A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....04-12-04....Military Monday

Billie, The Mayor

[The Mayor]

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

FR is a Treasure Trove of talented, compassionate, patriotic, wonderful people who gather every day to discuss the latest news and issues; salute and support our military and our leaders;  tell a few jokes;  learn a new word;  write poetry;  pray for those in need;  and congratulate those who are deserving. Thank you, Jim Robinson, for giving us the vehicle in which we can express ourselves.

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 November 11, 2001

So many people have written me since my original Veteran's Day Tribute, asking how they, or a loved one, could be included in that tribute. Since I could no longer add the photos to the body of the thread, I had been including them in additional posts as I received enough to make another collage.

Still that didn't seem to be enough. I think there's never been a better nor more appropriate time to keep the faces of our own Veterans and Active Military in front of FReepers--every day! That's why I wanted to do yet another Daily Thread .....ABOUT FReepers .....and FOR FReepers. But not only about our Military FReepers; for all FReepers! Wouldn't it be nice to get to know a few of the other FReepers as well? That's why we've created a place for just that. This is a friendly room in JimRob's house where FReeper FRiends can gather every day and just say hello if that's all they want to do.

There's more of course. We sometimes feature different FReepers, with a little background information on who they are and what makes them who they are, along with a few photos you might not have seen on other threads; sometimes others write an essay for us to post as the feature for the day; sometimes our presentation is a human interest story found elsewhere that you might not have read; sometimes special holiday threads; but whatever the topic of the day, it is always with FR's Finest in mind and that is YOU!

If you would like to be featured, or would like to see someone else featured, please send me a private FR mail.

Every Monday we will post the photos of FR's Military Personnel that I have collected and put into groups; these will be available to view through a link the remainder of the week - every day just a click away. :)   If you would like to add a photo of yourself or a loved one in the military, past or present, please let me know; I will hold it until I have enough for a new group.

Thank you, and please have fun with us...every day! ~ Billie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank You For Serving Our Country!

TOP: Logos, SwedeGirl's hubby, Neil E Wright, FallGuy, 1John, Sneakypete
MIDDLE:  T'wit, COB1, LadyX, Dick Bachert, 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub
BOTTOM:  YankeeinSC, Delta21, JoeSixPack1

TOP:  Bosniajmc, AFVetGal, Archy, A Navy Vet
MIDDLE:  4TheFlag, Aeronaut, 68Grunt, Xinga
BOTTOM:  Codger, AAABest, Clinton's A Liar, Duke809, dcwusmc

TOP:  mc5cents, Norb2569, LBGA's son, VanJenerette
MIDDLE:  Jim Robinson, KJenerette, davidosborne, KG9Kid
BOTTOM:  gwmoore, Equality7-2521, SAMWolf

TOP:  porgygirl, Phil V., MudPuppy, NorCoGOP
MIDDLE:  RaceBannon, OneidaM, rdb3, jwTexian
BOTTOM:  USMC Vet, The Mayor, Vineyard, rhododogma

TOP:  g'nad, AgThorn's son Justin, SLB, AgThorn's son Brett.
MIDDLE:  fish70, razorback-bert, CheneyChick,Leroy S Mort, Mark17.
BOTTOM:  Terry's Take, Taxman, DinkyDau.

TOP:  ValerieUSA's son Grant, SK1Thurman, kd5cts, RangerVetNam,
dansangel and .45man's son-in-law Tony
BOTTOM:  rangerX, Old China Hand, Trish, Howlin's dad, Mustang

TOP: ohioWfan's son, MamaBear's father-in-law, MamaBear's dad, ladtx
MIDDLE:  The Mayor's niece, M.Kehoe, Beach_Babe's son-in-law
BOTTOM:  deadhead's dad, HiJinx, Severa's hubby, viligantcitizen's granddad.

TOP:  spectr17, RightOnline, SERE_Doc, Tet68.
MIDDLE:  FutureSnakeEater, RightOnline's wife, CIApilot, Clamper1797
BOTTOM:  usmcobra, onedoug, DiverDave, Joe6-pack

TOP:  Q6-God, Scan59, Mama Bear and JKPhoto's son, ofMagog.
MIDDLE:  Big'ol_freeper, JustAmy's great uncle, Prodigal Son.
BOTTOM:  JustAmy's husband, JustAmy's brother-in-law, JustAmy's brother.

TOP:  dakine's wife, MeeknMing's dad, Auntbee's nephew, MilitiaMan7, AlasBabylon.
BOTTOM:  Joe Brower, Temple Owl, Temple Owl's wife, dutchess' dad, Aomagrat.

TOP:  ladtx #2 son; DiverDave's twin Don; petuniasevan and husband
poorman; Mustard; ladtx #1 son;
BOTTOM:  AlamoGirl's brother Floyd; AG's dad; AG's brother Jim (inset);
WVNan's husband; ladtx' Aunt Eva.

TOP: Mo1's dad; BuffyT's Uncle (right, w/ her dad & grandmother); Armymarinemom's 3 sons.
MIDDLE: ru4Liberty's dad; SheLion's husband, MaineRebel; wirestripper.
BOTTOM: fivetoes; bigghurtt; hurricane; ladtx' dad; Pippin's brother.




                     

THE WEEKEND THREAD 04-09-10-11-04... Week in Review ^ 04/08/04 My 2cents 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

[The Mayor]

I love that graphic Mama_Bear

[The Mayor]

Hiya jwfiv, hope you have a great day!

[The Mayor]

AMEN MEG!

[Pippin]

SEMPER FI!

(((Maggie)))!

[Mama_Bear]

I love that graphic Mama_Bear

Thank you, (((((((((the mayor)))))))))).

I scoured the internet last night for the perfect photo to go with the poem.......many that I found would have worked as well, but there was just something about this one that I kept coming back to.

[The Thin Man]

Good day, yer honor. Thanks for bringing us our military Monday thread.

Lady, what a letter! Their resolve and dedication and so inspiring.

[jwfiv]

Howdy, Mr. Mayor...roger that, and will do.

Thanks for the good coffee...)

[The Mayor]

Your welcome and you are so right!

[LadyX]

That letter conveys so well the Esprit de Corps.
Should you ever have the opportunity, go aboard a Marine Corps Base and experience it, unlike any other service.

Living aboard Parris Island when I was instructing women recruits in the classroom, and the base overflowing with men preparing for combat in the Korean Conflict, it was a palpable thing.

Returning twice, in 1998 and 2002, it remained the same.
The last time, taking our 16-year old grandson there to see a graduating Company, I was amazed that I was transformed back into that mode!

From the moment I processed through at the Entrance, it was as if I had never left, and I was totally energized; so much so that before noon, my JrROTC grandson was literally begging me to please!! slow down..:))

What will strike you most is the extraordinary length the Marines you encounter will go to show civilians aboard respect.
You will be addressed courteously with a proper greeting: "Good morning/afternoon, Sir/Ma'am" - and they will yield the right of way to make sure they do not get in your way.

You will be struck by their erect bearing, and that certain 'gleam in their eyes' that separates them from all other servicemen and women.

Yes, they are infused with Something Different, and so profound it is indescribable to a great degree.
They *understand* that they are a link in a long, long chain....

Hmmm...might have to go back for another "homesick 'fix" and hear some genuine cadence calling for the recruits - the lullaby of my dreams..:))

[MEG33]

Terrific letter,Lady X and beautiful post,Mama Bear.

[Mama_Bear]

Your post reminded me how impressed I was after attending the Friday evening Marine Corps Parade at Eighth and Eye Marine Barracks in DC, many years ago. A neighbor friend of ours played the bugle in the "The Commandant's Own" Drum and Bugle Corps there as well as at a weekly ceremonies at the Statue of Wow Jima and Arlington Cemetery. This was back in the mid 60's.

I went into Google and found that the tradition continues today and that it is open to the public. Everyone should see this amazing performance if they are ever in DC. It is sure to be the highlight of their visit there.

Here is the information from the internet that I found....

From May through October, a ceremonial Evening Parade is held each Friday evening after nightfall at the Marine Barracks, Eighth and Eye. This colorful ceremony, executed under searchlight illumination, features the Marine Band, Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps, a special exhibition drill platoon, and a Battalion of Marines from the barracks. Evening Parades were first held in 1957 after a Marine Corps ceremonial detachment participated in the Bermuda International Searchlight Tattoo, and this parade became a fixed Marine Corps custom following the similar participation by a larger Marine detachment in the famed Edinburgh Searchlight Tattoo in Scotland in 1958. Evening Parades are open to the public, and any Noncommissioned Officer who desires to attend with a reasonable number of guests my obtain seats by telephoning the Marine Barracks Sergeant Major.

And a graphic.....

[Mama_Bear]

That would be Wow IWO Jima, of course. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Good afternoon, MEG. Hope you have a wonderful day there in Texas.

[LadyX]

Thank you so much, Lori, for this wonderfully informative post! I can just imagine how impressive it is.

As for the typo, it was meant to be - - the Iwo Jima Monument makes one say, "WOW!" lol

Freezie - you might want enjoy seeing this later in the year.

[Billie]

Good afternoon, Rus, and Finest Family and FRiends. So thankful for the our Mighty Military and their resolve to keep America strong and free. God Bless each and every one, and our leaders for the tough decisions they have to make.

[LadyX]

"Freezie - you might want enjoy seeing this later in the year."

Note to Self:

Do not type and eat turkey noodle soup at the same time, and also fail to proof..:((

[Billie]

Thank you for this and all the great posts and links you've brought to today's thread. I get so upset with the media playing up all the bad stuff and making it appear that we're going backwards in this war, not forward. It shouldn't be too much to ask of them to be fair and balanced and report on the progress we're making and what a minority the insurgents are - not the majority of Iraqis.

Thanks, Maggie, so much for posting your letter, too. I hate that so many Americans don't get to hear this side of the war.

[Billie]

That's really beautiful, Lori. And you chose the perfect graphic to illustrate those words.

I am a soldier. Serving Proudly, standing tall.......
.....Say a prayer that I'll come home…It's me whose got your back.

[Diver Dave]

Hmmm...might have to go back for another "homesick 'fix" and hear some genuine cadence calling for the recruits - the lullaby of my dreams..:))

Maybe this will rekindle a memory - to the sounds of a s**t-can garbage can being thrown down the deck of the barracks...

Rise and Shine You Maggot-***ed Marine Wannabes

Music to the ears, eh?

[Mama_Bear]

That's really beautiful, Lori.

Thanks, Billie. I am having such fun on the threads today, but my post for tomorrow STILL isn't finished! Yikes, I have got to get busy. LOL.

TTYL