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A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....06-06-05....Military Monday D-Day
Billie, The Mayor

Posted on 06/05/2005 8:00:05 PM PDT by 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, TheMayor, 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.



LEFT: Little Pig; TOP: hattend, Old Sarge, Aquamarine's dad.
MIDDLE: HuntsvilleTxVeteran.
BOTTOM: Its_me_K.E.T.'s son, Veloxherc, SeeRushToldU_So.





                     








03-29-05 ~ Hall of Fame #11

THE WEEKEND THREAD

06-03 thru 05-05...
T.G.I.F. at the Finest

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping'
Every Thursday at the Finest
The guy's good, folks!



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: freepers; fun; military; monday
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To: mrstank
It's so sad that this brave man Sgt. Jamie Gray lost his life in Iraq while protecting us over here, we are indebted to his memory.

May God be with his friends and family that grieve for him.

21 posted on 06/06/2005 8:18:17 AM PDT by Aquamarine
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To: jwfiv

Good Morning JW. Have missed seeing you around here lately, hope everything is going well.


22 posted on 06/06/2005 8:19:34 AM PDT by Aquamarine
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To: All; The Mayor; Billie; dutchess; Aquamarine; DollyCali; Gabz; LadyX; Kitty Mittens; writer33; ...
Thanks, Rus, for bringing us Military Monday and a this reminder of the anniversary of one of the most significant days in the history of the modern world, "D-Day".

"I have returned many times to honor the valiant men who died on that beach. They should never be forgotten. Nor should those who lived to carry the day by the slimmest of margins. Every man who set foot on Omaha Beach that day was a hero." General Omar N. Bradley




Take a photo tour of this impressive memorial by clicking on the photo below...




"You will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely....The free men of the world are marching together to victory. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory. Good luck, and let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking." ~General Dwight D. Eisenhower giving the D-Day order on June 6, 1944.



23 posted on 06/06/2005 9:08:06 AM PDT by Mama_Bear (My heroes wear camouflage.)
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To: Mama_Bear
Good post Lori, thank you!

break over, back to work. Going to a mexican party tongiht at Western Reserve Academy.. end of season get together for staff/faculty. I like to dress in thier "themes" but not sure I can rally this time..

Site Here fro WRA

24 posted on 06/06/2005 9:45:02 AM PDT by DollyCali ("Thank you for your ANSWERS". POTUS to press at end of Presser 28April05)
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To: All
In the trials and total sacrifice of the war, we became inseparable allies.

George Bush
Mr Bush at the American cemetery in Colleville, near Omaha Beach

It is a strange turn of history that called on young men from the prairie towns and city streets of America to cross an ocean, and throw back the marching, mechanised evils of fascism.

And those young men did it. You did it.

Only those who made that crossing can know what it was like. They tell of the pitching deck, the whistling of shells behind them...and the sound of bullets hitting the steel ramp that was about to fall.

As one GI said, "I became a visitor to hell".

25 posted on 06/06/2005 10:07:32 AM PDT by Mama_Bear (My heroes wear camouflage.)
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To: The Mayor; Billie; dansangel; dutchess; JohnHuang2; Mama_Bear; Tribune7; deadhead; Diver Dave; ...

Exactly 61 years ago, Joseph P. Barrett, of Haverford Pa., landed on Omaha Beach as part of an anti-aircraft battalion. Luckily for me, he made it. Joe is the Godfather of two of my sons and he introduced me to my wife.
He never talked much about the death and mayhem that took place on the beach, but he related a priceless anecdote about an U.S.Air Force fighter pilot who was shot down by friendly fire.
The pilot who was told that he was going on a "milk run" had a date with an English nurse that night. But when he entered to forbidden "no fly zone' the crew next to Joe's started shooting at him. They hit his plane causing him to parachute to the beach below.
He landed-- all dolled up in his class 'A' uniform-- yelling. I gotta get back to England; I have a date tonight.
Joe says he doesn't think he made it.
Joe trudged through France and Germany, crossing the bridge at Remagen before coming home. He landed a job as a police reporter on the late beloved Philadelphia Bulletin. I met him while covering the cop house for the Daily News. I later joined him at The Bulletin.
Joe is now in his middle 80s and creaks a little but he still holds a good conversation.
God Bless people like Joe Barrett.


26 posted on 06/06/2005 10:08:21 AM PDT by Temple Owl (19064)
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To: Temple Owl
Thanks for sharing this touching story from one of our true American heroes.

I also know a man who participated in the liberation of Europe, parachuting into France behind enemy lines.

I thank God for all who made it back from the hell that was "D Day", and for all those who made the ultimate sacrifice and didn't. I shutter to think where we would be today without the bravery and sacrifice of these courageous men.

27 posted on 06/06/2005 10:24:20 AM PDT by Mama_Bear (My heroes wear camouflage.)
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To: DollyCali
Good post Lori, thank you!

:-) Hi, ((((((((((Dolly))))))))))).

28 posted on 06/06/2005 10:26:05 AM PDT by Mama_Bear (My heroes wear camouflage.)
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To: mrstank; The Mayor; Billie; Mama_Bear; dutchess; Aquamarine; DollyCali; Diver Dave; WVNan; ...
We mourn with you and the family and friends the loss of Sgt. Jamie Gray.
In considering the subject of war and sacrifice, these quotes come to mind:

George Washington :

"There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy."

John Stuart Mill :

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature, and has no chance of being free unless made or kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

And finally, we are reminded war is an inevitable condition of life for Man, given the selfishness of man; and especially the nature of those who do not acknowledge and follow Almighty God.

In the Bible, that is made quite clear:

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Remember that God Himself often sent men into war for His reasons, that a mere mortal often could not necessarily see nor understand...

mrstank, we hold you and mrtank and all who defend America close in our thoughts and our prayers.

I know well - as do many here - the mental and emotional prepartion of the loved ones who wait.
When my husband was fighting in Southeast Asia (67'68), I often scanned the street, looking down to the corner, wondering is a "staff car" would come around it and to my door....

Bottom Line:
I knew all things are in God's hands, and left it at that, ready to accept anything.

Is it not so the next minute in life for any spouse/loved one/friend can bring "The Step over The Threshold"??

That an end might be abruptly brought by illness/accident/etc....??

Live life to the fullest possible, savoring the good things - -
and always thanking and praising our God of love and grace, freely given...


29 posted on 06/06/2005 12:14:55 PM PDT by LadyX ((( To God be all praise and honor and glory -- )))
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To: LadyX

This has to be one of the best I have read today.


30 posted on 06/06/2005 12:19:21 PM PDT by Texagirl4W ("I am too blessed to be stressed and too anointed to be disappointed!")
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To: mrstank
Please remember friends and family in prayer over the next few days.

I will do that, mrstank.


31 posted on 06/06/2005 12:34:03 PM PDT by Mama_Bear (My heroes wear camouflage.)
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To: Texagirl4W; All; mrstank; The Mayor; Billie; Mama_Bear; dutchess; Aquamarine; DollyCali; ...
Thank you, Tgirl...

A mind can be a terrible thing, though, and "on the other hand,"
that of *LadyX" has, well...numerous twists and turns..:))

For example, in locating quotes, I came upon this true gem
based on an oldie, that will make you laugh out loud, as I did!

=================================================

"How many moveon.org members does it take to change a lightbulb?

Well, how many moveon.org/ communists would it take?

First they would have to do a poll then form a committee and hire more bureaucrats to do studies including environmental impact.

Finally they will hire one liberal and twenty eight delegates representing all the social, sexual, economic, and ethnic communities to change the bulb.

Cost to taxpayers $20 million dollars.

How many conservatives?

One, taking individual responsibility to just do it.

Cost to taxpayers NONE."

- Badgeman in Sean Hannity Forums, May 8, 2005.


32 posted on 06/06/2005 1:11:56 PM PDT by LadyX ((( To God be all praise and honor and glory -- )))
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To: mrstank; LadyX

Praying for the Family and Friends of Sgt. Jamie Gray, to our Merciful and Caring God. Grant them Thy Comfort, Great King, as we Commit them to Your Loving Hand, through Your Sweet Name.


33 posted on 06/06/2005 1:12:59 PM PDT by Kitty Mittens
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To: mrstank; Mama_Bear; The Mayor; Aquamarine; DollyCali; dutchess; All
Good afternoon, mrstank, I'm so glad that you posted this on today's Military Monday thread, so that we can honor his memory as one who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country. His family and loved ones are in our prayers as they face the sad anniversary tomorrow.

Remembering all who have served or are now serving with much appreciation, admiration, and gratitude.

34 posted on 06/06/2005 1:28:51 PM PDT by Billie
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To: The Mayor; All
Notable D-Day Quotes:

"Sure, we want to go home. We want this war over with. The quickest way to get it over with is to go get the bastards who started it. The quicker they are whipped, the quicker we can go home. The shortest way home is through Berlin and Tokyo. And when we get to Berlin, I am personally going to shoot that paper hanging son-of-a-bitch Hitler. Just like I'd shoot a snake!"

General George S. Patton - (addressing to his troops before Operation Overlord) - 5th June 1944

==============================================

"We want to get the hell over there. The quicker we clean up this Goddamned mess, the quicker we can take a little jaunt against the purple pissing Japs and clean out their nest, too.
Before the Goddamned Marines get all of the credit."
(sorry - couldn't resist bolding that!!..:))

General George S. Patton - (addressing to his troops before Operation Overlord) - 5th June 1944

==============================================

"Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened. He will fight savagely"

General Dwight Eisenhower - 6th June 1944

==============================================

"At the present time, it is still too early to say whether this is a large-scale diversionary attack or the main effort"

German C-in-C West - Morning Report for the 6th June 1944

35 posted on 06/06/2005 1:33:04 PM PDT by LadyX ((( To God be all praise and honor and glory -- )))
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To: mrstank

Rest in peace, Sgt. Jamie Gray


Thank you for your sacrifice on our behalf.
You are our hero!

36 posted on 06/06/2005 1:38:02 PM PDT by luvie ((Freedom is on the march. Freedom is the birthright and deep desire of every human soul.GWB 3-29-05))
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To: LUV W; LadyX; Billie; Kitty Mittens; Mama_Bear; Aquamarine; The Mayor; All

Thank you for your posts. I have read them all throughout the day. They were all very sweet, touching, and appreciated.

I don't think I'll ever forget when I got the phone call that something had happened. It took almost a week for me to find out that it had been someone in my husband's convoy, and then I just couldn't get over how close to home it really was. Until that point I had felt kind of disconnected because I was in Maine and the other families were in Vermont. I still wish I'd had the opportunity to go to the funeral.

Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to do something special to honor the memory and provide a bit of peace and closure.


37 posted on 06/06/2005 1:57:07 PM PDT by mrstank (God, thank you for allowing people to be so gracious as to lay down their lives for my freedom.)
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To: mrstank
I know it's hard to find peace, but if we could provide just a tiny bit, then our love-filled efforts will have been worth it! God bless you and thanks to your husband for his service to our beautiful America!


38 posted on 06/06/2005 2:02:08 PM PDT by luvie ((Freedom is on the march. Freedom is the birthright and deep desire of every human soul.GWB 3-29-05))
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To: Billie
These are two pictures of my husband flying a flag from his perch in a humvee in Iraq. I can't get them any more clear than this...could you help?


39 posted on 06/06/2005 2:45:53 PM PDT by mrstank (God, thank you for allowing people to be so gracious as to lay down their lives for my freedom.)
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To: All; JohnHuang2; WVNan; mrstank; MEG33; Dubya; TexasCowboy; Brad's Gramma; STARWISE; Lakeside; ...
As you know, I had just turned 10 years old a month before D-Day, and remember it very well.
Long attuned to any and all events of the war on all fronts, we were glued to the console radio (no TV then), getting updates, and to newspapers and magazines, and at the movie theater, Fox Movietone film coverage.

Nearly everyone had a loved one, friend or neighbor involved in the war, and flags with the appropriate stars were hung from many windows all over America, indicating a loved one at war - or one or more who died in action.

My father served in WW I at Kelly Field in Texas, instructing Army Air Corps pilots on airplane engines.
At 42 when Pearl Harbor took us into WW II, he could not enlist, but as an engineer, was based in Atlanta with The War Production Board, responsible over the seven Southeastern States.

Any war production plant with a 'problem,' meant his flying there to "fix it."

At age 7 to 9, many is the time I went to the Miami Airport to meet his plane, home for a weekend, or taking him to fly back to Atlanta.
I vividly remember being tired one day, sitting on the floor and struggling to get on frilly pink socks and my Sunday patent shoes, and Mom hurrying me..:))

The next door neighbor's son was the age of my older sister, and was in the Air Corps -- Bill was sent to England, and had many missions over Europe as a tailgunner in a bomber, trapped in that little bubble with no way to escape enemy fire...just pray and hit the trigger first, and don't miss...

After the war, Bill and Anne married, and he went to work for Eastern Airlines in Miami, eventually promoted to a desk job.

Seven years and two little daughters later, he was stricken with both spinal and bulbar polio, and was treated at Children's Hospital there; after a year, able to be home on a rocking bed they provided. All costs were borne by The March of Dimes, including twice weekly taken by ambulance for treatments.

In November of 1953, however, he worsened and was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami to a ward for seriously ill and totally paralyzed polio patients.

Among several men there, many who had no one or whose loved ones seldom or *never* visited, Bill shared his love of the Lord, and was to many a sustaining force.

A True Hero to the very end, in January 1954, his life was honored by
a full half side of the page editorial in The Miami Herald, dedicated to his life and efforts.

Heroes were the norm then, and I still hold Bill in my memories and heart.

40 posted on 06/06/2005 3:25:32 PM PDT by LadyX ((( To God be all praise and honor and glory -- )))
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