USO Canteen FReeper Style....FReeper FRiday ....GATOR NAVY ......August 23,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style and Snow Bunny

[Snow Bunny]

.

.

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.

.

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.

..................................................................................................................................

.

The USO Canteen Honors FReepers
who have served, or are now serving their country.

.

You may have a loved one who has served in the past.
We at the FReeper USO Canteen would like to honor each and every one.

Thank You GATOR NAVY for Serving our Country

Because 5 of 6 ships I have been on have been amphibious ships,
or "gators".

Also, my job is navigation, or a 'gator.

I am a Chief Petty Officer and just went
over 20 years service this March.

My ships have been :
USS CROMMELIN (FFG-37) plankowner
USS BRISTOL COUNTY (LST-1198)
USS ST LOUIS (LKA-116)
USS SAN BERNARDINO (LST-1189) decomm crew
USS DUBUQUE (LPD-8)
USS JUNEAU (LPD-10)

I have been stationed in Japan since 1990.
I am currently on shore duty near Tokyo,Japan/

Prior to this tour all my Japan time was in Sasebo, on Kyushu.

I have been happily married for over 9 years to my lovely wife Atsuko.

We have two sons, Takezo, age 7, and Shuzo, age 5.

Here is my son Takezo

Here is my son Shuzo

Although I read FR daily, I don't usually log on unless I want to
reply to a thread. But I will always get back to you (ask Snow Bunny)
sooner or later if you send something my way.

[Kathy in Alaska]

LOL!! A two flag hoist would sure be easier than 8 flags. Hope you can join us today on liberty in Minnesota. Way, way, way back when I was in Scouts, I knew semiphore and the flag alphabet, but no more.

[R. Scott]

I never learned semaphore, but was required to learn flags and flashing light. In the Army’s navy, we only had three MOSs aboard – deck (seaman, mate, master, etc.) engine (mechanics) and cooks. The deck people were the equivalent to the Navy rates of boatswain, signalman, quartermaster, gunners mate, etc.; the engine people were equivalent to engineman, electrician, gunners mate, damage controlman, etc. In combat the cook usually stood in for a medic – they knew how to cut and truss meat.

[GATOR NAVY]

From H.O. 102 ch.2, sec. 5:

UW I wish you a pleasant voyage

UW1 Thank you very much for your cooperation. I wish you a pleasant voyage.

UW2 Welcome!

UW3 Welcome Home!

On Allied Naval vessels, these signals would be preceeded by the code/answer pennent to indicate they were from H.O. 102, otherwise they would be assumed to from ATP 1 Vol. 2.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good?

[GATOR NAVY]

Works for me. Those were the closest things I could find to just "thank you".

[R. Scott]

I have to find my H.O. 102!