USO Canteen FReeper Style ~Tonk's Letter to the Canteen ~ November 16 2002

68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub and FRiends of the Canteen

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Dear Canteen Visitors

First of All let me say Thank You for stopping in to help show
support for our military, our allies military, military families and veterans.
As many of you now know
I have taken over the responsibility of keeping the Canteen doors open each day.
This was done after Jim Robinson asked for someone to step forward.
I was at work last Sunday when this request was made and when I got home hours later no one answered.
I then pinged everyone on my list in my response to him
and asked if anyone objected if I assumed the role as Host.
No one objected, in fact I received an overwhelming positive response
on the thread and by FReep and regular e-mail.
Know that I accept this responsibility as an honor.
Since the "change over" I have received e-mails from
active duty lurkers stating they are glad the Canteen is still here.
Some FReepers wanted to know if it was safe to come back.
Other FReepers have come back, some will not come back.
And some FReepers came back with bitter feelings about the past.
In the meantime new visitors have come to the Canteen.
Where does all this lead?
Well when I woke up this morning it was a new day.
None of us can change the events of the past.
What has been said and done is in the past.
Re-hashing it serves no purpose on this thread.
Those with bad feelings or those wanting to apologize may do so in private.
We have an obligation to our military lurkers to make them feel like they are at home.
Don't misunderstand what I am saying.
The troops do want to see the laughter, chatter, graphics
along with the serious military type posts and tributes.
Those who have computers with speakers love the music posts also.
What I'm sure they don't want to see is the continual feuds and apologies.
My sole intention in being the Host is to keep the Canteen focused on it's original purpose.
I encourage all to post your graphics, links, music, links to other thread etc.
Please keep in mind that there are children of FReepers and visitors on the thread also.

It's not just me that helps keep the Canteen such a success.
It's YOUR contribution that counts just as much as mine.

Thank You for reading this.

Tonkin



Thank You Military Lurkers
for your service to our country.


Military Lurkers:
Feel free to e-mail me at seaside611@hotmail.com your ideas about what you would like to see in the Canteen.

FReepers please post your ideas on what you would like to see in the Canteen.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

In Honor of those who gave their lives and those who were gravely disabled.
Thank You Brothers and Sisters for your sacrifices.

And Thank You to ALL who have and still support our Armed Forces.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

[vikingchick]

Allow me to BUMP this thread to the top.

[JohnHuang2]

Good morning, my friend.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

From the men in the military and the men in the Canteen.

[JohnHuang2]

[Jim Robinson]

Amen, Brother. Thanks for carrying on the duty and tradition. Great "can do" and honorable attitude!

Regards,

Jim Robinson

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Actually Good Night for me. LOL
I have to be up at 5AM PST for the start of my new work week.

[JohnHuang2]

hehe, good night then, amigo

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thanks for being the one who makes it all possible.
SALUTE

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Todays transportation for you and the Girlz.

[ladyinred]

Well said, thank you for stepping up and taking this responsibility.
God Bless our troops and Vets!

[kayak]

Thanks for seeing to it that the Canteen stays open for our military!

Here's an angel to watch over those who serve our country, whether at home or abroad. God bless each of you!

[sweetliberty]

Thank you Tonk, and thanks for picking up the ball and carrying on the very valuable mission of the canteen. God bless you and God bless our troops.

[ClancyJ]

My thanks also. Glad to see you doing this.

Welcome to any and all active duty lurkers. We would love for you to post if possible.

[dandelion]

Thank you for taking up the torch, Tonk. I haven't posted much lately, but I check in every day to see how it's going and all the good that is being done (and all the intrigue and sorrow as well :(...) God bless our troops, and God bless all those who love them.

[chance33_98]

A big thanks to all of our military folks out there wherever they may be! I have a deep respect for you all and am thankful for the service you have given this country.

To those who have made it home to the Lord, we here have not forgotten. Your work, your lives, your sacrifice will live on in the hearts of those whom you have saved from tyranny and evil. I live in freedom with hope because you died for me. Thank you will never be enough - we will be vigilant with the freedom you gave us, we will work harder to keep the rights for which you sacrificed your lives, and I assure you we will remember you. Godspeed to the Lord.

[Pookie Me]

Dude!

Congrats on a major responsibility! You're doing a fine job!

Pookie & ME

[Jen]

"...those wanting to apologize may do so in private."

"What I'm sure they don't want to see is the continual feuds and apologies."

Tonk, I agree with everything you wrote except for this. Yes, the feuding must STOP, and I believe it will. But these feuds were carried out often in public on this thread and people have been hurt because of it. A public attack on someone deserves a public apology, I think. That is why I posted my apology tonight. I want everyone I hurt to know that I had been misled and manipulated and am sorry for my actions.

Some people will not want to do that and that is up to them. But I believe each person involved should somehow make amends with people they've hurt.

And I believe that anyone reading such a post will feel only more respect for that person who has the courage to publicly admit they were wrong and apologize for it.

I hope the Canteeners will want to completely resolve this situation and restore relationships with each other - instead of sweeping things under the rug for the sake of 'moving on'.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Tonk.