A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....06-21-04....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 06-18,19,20-04... 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

[Dubya]

Follow Me

http://www.2marine.com

[Dubya]

Try this one
http://www.2marine.com/FollowPDFs/FollowMeMar-Apr2004.pdf

[LadyX]

Thanks for your thoughtful post, Dubya.
In this day of scattered and thinning families, and having led a nomadic life far away from my childhood places, my plans have long ago been made.

My parents (gone many years) are in a cemetery in Orlando, Florida - a sister, in one in Hartsville, SC and the other (living) will be in Summerton, SC. Both my sons are in South Florida, and my daughter upstate in SC.

Working in and around medicine for 19 years, I long ago decided to benefit medical students by body donation to The Medical College of Georgia, 45 miles away.

I genuinely believe as Paul did - the body is merely an imperfect and convenient conveyor for the soul, and loses its importance when its last breath is drawn.

I made legal arrangements with MCG for this, and gave copies to every physician I have had. When I presented one to the Director of MCG Outpatient Endocrinology, she hugged me with tears in her eyes, saying, "You have no idea how much that touches me, spending countless hours at the morgue on Long Island as a medical student, studying the effects of aging, disease, accidents, etc., upon the human body - things that are not apparent in a still photograph in a textbook."

Next to my driver's license in my wallet is a card from MCG giving a number to call if I expire away from home or not in a hospital.
MCG will send a vehicle to transport my remains; no casket or funeral hone required.

My older son is a Physician Assistant, able to appreciate the value of this, and the other son and daughter do as well. Rather than a funeral, it is my wish they and my grandchildren gather with my husband and remember all the good times we have had, the wonderful things experienced together, and rejoice over the constancy of God in our lives.

My family shares my belief "I" need not be in a hole in the ground, and will be living with Our Father - and in their memories wherever they might be.

[LadyX]

"funeral hone"

What good is Spell Check if it can't read your mind?!!

[Darksheare]

I won't say the weird, and possibly demented, method of 'burial' I semi-jokingly 'decided' upon.
(It's contingent upon certain factors actually, otherwise it's a normal burial.)

[LadyX]

I will not attempt to guess!!

[Dubya]

Its a wonderful thing you are doing. God bless you.

[Darksheare]

FReepmail explanation.
(I don't want to owe anyone keyboards.)

[LadyX]

Thank you, Dubya.
To my thinking, I would be far more honored if my children plant flowers, or give fresh cut ones to their spouse, in my name, rather than putting them on a spot on the ground where few will ever see or appreciate them - certainly not me, not really 'there.'

I prefer to think they will honor me by viewing a sunrise or sunset, or when they feel a soft wind whisper through trees, and think of me - - when they acknowledge the loving God who gave them to me, and follow Him.

[Lakeside]

Hi, Lady! What a wonderful idea and it just seem "to fit" what I've been considering. We, too, have lived a nomadic life so no place is really home. Our sons are in the Navy so who knows where they will be?

I've never been quite comfortable with the traditional funerals not to mention the cost burden on the survivors.

We also believe, "absent from the body, present with the Lord" so a hole in the ground is optional and not really necessary.

Where is The Medical College of Georgia and how does one make those arrangements? Research on my affliction is really lagging behind most other more notable diseases and I would be happy knowing that this small contribution may help find a cure so others may benefit.

I've missed all you guys at the Finest....I've been a bit under the weather. Believe me, your letter thief would have had a heyday with me this last week!

[TexasCowboy]

I guess some would consider the subject you broached to be morbid, Dubya, but I appreciate your posting of this.
Death is the final stage of living on this earth, and it's coming to all of us. I fully believe in being prepared.

Maggie, that is a very noble and wonderful thing you have chosen to do with your remains, and it will provide a blessing for many people.
My daughter, Faith, has chosen the same path.

I have decided to go a different route than a military burial or the donation of my remains:
When I bought my place in the country I checked into the legal ramifications of establishing a family burial plot.
It's permissible with the proper legal forms filled out.
I am the patriarch of our family; not necessarily loved all the time, but always respected and admired for the qualities I've tried to instill in my children and grandchildren, with varying degrees of success.
Like Abraham, I want my family to have a place to be buried with the rest of us should they choose to do so.
I've already picked the spot in a remote grove of trees which will be unobtrusive to the activities of the children.

On the subject of military funerals, there is probably some difference in the procedure for various military burial grounds.
My brother-in-law, retired Air Force, was buried in Sam Houston in San Antonio with full rifle salute.
I had to hold my sis tight every time they fired.

Both she and her husband chose to be cremated, but since her husband went first, his ashes were contained in a military urn which was too small for her's when she died.
It was quite an ordeal to remove his ashes from Sam Houston so that they could both be placed in a common urn.

I agree fully with Neil Duane. If you truly love your family, make these arrangements now to save them the heartache of making them after you're gone.

[The Mayor]

those are the kind of scenes I Love to see!

Thankyou!

[The Mayor]

That is just tooooo!!!funny!!!!

[MeekOneGOP]

hehe! He loves the attention, too ! :^D

[The Mayor]

any serious problems that are causing the inducement of labor?

Prayers for the family!

[LadyX]

In my case, I asked my Nephrologist how to go about it, and she contacted the person at MCG (Augusta, Georgia). He sent right away the forms to complete, and sent a Letter of Acceptance (I give every physician I have copies, and have copies at home) and the card I carry with "the number to call."

Just ask your physician for the hospital nearest to you that accepts body donation.
There should be some in Alabama, and over in Georgia from you - Emory University, perhaps? Don't they have a Medical School?

The rules vary. At Bowman Gray in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, you had to have a funeral home deliver the deceased to them.

The Department on my card says "Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy," but probably will differ at others.

I really do love the thought of my remains - "occupant gone" - being of use!
Most physicians throw away the textbook treating me, not often going according to 'The Almighty 'Norm'..:))

[The Mayor]

Thank you for that Dubya

I will mail him and extend my thanks.

[Aquamarine]

Late getting here but wanted to comment on your new pledge...it's a keeper. ;)

May God give our Military protection and the ability to cope with the tense situation in Iraq as power is turned over to the new Iraqi government in a few days.

[The Mayor]

Yes it is, Thanks !

G'Night all.

[Billie]

Waving Hello - Come see us on Tuesday's thread.

God Bless Our Troops and Our Leaders.