A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....03-19-03...."sparkomatic - The Exclusive Inquisition"

dansangel; Billie

[dansangel]

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: 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.

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

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.

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 5A: TOP:  spectr17, RightOnline, SERE_Doc, Tet68. MIDDLE:  FutureSnakeEater, RightOnline's wife, CIApilot, Clamper1797. BOTTOM:  usmcobra, onedoug, DiverDave, Joe6-pack.

GROUP 6A: 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.

GROUP 7A: 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.

GROUP 8A: 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.

                     

sparkomatic Freeper since November 10, 2000

You, my dear readers, have been inundating me with e-mails demanding details about sparkomatic. Who is he? What does he look like? Are rumors that he is a right-wing extremist true or false? Well, you know, my dear National Inquisition readers, nothing is too good for you. I donned my woolies (can you say, "Nanook of the North?"), conned, er *talked* my editor into letting Lars the hunky "go-fer" be my driver, and headed off to the frozen tundra of Ohio. It was there I proceeded to freeze my ever-loving butt off in order to bring you:

sparkomatic - The Exclusive
National Inquisition Interview

dansangel: Where and when were you born?

sparkomatic: I was born and raised in Central Indiana on April 25, 1964. I grew up as a farm boy/truck driver's son. I have 3 brothers and no sisters. My mom is from Tennessee so I'm part hillbilly. I was raised as a Christian but was not a practicing Christian until about 9 years ago.

sparkomatic's face in a copy machine

dansangel: I understand you were in the, uh, military. Tell me that wasn't your choice, was it?

sparkomatic: I joined the army at 18. I was a military intelligence analyst at Ft. Bragg. My official job title was electronic warfare signals intelligence non-communications interceptor, but military intelligence (MI) analyst is a lot easier to say.

sparkomatic as a soldier stationed in Key West.
Says sparkomatic, "I was a lean mean fighting machine then.
I was 6' and 155lbs. Could bench better than 200 lbs,
run 2 miles in about 12 1/2 minutes,
do over 100 sit ups, blah blah blah."

dansangel: I'll say….I guess you didn't exactly keep a low profile while you were in the military.

sparkomatic: I arrived at Ft. Bragg in late summer of '83. I immediately volunteered to be a duty bod in the Grenada invasion. I was only 19 and fresh out of basic training, AIT and jump school. I was very gung ho at the time. I didn't have my security clearance yet. All I wanted to do was get my chance to shoot some bad guys. I think I've grown up some since then.

dansangel: You think so?

Could it be....Elvis?

sparkomatic: I did get my security clearance not long after that. I continued to work in MI even after leaving the military in '91. I had a 3 month TDY to NSA where I worked during the Achille Lauro thing in the Mediterranean.

dansangel: Throughout all of this, were you able to have any sort of family life?

sparkomatic: My wife and I have 4 children together. I met my wife in 89. She was one of my troops. I was a squad leader. We got married only 6 months after we met.

Mr. and Mrs. sparkomatic

sparkomatic's beautiful family

dansangel: I'm sure that made you settle down somewhat and stay closer to home, no?

sparkomatic: I went to Panama during the "let's get Noriega" invasion. I was only there about 2 weeks. I went to Saudi Arabia in Sep 90. My wife followed me about 2 weeks later. Our 4 month old daughter went to live with her grandparents in central, rural Ohio.

We both returned from the Gulf in March and April of 91. Shortly thereafter we both left the military.

sparkomatic and son Michael

sparkomatic took this photo of this dented
(buckshot?) sign in Arkansas

dansangel: So, did that get working for the government out of your system?

sparkomatic: I got a job working at the Naval Research Laboratory in Wash DC. I worked there as an MI analyst for a few more years. During that time I began attending community college. I got my AS in computer science then moved on to University of Maryland University College for my bachelors which I never finished.

We moved to Ohio to my wife's hometown in 97. I now work as a computer programmer for the American Chemical Society.

dansangel: OK, let's try a different subject. Are you one of those right-wing whackoes I seem to keep running into lately?

sparkomatic: I've never been actively involved in any sort of political stuff. In fact, up until about 6 - 7 years ago I didn't even know the difference between a liberal and a conservative.

dansangel: That's refreshing!

sparkomatic: When I was in middle school I voted for Jimmy Carter in our mock election. With the exception of that one deviation I've voted mostly Republican ever since. I've been Republican all my life, but never knew why. I just knew I was a Republican.

dansangel: I just *knew* it was too good to be true….

sparkomatic: During the first Clinton election I was stupid then and voted for H Ross Perot. I guess I was impressed with all the charts & graphs.

sparkomatic "in cognito"

dansangel: Stupid? I'd say it was darned brilliant!

sparkomatic: During the next Clinton election I voted for Bob Dole. By this time I was actually starting to pay attention to current events, politics, etc. This time I actually knew what I was doing.

dansangel: That's debatable….

sparkomatic: In fact, I can honestly say that Clinton did something good for me. He got me interested in politics.

For me, the hot button issues are: Abortion and 2nd Amendment rights.

I support Bush all the way. He isn't perfect…

dansangel: Now you're talking…

sparkomatic: …but no man is.

dansangel: I can see where this is leading. OK, let's get it over with - you belong to that right-wing wasteland of conspiratorial loonies, don't you?

sparkomatic: I began lurking the FreeRepublic around the time of the Monica Lewinsky business. I joined during the 2000 elections.

dansangel: Anything else you liked to tell us about yourself?

sparkomatic: I like to hunt. I like shooting. I like wood working. I'm basically a redneck with some polished edges.

sparkomatic kicking back on a tractor

That's all the news that fits, my dear readers. Hope this satisfies your nearly bottomless thirst for gossip -er, uh, *information.*

Until the next Inquisition, please join me in welcoming another of FR's Finest...

sparkomatic!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 03-17-03 Happy St. Patrick's Day! 03-18-03 To the Bushmobile, W04Man!

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.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
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

God Bless Our Military
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Daisyscarlett; Dansangel; Dutchess; Mama_Bear; and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~

We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in their hour of decision. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decisions.

Please give us the strength, Lord, to get through each difficult and devastating day that faces each of us and our country. Protect and guide our Military that are now being called to duty, strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

Jim Robinson .... two nephews OhioWfan .... son mystery-ak ... son, husband Gogrammy ..... grandson Inspectorette ..... son Blessed American .... nephew Slip18 ..... nephew anniegetyourgun ..... nephew Pippin ... a niece, nephew Doug from Upland ....son-in-law severa .... husband G'nad .... active duty LongCut .... active duty Trish .... active duty deadhead .... cousin MozartLover .... nephew Armymarinemom .... 3 sons WaterDragon..son-in-law,grandson BeforeISleep ... son

Maigrey ... cousin ladtx .... 2 sons Mama_Bear .... nephew gator girl .... husband LBGA ..... son Himyar ..... son SK1 Thurman .... active duty David Osborne .. active duty boxerblues' .... 2 sons the piper .... son sheeza .... husband kemathen7 .... husband Diver Dave .... niece weldgophardline ...brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater ....cousin Warrior Nurse ....active duty Spook Brat .... nephew Consort ... 2 daughters bkwells ... deployed on the USS Tarawa LHA-1

[dansangel]

[dansangel]

Please join me in welcoming sparkomatic to a Few of FR's Finest!

Thank-you {{{{{{{{Louie_Wolfie_Man}}}}}}} for today's hostess graphic! (Aren't we just the *sweetest* things....)

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Angel.

[dansangel]

{{{{{{{{{Aeronaut}}}}}}}}}}}

Long time no see! It's always wonderful to see your early morning fly-over!

[Aeronaut]

Sparkomatic, glad to meet you. Have a great day.

[dansangel]

{{{{{{{{{Aeronaut}}}}}}}}}}}

Long time no see! It's always wonderful to see your early morning fly-over!

[dansangel]

Oops...sorry about the double-post....

[Aeronaut]

Oops...sorry about the double-post....

I'm not. Two hugs are better than one!

[dansangel]

I'm not. Two hugs are better than one!

:-)

[.45MAN]

Good morning to All!!! Welcome to your 15 minutes of fame sparkomatic!

[dansangel]

[JohnHuang2]

{{{{{{{{ dansangel }}}}}}}}}}

G'morning!

[JohnHuang2]

And welcome, sparkomatic!

[JohnHuang2]

[JohnHuang2]

A hardy G'morning to y'all, too

[Timesink]

John, do you have just one ping lists or separate ones? If the "Freeper's Finest" is a separate ping list, I'd very much like to be removed from it. (However, if you only have one, I'll stay; I'd rather get all your other pings and live with this one than to get none of your pings at all.

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody !! Happy Wednesday!

54 degrees as I post this, and heading for 74.

Nice to meet you sparkomatic! What a nice looking family. Enjoy your day in the spotlight ! . . .

Have a cup while you FReep !

For those who prefer hot chocolate.....

[Pippin]

Hot chocolate needed this morning!

Thanks! :^)

[Pippin]

Hi, (((JOHN))))!

[Pippin]

Hi, ((Dansy))!

Another great "inquisition"!