A Few Of FR's Finest....Every Day....11-27-03 thru 11-30-03....Happy Thanksgiving To The Finest

Mama_Bear | 11-27-03 | Mama_Bear

[dansangel]

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 ~

Thanksgiving
by Edgar Guest

GETTIN' together to smile an' rejoice,
An' eatin' an' laughin' with folks of your choice;
An' kissin' the girls an' declarin' that they
Are growin more beautiful day after day;
Chattin' an' braggin' a bit with the men,
Buildin' the old family circle again;
Livin' the wholesome an' old-fashioned cheer,
Just for awhile at the end of the year.

Greetings fly fast as we crowd through the door
And under the old roof we gather once more
Just as we did when the youngsters were small;
Mother's a little bit grayer, that's all.
Father's a little bit older, but still
Ready to romp an' to laugh with a will.
Here we are back at the table again
Tellin' our stories as women an men.

Bowed are our heads for a moment in prayer;
Oh, but we're grateful an' glad to be there.
Home from the east land an' home from the west,
Home with the folks that are dearest an' best.
Out of the sham of the cities afar
We've come for a time to be just what we are.
Here we can talk of ourselves an' be frank,
Forgettin' position an' station an' rank.

Give me the end of the year an' its fun
When most of the plannin' an' toilin' is done;
Bring all the wanderers home to the nest,
Let me sit down with the ones I love best,
Hear the old voices still ringin' with song,
See the old faces unblemished by wrong,
See the old table with all of its chairs
An I'll put soul in my Thanksgivin' prayers.

In searching for a Thanksgiving prayer, I came across this from last year. I don't think I could find anything more fitting to include in this years Thanksgiving presentation. Thank you, Michelle Malkin, for this.....

November 27, 2002

By Michelle Malkin

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we gather together to count our blessings, 381 years after the first Thanksgiving Day, we realize how little appreciation we have expressed for this thy bounty:

For sunbeams and sunsets and sun-kissed cheeks, for rainbows and raindrops and rain sticks, for mountain dew and prairie frost, for harvest moons and shooting stars, we give thee praise.

For Blueberry Hill and Blackberry Creek, for Apple Valley and Orange County, for Plum Borough and Peachtree City, for Pineapple Park and Coconut Grove, we give thee praise.

For coal miners and construction workers, for truckers and bakers, for mail sorters and short-order cooks, for ranch hands and stage hands, for accountants who keep honest books, for politicians who keep their promises, for stay-at-home moms and double-shift dads, we give thee praise.

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, we thank you this day for "Proud to Be an American" and "These Colors Don't Run," for "Let Freedom Ring" and "Of Thee I Sing," for "Every Heart Beats True" and for "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue."

For Purple Hearts and Bronze Stars, for Green Berets and Gold Stripes, for the 10th Mountain Division and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, for the KC-130 Crew and the 101st Airborne Division, for the soldiers and SEALS and special forces who made the ultimate sacrifice this year, and for all who continue to protect and to serve, we give thee praise.

For the Border Patrol and citizens on patrol, for the National Guard and Guardian Angels, for the USO and the VFW, we thank you, O God, our creator and redeemer.

For the Pentagon rebuilt and Ground Zero restored and the faith of a nation renewed, for "Semper Paratus" and "Non sibi sed patriae," for "Never forget" and "Never surrender," for freedom from fear and freedom to dream, for free minds and free markets, for freedom with responsibility, we give thee praise.

For the Song of Solomon and the Prayer of St. Francis, for "the Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer," for "without vision we perish," for Proverbs 28, for John 3:16, for "The Old Rugged Cross," for "The Solid Rock," and for "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," we offer eternal thanks.For "All men are created equal," for "Tear down this wall," for "Ask not what your country can do for you," for "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty," for "I swear to uphold the laws and Constitution of the United States of America, against all enemies foreign and domestic," we give thee praise.

For iron will, for steely resolve, for mettle tested and time-worn, for uncommon valor that never sleeps, for steady hands, sturdy legs, broad shoulders, and level heads, for stiff upper lips, for blood, sweat and tears, for conquering our fears, and for unbending courage in the face of the unknown, we give thee praise.

O Father, we come to thee on this national day to join with heart and voice all the people of our blessed land to honor and thank thee. We ask you, Lord, as our forefathers did in times of strife, "to inspire our commanders both by land and sea, and all under them, with that wisdom and fortitude which may render them fit instruments, under the providence of Almighty God, to secure for these United States the greatest of all blessings: independence and peace."

For precious life itself in this great nation—under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all—we thank thee, O Father. Amen.

Michelle Malkin is author of Invasion: How America Still Welcomes Terrorists, Criminals, and Other Foreign Menaces to Our Shores. Click here for Michelle Malkin's website.

Copyright 2002 Creators Syndicate, INC.

This holiday thread will run through Sunday, November 30th.
Please drop by when time permits and share a cup of fellowship
with us. New FRiends and old FRiends are always welcome at
our cyber table. So, pull up a chair ~ we are glad you are here.

We now return to our regularly scheduled program...

To you and your family,
from the "Finest" hostesses ~
Billie, Mama_Bear, Dansangel, Dutchess, Aquamarine

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 11-24-03...Military Monday 11-25-03...Countdown To The Holidays 11-26-03...Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse

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.

[dansangel]

[dansangel]

[dansangel]

Today's beautiful thread is brought to you by Mama_Bear who is out of town today.

Let us take the time to give thanks for all of our Blessings and remember to honor Him who showers us with these blessings through His mercy and compassion.

[MinuteGal]

Special prayers for our country, our military and our President at our family table tonight.

Also, this is the perfect time to thank the "Finest" pilgrims and pilgrimettes shown above for all the work they do to bring us these entertaining and inspiring posts every day. You are all a blessing to this forum.

Turkeys Up!

Leni

[dansangel]

Turkeys Up!

LOL! May God Bless you and your family abundantly today and always (((((Leni)))))))

[DollyCali]

Thank you ladies.. beautiful!

I hope that you all on this thread have had a good day of reflection on what you are thankful for. Sometimes it is so easy to see the empty cup.

some will have a big feast with family/friends. Others will have a quiet meal alone.

God speed & blessings to all.

[dansangel]

some will have a big feast with family/friends. Others will have a quiet meal alone.

Count .45MAN and I among the latter. It will be "different" for us this year, but life continues to change our lives and circumstances and we must "go with the flow." :-)

May God Bless you and your family abundantly, ((((((DollyCali))))))

[dansangel]

Let us *especially* remember all of our Military Members, past and present, and give thanks to them for all they have done to protect us with their selfless acts of heroism:

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; Dansangel; Dutchess; Mama_Bear; 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 The Mayor........................niece LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.....................nephew ValerieUSA................2 sons Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells..................activve duty LongCut..................active duty Trish.......................active duty StarCMC......................brother TexKat...................son and stepson Atomic Conspiracy....half-brother, niece, and nephew Dubya......................nephew

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 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 kimmie7...............brother Tiffee4Bob.............boyfriend Explorer89............brother ODC-GIRL............active duty Donaeus............nephew

[MEG33]

Happy Thanksgiving!I am thankful to God from whom all blessings flow .I am especially remembering all who serve our nation in the military past and present this Thanksgiving.Thank you for protecting us.

Thanks to the Finest
for beautiful graphics ,poetry,thoughts,the salute to our military and tours of interesting places.

[dansangel]

(((((MEG)))))

A Blessed Thanksgiving to you and your family. Thank you for your heartfelt contributions. You are *appreciated!*

[DollyCali]

Yes, I was just commenting with friend via IM in Oklahoma.. he used to have a large get together - this year just he, wife & one child (adult).. same here. big gatherings, often with elder/singles from church.

This year I might take my 92 year old aunt to dinner.. (bad weather & how she feels factors).. otherwise just a quiet meal here w/invalid mom.

Have a good day..you & dan..

[MEG33]

God bless you this Thanksgiving day.

[DollyCali]

Re: Military.. how fitting that a USA turkey is visiting the troops.....It will be interesting to see the reception she gets. I anticipate reserved applause (and maybe a few boos)

Most of those young men & women have such wonderful attitudes & spirit. We can learn something from them..

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Angel and everyone. May the Lord bless you all on this day of thanks.

[dansangel]

Bless your aunt's heart - 92 years old - I hope you all are able (weather-permitting) to have a great celebration.

[MEG33]

I am praying that God sees them through the onerous presence of Hill!

[dansangel]

May you and your family be safe and abundantly Blessed today and always (((((((Aeronaut)))))))))

[MEG33]

Wishing you and your families a blessed Thanksgiving.Wolfie,hoping you get well soon!

[dansangel]

[SpookBrat]

What a beautiful thread. The prayer from Michelle Malkin is amazing. I'm keeping it. I think I'll scrapbook it in this years Thanksgiving memories.

My mind is drawing a blank to which one of my friends likes the Statler Brothers, but here's a good song for Thanksgiving. I'm thankful for the Old Rugged Cross, but I'm especially thankful the tomb was empty and for second chances.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Enjoy your families.

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