A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....03-07-03...The Blue Star Flag

LadTx and Billie | Ladtx

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest.....
......Every Day

FR is a Treasure Trove of talented, compassionate, patriotic, wonderful people who gather every day to discuss the latest news and issues; salute and support our military and our leaders;  tell a few jokes;  learn a new word;  write poetry;  pray for those in need;  and congratulate those who are deserving. Thank you, Jim Robinson, for giving us the vehicle in which we can express ourselves.

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   I can remember lurking when there were only a few regulars who posted, and now there are over 60,000 who have registered for posting privileges. The forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest November 11, 2001

So many people have written me since my original Veteran's Day Tribute, asking how they, or a loved one, could be included in that tribute. Since I can no longer add the photos to the body of the thread, I've been including them in additional posts as I received enough to make another collage.

Still that doesn't seem to be enough. I think there's never been a better nor more appropriate time to keep the faces of our own Veterans and Active Military in front of FReepers--every day! That's why I wanted to do yet another Daily Thread .....ABOUT FReepers .....and FOR FReepers. But not only about our Military FReepers; for all FReepers! Wouldn't it be nice to get to know a few of the other FReepers as well? That's why, in addition to seeing FR's Finest Military Personnel every day, I thought it might be fun to feature a different FReeper (or FReepers) each day. If you would like to be pictured, or know someone who would, please FReepmail me and we'll turn the spotlight - on YOU - for the day!

And do let me know if you'd like your picture added to the groups of Veterans/Active Military below. I will keep this page updated, and continue to add them to the comment section of the original Veteran's Day thread as well.

<

TOP:  g'nad, AgThorn's son Justin, SLB, AgThorn's son Brett.
MIDDLE:  fish70, razorback-bert, CheneyChick,Leroy S Mort, Mark17.
BOTTOM:  Terry's Take, Taxman, DinkyDau.

TOP:  ValerieUSA's son Grant, SK1Thurman, kd5cts, RangerVetNam,
dansangel and .45man's son-in-law Tony
BOTTOM:  rangerX, Old China Hand, Trish, Howlin's dad, Mustang

TOP: ohioWfan's son, MamaBear's father-in-law, MamaBear's dad, ladtx
MIDDLE:  The Mayor's niece, M.Kehoe, Beach_Babe's son-in-law
BOTTOM:  deadhead's dad, HiJinx, Severa's hubby, viligantcitizen's granddad.

TOP:  spectr17, RightOnline, SERE_Doc, Tet68.
MIDDLE:  FutureSnakeEater, RightOnline's wife, CIApilot, Clamper1797
BOTTOM:  usmcobra, onedoug, DiverDave, Joe6-pack

We now have eleven groups of veterans/active military; we will post each group of three or four twice a week, with thumbnail/links of the remaining seven or eight groups on each thread. Click on any of the thumbnails below to see the group full-size.

         

GROUP 1A: TOP: Logos, SwedeGirl's hubby, Neil E Wright, FallGuy, 1John, Sneakypete MIDDLE:  T'wit, COB1, LadyX, Dick Bachert, 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub BOTTOM:  YankeeinSC, Delta21, JoeSixPack1

GROUP 2A: TOP:  Bosniajmc, AFVetGal, Archy, A Navy Vet MIDDLE:  4TheFlag, Aeronaut, 68Grunt, Xinga BOTTOM:  Codger, AAABest, Clinton's A Liar, Duke809, dcwusmc

GROUP 3A: TOP:  mc5cents, Norb2569, LBGA's son, VanJenerette MIDDLE:  Jim Robinson, KJenerette, davidosborne, KG9Kid BOTTOM:  gwmoore, Equality7-2521, SAMWolf

GROUP 4A: TOP:  porgygirl, Phil V., MudPuppy, NorCoGOP MIDDLE:  RaceBannon, OneidaM, rdb3, jwTexian BOTTOM:  USMC Vet, TheMayor, Vineyard, rhododogma

      

GROUP 9A: TOP: Q6-God, Scan59, Mama Bear and JKPhoto's son, ofMagog. MIDDLE:  Big'ol_freeper, JustAmy's great uncle, Prodigal Son. BOTTOM:  JustAmy's husband, JustAmy's brother-in-law, JustAmy's brother.

GROUP 10A: TOP: dakine's wife, MeeknMing's dad, Auntbee's nephew, MilitiaMan7, AlasBabylon. BOTTOM:  Joe Brower, Temple Owl, Temple Owl's wife, dutchess' dad, Aomagrat.

GROUP 11A: TOP: ladtx #2 son; DiverDave's twin Don; petuniasevan and husband poorman; Mustard; ladtx #1 son. BOTTOM: AlamoGirl's brother Floyd; AG's dad; AG's brother Jim (inset); WVNan's husband; ladtx' Aunt Eva.

                     

The American War Mothers flag
(The Blue Star Flag)

      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Blue Star Flag by ladtx

I hung two blue star flags in the window today, one for each of our sons.      Two yellow ribbons would have sufficed to show our concern and our love but the blue stars are more fitting, so there they hang.

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Yellow ribbons have become “de rigueur” when our soldiers go to war. During the Gulf War they were everywhere; trees, fences, front porches and the back windows of automobiles. It was a spontaneous and caring display of concern for our troops. It had been carried over from the days of the imprisonment of the hostages held in Iran ten years before. Inspired by the popular song, “Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Old Oak Tree” by Tony Orlando and Dawn, those yellow bows showed our concern. Although heartfelt and indicative of the love of those left behind, particularly for friends, relatives and our troops as a whole, there is a predecessor that is more steeped in history and I believe more appropriate symbol for display by mothers and fathers.

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The American War Mothers flag was first displayed during World War I. The blue star on a white background trimmed in red was a design created by Robert L. Queissner of Ohio to reflect the WWI service of his two sons. The flag was displayed in windows to denote the home of a soldier’s mother. As WWI progressed and American lives were lost a new flag developed from the blue star. When a son was killed the, mothers began sewing a gold star over the blue and soon thereafter President Wilson began referring to these women as “Gold Star Mothers.”

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In 1925 the U.S. Congress granted the American War Mothers a national charter. The following year on what was then Armistice Day, now Veterans Day, the American War Mothers flag was raised over the Capitol for the first time. Today the War Mothers Flag flies beneath the National Colors every Veterans Day until sundown.

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On the July 1942 cover of McCall’s, a blue-star flag appears in the window above a mother and son.

World War II, once again, saw the practice of hanging the Blue and Gold Star flags in windows. Sadly, the practice of displaying the Blue Star or Gold Star flags in the windows of mothers during the Korean and Vietnam Wars never gained widespread practice. It is one that should be taken up again. It has become one of our traditions that have fallen by the wayside and that is a shame. Traditions define us and to lose them one by one is to slowly lose ourselves and perhaps our way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On September 24, 1917 an Ohio congressman read the following into the Congressional record, referring
to the War Mothers Flag:

“The mayor of Cleveland, the Chamber of Commerce and the governor of Ohio have adopted this service flag. The world should know of those who give so much for liberty. The dearest thing in all the world to a father and mother – their children.”

SCOUTS OUT!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ladtx flew UH-1's in Vietnam, OH-58's in Germany, and the CH-47 Chinook in Korea and Texas. He served 20 years in the United States Army. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer (CW4). Click on the calvery horses above to read more about him, and his family. Two of his three sons have recently been deployed: one in the USAF and the other USAR. ~ Billie

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Father God, the star is the symbol You chose when You gave us the Ultimate Gift of Your Child. Heralding that birth was a bright and shining star in a dark sky, and ladtx has hung blue stars representing his two children, sent forth in Your name. They represent also the feelings of those who read and echo this prayer, honoring the sacrifices we, too, are willing to make in Your name, honoring the greatest of gifts - pure love. Believing in You, we entrust our sons and daughters to Your care all the years of their lives, from first breath to last; and most especially, we ask You to protect them when their absence is for the greater good of mankind. Be with them in every situation, Father. Send the Holy Spirit to fill them and all family and friends involved with Your peace and certainty of purpose. We believe America is the nation that was established in Your Holy Name, and ask Your help in our efforts to preserve her and to act according to Your will. Guide all those in positions of authority through the storms and trials ahead, particularly our President. Thank You for hearing our pleas, Lord. Amen.

Thank you, LadyX, for the beautiful prayer.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 03-03-03 Pippin's Thoughts 03-04-03 Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) 03-05-03 BilltheDrill 03-06-03 JohnHuang2 Essay

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
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5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[Billie]

[Billie]

Good morning, FReeper FRiends. You won't want to miss ladtx' latest essay. For all of you with loved ones in our military waiting for orders.....the blue star flag is a beautiful way to show America you have a vested interest in our Country.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Billie.

[Billie]

Good morning, Aeronaut. Trust you watched President Bush last night. Time really is running out for Saddam, the Butcher.

[JohnHuang2]

G'morning *Smiles*

Two words: Simply Superb!

[JohnHuang2]

[Aeronaut]

Trust you watched President Bush last night.

I hate to sound like a "Bush-bot" but that MAN is so impressive - sincere, honest, and the "Texas cowboy look," (not apperance, but the look you get from an angry spouse that stops you like a deer in the headlights). I would not want to be Sad damm's insurance underwriter right now.

[firewalk]

Good morning (-:

Back in a little while to read...

[Joe Brower]

Well done, ladtx!

[ladtx]

Thanks Joe.

[Pippin]

Good Morning!

ladtx, thanks for the history about the blue star flag and the gold star mothers.

I have a niece and a nephew in the military in the USAF and USArmy respectively. Is is still appropriate for me to display that flag?

(((Aeronaut)))!

(((BILLIE)))!

(((ladtx)))!

[Billie]

Good morning, John. We have such writing talent at FR, and to get to showcase some of it here at the Finest is a great privilege. I look forward to each new essay from both you and ladtx.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Pippin - love ya.

[Pippin]

Hi, (((JOHN)))!

[Billie]

I know exactly how you feel about him - my heart literally swells with pride every time he speaks to us, because he speaks from his heart. The man is true, honest, sincere, compassionate, good.....everything that was lacking in the Impeached One.

[Aquamarine]

(click on graphic)

[ladtx]

Actually the flag was originally intended for mothers only then later fathers were added. The flag in the window indicates the home where a son or daughter is no longer there and has gone in harms way. I think the yellow ribbon would be more appropriate in your case.

[Billie]

Good morning, BIS. Please do come back and read this essay in a bit. You'll be so glad you did! I hate to say I didn't know about these flags before now. The Yellow Ribbons, yes, the Blue (and Gold, sadly) Star Flags, no.

[ladtx]

Beautiful prayer, LadyX.
Thank you.

SCOUTS OUT!

[Billie]

Hi, Joe, thanks for posting ladtx' picture again. His profile page is impressive, isn't it?