USO Canteen FReeper Style....OhioWfan & Son Eric .... November 8,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style and Snow Bunny

[E.G.C.]

MONACO, FREE TED MAHER NOW!!!!!!

[tomkow6]

Good morning, Snow! Good morning, EVERYBODY!

Happy FRIDAY!

[tomkow6]

Today's FEEBLE attempt at humor:

At one job I had, the boss man got the idea that the IT
department should be living up to the slogan, "Giving every
user what they need."

I politely requested, "How do we get them to turn around so
we can kick them in the a$$?"

[tomkow6]

Did ya know............?

Ivy has long been identified with immortality. Because it's always green and clings tenaciously to life, it is often used as a symbol of eternal life in Christian art.

[anniegetyourgun]

Good morning, proud mama!

[SAMWolf]

Congratulations Eric and OhioWfan.

I thank Eric for his service and Mom you have to be so proud! As long as their are men like your son and Mom's like you our Country will continue to be the best in the world.

[tomkow6]

At sea aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Oct. 5, 2002 -- An F/A-18E “Super Hornet” assigned to the “Eagles” of Strike Fighter Squadron One One Five (VFA 115) prepares to launch from one of four steam driven catapults on the ship’s flight deck. The “Super Hornet” is about 25% larger than its predecessor, the F/A-18C/D, but contains 42% fewer structural parts. The single-seat F/A-18E flies greater ranges with heavier payloads, has a more powerful engine, and provides greater survivability. Lincoln and her embarked Carrier Air Wing One Four (CVW-14) are conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Philip A. McDaniel.

In response to hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone, Operation Southern Watch aircraft, including the Super Hornets from the Abraham Lincoln, used precision-guided weapons to target two surface-to-air missile systems (SAM), and a command and control communications facility.

The SAM systems were near Al Kut, approximately 100 miles southeast of Baghdad. The command and control facility was near Tallil, about 160 miles southeast of Baghdad. The strikes occurred at about 6:30 a.m. EDT Wednesday.

Target battle damage assessment is ongoing.

Coalition strikes in the no-fly zones are executed as a self-defense measure in response to Iraqi hostile threats and acts against coalition forces and their aircraft. Today’s strike came after Iraqi forces fired anti-aircraft artillery at coalition aircraft in the southern no-fly zone and moved the SAM systems into the no-fly zone in violation of U.N. resolutions.

The last coalition strikes in the southern no-fly zone were Oct. 22 against a command and control communications facility near Al Jarrah, and an air defense operations center near Tallil.

Coalition aircraft never target civilian populations or infrastructure, and go to painstaking lengths to avoid injury to civilians and damage to civilian facilities.

[SAMWolf]

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Amanda Moormann, a chaplain's assistant from the 438th Air Expeditionary Group, sets up for a service at a forward-deployed location supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The base chapel program provides various services to the base community throughout the week, including worship, religious education for various faiths, and counseling. U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. William Greer

Father (U.S. Air Force Lt. Col.) Robert Keller, a chaplain from the 438th Air Expeditionary Group, conducts a service at a forward-deployed location supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The base chapel program provides various services to the base community throughout the week. U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. William Greer

Members of the choir sing during a chapel service at a forward-deployed location supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. William Greer

[SAMWolf]

Erie Williams was a Marine mom during WWII.
Her Marine did not come home.
He was one of the many killed at Tarawa in 1943.
She loved to write poetry.
This poem was written in his honor.




Returning Soldier
By Erie Williams

Dear son, once more the roses are in bloom;
The rambler trellis is a massive sight.
To-day I've hung fresh curtains in your room;
Your bed is ready-made for you to-night.
Your voice, your footsteps how I long to hear,
And at the table see you in your place.
Here's many things for you- this hour
Our hearts are lifted to His throne of grace.

I thank the Lord for such a son as you-
A son that I am proud to call my own;
You've tread the path of duty fearlessly;
With God to guide who can one's fate bemoan?
War is so horrid, time of fear is long
In waiting your return across the sea;
And how the nights are dark,
when vigil
Keeps reminding sacrifices are liberty.

To make a better world, it takes the best;
The stars of broken homes confirm it's true
That some must fall- they never more return.
No peace without some righteous ones like you-
The spirit seems to say, you cannot come,
That you're with Him,
You're waiting now for me.
Oh Heavenly Father help me still to pray,
To see that sacrifices mean Victory.

[SAMWolf]

"A Mother's Prayer for her Soldier"

God, Father of freedom, look after that boy of mine, wherever he may be.

Walk in upon him. Keep his mind stayed on Thee. Talk with him during the silent watches of the night,
and spur him to bravery whenever called upon to face the cruel foe.

Transfer my prayer to his heart, that he may know the lingering love I have bequeathed to him as an everlasting gift.

Keep my boy contented and inspired by the never-dying faith in his mother's God.

He is my gift to freedom. May that freedom forever remain untarnished, God.

Through the lonely and confusing hours of training and combat, and throughout all the long days of a hopeful victory,
keep his spirit high and his purpose unwavering.

Make him a proud pal to all with whom he comes in contact and make his influence a noonday light
wherever his duty takes him. Satisfy the hunger of his soul with the knowledge of this daily prayer of
mine.

To my country, and to world freedom, Oh Heavenly Father, have I bequeathed this boy of mine.
He is my choicest treasure.

Take care of him, God.
Keep him in health and sustain him under every possible circumstance of events.

Warm him anew under his shelter and under the stars.
Touch him with my smile of cheer and comfort and my full confidence in his every brave move.

Silent and alone, I pray, God, but I am only one of millions of mothers whose prayers stream day and night to you.

This is our Gethsemane. Lead us victoriously through it, God,
and lead that boy of mine through his.

Fail him not....and may he not fail You, his country, nor his mother.

Thank you, God

[firewalk]

Good morning & have a great day

[BeachBelle]

http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/50317.htm

Good Morning Troops and USO Canteen FReepers!

If you have a minute, check out this heart warming story about a WWII Vet.

[bluesagewoman]

Such a wonderful tribute this morning. We've been able to follow Eric these past few months, and this has put such a "reality" touch on his story. Yes, Mom, you should be very proud! Thank you for letting us share.

[Soaring Feather]

Good Morning, Snow Bunny, OhioW

This is so very lovely.

[zip]

GOOD MORNING CANTEENERS, MILITARY PERSONNEL, PAST AND PRESENT, YOUR FAMILIES AND OUR CANADIAN AND ISRAELI ALLIES.

THANK YOU TO ERIC & OHIOWFAN FROM THE MID MISSOURI PATRIOTS. We appreciate all that you do for us.

[Johnny Gage]

Bunny: Thank you for the "as usual" fantastic expose' of our military members.

Ohio: You have much to be proud of. Eric is a wonderful example of what we all pray our children grow up to be.

____________________________________________________________

THREE "CHEERS" FOR ERIC.

____________________________________________________________

Station #51 is open for Tours & Rides
Hot breakfast, bagels & coffee in the kitchen

Time Out: 08:44
KMG-365

[ohioWfan]

OH, SNOW BUNNY!! I just got here this morning, and I am OVERWHELMED by your beautiful tribute!!

Praise the LORD for his gifts. Everything I have and am is from my FATHER in Heaven!

Thank you for this wonderful thread!! THANK YOU!!!

[ohioWfan]

Thank you all so very much!!

Eric has been through in processing at his home Unit, and the logistics are being worked out for transferring to Minnesota where he'll go to college. And he is still thrilled that he shook hands with his fantastic Commander in Chief!

But recently the possibility that his college education will be put on hold because of the war on Iraq has begun to weigh heavily on him. The Pentagon's statement that many reserves will be called up made that possibility seem even more real.

He is ready and willing to go if called.....his boots are shined :o)........but obviously, he would also love to go to college as planned.

To those of you who have prayed, THANK you......I would appreciate your continued prayers for him!

[ohioWfan]

You're welcome, bluesagewoman! It has been my pleasure to share Eric's experience with others here to 'put a face' on our military. He is only one of thousands of young men and women who are serving to defend the freedoms we so often take for granted.

Trust me......I don't take anything for granted any more! :o)