A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day...11-11-03....A Tribute to Our Veterans Past and Present...

Dutchess and Billie

[dutchess]

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

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and 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....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_bear, dansangel, Dutchess, Aquamarine

A Tribute to our Veterans...Past and Present

In 1918, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month, the world rejoiced and celebrated. After four years of bitter war, the Allied powers a signed a cease-fire agreement (an armistice) with Germany at Rethondes, France on November 11, 1918, bringing World War I to a close. The "war to end all wars" was over.

A Tribute to our Veterans The Origins of Veterans Day

In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. This site, on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington, became the focal point of reverence for America's veterans.

Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France, where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation's highest place of honor (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe). These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). The day became known as "Armistice Day."

Armistice Day officially received its name in America in 1926 through a Congressional resolution. It became a national holiday 12 years later by similar Congressional action. If the idealistic hope had been realized that World War I was "the War to end all wars," November 11 might still be called Armistice Day. But only a few years after the holiday was proclaimed, war broke out in Europe. Sixteen and one-half million Americans took part. Four hundred seven thousand of them died in service, more than 292,000 in battle.

Armistice Day Changed To Honor All Veterans

An answer to the question of how to pay tribute to those who had served in this latest, great war came in a proposal made by Representative Edwin K. Rees of Kansas: Change Armistice Day to Veterans Day, and make it an occasion to honor those who have served America in all wars. In 1954 President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.

On Memorial Day 1958, two more unidentified American war dead were brought from overseas and interred in the plaza beside the unknown soldier of World War I. One was killed in World War II, the other in the Korean War. In 1973, a law passed providing interment of an unknown American from the Vietnam War, but none was found for several years. In 1984, an unknown serviceman from that conflict was placed alongside the others. To honor these men, symbolic of all Americans who gave their lives in all wars, an Army honor guard, The 3d U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard), keeps day and night vigil.

A law passed in 1968 changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date.

National Ceremonies Held at Arlington

The focal point for official, national ceremonies for Veterans Day continues to be the memorial amphitheater built around the Tomb of the Unknowns. At 11 a.m. on November 11, a combined color guard representing all military services executes "Present Arms" at the tomb. The nation's tribute to its war dead is symbolized by the laying of a presidential wreath. The bugler plays "taps." The rest of the ceremony takes place in the amphitheater.

Someday We'll be Veterans Too...Pray for Us as We Pray for You

God Bless You..our Veterans ...thank you for your service for our country...and for being there as a support for us as we carry on your tradition...

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 11-10-03 Military Monday

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 a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact danangel or .45man at danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

[jwalsh07]

Sounds like a family wrought with Irishmen of dubious brain power. :-}

[deadhead]

"I just got some bad news today. A wonderful woman and soldier that I had the pleasure of knowing was killed in Iraq last week when the Black Hawk she was in was shot down. CW5 Sharon Swartworth served 26 years in the Army and was about to retire."

I am so sorry, eggman. So sad. My Thoughts and Prayers are with Sharon and her loved ones.

[FreeTheHostages]

Well done!!

Here's a calendar card that's all about today -- all about remembering.

[FreeTheHostages]

{{{{Maggie}}}}



YUP!

[ladtx]

A salute to all Veterans everywhere. Thank you all for your service to our great country. And a special salute to my two sons, Brian and Jeff, who have become Veterans since last Veterans Day.

In memory of my fellow Vietnam helicopter pilots who were killed in that war the following were lost on NOV 11. Todays losses are especially poignant since they fell on Veterans Day. God bless them all.

1966 MAJ William F. Callinan -- 170 AHC 52 CAB, Age 36, Married, Bangor, Maine
1966 CPT Milton F. Smith -- 170 AHC 52 CAB, Age 25, Married, Dania, Florida
1966 CPT John J. Livingston -- 117 AHC, Age 26, Married, Cedar Hill, Missouri
1966 WO1 Terrence M. Rooney -- 117 AHC, Age 22, Single, Denver, Colorado
1966 CPT Walter R. Speare III -- 119 AHC, Age 24, Married, Bedford, Oregon
1966 1LT Dee W. Stone Jr. -- 119 AHC, Age 23, Single, Forest Hill, New York

From the Virtual Wall website:

In memory of WO1 Terrence M. Rooney -- 117 AHC: KIA, South Vietnam.
Always smiling
Terry was one of our newest pilots at the Dragon Flight, 55th. Avn. Co., Yoido Island, K-16 Korea. I remember him as always smiling and saw him off in a taxi as he departed the 55th. for a leave before his deployment to Vietnam. I will always remember him. His smiling face looking back from the taxi as he departed will always remain in my memory. Jesse Shannon -- Friend in the 55th Avn Co Korea

Unit patch of the 117 Assault Helicopter Company "Warlords".

A pair of 117th AHC "Annies"

SCOUTS OUT!

[Aquamarine]

Click on the pic

[dutchess]

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; Mama_Bear; Dansangel; Dutchess or 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.

~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~

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.

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

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 BeAllYouCan Be............son Tiffee4Bob............boyfriend The Mayor.................niece consort...2 daughters, son-in-law Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty LongCut..................active duty Trish.......................active duty kimmie7......................brother Texkat.............son, stepson spruce...............daughter bkwells..................active duty visualops................cousin

Explorer89...........brother Maigrey................cousin ladtx....................2 sons Mama_Bear.........2 nephews gator girl............husband severa................husband MozartLover......son, nephew SpookBrat...........nephew Himyar.....................son boxerblues............2 sons the piper...................son sheeza...............husband kemathen7...........husband Diver Dave................niece deadhead................cousin JimRobinson.....2 nephews Armymarinemom.....3 sons kneezles...................son Darheel..................niece dixiesass..............nephew LadyX..............grandson AgThorn................2 sons valerieUSA............2 sons StarCMC.......brother atomic conspiracy..halfbrother atomic conspiracy..niece, nephew ODC-GIRL.......active duty

[MeekOneGOP]

I don't think anyone would misconstrue my intention. That was for veterans
that sacrificed everything for the freedoms we have today ...

[Calpernia]

Morning to the Finest! Happy Veteran's Day!

A Soldiers Prayer

When I am called to serve, Dear Lord, Wherever war may be, Give me courage to fight the battles, My country may ask of me. Grace me with Your presence, And know that I love You, While I fight the enemy, My country needs me to.

Help me protect my comrades, As You expect me to, And keep me in Your loving hands, While I do what I must do. I want to do my duty, And to give the best in me, To do what I've been called to do, And protect our liberty.

And if, according to Your will, I must give up my life, Please bless with Your protecting hand, My children and my wife.

Copyright ©2003 Fred White

Chief Warrant Officer U.S. Army (Retired)

[The Mayor]

Whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him
to a wise man who built his house on the rock. —Matthew 7:24

The storms of life reveal the strength of our faith.

[jwfiv]

A very good morning to you, Miss D...and a beautiful tribute you have crafted for our Veterans, and for us Freepers....thank you, immensely.

I feel such gratitude to those who have served our country, and serve it now.

"God bless America...Death to Her Enemies."

[The Mayor]

[Temple Owl]

Thank you dutchess.

[Billie]

Dutchess, I wanted to tell you how beautiful today's post is, (and what do I have to do to get you to take the full credit and leave my name off the top? I think you leave it there just to annoy T Man!) :) The pictures you chose to illustrate this wonderful tribute today are absolutely awesome! Thank you for being such an important part of the Finest team. I know where your heart is today.

Fly your flags proudly today.
We salute you, America's Veterans!

[knighthawk]

Hi all!

[dutchess]

Beautiful job, dad and I are very proud of you and the work you do. Dutchess's parents

[Mama_Bear]

Oh, dutchess's parents.....what a sweet message to our dutchess!

She is very special here and, yes, she does wonderful posts for our thread.

I know she has a very special love for you.....she says such wonderful things about you both. I feel like I know you. :-)

[dansangel]

Agreed....this is so beautiful. A great big ***BUMP*** to the top.

THANK YOU Veterans....we *love* you!

[Mama_Bear]

I haven't seen this posted on this thread yet, so I will post the new Veteran's Day poster for 2003.

[Marysecretary]

How sad that is. We must never, ever take these men and women for granted. They fight in our place and for us every day of their lives over there. God bless our troops. Maryxxx