A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....06-30-04...FR Pet Day...Pfc Hammer Finds a Home

FredtheCat; dutchess | Linda D. Kozaryn

[dutchess]

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

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We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_bear, dutchess, Aquamarine~

FredtheCat here. Giz has been on my case lately telling me I'm not "sharing my load". Okay, okay, I am loving the sweet days of summer, days sleeping in mom and dad's bed under the air conditioning, summer nights, "mousing" at sunset when it cools down..

.BUT...never let it be said that FredtheCat doesn't do his fair share at the Finest....

Okay....Giz did a military dog story...So I have one too!!!! (Ha ha.... I admit, being the inventive...smart...sly feline that I am....borrowed a thread posted by Ragtime Cowboy from April...just in case our finest feline friends missed it)

Licking paws, yawn and a stretch...and a final stare....have no idea why mom and Giz get so stressed out with this stuff!!!!! Like CHILL and ENJOY! The good guys ARE winning! MEOW!

Pfc. Hammer Finds a Home By Linda D. Kozaryn...American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 24, 2004 – A tiger-striped Iraqi kitten that wiggled its way into the hearts of a U.S. Army unit has made its way to the United States, thanks to a host of volunteers and two animal welfare groups.

Pfc. Hammer, an Iraq-born cat that befriended soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, during their deployment in Iraq, arrives in San Francisco, Calif., enroute to his new home in Colorado. Courtesy photo Soldiers with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, dubbed the tiny ball of fur that wandered into their tent early last fall "Pfc. Hammer."

"He was born at the site," said Staff Sgt. Rick Bousfield. "There were two other kittens in the litter, but they ran away. He stayed and kept mice out of our living quarters and out of our dining facility."

Adopted by the troops, the young cat provided warmth and companionship in an otherwise hostile environment. When the unit was attacked by mortar fire, Hammer ran to the bunkers, where the nearest soldier scooped him inside his body armor to wait out the attack.

"He was like our stress therapist over there," Bousfield recalled. "You'd come in off raids where we'd been kicking in doors and guys would be sitting outside by themselves. He'd come over and take their minds off the war."

When Bousfield learned the unit was leaving Iraq to return to Fort Carson, Colo., he sent an e-mail asking for help to Alley Cat Allies, a national nonprofit clearinghouse for information on feral and stray cats, in Washington, D.C. The sergeant said he wanted to ensure his whole unit came home together, and that included Pfc. Hammer.

Hammer "has been quite a morale booster for us, because we consider him one of our troops," Bousfield wrote. "If there was a way that ACA could help get Hammer back to the States, it would be a wonderful boost for the men to see the cat who has won their hearts free – like the Iraqi people."

Bousfield's plea "brought the war home for us," said ACA national director Becky Robinson. "This was a soldier in Iraq writing us. How could we say no to a soldier in Iraq fighting for freedom?"

"His e-mail was so moving we felt like we couldn't say no," she said. "We had never done anything like this, but the moment we finished reading it, it was a given that we were going to figure out how to do this."

Hundreds of people sent e-mails and made donations to help get the cat to the States after ACA posted Hammer's plight on on the organization's web site, said Lynne Cummings, ACA director of gift planning.

"Alley Cat Allies doesn't usually get asked to do things in wartime," she said. "It was a really nice thing for us to be able to do to show our support to Rick and his unit. We didn't really care if we raised any money to help defray the costs."

ACA joined forces with Military Mascots, a grassroots all-volunteer effort dedicated to helping U.S. deployed service members who have befriended a canine mascot on foreign soil. Supporters' donations, combined with money from ACA's Compassion Fund, paid for Hammer's medical and travel expenses, Cummings said.

Working with a veterinary hospital in Kuwait, they arranged an international flight for Hammer. Prior to leaving the region, the cat was neutered and given a clean bill of health.

Bousfield returned from Iraq in early April. It took a week or so longer for Pfc. Hammer.

An ACA volunteer met up with Hammer when he arrived in San Francisco and accompanied the cat on a domestic flight to his new home outside of Denver. Bousfield and his daughter Tiffany, 15, along with another company member, Sgt. Robert Scott, were waiting for Hammer when he arrived at Denver International Airport.

The ACA volunteer who accompanied the cat said he started purring and kneading her arm as soon as he heard Bousfield's voice. The wartime bond formed thousands of miles away had not been forgotten.

Back at Fort Carson, Bousfield reunited Hammer with his former cohorts. "We all met at the same time to sign out on block leave so I took him in on his leash," Bousfield said. "They were happy to see him."

Hammer now lives with Bousfield's family – and five other cats. Bousfield said they all get along now that they've gotten "the pecking order straight."

"We kept him in a room by himself for a week," he said. "Little by little we let him out. He roams around all he wants to now. He runs around. He's fast. The vet says he's an Egyptian Mau."

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 06-28-04...Military Monday 06-29-04...Hall of Fame #8

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
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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

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

040529-N-8796S-221 Marine Corps Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan (May 29, 2004) - Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Marcus Blackmur, assigned to Naval Air Facility Atsugi Japan Base Security, fires an M-203 Grenade Launcher while range qualifying at Marine Corps Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji Japan. Camp Fuji's ranges support military training by U.S. Forces, in the adjacent 34,000 acre Fuji Maneuver Area. U.S. Navy photo By Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Timothy Smith (RELEASED)

040625-N-1357M-031 Ancon Marine Base, Peru (June 25, 2004) – Several U.S. Marines conduct fast rope training during the amphibious phase of UNITAS 45-04. Eleven partner nations including those from the United States and Latin America came together for opening ceremonies. The combined effort focusing on peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance operations is one of the largest multilateral exercises in the Southern Hemisphere. UNITAS is designed to increase interoperability in traditional amphibious warfare areas. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Ligia Cohen (RELEASED)

040629-N-6811L-035 Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (June 29, 2004) - Commander, Canadian Fleet Pacific, Commodore Roger Girouard, responds to media queries during a video teleconference discussing Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) and Summer Pulse 2004 exercises. RIMPAC is the largest international maritime exercise in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands. This years exercise includes seven participating nations; Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. RIMPAC is intended to enhance the tactical proficiency of participating units in a wide array of combined operations at sea, while enhancing stability in the Pacific Rim region. U. S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class David A. Levy (RELEASED) For more information go to: http://www.cpf.navy.mil/RIMPAC2004/

[Billie]

No surprises here. Our man is THE MAN!!!!!

We know that because we're smart. LOL! The surprise is that it's an AOL poll - I've seen too many of theirs, and they don't favor our guys! :)

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

It's a good landing if you can walk away from it!

030415-N-4142G-106 Arabian Gulf (Apr. 15, 2003) - An F-14D Tomcat assigned to the “Bounty Hunters” of Fighter Squadron Two (VF-2) makes a hard landing after returning from a mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Felix Garza Jr. (RELEASED)

040628-N-6213R-149 Pacific Ocean (June 28, 2004) - An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Fist of the Fleet" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Five (VFA-25) lands on the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) are taking part in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2004, during her scheduled deployment supporting the Navy's new fleet response plan (FRP) Summer Pulse 2004. RIMPAC is the largest international maritime exercise in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands. This years exercise includes seven participating nations; Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. RIMPAC is intended to enhance the tactical proficiency of participating units in a wide array of combined operations at sea, while enhancing stability in the Pacific Rim region. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Mark J. Rebilas (RELEASED) For more information go to: http://www.cpf.navy.mil/RIMPAC2004/

[LadyX]

Hi, Weinie!
Yes - Fred is definitely one cool cat.

About whatcha said: "I could write a book about purple gorillas!" - that'd be really neat!

In case you have lonestar print and publish your book, I can read it:

and even sign my name - ~ Gert ~ -
on book promotion tours!

[Billie]

How sweet those bluebirds are, Maggie! Thank you. You're such a treasure. :)

[Diver Dave]

Thanks for the Kerry resume.

[Diver Dave]

Interesting AOL poll, Billie. Surprised they phrased the questions in a way not to crucify the Bush Administration.

[Billie]

Hi, Dave - the article was about the *Star-studded* speakers at both the conventions this summer. Love that clinton's numbers were way below Guiliani's! And all the OTHERS, too! Bush sure had a huge edge over Kerry! LOL!

[Billie]

I've missed you, Lakeside - thank you for the belated birthday wish. Hope you can return to posting regularly very soon.

[Billie]

Hi, Raven - I just a few minutes ago read this at Amy's Place. It's an awesome letter. He's right, too. Butchers. Murderers. Hiding behind masks because they're too cowardly to show their own faces.

[Billie]

Just saying hello to two of my sistahs tonight! Got your mail, Aqua - hope yours and Mr. A's 'hay fever' is better today.

[Billie]

LOL! Hi, weinie! When you write that book, it's sure to be a best-seller. :)

[Billie]

LOL! Love your graphics! (I knew that was going to be ...{{{{shudder}}}}}} .....hillary.)

[dutchess]

Hi sistah Billie... Just stopping in to say goodnight...Thanks for keeping things bumped along with everyone else. Had a very sad suicide today...am a little reeling...A professional, collaborated with him for over 15 years....my age... very sad...

[The Mayor]

I could have posted this one too

either one is appropriate.

[dutchess]

It's a good landing if you can walk away from it!

Especially appreciate that comment as I'm just learning how to land....can't tell you the UGLY ones BUT have walked away from them. Thanks for all your contributions to the Finest. Always appreciate them.

[The Mayor]

Had a very sad suicide today..

Sorry Dutchess, my thoughts and Prayers for you..

Dawns Grand Mother died tonight..

[dutchess]

Oh, how sad for Dawn. I was in tears when I read her update you posted earlier this week. Prayers for Dawn's grandma's soul. And prayers for the family. You are such a special friend to them Rus....We helplessly sit back and see what they are going through...but feel like in our small way we are helping through you. God bless.

[The Mayor]

Oh yes, I tell her about you guys.

The Prayers offered are a great help.
Thank you.

Russ' hair and beard used to be alot longer.

[Billie]

Oh, how tragic, Dutchess. I'm so sorry - especially hard for the family and loved ones that they leave behind when someone ends their life that way. :(

Try to get some rest tonight. Thank you again for this sweet story (for those of us who missed it posted a couple of months ago by Ragtime Cowgirl).