A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....01-23-04....A Salute to our Military

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

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, deadhead ~

When Billie suggested that we might take a break in January and consider "re-running" one of our earlier favorite threads, I knew instantly which one I would choose to post again. No other post I have done was created with more love, more effort and involved more hours than my "Salute to our Military" originally posted last March 31st.

As we applaud and salute the five branches of our military we also pray for the safety of our men and women in uniform around the world and we remember our fallen heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in giving their lives in service to their country. May they rest in peace.

***USN SPECIAL OPERATIONS***

ANCHORS AWEIGH my boy, Anchors Aweigh,
Farewell to foreign shores,
We sail at break of day-ay-ay-ay.
Through our last night on shore, Drink to the foam,
Until we meet once more,
Here's wishing you a happy voyage home.

The Mediterranean Sea (Mar. 27, 2003

The "Air Boss" observes flight operations from primary flight control as an S-3B Viking of the "Checkmates" of Sea Control Squadron Two Two (VS-22) launches from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). The "Boss," the Air Department Head on a carrier, oversees all aircraft operations on the flight deck, the hangar, and the operations of the various maintenance shops. Truman and Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) are supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Ryan O'Connor.

"I am the American Sailor"



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Thank you to the men and women of the United States Navy. God bless and keep you. We await your safe return. Salute!

***USAF SPECIAL OPERATIONS***

Off we go INTO THE WILD BLUE YONDER
Climbing high into the sun;
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,
At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun! (Give 'er the gun now!)
Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,
Off with one helluva roar!
We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey!
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!

B-2 Spirit Bomber

The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses. Along with the B-52 and B-1B, the B-2 provides the penetrating flexibility and effectiveness inherent in manned bombers. Its low-observable, or "stealth," characteristics give it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy's most sophisticated defenses and threaten its most valued, and heavily defended, targets.

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Flags keep family close.....

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- With three American flags on board his F-15E Strike Eagle, Lt. Col. Matt Meloy prepares for a mission March 16 at a forward-deployed location in Southwest Asia. Two flags in the front of the canopy represent his two kids and he carries one for his wife. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen)


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The U.S. Air Force is an important component of the coalition military force being assembled in the Gulf region. All U.S. Air Force assets in the region are organized under the 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force commanded by Lt. Gen. T. Michael Moseley.


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Thank you to the men and women of the United States Air Force. We are praying for your safe return. Salute!

***ARMY SPECIAL OPERATIONS***

Over hill, over dale, as we hit the dusty trail,
and THE CASSIONS GO ROLLING ALONG.
In and out, hear them shout,
Counter march and right about,
And the Caissons go rolling along.

A soldier of U.S. Army 173rd Airborne guards the Harir airfield, 45 miles northeast of the Kurdish city of Irbil, after the group opened a new northern front on Thursday. The U.S. military parachuted about 1,000 troops into the Kurdish-held area of Iraq in a dramatic nighttime operation.

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Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) in firing positions during an enemy approach on their position at Objective Rams, in Southern Iraq, March 24, 2003. Joint Combat Camera Center photo by Sgt. Igor Paustovski, U.S.Army

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NAJAF, IRAQ (Army News Service, March 27, 2003) -- After a push deep into Iraq, the 3rd Infantry Division (Mech.) consolidated its forces northwest of Najaf March 25, about 60 miles from Baghdad, expecting a final assault on Republican Guard units ringing the capital.

********************



The Army Airborne Special Forces motto:
"De Oppresso Liber -
To Liberate the Oppressed"

The Special Forces Creed
The Special Forces Prayer


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Men and women of the United States Army, we salute you. God bless and keep you safe.

***USMC SPECIAL OPERATIONS***

From the HALLS OF MONTEZUMA
to the Shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land, and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of UNITED STATES MARINES.

The Marine Corps is a maritime force and is expeditionary in nature. In fact, the Marine Corps' history and legacy is a landing force from the sea. Today, Marines continue to be trained and equipped to come from the sea and fight America's battles. The unit in the Marine Corps specifically groomed for the contingency battles of the future is the Marine Expeditionary Unit or MEU.

A MEU is based on Naval vessels and is normally built around a reinforced battalion, a composite aircraft squadron, and by a MEU Service Support group totaling about 2,000 personnel in all.

Commanded by a colonel, the MEU is employed to fulfill routine forward deployments with fleets in the Mediterranean, the Western Pacific, and periodically, the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

The MEU's very existence is vital because with the decline of American bases abroad, it's possible that the only U. S. forces available to respond to worldwide crisis quickly will be the Marines.

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MARINE COMBAT HEADQUARTERS, Southern Iraq(March 22, 2003) -- First Marine Expeditionary Force's headquarters element and other command and control assets convoyed across the Kuwait-Iraq border and headed north March 22. In just about the middle of nowhere, Marines have stood up a forward operating base from which they are now running the Corps' portion of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

God bless "the few, the proud" of the United States Marine Corps. Thank you for your service. Salute!

We're always ready for the call,
We place our trust in Thee.
Through howling gale and shot and shell,
To win our victory.
"SEMPER PARATUS" is our guide,
Our pledge, our motto, too.
We're "Always Ready," do or die!
Aye! Coast Guard, we fight for you.

Dateline - March 4, 2003 North Arabian Gulf....Coast Guard Port Security Units maintain security on oil terminals. Coast Guard personnel from Port Security Unit 313, from Tacoma, Washington, discuss security strategy onboard the Mina al Bakr oil terminal.


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"We’ve activated nearly half of our selected reserves in support of Operations Neptune Shield, Liberty Shield and Iraqi Freedom . And our Auxiliary continues to provide an awesome presence throughout our Coast Guard—truly a model American volunteer organization.

I salute every member of our Coast Guard for the sacrifice, selfless courage, and professionalism that have been so clearly evident throughout the past year, and especially during the past week. Our thoughts and our prayers are with those who remain in harm’s way, and whose inspiring service compels me to say that I have never been more proud to wear the uniform of our great nation."
........Admiral Thomas H. Collins - March 26, 2003.

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We salute the men and women of the United States Coast Guard. Thank you for your service. God bless and keep you.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 01-19-04...Military Monday 01-20-04...Finest FReeper - rdb3 01-21-04...Celebrate Living #2 01-22-04...John's Two Cents... By JohnHuang2

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 dansangel
or .45Man at
danbh59@yahoo.com
and include
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in subject line.

[Dubya]

[MeekOneGOP]

Yep, exactly right - he was a fine role model alright, and we could use more today ...

[MeekOneGOP]

Drive carefully !

I've done my chore today. Worked on the stove, getting it cleaned up a bit today ...

[Dubya]

Taps

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Fading light, dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.

Thanks and praise, for our days,
'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, neath the sky;
As we go, this we know, God is nigh.

Sun has set, shadows come,
Time has fled, Scouts must go to their beds
Always true to the promise that they made.

While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.

[Dubya]

United States Flag Retirement

When the United States flag (Old Glory) becomes worn, torn, faded or badly soiled, it is time to replace it with a new flag, and the old flag should be "retired" with all the dignity and respect befitting our nation's flag. The traditional method of retirement is to incinerate the flag, but this does not mean that one should simply drop the entire flag (intact) into a fire. Though I disagree with burning a flag for a political statement and truly feel it is a dishonorable act, I also feel that freedom of speech must be protected. However, today we are not burning a flag we are retiring a symbol of America's honor, courage, and strength. Therefore we request that all remain silent during this ceremony.

A flag ceases to be a flag when it is cut into pieces. In addition, it is easier to completely incinerate the flag, if it is cut into smaller pieces. A flag should never be torn up like an old bed sheet. It should be cut up with scissors or shears in a methodical manner. The corners of the flag should be stretched out over a table top and someone should cut the flag stripe by strip and then star by star.

NOTE: Some organizations do not like the stars separated because the blue star field is it represents the union of the fifty states and one should never let the union be broken. Others feel that each state is equal to the others and therefore should have the dignity of the state's name being read. Leader: "The U.S. flag is more than just some brightly colored cloth... it is a symbol of our nation."

Scout #1: "Seven red stripes and six white strips; together represent the original 13 colonies that gained us liberty. The red stripes remind us of the lifeblood of brave men and women who were ready to die for this, their country."

Scout #2: "The white stripes remind us of purity and cleanliness of purpose, thought, word and deed. The blue is for truth and justice, like the eternal blue of the star-filled heavens."

Scout #3: "The stars represent the fifty sovereign states of our union. The American Creed states, "it is my duty to my country to love it, to respect its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies."

Leader: "The U.S. flag should be treated with respect when it's flying, and should be treated with respect when it's being retired."

Scout #4: "Therefore, we retire flags with dignity and respect when they become worn, torn, faded, or badly soiled. A flag ceases to be a flag when it is cut into pieces. We separate the 13 strips that represents the original 13 colonies, and the 50 stars to pay homage to the 50 states that together make up this great nation.



NOTE: Place each stripe one at a time in the already going fire with a stick. You can either read the 13 colonies names in alphabetical order or the following sayings as you place each stripe in the fire.

Have the Scouts line up behind the already prepared flags and have them enter one at a time in a slow solum manner. When the stripe is placed on the fire the Master of Ceremonies reads the state or the a Scout reads the saying. It is best to not have the Scout placing the strip to read the saying.

If you have more than one flag, separate them before into files. Place a stripe from each flag in each of the 13/50 piles. Place all corresponding stripes in the fire simultaneously.

[Dubya]

What do the colors of the Flag mean?

Sentimental writers and orators sometimes ascribe meanings to the colors in the flag. The practice is erroneous, as are statements on this subject attributed to George Washington and other founders of the country.

From the book "Our Flag" published in 1989 by the House of Representatives...

"On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution authorizing a committee to devise a seal for the United States of America. This mission, designed to reflect the Founding Fathers' beliefs, values, and sovereignty of the new Nation, did not become a reality until June 20, 1782. In heraldic devices, such as seals, each element has a specific meaning. Even colors have specific meanings. The colors red, white, and blue did not have meanings for The Stars and Stripes when it was adopted in 1777. However, the colors in the Great Seal did have specific meanings. Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, reporting to Congress on the Seal, stated:

"The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice."
Also this from a book about the flag published in 1977 by the House of Representatives...

"The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun."

The quote below concerning gold fringe on the Flag is from the book "So Proudly We Hail, The History of the United States Flag" Smithsonian Institute Press 1981, by Wiliam R. Furlong and Byron McCandless. "The placing of a fringe on Our Flag is optional with the person of organization, and no Act of Congress or Executive Order either prohibits the practice, according to the Institute of Hearaldry. Fringe is used on indoor flags only, as fringe on flags on outdoor flags would deteriorate rapidly. The fringe on a Flag is considered and 'honorable enrichment only', and its official use by the US Army dates from 1895.. A 1925 Attorney General's Opinion states: 'the fringe does not appear to be regarded as an integral part of the Flag, and its presence cannot be said to constitute an unauthorized addition to the design prescribed by statute. An external fringe is to be distinguished from letters, words, or emblematic designs printed or superimposed upon the body of the flag itself. Under law, such additions might be open to objection as unauthorized; but the same is not necessarily true of the fringe.'"

The gold trim is generally used on ceremonial indoor flags that are used for special services and is believed to have been first used in a military setting. It has no specific significance that I have ever run across, and its (gold trim) use is in compliance with applicable flag codes and laws.

[Dubya]

America's unofficial national anthem was composed by an immigrant who left his home in Siberia for America when he was only five years old. The original version of "God Bless America" was written by Irving Berlin (1888-1989) during the summer of 1918 at Camp Upton, located in Yaphank, Long Island, for his Ziegfeld-style revue, Yip, Yip, Yaphank. "Make her victorious on land and foam, God Bless America..." ran the original lyrics. However, Irving decided that the solemn tone of "God Bless America" was somewhat out of keeping with the more comedic elements of the show, so the song was laid aside.

In the fall of 1938, as war was again threatening Europe, he decided to write a "peace" song. He recalled his lyrics of "God Bless America" from twenty years earlier, then made some alterations to reflect the different state of the world. Singer Kate Smith introduced the revised "God Bless America" during her radio broadcast on Armistice Day, 1938. The song was an immediate sensation; the sheet music was in great demand. Berlin soon established the God Bless America Fund, dedicating the royalties to the Boy and Girl Scouts of America.

Berlin's file of manuscripts & lyric sheets for this quintessentially American song includes manuscripts in the hand of his longtime musical secretary, Helmy Kresa (he himself did not read and write music), as well as lyric sheets, and corrected proof copies for the sheet music.

These materials document not only the speed with which this song was revised, but also its author's attention to detail. The first proof copy is dated October 31, 1938; the earliest "final" version of the song is a manuscript dated November 2; and Kate Smith's historic broadcast took place on November 11. So, documents show the song's step-by-step evolution from the original version of 1918 to the tune we now know.

[rdb3]

Cuz I'm A-I!

A-I!

R-B!

R-B!

O-R!

O-R!

N-E!

N-E!

Airborne!

AIRBORNE!

[Mama_Bear]

Love your post! Made me smile. Your profile page is something else too! LOL

Thank you for your service, AIRBORNE FRiend. You are appreciated.

[Dubya]

Click on Img.

[Diver Dave]

Beautiful presentation, Mama Bear.

Salute to all our Armed Forces, Past and Present.

May God Bless and Protect one and all.

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you, Dubya, for helping pay tribute to our military with these great graphics and posts. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Good evening, Dave. Wanted to thank you for coming by today. We'll be leaving soon for the rally in Fresno. Wish you could join us. Looking forward to a nice dinner afterwards with our fellow ralliers. Not looking forward to possibly driving all the way home in the fog though.

[Dubya]

You are welcome. Thank you for the great jobs that you do on these threads.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Evening all.

Happy

[GailA]

These are very good patriotic posters mash here but they won't post.

[GailA]

I'll look for it.

[The Mayor]

See if it works..

[Kudsman]

Hi Mama. Sure do enjoy seeing those Stars and Stripes daily. And thanks to all who earned and defend them.

[Kudsman]

Good evening Mayor.

Good Word. Thx.