, “rest easy soldier, your work is done.” I have immense pride and appreciation for the men and women of our military. As a member of a group called Soldiers Angels, founded by the granddaughter of WWII General George Patton, I've volunteered to be a Pen Pal to those soldiers who have no family, or for whatever reason requested to be added to the Pen Pal request list. I send a letter or card to the solider on a weekly basis, and once a month my husband and I send a care package containing items that soldiers say they can use. Looking to our troops today, I pray for their safety and their continued protection of American citizens from the Leftist enemies in our White House. May God bless our military, and may God bless the United States, land that we love.

[Kathy in Alaska]

wh!!

Thanks, unique, for the chopper!!

Batman.....#50!!