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A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....09-13-04....Military Monday
Billie, The Mayor

Posted on 09/13/2004 4:06:05 AM PDT by The Mayor

Edited on 09/13/2004 12:09:21 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]




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


9-10-04 thru 9-12-04 ... 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


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: freepers; fun; military; patriotic; surprises; veterans
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-57 next last
To: Texagirl4W
My oldest brother was military retired. He served 2 tours of duty in Vietnam, leaving a wife and 4 children both times. He died in 2000 and was buried on November 7, the day we elected George W. Bush as president. They were both winners that day. I miss him.

Thank you for the sweet way you told that story about your brother.

21 posted on 09/13/2004 12:28:31 PM PDT by Billie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Billie
Hi, Billie. I never thought of praying for those POW's that have been missing for so long; thank you for giving me that idea. I will now mention them in my prayers frequently.

(((((Billie)))))

22 posted on 09/13/2004 12:35:36 PM PDT by Kitty Mittens
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: The Mayor; All
Lord, bless all those and their families
who sacrifice so much for America, and for us - -

The Executive Officer for Sea Control Squadron Two One (VS-21), Cmdr. Paul Foster reaches for a loved one upon arriving home aboard U.S. Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, Sept. 4, 2004. VS-21 led the aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) arrival back home after a scheduled deployment in support of Summer Pulse '04.

The exercise demonstrated the Navy's ability to provide credible combat power across the globe in five theaters with other U.S., allied, and coalition military forces.

Summer Pulse was the Navy's first test of its new Fleet Response Plan (FRP).

(U.S. Navy photo by Journalist Seaman Matthew Schwarz) (Released)

23 posted on 09/13/2004 12:43:31 PM PDT by LadyX (((( To God be all praise and honor and glory -- ))))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: The Mayor; All

A British soldier assists Saga Al Gazzey at the Basra International Airport, Iraq, Sept. 5, 2004. Gazzey received a heart operation at the Royal Brompton Hospital in the United Kingdom, paid for by Chain of Hope.

Her father Niam Zeyan, a tribal leader in the Basra providence, has accompanied her since she left Iraq. Chain of Hope helps children suffering from life-threatening diseases by mobilizing a chain of volunteers to get them the vital treatment they need.

DoDphoto by Staff Sgt. Christopher J. Crawford, U.S. Army. (Released)

24 posted on 09/13/2004 12:47:07 PM PDT by LadyX (((( To God be all praise and honor and glory -- ))))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: The Mayor; All

Citizens of Najaf, Iraq, march outside the Imam Ali Shrine during a demonstration against Muqtada al-Sadr and the damage he brought upon the holy city, Sept. 3, 2004.

DoD photo by Cpl. Dick Kotecki, U.S. Marine Corps. (Released)

25 posted on 09/13/2004 12:53:19 PM PDT by LadyX (((( To God be all praise and honor and glory -- ))))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: All
Email I received from my uncle retired Air Force ww2

Please Read!

Vietnam Vets took a real ration of crap when we came home. Actually we heard about it long before we left to come home. Made us feel real good too knowing that a lot of our people at home didn't support us. It was people like Kerry and Fonda that lost that war for us by turning the American people against us and the war with lies and the like. I don't care what Kerry and his people say. Most Vietnam Vets hate his guts for the lies he told. Still today we Vietnam Vets live in the shadow of their lies. People actually think we did the despicable thing they said we did. Folks, It did not happen where I was.

I fear for the security of our way of life if this man is elected. His past lies and voting record helps tell the story. He may be a hero for one or two acts, but, these lies supersede them in my opinion. So please read and make up your own mind.

Please don't give him a chance to do it to a new generation of American Heros.

Thanks for listening,
Howard




Read this and tell any of these 18 men they are wrong about Kerry. Kerry shouldn't even be a Senator ~~ he should have been court-martialled.

Swift Boat Quotes about John Kerry
.


"We resent very deeply the false war crimes charges he made coming back from Vietnam in 1971 and repeated in the book "Tour of Duty." We think those cast an aspersion on all those living and dead, from our unit and other units in Vietnam. We think that he knew he was lying when he made the charges, and we think that they're unsupportable. We intend to bring the truth about that to the American people.

We believe, based on our experience with him, that he is totally unfit to be the Commander-in-Chief."

-- John O'Neill, spokesman, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth

.

"I do not believe John Kerry is fit to be Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the United States. This is not a political issue. It is a matter of his judgment, truthfulness, reliability, loyalty and trust -- all absolute tenets of command. His biography, 'Tour of Duty,' by Douglas Brinkley, is replete with gross exaggerations, distortions of fact, contradictions and slanderous lies. His contempt for the military and authority is evident by even a most casual review of this biography. He arrived in-country with a strong anti-Vietnam War bias and a self-serving determination to build a foundation for his political future. He was aggressive, but vain and prone to impulsive judgment, often with disregard for specific tactical assignments. He was a 'loose cannon.' In an abbreviated tour of four months and 12 days, and with his specious medals secure, Lt.(jg) Kerry bugged out and began his infamous betrayal of all United States forces in the Vietnam War. That included our soldiers, our marines, our sailors, our coast guardsmen, our airmen, and our POWs. His leadership within the so-called Vietnam Veterans Against the War and testimony before Congress in 1971 charging us with unspeakable atrocities remain an undocumented but nevertheless meticulous stain on the men and women who honorably stayed the course. Senator Kerry is not fit for command.

-- Rear Admiral Roy Hoffman, USN (retired), chairman, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth

.

"During Lt.(jg) Kerry's tour, he was under my command for two or three specific operations, before his rapid exit. Trust, loyalty and judgment are the key, operative words. His turncoat performance in 1971 in his grubby shirt and his medal-tossing escapade, coupled with his slanderous lines in the recent book portraying us that served, including all POWs and MIAs, as murderous war criminals, I believe, will have a lasting effect on all military veterans and their families.

Kerry would be described as devious, self-absorbing, manipulative, disdain for authority, disruptive, but the most common phrase that you'd hear is requires constant supervision.'"

-- Captain Charles Plumly, USN (retired)

.

"Thirty-five years ago, many of us fell silent when we came back to the stain of sewage that Mr. Kerry had thrown on us, and all of our colleagues who served over there. I don't intend to be silent today or ever again. Our young men and women who are serving deserve no less."

-- Andrew Horne

.

"In my specific, personal experience in both coastal and river patrols over a 12-month period, I never once saw or heard anything remotely resembling the atrocities described by Senator Kerry. If I had, it would have been my obligation to report them in writing to a higher authority, and I would certainly have done that. If Senator Kerry actually witnessed or participated in these atrocities or, as he described them, 'war crimes,' he was obligated to report them. That he did not until later when it suited his political purposes strikes me as opportunism of the worst kind. That he would malign my service and that of his fellow sailors with no regard for the truth makes him totally unqualified to serve as Commander-in-Chief."

-- Jeffrey Wainscott

.

"I signed that letter because I, too felt a deep sense of betrayal that someone who took the same oath of loyalty as I did as an officer in the United States Navy would abandon his group here (points to group photo) to join this group here (points to VVAW protest photo), and come home and attempt to rally the American public against the effort that this group was so valiantly pursuing.

It is a fact that in the entire Vietnam War we did not lose one major battle We lost the war at home .... and at home, John Kerry was the Field General.

-- Robert Elder

.

"My daughters and my wife have read portions of the book 'Tour of Duty.' They wanted to know if I took part in the atrocities described. I do not believe the things that are described happened.

Let me give you an example. In Brinkley's book, on pages 170 to 171, about something called the 'Bo De massacre' on November 24th of 1968... In Kerry's description of the engagement, first he claimed there were 17 servicemen that were wounded. Three of us were wounded. I was the first..."

-- Joseph Ponder

.

"While in Cam Rahn Bay, he trained on several 24-hour indoctrination missions, and one special skimmer operation with my most senior and trusted Lieutenant. The briefing from some members of that crew the morning after revealed that they had not received any enemy fire, and yet Lt.(jg) Kerry informed me of a wound -- he showed me a scratch on his arm and a piece of shrapnel in his hand that appeared to be from one of our own M-79s. It was later reported to me that Lt.(jg) Kerry had fired an M-79, and it had exploded off the adjacent shoreline. I do not recall being advised of any medical treatment, and probably said something like 'Forget it.' He later received a Purple Heart for that scratch, and I have no information as to how or whom.

Lt.(jg) Kerry was allowed to return to the good old USA after 4 months and a few days in-country, and then he proceeded to betray his former shipmates, calling them criminals who were committing atrocities. Today we are here to tell you that just the opposite is true. Our rules of engagement were quite strict, and the officers and men of Swift often did not even return fire when they were under fire if there was a possibility that innocent people -- fishermen, in a lot of cases -- might be hurt or injured. The rules and the good intentions of the men increased the possibility that we might take friendly casualties."

-- Commander Grant Hibbard, USN (retired)

.

"Lt. Kerry returned home from the war to make some outrageous statements and allegations... of numerous criminal acts in violation of the law of war were cited by Kerry, disparaging those who had fought with honor in that conflict Had war crimes been committed by US forces in Vietnam? Yes, but such acts were few and far between. Yet Lt. Kerry have numerous speeches and testimony before Congress inappropriately leading his audiences to believe that what was only an anomaly in the conduct of America's fighting men was an epidemic Furthermore, he suggested that they were being encouraged to violated the law of war by those within the chain of command.

Very specific orders, on file at the Vietnam archives at Texas Tech University, were issued by my father [Admiral Elmo Zumwalt] and others in his chain of command instructing subordinates to act responsibly in preserving the life and property of Vietnamese civilians."

-- Lt. Col. James Zumwalt, USMC (retired)

.

"We look at Vietnam... after all these years it is still languishing in isolated poverty and helplessness and tyranny. This is John Kerry's legacy. I deeply resent John Kerry's using his Swift boat experience, and his betrayal of those who fought there as a stepping-stone to his political ambitions."

-- Barnard Wolff

.

"In a whole year that I spent patrolling, I didn't see anything like a war crime, an atrocity, anything like that. Time and again I saw American fighting men put themselves in graver danger trying to avoid... collateral damage.

When John Kerry returned to the country, he was sworn in front of Congress. And then he told my family -- my parents, my sister, my brother, my neighbors -- he told everyone I knew and everyone I'd ever know that I and my comrades had committed unspeakable atrocities."

-- David Wallace

.

"I served with these guys. I went on missions with them, and these men served honorably. Up and down the chain of command there was no acquiescence to atrocities. It was not condoned, it did not happen, and it was not reported to me verbally or in writing by any of these men including Lt.(jg) Kerry.

In 1971, '72, for almost 18 months, he stood before the television audiences and claimed that the 500,000 men and women in Vietnam, and in combat, were all villains -- there were no heroes. In 2004, one hero from the Vietnam War has appeared, running for President of the United States and Commander-in-Chief. It just galls one to think about it."

-- Captain George Elliott, USN (retired)

.

"During the Vietnam War I was Task Force Commander at An Thoi, and my tour of duty was 13 months, from the end of Tet to the beginning of the Vietnamization of the Navy units.

Now when I went there right after Tet, I was restricted in my movements. I couldn't go much of anyplace because the Vietcong controlled most of the area. When I left, I could go anywhere I wanted, just about. Commerce was booming, the buses were running, trucks were going, the waterways were filled with sampans with goods going to market, but yet in Kerry's biography he says that our operations were a complete failure. He also mentions a formal conference with me, to try to get more air cover and so on. That conference never happened..."

-- Captain Adrian Lonsdale, USCG (retired)

.

"I was in An Thoi from June of '68 to June of '69, covering the whole period that John Kerry was there. I operated in every river, in every canal, and every off-shore patrol area in the 4th Corps area, from Cambodia all the way around to the Bo De River. I never saw, even heard of all of these so-called atrocities and things that we were supposed to have done.

This is not true. We're not standing for it. We want to set the record straight."

-- William Shumadine

.

"In 1971, when John Kerry spoke out to America, labeling all Vietnam veterans as thugs and murderers, I was shocked and almost brought to my knees, because even though I had served at the same time and same unit, I had never witnessed or participated in any of the events that the Senator had accused us of. I strongly believe that the statements made by the Senator were not only false and inaccurate, but extremely harmful to the United States' efforts in Southeast Asia and the rest of the world. Tragically, some veterans, scorned by the antiwar movement and their allies, retreated to a life of despair and suicide. Two of my crewmates were among them. For that there is no forgiveness. "

-- Richard O'Meara

.

"My name is Steve Gardner. I served in 1966 and 1967 on my first tour of duty in Vietnam on Swift boats, and I did my second tour in '68 and '69, involved with John Kerry in the last 2 1/2 months of my tour. The John Kerry that I know is not the John Kerry that everybody else is portraying. I served alongside him and behind him, five feet away from him in a gun tub, and watched as he made indecisive moves with our boat, put our boats in jeopardy, put our crews in jeopardy... if a man like that can't handle that
6-man crew boat, how can you expect him to be our Commander-in-Chief?"

-- Steven Gardner

.

"I served in Vietnam as a boat officer from June of 1968 to July of
1969. My service was three months in Coastal Division 13 out of Cat Lo, and nine months with Coastal Division 11 based in An Thoi. John Kerry was in An Thoi the same time I was. I'm here today to express the anger I have harbored for over 33 years, about being accused with my fellow shipmates of war atrocities.

All I can say is when I leave here today, I'm going down to the Wall to tell my two crew members it's not true, and that they and the other 49 Swiftees who are on the Wall were then and are still now the best."

-- Robert Brant

.

"I never saw, heard of, or participated in any Swift boat crews killing cattle, poisoning crops, or raping and killing civilians as charged by John Kerry, both in his book and in public statements. Since we both operated at the same time, in the same general area, and on the same missions under the same commanders, it is hard to believe his claims of atrocities and poor planning of Sea Lord missions.

I signed this letter because I feel that he used Swift boat sailors to proclaim his antiwar statements after the war, and now he uses the same Swift boat sailors to support his claims of being a war hero. He cannot have it both ways, and we are here to ask for full disclosure of the proof of his claims."

-- James Steffes
26 posted on 09/13/2004 1:35:31 PM PDT by Dubya (Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,but by me)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: All

Another email from Uncle Paul.

For good and ill, the Iraqi prisoner abuse mess will remain an issue On the one hand, right thinking Americans will abhor the stupidity of the actions while on the other hand, political glee will take control and fashion this minor event into some modern day My Lai massacre.
I heard some Arabs are asking for an apology. I humbly offer mine here:

I am sorry that the last seven times we Americans took up arms and sacrificed the blood of our youth, it was in the defense of Muslims (Bosnia, Kosovo, Gulf War 1, Kuwait, etc.)

I am sorry that no such call for an apology upon the extremists came after 9/11.

I am sorry that all of the murderers on 9/11 were Arabs.

I am sorry that Arabs have to live in squalor under savage dictatorships.

I am sorry that their leaders squander their wealth.

I am sorry that their governments breed hate for the US in their religious schools.

I am sorry that Yasir Arafat was kicked out of every Arab country and high jacked the Palestinian "cause".

I am sorry that no other Arab country will take in or offer more than a token amount of financial help to those same Palestinians.

I am sorry that the USA has to step in and be the biggest financial supporter of poverty stricken Arabs while the insanely wealthy Arabs blame the USA.

I am sorry that our own left wing elite and our media can't understand any of this.

I am sorry the United Nations scammed the poor people of Iraq out of the "food for oil" money so they could get rich while the common folk suffered.

I am sorry that some Arab governments pay the families of homicide bombers upon their death.

I am sorry that those same bombers are seeking 72 virgins? I can't seem to find one here on Earth.

I am sorry that the homicide bombers think babies are a legitimate target.

I am sorry that our troops died to free more Arabs. I am sorry they stopped the gang rape rooms and the filling of mass graves of dissidents.

I am sorry they show so much restraint when their brothers in arms are killed.

I am sorry that Muslim extremists have killed more Arabs than any other group.

I am sorry that foreign trained terrorists are trying to seize control of Iraq and return it to a terrorist state.

I am sorry we don't drop a few dozen Daisy cutters on Fallujah.

I am sorry every time terrorists hide they find a convenient "Holy Site."

I am sorry they didn't apologize for driving a jet into the World Trade Center that collapsed and severely damaged Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church - one of our Holy Sites.

I am sorry they didn't apologize for flight 93 and 175, the USS Cole, the embassy bombings, etc.

I am sorry Michael Moore is American; he could feed a medium sized village in Africa.

I am sorry that our young Americans liberated the French, so that they could turn their backs on us because of financial gain.

America will get past this latest absurdity. We will punish those responsible, unlike other countries, because that is what we do. We hang out our dirty laundry for all the world to see. We move on. That's one of the reasons we are hated so much. We don't hide this stuff like all those Arab countries that are now demanding an apology.

Deep down inside, when most Americans saw this reported in the news, we felt saddened, knowing it was wrong. Sure, it dramatically hurt our cause, definitely, it is not what America is about. However we also did not forget that we lost hundreds of our bright, brave young military, and made fun of a few prisoners. We didn't lose focus of the fact that until the "humiliated" were captured ,we were trying to kill these same prisoners before they killed us. This is what war is about. Now we're supposed to wring our hands because a few were humiliated? Our compassion is tempered with the vivid memories of our own people killed, mutilated and burnt amongst a joyous crowd of celebrating Fallujans.

If you want an apology from this American, you're going to have a long wait. You have a better chance of finding those 72 virgins.


27 posted on 09/13/2004 1:38:33 PM PDT by Dubya (Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,but by me)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: All; The Mayor; Billie; dutchess; Aquamarine; LadyX; Kitty Mittens; Texagirl4W; GailA; Dubya; ...
I've been busy over on our 3rd Annual Rally and Picnic report thread, but had to come over and say hello to our Finest and thank Rus for our Military Monday thread.

Those are some wonderful and heartwarming photos you are posting, LadyX.

And thank you, Dubya, for posting the Patriot Day, 2004 Proclamation. (I haven't had a chance to read your two most recent posts, but I will).

Hugs to all.


28 posted on 09/13/2004 1:41:10 PM PDT by Mama_Bear ("Democrats are Donkeys, and Elephants are Presidents"......Sage)
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To: Mama_Bear

Thanks for your hard work for us. Great picture "Support Our Troops" I'm with you 100%.


29 posted on 09/13/2004 1:44:48 PM PDT by Dubya (Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,but by me)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: All
USMC SEA STORIES

30 posted on 09/13/2004 1:54:42 PM PDT by Dubya (Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,but by me)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: All
Marine Corps has a long tradition of flag raisings
31 posted on 09/13/2004 1:56:46 PM PDT by Dubya (Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,but by me)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Texagirl4W

Feel like such a goof! I replied to you earlier after seeing your screen name without even reading your comment. Your brother must have been a very special person, I'm sure you're very proud of him.


32 posted on 09/13/2004 2:18:28 PM PDT by Aquamarine
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To: lula; All
Good news is that we have removed lula's son-in-law from the prayer list because he is home from Iraq after being there since February! Our thanks to him for his service.





Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Mama_Bear; Dutchess; Aquamarine, and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


OhioWfan........................son
mystery-ak..........son, husband
Gogrammy................grandson
Inspectorette...................son
Blessed American..........nephew
Slip18..........................nephew
anniegetyourgun...........nephew
Diver Dave.......niece, nephew
ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews
Pippin..........niece, loved one
Pippin...nephew & his fiancee
weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw
jamaly.................brotherinlaw
Future Snake Eater..........cousin
WaterDragon.............grandson
WaterDragon...........son-in-law
BeforeISleep...................son
kimmie7......................brother
Armymarinemom............3 sons
american_ranger.............son
LadyX.........................grandson
fawn796.......................nephew
Dubya............................nephew
StarCMC......................brother
ValerieUSA..................2 sons
Lakeside......................2 sons
Spruce.....................daughter
Philman_36..............2 nephews
Warrior Nurse...........active duty
SK1 Thurman...........active duty
David Osborne.........active duty
fc2tomschermuly......active duty
Rose inRoseBear...cousin's hubby
bkwells..................active duty
LongCut..................active duty
cjk............................active duty
Trish.......................active duty
ODC-GIRL.................active duty
AF_Blue..................active duty
Notwithstanding.....active duty
thumperusn.............active duty
Q6-God.....................active duty
Q6-God...................twin brother
Veloxherc.................active duty
Maigrey................cousin
WVNan..............friend's son
ladtx....................2 sons
Mama_Bear.........2 nephews
gator girl............husband
severa.......husband, brother
Hostel..................cousin
MozartLover......son, nephew
LBGA........................son
katykelly.................son
cookcounty..............son
SpookBrat...nephew, cousin
Doug from Upland...son-in-law
Himyar.....................son
boxerblues............2 sons
the piper...................son
sheeza...............husband
kemathen7...........husband
Tiffee4Bob.......boyfriend
deadhead................cousin
JimRobinson.....2 nephews
TexKat..............son, step-son
Consort..2 daughters,son-in-law
Darheel.....................niece
Donaeus...................nephew
dixie sass...............nephew
BeAllYouCanBe............son
Repubmommy...............brother
AgThorn...................2 sons
homeschoolmama.......nephew
kneezles......................son
Redhead....step-granddaughter
Redhead..step-grdaughter fiance
Atomic Conspiracy..half-brother
Atomic Conspiracy...nephew
Atomic Conspiracy...niece
Sunflowergal.........grandson
visualops.................cousin
Alouette.......................son
mrstank.......................husband
MrsMike31..................husband
eaglesiniowa.................son
auboy.........................cousin
spotbus1....................husband



33 posted on 09/13/2004 3:09:03 PM PDT by Billie
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To: The Mayor; Billie; Aquamarine; dansangel; dutchess; FreeTheHostages; Mama_Bear; LadyX; WVNan; ...

Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor, and to all the Finest on this beautiful Monday.


34 posted on 09/13/2004 3:16:05 PM PDT by jwfiv
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To: All

Joint Command Focuses on America's Missing
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii, Sept. 13, 2004 — The general charged with providing the fullest possible accounting of missing service members says the military is sending an important message to families of the missing, veterans and, just as importantly, today's men and women in uniform.

POW/MIA Recognition Day honors the sacrifices service members and their families have made for their country, Army Brig. Gen. W. Montague Winfield, head of Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command headquartered here, said in an interview with American Forces Press Service.

It also offers a reminder that the United States is committed to bringing its fallen service members home so they can be returned to their families — and won't give up, no matter how long it takes or how difficult it might be.

The joint POW/MIA command works year round to repatriate and identify the remains of about 88,000 U.S. service members missing from the nation's wars. They include about 78,000 missing from World War II, 8,100 from the Korean Conflict, 1,800 from the Vietnam Conflict and about 120 from the Cold War.

The mission is uniquely American, dating back to World War II and now embodied in the U.S. military Code of Conduct, Winfield said. While most countries around the world bury their war dead where they fall, the United States promises its service members that it will do everything in its power to bring them home.

"This is a very sacred and noble mission. I can't think of anything more rewarding for our military to be doing right now than keeping the promise that America makes to all of its heroes — fallen heroes and those who are currently in uniform today," he said.

Working to fulfill that promise sends joint-service teams from Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command to potential crash and burial sites around the world. This summer alone, recovery teams conducted searches in Tibet, China, Albania, France, Vietnam, North Korea and Laos. There, they worked with their host government counterparts to conduct investigations and, when appropriate, full- scale excavations.

The missions can be daunting. A team currently deployed to Tibet spent months training up to conduct a recovery mission at 12,000 feet altitude, with its base camp at 17,000 feet. Other missions require teams to trek through mountains and glaciers, traverse difficult terrain in 4 x 4 vehicles, and even rappel down cliff sides.

"Most of the easier missions have already been done," Winfield said. "What's left now are the difficult ones."

Once teams recover remains and repatriate them to the United States, the command's Central Identification Laboratory uses state-of-the-art scientific techniques to help identify determine their identity.

Winfield said new breakthroughs, including the use of mitochrondrial DNA in investigations, are helping the staff make identifications once not considered possible. "If you think about it, 12 years ago we were sitting on parts of remains that we assumed we would never identify, because 12 years ago we didn't have DNA," he said.

Winfield said he expects other emerging technologies to help speed up the identification process. "We're just waiting for the technology to catch up with our needs," he said.

In the meantime, the lab staff typically identifies about two service members a week, mostly through dental records. "The disappointment is that we just can't do enough fast enough," Winfield said.

Since 1973, the laboratory — until last year known as the U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii -- —has positively identified 1,175 people. "That's pretty significant, but it's still pretty daunting when think about what we're still up against," Winfield said.

While acknowledging that some Americans may believe that the country will eventually give up in its effort to repatriate and identify its missing war dead, Winfield said he's convinced they're wrong.

He said last year's merger of the Army lab and the 11-year-old Joint Task Force-Full Accounting into a permanent command focused on missing service members and "sends the right message that we're here to stay and that we remain committed to our mission."

"It says that our nation is keeping its promise to bring home every American POW/MIA, no matter how long it takes," Winfield said. "We will never quit until they are home."

Related Site:
Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command



35 posted on 09/13/2004 3:40:52 PM PDT by Dubya (Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,but by me)
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To: chesty_puller; Eagle9

Y'all might like this site, especially you Chesty!


36 posted on 09/13/2004 4:25:41 PM PDT by dixie sass (Texas - South Carolina on Steroids)
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To: dixie sass; chesty_puller
Thanks for the ping, Dixie.
That does look like a site that would appeal more to Chesty than to me (Army), but I do enjoy reading true accounts of actions taken in all branches of our military.

Chesty, I meant to ping you to a thread today. Did you know that Dan Rather was a Marine? He says he was, but there seems to be a bit of stretching the truth going on by Ol' Dan. Expert: Dan Rather Exaggerates Military Record

________________________________________________________

Dixie, here's a link to an FR thread that you, Chesty, and everyone on this thread would find to be very inspirational. A Very Personal Story of Viet Nam

37 posted on 09/13/2004 5:10:37 PM PDT by Eagle9
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To: LadyX

That picture is so sweet....


38 posted on 09/13/2004 5:28:20 PM PDT by The Mayor ("Jesus, I don't have anything to give you today, but just me. I give you me!")
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To: Dubya

Bump

Bump!!


39 posted on 09/13/2004 5:31:53 PM PDT by The Mayor ("Jesus, I don't have anything to give you today, but just me. I give you me!")
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To: Billie; Mama_Bear; Aquamarine; ST.LOUIE1; LadyX; The Mayor; dixie sass; GailA; cyborg; jamaly; ...
Happy Military Monday sistahs and finest friends. God bless our military men and women. I was so touched and proud watching the Vietnam rally on the mall yesterday. Poetic Justice. I have said before....I graduated from highschool in '71 and, regrettably, bought into all the anti war stuff UNTIL I befriended a returning vet at the small college I attended. Although this whole exercise might be painful for some (ie Kerry) I think it is opening the eyes up of my generation and younger. Yesterday clinched it to me.

Mayor...as always thanks for posting Military Monday

Aeronaut and sistahs...besides an incredibly busy work day...flew after work...6 touch and gos (all by myself except for one balloon "intervention" (aeronaut...you'll understand :o) )It's starting to come together...(very slowly!)

Have a great evening all.
40 posted on 09/13/2004 6:13:38 PM PDT by dutchess
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