FReeper Canteen ~ Remembering Our Troops!! ~ 21 February 2019

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

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ The FReeper Canteen Presents ~

~ Remembering Our Troops!! ~

VENOM VITALITY

Marines arm a UH-1Y Venom helicopter during a weapons and tactics instructor course at the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range in California, April 2, 2018. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cody Rowe

Canteen Mission Statement

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies' military
and family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

AFGHANISTAN OUTLOOK

An Army flight engineer travels aboard a CH-47F Chinook helicopter during an Army-Air Force training exercise at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, March 26, 2018. The soldier is assigned to Task Force Brawler. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Gregory Brook

RAUCOUS RELAY

Navy chief petty officers and petty officers first class participate in an obstacle course relay race during an event to celebrate the 125th birthday of the chief petty officer rating at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, April 3, 2018. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin R. Pacheco

SHOVEL TEAM

Soldiers shovel dirt from a hole during construction of a munitions storage bunker at Mazar-i-Sharif in Balkh province, Afghanistan, March 30, 2018. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sean Carnes

MOORING MOVE

Navy Seaman Tarron Finn handles mooring line on the fantail of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt during a port visit to Singapore, April 2, 2018. Navy photo by Seaman Michael Colemanberry

CALIFORNIA FORMATION Air Force aircraft fly in formation near Los Angeles, March 29, 2018. The aircraft, assigned to the 71st Flying Training Wing, were selected to fly over Dodger Stadium to begin the Dodgers' 2018 season. Air Force by Tech. Sgt. Erik Cardenas

ARLINGTON TRANSFER

Service members transfer Medal of Honor recipient Navy Capt. Thomas Hudner to his final resting place at Arlington National Cemetery, VA, April 4, 2018. Hudner received the medal for actions during the Korean War Battle of Chosin Reservoir. DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Dominique A. Pineiro

Please remember that The Canteen is here to support
and entertain our troops and veterans and their families,
and is family friendly.

[ConorMacNessa]

REQUEST PERMISSION TO COME ABOARD



CHARLESTOWN, Mass. (Jan. 14, 2008) The first major snowfall of the New Year blankets the USS Constitution. Despite the weather "Old Ironsides" remained open for free public tours. At 210 years-old, USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world, manned by 67 active-duty United States Sailors and visited by nearly half a million visitors annually. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Eric Brown (Released)

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





Boston, Oct. 21, 2009 - Boatswains Mate 2nd Class Philip Gagnon pipes as USS Constitution performs an underway demonstration in honor of the three-masted wooden frigate's 212th birthday. (U.S. Navy photo by Airman Mark Alexander/Released).



USS Constitution's 1812 Marine Guard fire vintage Springfield flintlock muskets during the ship's underway. "Old Ironsides" was underway for the "Constitution Day Cruise," which is conducted to thank the family and supporters of Constitution. U.S. Navy photo by Airman Nick Lyman (Released)

OUR TROOPS ROCK!!!!!!!

[2111USMC]

3?

[PROCON]

WOO-HOO, thanks Kathy!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Permission Granted!

[ConorMacNessa]

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



Striding up the gangplank as we speak,
rendering Hand Salutes to our National Colors
and to the Officer of the Deck!
Thank you very much for this evening's
"Remembering Our Troops" thread!

[ConorMacNessa]

Pfc. Jacklyn Harold Lucas, USMCR (MOH)

From This Day in U.S. Military History:

20 February 1945 – Iwo Jima, Japan

Citation: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, Fifth Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands 20 February 1945.

While creeping through a treacherous, twisting ravine which ran in close proximity to a fluid and uncertain front line on D-plus+1 Day, Private First Class Lucas and three other men were suddenly ambushed by a hostile patrol which savagely attacked with rifle fire and grenades. Quick to act when the lives of the small group were endangered by two grenades which landed directly in front of them, Private First Class Lucas unhesitatingly hurled himself over his comrades upon one grenade and pulled the other one under him, absorbing the whole blasting force of the explosions in his own body in order to shield his companions from the concussion and murderous flying fragments. By his inspiring action and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice, he not only protected his comrades from certain injury or possible death, but also enabled them to rout the Japanese patrol and continue the advance. His exceptionally courageous initiative and loyalty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Lucas and the United States Naval Service."

[ConorMacNessa]

Welcome To All Who Enter This Canteen, To Our Serving Military, To Our Veterans, To All Military Families, To Our FRiends and To Our Allies!



Missing Man Setting

"The Empty Chair"

By Captain Carroll "Lex" Lefon, USN (RET), on December 21st, 2004

"In the wardroom onboard the aircraft carrier from which I recently debarked was a small, round table, with single chair. No one ever sat there, and the reasons, both for the table being there, and for the fact that the chair was always empty, will tell the reader a little bit about who we are as a culture. The wardroom, of course, is where the officers will dine; morning, noon and evening. It is not only a place to eat – it is also a kind of oasis from the sometimes dreary, often difficult exigencies of the service. A place of social discourse, of momentary relief from the burdens of the day. The only things explicitly forbidden by inviolable tradition in the wardroom are the wearing of a cover or sword by an officer not actually on watch, or conversation which touches upon politics or religion. But aboard ships which observe the custom, another implicit taboo concerns the empty chair: No matter how crowded the room, no matter who is waiting to be seated, that chair is never moved, never taken.

The table is by the main entrance to the wardroom. You will see it when you enter, and you will see it when you leave. It draws your eyes because it is meant to. And because it draws your eyes it draws your thoughts. And though it will be there every day for as long as you are at sea, you will look at it every time and your eyes will momentarily grow distant as you think for a moment. As you quietly give thanks.

AS YOU REMEMBER.

The small, round table is covered with a gold linen tablecloth. A single place setting rests there, of fine bone china. A wineglass stands upon the table, inverted, empty. On the dinner plate is a pinch of salt. On the bread plate is a slice of lemon. Besides the plate lies a bible. There is a small vase with a single red rose upon the table. Around the vase is wound a yellow ribbon. There is the empty chair.

We will remember because over the course of our careers, we will have had the opportunity to enjoy many a formal evening of dinner and dancing in the fine company of those with whom we have the honor to serve, and their lovely ladies. And as the night wears on, our faces will in time become flushed with pleasure of each other’s company, with the exertions on the dance floor, with the effects of our libations. But while the feast is still at its best, order will be called to the room – we will be asked to raise our glasses to the empty table, and we will be asked to remember:

The table is round to show our everlasting concern for those who are missing. The single setting reminds us that every one of them went to their fates alone, that every life was unique.

The tablecloth is gold symbolizing the purity of their motives when they answered the call to duty.

The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and their loved ones who kept the faith.

The yellow ribbon around the vase symbolizes our continued determination to remember them.

The slice of lemon reminds us of the bitterness of their fate.
The salt symbolizes the tears shed by those who loved them.
The bible represents the faith that sustained them.
The glass is inverted — they cannot share in the toast.
The chair is empty — they are not here. They are missing.

And we will remember, and we will raise our glasses to those who went before us, and who gave all that they had for us. And a part of the flush in our faces will pale as we remember that nothing worth having ever came without a cost. We will remember that many of our brothers and sisters have paid that cost in blood. We will remember that the reckoning is not over.

We many of us will settle with our families into our holiday season, our Christmas season for those who celebrate it, content in our fortune and prosperity. We will meet old friends with smiles and laughter. We will meet our members of our family with hugs. We will eat well, and exchange gifts and raise our glasses to the year passed in gratitude, and to the year to come with hope. We will sleep the sleep of the protected, secure in our homes, secure in our homeland.

But for many families, there will be an empty chair at the table this year. A place that is not filled.

WE SHOULD REMEMBER."

Many Thanks To Alfa6 For Finding Capt. Lefon's Chronicle Of "The Empty Chair."

"Träumerei"
Robert Schumann
(Click)

Never Forget The Brave Men And Women Who
Gave Their Lives To Secure Our Freedom!!

[mylife]

Hat tip to all

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS AND OUR BELOVED NATION!



"The Star Spangled Banner"
Verse Four
(Click)

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Please let me know by Freepmail if you would like
to be admitted to or released from my music ping list.

[mountainlion]

Look at all those people outside in short selves. In a week it is supposed to get up to freezing. It is cold.

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Remembering Our Troops !! ~

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies' military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

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[mylife]

155mm kaboom

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Yesterday I got to drive half way to work driving straight to the full moon, and after work straight to it.....only a couple fingers above the horizon. It was beautiful.

Today....it has started to snow and “they” can’t decide on 8 - 12” or only a couple. I will know in the morning.

[mylife]

https://vimeo.com/293556281

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mac...*HUGS*...the new job keeping you busy?

How are you fixed for weather? Rain? Snow?

[luvie]

Ooooo....that must have been an awesome drive! That moon was SO big!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Marine...closer than that. Hope you aren’t having horrible weather. Are you in the path of the new storm?