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.

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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
Freeper Photo Album
in subject line.

[Mama_Bear]

[Mama_Bear]

If you would like to be added to or removed from the Finest ping list, FReepMail me.

[Mama_Bear]

Wanted to get this posted for all you early-rising east coasters and night owls. It's bedtime here though, so I will see you all when the sun comes up on the left coast.

Happy FRiday!

[JohnHuang2]

Outstanding! G'evening to you and...(((((((((Mama_Bear!))))))))

[Mama_Bear]

(((((((((((John!!))))))))))))) Thank you muchly. :-)

[JohnHuang2]

Welcome! ;-)

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Friday !

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks ! And G'night Mama_Bear !

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Mama.

[nicmarlo]

Morning everybody!! Hope you all have a great day and weekend.

[The Mayor]

This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

True freedom is found in obedience to Christ.

[The Mayor]

January 23, 2004

The Freedom Of Structure

Read: 1 John 5:1-13

This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. —1 John 5:3

Bible In One Year: Exodus 7-8; Matthew 15:1-20

---

Concert pianist Jeannette Haien believes that the structure of a fine musical composition actually provides great freedom for the person who plays it. "Within the strictures of so-called form," she says, "is all the freedom in the world."

It's easy to feel confined by structure in our faith because we have a natural resistance to rules. But God's commands are given to enhance our lives rather than restrict them.

First John 5:3 states, "This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome." Instead of weighing us down, they protect us from the burden of sin. As we follow His commands, we experience liberty.

Speaking of an excellent musical composition, Jeannette Haien says, "Under the laws of structure you have the freedom to work in the freest way imaginable. What [the composer] has written is that which I honor."

The Bible is our sheet music for living. Today, we can play the song of life as God has written it, and we can discover anew the promise of Jesus to those who believe in Him: "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32). —David McCasland

Lord, help us to value the freedom
Of life we receive from Your love,
A life of obedience and service,
Kept safe by Your hand from above. —K. De Haan

True freedom is found in obedience to Christ.

[ladtx]

Looks like another good thread for a memorial to my former comrades-in-arms who died in the Vietnam War, they were among America's Finest.

In memory of my fellow Vietnam helicopter pilots who were killed in that war the following were lost on JAN 23. God bless them all.

1967 CPT Guinn J. Rogers (USAR) -- 120 AHC, Age 32, Married, Arkinda, Arkansas
1967 WO1 Julian A. Fincher Jr. (USAR) -- 120 AHC, Age 22, Single, Fairborn, Ohio
1969 WO1 Sylvester Davis (USAR) -- 283 MED DET, Age 28, Married, Akron, Ohio
1969 WO1 Arvid O. Silverberg Jr. (USAR) -- 283 MED DET, Age 22, Single, West Brookfield, Massachusetts

JULIAN A. FINCHER JR., WO1

Here is a memorial to WO1 Fincher from "thewall-usa.com" website, written by a classmate:

Julian (not the name we used, he went by Jack) and I attended the University of Maryland, Munich Campus, in 1964. He was a older than the rest of us students. I remember him wearing a white T shirt with the sleves rolled up and wooden shoes. The shoes were'nt all wood they had black leather tops. He wore a crew cut then. He had an English/Literature class with the Dean of Women. We would jerk his chain about doing well in that class because he looked like a stud. He is a stud. While attending flight school at Ft Rucker in '69, I saw his name on a plaque there. Years later on a visit to the Wall saw his name. I had also been a helicopter pilot in RVN. The loss of Jack is monumental. The Army made a billion dollars from the can do attitude of the RVN helicopter pilots. Jack would have been no different. God bless Jack and his family. I have no doubt that even today he is greatly missed. Wednesday, October 20, 1999

Another memorial to WO1 Silvergerg from the same website.

My brother, Arvie, was a hero all of his life. An outstanding Boy Scout, baseball and basketball player, church member, his school's representative to Boys' State at the Mass. State House. He continued his life of service by becoming a MedEvac helicopter pilot, and no doubt countless men came home to have children and grandchildren because of his selfless heroism, flying into hostile territory on every mission. Received the DFC posthumously for evac.of men by slow-moving hoist. Shot down--3 crew/4 wounded died that terrible day. Tuesday, September 02, 2003

IN THE SHADOW OF THE BLADE

SCOUTS OUT!

[FreeTheHostages]

Good morning, Mr. Mayor!

[Aquamarine]

Awesome post Mama Bear!

A big Salute to all branches of the Military!
May God bless them all.

[The Mayor]

Mornin Free!

[Aquamarine]

True freedom is found in obedience to Christ.

Excellent post The Mayor! Thank you!

[Aquamarine]

Good morning ladtx.
What a handsome young man JULIAN A. FINCHER JR. was. May God rest his soul.

[lonestar]

Good morning!

[The Mayor]

Thanks Aqua..

Good Morning to you both!