A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....06-14-04....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.

TOP: Repubmommy's brother, Rose in RoseBear's uncle, BoxerBlues' son Chris, BoxerBlues' son Brent.
BOTTOM: Rose in RoseBear's cousin's hubby, Deadhead's stepdad, Dansy's dad, Misty's brother.

                     

THE WEEKEND THREAD 06-11,12,13-04... Week in Review ^

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

[Aquamarine]

She's adorable!

Nice work LOUIE.

[Conspiracy Guy]

The letter thief will strike anywere.

[LadyX]

""The boots, backwards in the stirrups, represents a warrior who will never ride again but who is taking his parting look at the troops marching behind him."

I have never heard of this, but if anyone deserves it, Ronald Reagan deserved it."

It is a very old tradition, TC, used usually not only in the military for heads of state, (King Hussein of Jordan, for one), but was done (moccasins?) for Indian chiefs, too, according to one source.

I believe I heard a description last week on television, during the procession, that it *originated with Genghis Khan*....

Did you not see it done for the funeral procession of President John Kennedy?

(I imagine Darksheare was *lurking* with Genghis Khan back then, too.. |:>)) *Safe* to appear, Darks)

[JustAmy]

Mixer ...... what a beautiful little daughter. Hayley is such a cute name for this little sweetie. Congratulations to you and Mrs Mixer. You are truly blessed!

St.Louie .... thank you for pinging me to this beautiful baby and to the wonderful news. A new baby is always exciting.

[TexasCowboy]

I saw bits and pieces of JFK's funeral procession just like Ronald Reagan's.
I didn't see that part.

I vaguely remember that part of Genghis Khan's, though.

[LadyX]

"I vaguely remember that part of Genghis Khan's, though."

Oh, yes - I *vaguely* remember seeing you in one of the piles of the vanquished, 10,000+ in number, in Asia, prior to his demise..:))

You did much better in this lifetime.. |:>))

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Farewell Mr. President

6/14/2004 - ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. -- Thousands of well-wishers watch as a VC-25 takes off from the flightline here with former President Ronald Reagan's casket onboard following his state funeral service at the National Cathedral in Washington on June 11. President Reagan was flown to the Nation's Capitol on June 9 following his death June 5. President Reagan's remains were flown to Simi Valley, Calif., for a private sunset burial. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi)

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

OVER ALASKA -- An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 18th Fighter Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, flies in formation with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the Air National Guard's 108th Air Refueling Squadron at Scott AFB, Ill., June 11 during Northern Edge '04. The exercise is Alaska Command's joint training exercise designed to enhance interoperability among the services. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Strang)

OVER ALASKA -- An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 18th Fighter Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the Air National Guard's 108th Air Refueling Squadron at Scott AFB, Ill., June 11 during Northern Edge '04. The exercise is Alaska Command's joint training exercise designed to enhance interoperability among the services. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Strang)

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

040611-N-1450G-046 Simi Valley, Calif. (Jun. 11, 2004) - Commanding Officer, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), Capt. James A. Symonds, presents former President Ronald Reagan's casket flag to former First Lady Nancy Reagan during internment services held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif. The flag was flown at former President Ronald Reagan's inauguration. The observance concluded the weeklong state funeral services for Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States who passed away on June 5, 2004. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Jon D. Gesch (RELEASED)

040611-N-6213R-038 Gulf of Alaska (Jun. 11, 2004) - On the flight deck aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), sailors perform a 21-gun salute in honor of former President Ronald Reagan on the day of his final internment at the Reagan Presidential Library, in Simi Valley, Calif. Ronald Reagan, the 40th U.S. President of the United States, passed away recently after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Stennis and embarked Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) are at sea participating in Exercise Northern Edge, part of a scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Mark J. Rebilas (RELEASED)

040611-N-8209D-045 San Diego, Calif. (Jun. 11, 2004) - As the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) returns from a routine underway period, Sailors assigned to Naval Air Station North Island Weapons Department take part in a 21-gun salute in memory of former President Ronald Reagan during the National Day of Mourning for the late President. The Sailors, who synchronized their volleys with those of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), fired one round every minute for 21 minutes beginning at noon. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class John DeCoursey (RELEASED)

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

040608-N-1281L-045 South Atlantic Ocean (Jun. 8, 2004) - An A-4 Skyhawk embarked on the Brazilian aircraft carrier BNS Sao Paulo (A12) performs a touch and go landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The U.S. Navy's newest Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and its crew are underway circumnavigating South America as they make their way to their new homeport San Diego, Calif., while participating in exercises supporting Summer Pulse 2004. Summer Pulse 2004 is the simultaneous deployment of seven aircraft carrier strike groups (CSGs), demonstrating the ability of the Navy to provide credible combat power across the globe, in five theaters with other U.S., allied, and coalition military forces. Summer Pulse is the Navy first deployment under its new Fleet Readiness Plan (FRP). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class John S. Lill (RELEASED) For more information go to: http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/2004/nr20040602-0856.html

040611-N-7263H-003 Atlantic Ocean (June 11, 2004) - An EA-6B Prowler assigned the "Rooks" of Electronic Attack Squadron One Three Seven (VAQ-137) is refueled by an S-3B Viking assigned to the "Maulers" of Sea Control Squadron Three Two (VS-32) during an air power demonstration above the USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Enterprise is one of seven carriers involved in Summer Pulse 2004. Summer Pulse 2004 is the simultaneous deployment of seven aircraft carrier strike groups (CSGs), demonstrating the ability of the Navy to provide credible combat power across the globe, in five theatres with other U.S., allied, and coalition military forces. Summer Pulse is the Navy's first deployment under its new Fleet Readiness Plan (FRP). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class William F Howell (RELEASED)

040614-O-0000X-004 Washington, D.C. (Jun 14, 2004) – File photo of the Boeing 737-MMA cockpit - The Department of Defense announced today that McDonnell Douglas Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Boeing Company, has been awarded the contract to develop the U.S. Navy’s Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA). Built on a modified Boeing 737-800ERX, the 737-MMA will bringing together a highly reliable airframe and high-bypass turbo fan jet engine with a fully connected, state-of-the-art open architecture mission system. This combination, coupled with next-generation sensors, will dramatically improve Anti-Submarine Warfare, or ASW, and Anti-Surface Warfare, or ASuW, capabilities. 737-MMA will ultimately replace the U.S. Navy’s aging fleet of P-3C Orion Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance aircraft. Photo provided to the U.S. Navy courtesy Boeing (RELEASED) For more information go to: http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/aircraft/air-mma.html

[The Mayor]

Thank You!

Great shots and Thanks for the memories.

[Victoria Delsoul]

[The Mayor]

Thank You !!

[The Mayor]

Good night all!

[jwfiv]

Whatta cute li'l sweetness you've been given, Mr. Mixer ... congratulations.

Thanks for posting her lovely pic, Louie.

Wishing all the Finest have had a very fine Monday.

God bless these United States of America.

[MeekOneGOP]

hehe! :^D

[dutchess]

Hi Rus. Again thanks for Military Monday.

[dutchess]

Tough lesson yesterday....Did "the pattern" and seven touch and goes...4 by me...3 by him in between...(to demonstrate)

Instructor "got me early" in pre takeoff....I lowered the flaps to takeoff...didn't look (he had pulled the circuit braker...from what I hear that is a right of passage that I passed from flight 101 to 101 1/2) Anyway...learned a valuable lesson.

Did pretty well...one landing was great...one I bounced lightly on all three...didn't flair enough...a good one then...the last...YIKES...ballooned.....my instructor was great...didn't take over until he knew I messed up and afterwards walked me through what I had done wrong (pulled back on the throttle too fast after getting to the runway numbers)He was VERY supportive and talked of this as a learning experience for me.

That being said....I LOVED yesterday....loved landing and the flying experience. Yikes...I might really really like this stuff...I have to admit...it was COOL!!!!!

[Dubya]

Thanks for the ping. Great picture.

[dutchess]

Gosh....your little baby Haley is just too precious.....Congratulations and enjoy. We're just glad that we have another little "freeper" in our midst. My best to Mrs. Mixer. You be sure to spoil her!!!!!!