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]

May we always remember the purpose for our valiant defenders of justice and freedom, and cover them with fervent prayers...

Amen, Maggie. Thank you for saying what I would say, if I had your way with words. :-)

everyone in the military is as important a cog in the wheel as any other

This is so true!

[The Thin Man]

Very nice salute to our military, Mama_Bear. Most definitely worthy of being repeated.

There's not even a need to look for errors since this was done at a time when all your presentations were perfect.

Oh how things have changed. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

That fire is soooo inviting. Unfortunately, here in our valley, we have many days when we cannot use our wood-burning fireplaces. The air-quality is so bad and fireplace smoke adds to it. We have a gas log in our fireplace, but I don't often use it. Can't really enjoy it when I know how much gas it is using - our gas bill is high enough as it is.

[LadyX]

Here's a great one for your collection, Lori!

[Mama_Bear]

That is beautiful! Thank you for posting it here.

I have an idea, that would make a beautiful military prayer graphic.

[The Thin Man]

LadyX, please don't give her any ideas! :-)

[jwfiv]

Good morning, Mrs. Bear...)

I love the Finest reruns...such a beatufiul tribute you crafted to honor our brave men and women in uniform....thank you.

And, LadTX, thank you for your tribute to your fallen comrade in arms...it's always inspriing and moving when you do that.

It's early yet, and I haven't had enough coffee to wake me up all the way, but, it's already feeling like a Friday...I wish all my dear neighbors a very good and easy day.

[LadyX]

Let us remember and honor them, every one - -

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you! I have snagged those bears and tucked them away in my "misc bears" folder. :-)

Seeing the National Guard bear, I realize that I should have given them a place in my tribute. They perform a great service for our country too.

[Libertina]

Good afternoon to FR's Finest from CPAC! Just had a book signed by Reverend Jesse Lee Peterson and am waiting to hear the interview on FR Radio (RighTalk) oh and btw - I am getting an excellent back rub from Warrior NURSE!

[LadyX]

Noted that, too, Mama_B, and surely the National Guard deserves a special spotlight and 'Thank You' for relieving all the branches in their duties around the world!

[LadyX]

[Billie]

Thank you for choosing to rerun this particular one from last year, Lori. It's just as wonderful the second time around. I know how much time went into the making of this one, and it shows all too well your love and appreciation for our Armed Forces.

Good morning to all our Finest FRiends - I hope today is the start of a beautiful weekend for you all.

[Mama_Bear]

Hello and thank you to our Finest Dutch FRiend! Love it when you take the time to stop by. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Toasty warm (((((((hugs)))))))) to you and Inky!

[Mama_Bear]

Hi Libby! Sounds like you are having a great time. :-)

Thanks for checking in. (((((((((Libertina))))))))))

[Mama_Bear]

((((((((jwfiv))))))))) Good morning and happy FRiday to you!

[Billie]

"The Queen has spoken"

But what did she say? :)

Let's see, the "Queen"....that would be our very own gracious and lovely head-hostess, Billie, right?

LOL! Well, at least that remark gives me a chance to use this cute queen from our equally cute wolfie. :)

Speaking of.....Wolfie, are you ever coming back to see us again? Need more hugs? kisses? Chicken soup?

[Libertina]

( ( ( Hi Mama Bear ) ) ) - CPAC is lots of fun - and many FReepers here makes it even better :) Ann Coulter has the flu and can't come... Some dejected males moping around now LOL

[Mama_Bear]

There's not even a need to look for errors since this was done at a time when all your presentations were perfect. Oh how things have changed. :-)

LOL!! Oh, how cute you are! Your compliments just make my day. ;-)