USO Canteen FReeper Style Monday Mail Call .... August 12,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style Our Troops and Snow Bunny

[Snow Bunny]

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If you know a Veteran, someone in your family,
friend of the family, neighbor, who served their
country, take a brief moment of your day to thank them.
Thank them for the sacrifice they made
for the better good of their country.

We at Free Republic, and the USO Canteen FReeper Style,
are thankful for every service member
in our military, who has served our great nation.

So, to the men and women who answered the call,
in both times of war and peace, thank you.

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Message from Snow Bunny to all those who visit the Canteen.

This is how I think of the USO Canteen Freeper Style.
It is like a cottage down a road,
a place where a weary veteran can spend the night.

Since it opened, it is magical how so many
Freepers who post here, feel it too.
It has been so dear how the Freepers
kept making it a cottage - a home-type of place
that had a huge living room
for them to visit in and a dance floor, a library, etc.

Many Veterans have written to me,
saying that the Canteen is like home
to them for the first time since they served.

This is your Canteen -
a respite from our busy
and sometimes troubling world.
Make yourself at home...............................................................................................................................................................................

Our troops need our support and encouragement. They are away from home, some for the first time, and usually lonely or discouraged. It is important for us to reach out and help them in the same way we would want someone to reach out to our loved ones if and when they are in the same position.

They answered their call and we are answering theirs offering them the USO Canteen FReeper Style each day and thanking them for serving.

This is IN Coming Mail from some of those serving now.

We at the USO Canteen FReeper Style, a running thread at Free Republic, are proud to support our Military. The mail comes in from contacting some of our Military Bases, Marine Corps Leagues , and friends and family of those serving now. Also from responses at the wonderful P.O.Box that 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub has made so easily available to each of us here at Free Republic.

They are writing to those that frequent the FReeper USO Canteen to thank you for your support.

ALL the mail posted on Monday Mail Call is Recent Mail from the prior week.

Snow Bunny
Hi babe! Thanks for your fast response, it sure meant a lot .
Since my grandparents are from Scotland it was really
Something to see the bag pipes with the great Colorado
Patriots supporting us.

I had a lump in my throat to see the work they did to get
together for us, to support us like that!

God bless the Canteen and all of you for doing your part
back home. It is felt and appreciated.
Steven
USAF

Snow Bunny ,
Hi Canteen !
I had a great day with you on Tues.August 6th.
LindaSOG had presented Why I love America
and I wish I could have shared why I love
America too. So I am doing it in this email.

I love my country because in all the places I
have traveled it is not just my homeland, but
a symbol of freedom to me and to the entire
world. And to keep America free it comes at
a cost as it always has. For some higher then
others but always at a cost. And you better
believe it is worth any cost to keep it FREE!

You all know that at the USO Canteen Freeper
Style and it shows every time I get to visit.
I want to thank you for your faithful patriotism
to our land that will stay free .

Thank you LindaSOG and the Canteen.

Your friend
Adam
USARMY

Hey Snow Bunny
What a group you have there and what a place
The Canteen is and FR too.
I say it is MOM, Apple Pie and the Canteen!

Keep it up and I will pass the word along.Thank
You for all of your support of us.

Sandy
USAF

Snow Bunny and all the Canteen,
I vote for all the Canteen Girlz as you spell it!
Victoria I wish I was a leopard or tiger you
could tame me anytime.

MEOW

Love and kisses to all the Girlz
Johnny
USMC

Hello Snow Bunny,
The Canteen knocks my socks off!
Souris I want to put you in my pocket, you
would fit just right ! LOL What a doll you
are! I am in love here or should I say a fan
of yours.
I would like to thank you Snow Bunny
and every one at the Canteen for the best
support of what we are doing I have ever>br> seen. You must be the most special people
that I will ever meet in my life even in cyber
space.

Love you all and kisses
Marc
USMC

Dear Snow Bunny
Right now I am on the move so I am not sure if I
I will be able to see the Canteen for a week or two.
The last few months I have been able to catch it
almost everyday and it means an awful lot when I
can.

My Dad heard about Free Republic from a friend
at the gym he goes to. So he wrote to me about the
Canteen that it was about what we are doing .
Thanks Dad for all you do and for being my Dad.

When you count those addicted to the Canteen –Hey
count me in on that.( raising my hand)

I would like to give one of the special Bunny hugs to
Kathy in Alaska, Radu, Souris,Bluesagewoman,MoJo2001
and welcome you to the Canteen.
Thank you for the trip to New York and the beautiful
music Victoria ( I could be home by Christmas heh heh)
honest I’m not sure when I will be home.

God Bless the USA and God Bless the Canteen!
Kyle
USMC

SpookBrat and Snow Bunny
I want to get this off to you both right now.
SpookBrat your sharing about your father, well,it
touched my heart deeply. For awhile now I thank
God every time I get to come to the Canteen. And
today I thanked him for your father and his service.
Men like your Father SpookBrat are heros and should
be thanked.
Snow Bunny, you have the best friends at the Canteen
I can feel the care each one of you have for each other.
Then add in the best support system for all of us I have
ever seen or felt. Thank you Canteeners.

God be with you all and your loved ones.
Tandy
USAF

Dear Snow Bunny,
WOW! What a place, what a group you all are!
Everyone adding their own special touches every
single day of the week.Holy Cow! ( cleaned that one up
for the ladies.LOL)

Aomagrat thank you for the history of war ships.
I sure do love reading about these ships and how it
effected our county with the wars.

Mr_Magoo my Dad loves what I send him about
the planes, he is a WW11 vet .

Samwolf, my mom wrote me she saw me in one of
the pictures you had posted. She said she cried and
I just want to thank you for what you do everyday.

Tomkow6, you are a natural! I swear you have me
laughing so hard every time I get to visit the Canteen.
Tell those voices in your head they are brilliant! ROTFLMO

I want to thank everyone of you, because you all have
made me laugh and feel at home. I know I will not be
able to remember everyone and it concerns me. Because
you all make my day a better one.

Victoria Delsoul what beautiful graphics you choose
for the topics of each day, beautiful like you are. I can
tell the care you take with them.
] Then the music , thanks so much!!!

Souris I would say you are as cute as a bug in a rug, but
that is an insult for the sexiest, cutest mouse in the world.
Thank you for the smiles on my face seeing what you
come up with everyday. LOL

AntiJen , a Vet and a beautiful girl in one package with a
personality that is such fun. I can have one of your hugs,
see I am a guy so don’t worry about the NHH stuff with me.
LOL Oh God help me all you girls are hilarious!

Coteblanche how do I tell you what it means, to have one of our>br> Canadian friends live and in person everyday supporting us and
our Canadian friends, serving with us in this war. You have the
gift of graciousness and giving that makes meeting you a gift
to all of us.

MistyCA bet you didn’t know I knew you were gone. LOL
Sure did and counted the days along with everyone else . But
I hope you took a better vehicle then the one with the Beverly
Hillbillies. LOL I am a big fan of your 666 situations you get
yourself into. HUG

SpookBrat you have me laughing with your humor and
how you say the things going on with you. You’re a doll
SpookBrat.

SassyMom and your Bad Boy. I think of the two of you as
the Canteen sweethearts. Hey SassyMom, I think your guy
Kneezles must laugh to himself when he gets you to blush.
The two of you show me there is hope for me finding the
right girl for me someday.

Kathy in Alaska what a girl you are. I saw you tell everyone
how you had watched the Canteen like we do here. I sure
am glad you joined in and I can tell everyone else is too.
You’re a living doll and your enthusiasm is contagious.

Radu, your name is intriguing to me. You are sweet and I
hope to see more of you.

MoJo2001 thank you for the music and your support of us.
Thank your husband for serving and tell him he is a lucky
guy.

Hi Jinx I found the Canteen the day you were the Freeper Friday
Veteran. I salute you my brother.

Johnny Gage my cousin is a firefighter in New York. So I
noticed your trucks right away. Thanks!

LindaSOG the remarkable history lessons each time I am there.
I think I would like to ask for tutoring if it is ok with you.
Something we could do over a nice dinner and a bottle of
wine. You could tell me all the history you want and I would
love every minute of it.

I apologize to those I did not mention. That concerned me
when I wanted to write this email to Snow Bunny. God sent
you all and the Canteen into my life. Enlisting after Sept.11th,
was one of those things I had to do or how could I enjoy my
freedom that others were going to fight for.

Thanks again everybody !
Joe
USARMY

Jim Robinson and Snow Bunny and the Canteeners,br> Free Republic is the best place on the net. I have watched
it grow over the years. As a lurker I can tell you that with
the USO Canteen Freeper Style joining in , it is the finest
addition to FR that I have seen . Jim Robinson is my own
personal hero for many reasons. Thank you sir for FR and
the Freeper USO Canteen.

Lurkers may stay lurkers for a long time but we love FR
no matter if we post or not. So I wanted you to know that
all your work and that of the Canteeners to take a running
thread and turn it into a place as you have is remarkable.

Kathy in Alaska your stepping forward like you did has
brought yet an added light to the shining lights of others
at the Canteen and FR.

Bless you all for what you mean in my life. The Canteen is
a place of comfort and support to an old veteran like me.

Jake
Conservative & Vietnam Veteran
USMC

Hi Crew!
Just a quickie note here ( I know ok BAD Boys let’s keep it
it clean my MOM is watching ROTFL)
Lots going on here right now so not a lot of time
to dig in and write as much as we want to. But since
the Canteen is our second home we miss all of you.

SpookBrat we did catch your Pirate post to us. LOL
Thanks for thinking of all of us.

Hey Tonk,are you driving the girls wild in your uniform?
Lookin good Tonk our brother!

Misty we need to talk about your traveling like that with
those hillbillies. LOL
Thanks guys for the jokes , besides gut laughs from us,
they even got us out of a little trouble the other day.
Long story, we were asked to scrounge a bit and then
got in a little misunderstanding about who asked us and
why. LOL It goes with the calling, Sam you know what
that means. That higher calling of being a scrounger and
a Bad Boy. Magoo, Tomkow and Kneezles you saved the
day !

Hey Starman sir, are we taking a test too? Here are our
answers ahead of time. Moonlight and Stars
guide a sailor in his dreams. ( pretty romantic huh)
as long as they stay up where they belong we will
make us of them down here.LOL
Not bad for a scrounger.
Canteen Bad Boys Kiss the girls for us !

Joe, Marty, Al, and myself Scully the Scrounger
Scully and the Pirates
USNavy

Dear Snow Bunny and Canteen supporters
I wanted to write and thank you for your
belief in us and your support.

Yesterday was my 4th time at your Canteen.
You did the theme about the Purple Heart and
the story behind it. Thank you, my Dad loved
it when I sent it to him. He is going to register
at FR now because of the Canteen. He will get
into FR big time as he loves politics.
Dad is a Korean War Veteran and will love the
Canteen too.

The Canteen and the Poetry Branch are where I
like to spend my online time when I get it. Dad
sent me a journal to jot down things I write so I
can one day send you something for the Poetry
area for submission to Coteblanche.

The thing you call Infinite Freep Rally’s for the
Troops is awesome to me. Your work in Colorado,
Fresno and all the other places like Bluesagewoman’s
report I read at the Canteen. KNOW this , it is
with great pride that I thank all of you.

Thank you for having the Canteen to come to . Thank
you for FR for my Dad and for me one day.

Bobby
Special Forces

Monday Mail Call
~by Victoria Delsoul~

Mail call means our troops are near, 
When they are happy, down or blue
They know how to write us here 
At the USO Canteen we're waiting for you.

It doesn't matter where you are 
It doesn't matter when 
Anytime you need someone to talk to, 
We are here to be your friend.

If you need someone to play a song, 
To post a graphic or to say I care 
If you need a shoulder to cry on, 
Know that the Canteen is always there.

Mail call is a window to your soul 
but if the weight gets to be too much 
Take a look at the Canteeners heart 
You'll find good friends with the right touch.

United we stand to our country defend, 
Through the good times and the bad 
You're never alone; the Canteen is your friend 
So until next mail call… oh, what a time we had.

[Snow Bunny]

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Tribute To HEROES

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If there's anything that identifies and personifies all military people, it's the dogtags.
It's one of the first things we get, and sometimes it's the last reminder of who we are.
They signify our unity of purpose and our dedication to our country.

COB1

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Tribute to Vietnam Veterans
Please click on picture.

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The great intangible of America's wars beyond logistics,
beyond strategy, beyond wonder weapons and Generals,
is the spiritual force of its fighting men and women -
and that is the force that the USO so serves.

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Free Republic....Click for Donations

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For our Troops, and supporters of
those serving now, and our Veterans.

Partners

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To Jim Robinson,
Founder of FRee Republic and Navy Veteran

Thank you, from all those
who frequent the FReeper Canteen

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[Snow Bunny]

[Snow Bunny]

[Snow Bunny]

[DoughtyOne]

Peep peep. Peep peep peep peep.

Good morning. Have a nice day.

[Snow Bunny]

Operation Infinite Freep; Colorado Style

Click on the Fife and Drum Corps and let the picture lead you to the marvelous thread

[Snow Bunny]

giggle.....Hi Doughty! Good to see you.

[Snow Bunny]

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Thank you ALL of you! Your support of the Canteen and our troops and their families is so appreciated!! God bless you !

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Bunny.

[Snow Bunny]

Hi Aeronaut and Otto!

Good to see you my good friend.I hope you have a beautiful day there.( big smile)

[ppaul]

:

:

[Aeronaut]

I hope you have a beautiful day there.

Today I begin assembling our display for the MN State Fair. It's kinda hateful because I don't get much help. It's kinda fun, too. Every year we move an airplane out to the fairgrounds for display. This year its a one-of-a-kind 1927 Fairchild.

[COB1]

GOOD MORNING TO ALL!

I'm either way late or way early, but here's another tribute to Don Williams for your early morning enjoyment:

Don Williams Medley Part I

Don Williams Medley Part II

Don Williams Medley Part III

(snoring now........ZZZZzzzzzzzz)

[larryjohnson]

Good FRoggy mornin from Maine and 69 deg F again... JAKE! Hey USMC censervative Vet!... Come on in the USO Canteen... Misty I had a senior moment thinking you were in MI. It is MN,right and I cannot say MistyMN so stay a CA girl. Sore butt today which means I did the weight lifts I intended. Ask me how to treat that sag,people.

[larryjohnson]

Good Mornin to you all.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning LJ

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin' ya'll ! Happy Monday !

Danger ! Danger !
Monday just ahead!

You bubble-headed booby you !
Dr. Smithisms

[MeekOneGOP]

Here ya go, everybody !

Have a cup while you FReep !

[radu]

Good meeeow-ning everyone!!

Yipeeee!! Monday Mail Call. My favorite day. I love reading the e-mails from the troops and seeing how the gang has touched their lives and made things just a little brighter for them. It's a weekly reminder of just why we're here.

I just dragged myself in from watching the so-called meteor showers (by the time the clouds cleared away, I do believe the peak was over) and neeeeeed sleep. But I had to stop by to say good morning to you all first.

And to send (((HUGS))) to our troops!!! Thank you, guys and gals for all you do!!

AntiJen, I hope your Mom is doing better. Even though I couldn't see the shooting stars most of the night, I sent a little prayer out every couple of minutes.......that's about how often one usually should appear.

SAM, I got word of your test and went into an absolute PANIC!! TWO tests, between you and the starman, and I stink at tests. The brain just goes into a stall. I caught your post and thankyouthankyouthankyou! I know I'm not off the hook completely. Teachers have this nasty little habit of sneaking up and saying, "Pop quiz!" LOL

Argh! The sun is about to rise and this little vampire has no desire to turn to a pile of ash. Good night and I'll see you later today. ((HUGS)) to everyone!

[aomagrat]

Today's classic ship, USS Minneapolis (C-13)

Columbia class protected cruiser
Displacement: 7,375 t.
Length: 413’1”
Beam: 58’2”
Draft: 22’7”
Speed: 21 k.
Complement: 477
Armament: 1 8”; 2 6”; 8 4”; 12 6-pdrs.; 4 1-pdrs.; 4 18” torpedo tubes
Commissioned on 13 December 1894
Sold for scrap on 5 August 1921

The USS MINNEAPOLIS (C-13) was laid down 16 December 1891 by William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia, Pa.; launched 12 August 1893; sponsored by Miss Elizabeth Washburn, daughter of Senator William D. Washburn of Minnesota; and commissioned at Philadelphia, 13 December 1894, Capt. G. H. Wadleigh, USN, in command.

Assigned to the North Atlantic Squadron, the new cruiser took part in maneuvers and cruises along the eastern seaboard and in the West Indies until she was assigned to the European Squadron 27 November 1895, arriving Gibraltar, 13 December. After cruising in the Mediterranean, she visited Cronstadt, Russia, 13 May to 19 June, as flagship of Rear Adm. T. O. Selfridge, representing the United States at the coronation of Czar Nicholas II. Following visits to principal ports of northern Europe, she returned to Turkey and Greece. She departed Gibraltar 21 June 1897 and arrived at Philadelphia 6 July. The next day, she was placed in reserve at League Island Navy Yard, Philadelphia.

Upon outbreak of the Spanish-American War, MINNEAPOLIS was assigned to the Northern Patrol Squadron operating along the north Atlantic coast of the United States. In April 1898, she was dispatched for scouting duty in the West Indies, searching for Admiral Cervera's fleet as far as the coast of Venezuela, and returning to Santiago de Cuba, 19 May 1898, en route to Key West, Fla.

She decommissioned at Philadelphia 18 August 1898 and remained in ordinary in League Island Navy Yard until recommissioned as a receiving ship, 23 April 1902. She again decommissioned at League Island Navy Yard, Philadelphia, 2 June l903 and recommissioned 5 October 1903. She took part in the Louisiana Purchase Celebration at New Orleans, 16 to 28 December, and spent much of the next year cruising the West Indies.

MINNEAPOLIS arrived New London 23 May 1905 to participate in the unveiling of the John Winthrop Monument, then was assigned to a Special Service Squadron with collier CAESAR (AC-16) and screw steamer DIXIE, under the command of Rear Adm. C. M. Colby, to make astronomical and other scientific observations off the coast of Spain and Africa. She sailed from New York 3 July 1905 and arrived at Gibraltar on the 17th, carrying scientists to observe the solar eclipse, 30 August 1905. She departed the Mediterranean 10 November 1905 and sailed via France and England to the United States arriving Hampton Roads, 23 December.

She was at Annapolis, 20 April to 5 May l906, for ceremonies commemorating the arrival of the body of John Paul Jones, and, after taking midshipmen on a practice cruise, conducted training cruises for men of the naval militias of New York and Connecticut. She decommissioned at Philadelphia 17 November 1906 anti remained in ordinary until the United States entered World War I.

Recommissioned 2 July 1917, MINNEAPOLIS got underway from Philadelphia 15 September for Hampton Roads, and departed that base 26 October for Colon, Canal Zone, were she joined British transports ARAWA and CORINTHIA. The vessels sailed from Colon 6 November and steamed by way of Hampton Roads to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The cruiser continued to operate along the Atlantic coast until assigned to transatlantic convoy duty 24 February l918. During the next 8 months, she made four escort voyages, departing New York and sailing to ocean rendezvous where the convoys were turned over to British destroyers. On her last voyage, she departed New York on 9 October as escort for a convoy to Sydney, Nova Scotia, and returned to New York, 19 October. She was assigned to the Pacific Station as flagship, arriving San Diego, Calif., 7 February l919. She decommissioned at the Mare Island Navy Yard, 15 March 1921, and was sold on 5 August 1921.