And here's one I snapped of him as Saddam, with Kristinn outside of the Gridiron Dinner in March of 2004:
And one from a Bill Clinton book tour FReep we did, on July 5, 2004, in Philadelphia:
Doctor Raoul would go almost anywhere, on a moment's notice; and he would do anything for a friend. I knew he was sick, and I kept him in my prayers, hoping he would beat his biggest foe. I am heartbroken. I know God has a special place prepared for the biggest Patriot I have ever known. Rest in Peace, Raoul; you have earned it.
So good to see you girlfriend.. (!!!!!!!) and so many other dear people from over the years.
We are like family a bit. Show up together on rare occasions to say goodbye at funerals!
I have missed so many of you - and I really mean that. Your spirit of giving, sharing, helping, supporting. All very evident to me
I had the fun of sharing a few freeps with the good doc. In DC and PA and the most fun at a correspondents dinner.. wow, he was in rare form at that one!...At first when I encountered him -— I thought - who the heck is that loudmouth.. LOL.. AND he was a PITA to the libs he attacked. He was standing right next to me with that megaphone and was going full tilt. In a short time my quick inaccurate analysis of the man changed to a big positive of a man with a profound sense of humor and intestinal fortitude. Between his attacks he was a kind man to exchange some pleasantries and I put a screenname with the “mouth”.
I know many of you have had much deeper and longer connections and it is always hard to know that it is now gone... a chasm that cannot be breached. To you my FReeper friends I offer condolences. We always lose a bit of our soul when folks we have had some deep connections are no longer in our grasp in this life.
I agree with ken5050.. big time.
Wow. here is Lysie... Tacoma..(I loved the pix I shot of you & K at the inaugural a few year back)...the friends from the DC chapter.. the friends from the PA FReep of the Dump Murtha rally in Johnstown..Abner who was one of the first FReepers I met in Valley Forge at a Glenn Beck Rally for America Rally in 2003 just a day after I joined FR and ever so many more.
Please do not define my absence to not wanting to be with you.. heck, you aren’t here either.., Nutmeg and Z.. what a great couple, Trooprally - golly I love both of you.. Saurapod, Hellinahandcart, Kristinn(I still have your number on my cell phone-— probably an old one that does not work), bufordP...my buddy Guns. So much enjoyed my days visiting your home while I was in VA.
I do have many pix to share but unfortunately they are on my home computer in Ohio and I am still wintering in OKC. I have over the years posted many to my FR Page on Facebook. Some of you who are my friends on Facebook can go to that album on my wall.
I believe one of the pix albion posted carrying the box was one of mine from a weekend in DC. (and by the way Albion.. thank you for that wonderful tribute of memories you shared)
Have so much appreciated all the comments and sharing you have done and I have a feeling the family will begin to get to know more fully who this man was.. too bad it was not sooner.
BTTT!!