A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....08-22-05....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, 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.




                     

06-28-05 HALL OF FAME #12

THE WEEKEND THREAD 8-19 thru 8-21-05... T.G.I.F. at the Finest

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

[JustAmy]

LOL

Thanks, Dolly.

Marissa's prayer last night was special. When she said her "God, please bless ......." she added "please bless my angel who keeps me safe from danger."

I did not teach her that, it came from her heart.

She is MY special angel.

[DollyCali]

thanks starwise.

we are not fun to live with though..lol. we are cluttery, pack rats & filled with oodles of good intentions.

[DollyCali]

Hi all.. just a little food for thought & a little more humor before my break is over..(and a nap is a good alternate to avoiding work, like like FR is) /d

"When the devil knocks at the door
of your life--let Jesus go the door."

@@

Rabbi Sneak

There was this rabbi in a small town, and he was really curious about why so many people ate pork. He really wanted to try some, but there was no where in town he could go and not be seen. One weekend, he made an excuse and traveled to a distant town, went into a restaurant, and ordered the first pork item on the menu.

While he's waiting for his order of pork, the president of his congregation walks in. He sees the rabbi and asks if he could join him for dinner, and the rabbi has no choice but to agree. A while later, the waiter returns with the rabbi's meal. He takes the cover off the large platter, and there is a whole roast pig, with an apple in its mouth.

The congregation president is more than a little shocked.

"What a fancy place," explains the rabbi quickly. "Just look at how they serve the apple I ordered."

[DollyCali]

God's gifts often include a lot of work, don't they. She is most precious. God WILL give you the strength and energy you need to care for her... Do ask him daily.. day & night, daily. These are the prayer requests that don't come back fallow.

[JustAmy]

"Don't study the Bible to be able to quote it; study it to obey it."

Thank you for bringing us the MESSAGE again this morning, Rus.

God Bless you and yours.

[Diver Dave]

Welcome Home, David!!!

Rejoicing with y'all for a great reunion.

I'm reminded of our arrivals back in our homeport San Diego after our 6 month deployments. 'Tis a great day for you, David and Mrs David.

Thank you for your service to our country, David and Mrs. David!!! Family members left at home serve in a different capacity, but they are heroes too.

[phancypants]

I'll be sure to bring the sunscreen--I burn in minutes...

I'm sure it will be an interesting time and I'm really thrilled that I can go (plus I'll be happy to be back in Texas--what a great place)!

We went to Crawford in 2003, and the people were so friendly. I'm looking forward to going back (and helping the economy via the gift shops!)...

[DollyCali]

Maxims for the Internet Age

- Home is where you hang your @.

- The E-mail of the species is more deadly than the mail.

- A journey of a thousand sites begins with a single click.

- You can't teach a new mouse old clicks.

- Great groups from little icons grow.

- Speak softly and carry a cellular phone.

- C: is the root of all directories.

- Don't put all your hypes in one home page.

- Pentium wise; pen and paper foolish.

- The modem is the message.

- Too many clicks spoil the browse.

- The geek shall inherit the earth.

- A chat has nine lives.

- Don't byte off more than you can view.

- Fax is stranger than fiction.

- What boots up must come down.

- Windows will never cease.

- In Gates we trust.

- Virtual reality is its own reward.

- Modulation in all things.

- A user and his leisure time are soon parted.

- Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day

Teach him to use the Net and he won't bother

you for weeks.

- There's no place like http://www.home.com

- Know what to expect before you connect.

[Texagirl4W]

Too cute. Thanks.

[jwfiv]

Thank you, Mr. Mayor .. a fine Military Monday it is.

Our troops are simply the best ... may God bless them all, and favor them on the field of battle ... and smite their enemies, both foreign and domestic ... smite them HARD.

Wishing all the Finest a good day ... )

[JustAmy]

Mayor and Billie ..... thank you for bringing us another Military Monday.

Today is a busy day in and around Fresno.

The ""You Don't Speak for Me, Cindy" Caravan will be stopping in Fresno tonight. We are trying to get the word out in hopes of drawing a large crowd of Troop Supporters.

After the media event in Fresno, several of us will join the caravan for about 20 miles to a rest stop where Fresno Freepers will furnish snacks and drinks.

Tell everyone you know about the Rally in Crawford on the 27th.

[STARWISE]

I feel your pain .. come look at my house ;)

[STARWISE]

Are you telling me you actually wrote that letter and sent the referenced items??

[DollyCali]

(I am telling you it is humor)... although someone may have actually done it. I sent it out about a year ago in email humor column I was writing at the time. It is going the circuit again

I wouldn't be surprised if someone did it though.

[DollyCali]

Pictures, pictures, lots and lots of pictures ms. Amy. Have fun & give the caravaners all our support!

[STARWISE]

Man oh man .. I hope they did. Just desserts.

[OESY]

Too Good Not To Post: The Military

The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either.



He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student,pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away.

He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155mm howizzitor.

He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.

He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark.

He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.

He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.

He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march.



He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient.

He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle.

He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.

If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.

He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all.

He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime.




He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking.

In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy.

He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.




He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.

Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

And now we even have woman over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so.

As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot.

A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets.




NOTE from John Schroeder, La Crescenta, California: This came to me from a soldier friend recent returned from Iraq. It is too good not to pass on. -- blogotional.blogspot.com/2005/08/too-good-not-to-post.html

[snugs]

HAPPY MILITARY MONDAY

President Bush greets Veterans of Foreign Wars Adjutant General John Senk, Jr., after delivering his remarks at the Veterans of Foreign Wars' national convention in Salt Lake City, Monday, Aug. 22, 2005

President Bush laughs as he poses for a photo with troops upon his departure from the Salt Lake City International airport, Monday, Aug. 22, 2005

[luvie]

Will give him the "hello" when we hear from him--he hasn't called to say he's back in the states yet.

Glad you're hearing from Daniel and that he's doing good. I rejoice to hear that morale is high---you always hear so much negative stuff on the TV, you just never know for sure what the truth is!

[luvie]

Thanks for the Welcome Home! Still waiting to hear...but he is going to be so surprised at all the good wishes. I don't think he ever thought that there were this many people who love the troops. I am proud to be a part of such a wonderful group as is in FreeRepublic!...and especially the Finest of the Fine! :o)