[Billie]

[Billie]

Good morning, Finest FRiends. I can't stay right now but wanted to open the doors and get the coffee started. Be back soon. Happy Monday!

[MEG33]

God Bless our Armed Forces and all who wait at home.It has been a very brutal day in Baghdad.American military deaths and wounded,many Iraqis killed in bombings.I pray the perpetrators are brought to justice.May God's comfort and healing come to those who are hurting.

[ladtx]

Another Military Monday and another tribute to my fallen comrades.

In memory of my fellow Vietnam helicopter pilots who were killed in that war the following were lost on OCT 27. God bless them all.

1968 WO1 Dennis C. Ackerman -- 92 AHC, Age 21, Married, Gretna, Louisiana
1968 WO1 Edward P. Mullins -- 92 AHC, Age 21, Single, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
1970 1LT Jack L. Bagley -- 336 AHC, Age 24, Married, Marshfield, Missouri

On a personal note: Jack Bagley was in my unit, 336th Assault Helicopter Company. I did not know that he was killed in Vietnam until I started doing this post. It came as a shock. He was still a co-pilot when I left Vietnam and was killed shortly after I returned to the States. He was always friendly and always had a smile on his face. He was a good man.

Another tribute to Lt Bagley:

Jack was killed when the Huey he was flying hit the tallest tree in "the tiger's tail" a strip of tall trees just south of Soc Trang. Jack was flying night cover for Soc Trang Airfield for the 336th Assault Helicopter Company at the time of his death. Jack was an officer and a gentleman in the finest sense of those words. His brothers in the 336th missed him greatly.

Harry Carter -- 336th Assault Helicopter Company

336th "Warriors" taking a break between lifts. 1LT Jack Bagley is pictured in the center sitting on the skid facing the camera.

SCOUTS OUT!

[knighthawk]

Let's hope this week will be a quiet one for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[jwfiv]

Good morning, Billie Blubonnet...)

Good morning to all our Hostesses and all the Finest.

I wake up today, the sky is gold and rose from the terrible fires all around me, but I'm far enough away to be touched only by falling ash and the hellish images on TV.

Also, I'm touched by news of the war. It rouses anger at the enemy, and the cowardly Democrats who would choose French way, were they in charge.

May the Lord be blessing our Commander In Chief, our troops and their families...always.

[Calpernia]

I really like that pledge graphic Billie.

Goodmorning to the Finest!

[Billie]

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; Mama_Bear; Dansangel; Dutchess; Aquamarine 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.

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

OhioWfan........................son mystery-ak..........son, husband Gogrammy................grandson Inspectorette...................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Pippin....niece,nephew,loved one Doug from Upland......son-in-law weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon..son-in-law,grandson BeforeISleep...................son The Mayor........................niece LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.......................nephew StarCMC......................brother kimmie7.....................brother ValerieUSA..................2 sons TexKat................son, step-son Spruce.....................daughter Explorer89................brother Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells..................active duty LongCut..................active duty Trish.......................active duty ODC-GIRL.................active duty

Maigrey................cousin ladtx....................2 sons Mama_Bear.........2 nephews gator girl............husband severa................husband MozartLover......son, nephew LBGA........................son SpookBrat...........nephew Himyar.....................son boxerblues............2 sons the piper...................son sheeza...............husband kemathen7...........husband Tiffee4Bob.......boyfriend Diver Dave................niece deadhead................cousin JimRobinson.....2 nephews Armymarinemom.....3 sons Consort..2 daughters,son-in-law Darheel..................niece dixie sass.............nephew BeAllYouCanBe.........son AgThorn...............2 sons homeschoolmama.......nephew kneezles.................son Atomic Conspiracy..half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...nephew Atomic Conspiracy...niece visualops..............cousin

[CounterCounterCulture]

In loving memory of one one FR's finest, lost to us recently but not forgotten...

LBGA

A Few Of FR's Finest....Every Day....09-03-03....To LBGA - With Love

[DollyCali]

Thank you Billie !


Love the singing dachaund FReeper photo.


You are SOOOOOOO talented. Cant wait until I meet you & many of the other folks. Every FReeper I have met is top flight.

[Spruce]

Greetings all.

I promised to keep you updated on my daughter, Holly. She has just graduated Air Force Basic Military Training, So here goes.

My son and I spent 4 days in TX for her BMT graduation. A curious series of events made the whole trip possible.

We made it to the Parade Ground early and without incident. The ceremony was really something to see and hear. I had seen Holly's HS marching band and was very impressed, but Holy Cow! The Air Force band was jaw-dropping good. Holly's flight(the "Wolf Pack" how appropriate for a MN kid!) had the honor of carrying the Flags of the US. All the States, Territories, etc.. She ended up carrying the Wisconsin flag. I have a great photo of her carrying it. Believe me, she was raised a Vikings fan and the photo of her carrying the state flag of the hated Packers will earn her lifelong ribbing.

My first question to her was "Any regrets?". "None. I love it.". That was pretty much the answer I got from every airman I asked.

We toured the barracks and that is when I first started to hear from families and TIs what a great airman my kid was. I must admit the one thing I was dying to hear was if she got her Marksmanship ribbon. 40 rounds. Need to get 35 on target. She was 32 out of 35 when her M-16 jammed. She was pretty peaved, and still is, about that.

Her orders, as of today, are to report to the DLI and begin her language training. She was lamenting how she was just beginning to feel at home and comfortable now has to ship-out. I reminded her that she will be living in Monterey CA for quite some time. She's psyched!

I have to say, my whole experience left me with a huge smile! I have no doubt the best US ambassadors to the world are our military.

I could go on for ever, but I hate typing.

Thank you, God! I am truly a blessed man.

p.s. photos as soon as I get them scanned.