A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....02-20-06....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, Neets, 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.




                     

12-28-05 ~ Hall of Fame #14

THE WEEKEND THREAD thru -02-17-18-19-06... T.G.I.F. at the Finest

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

[The Mayor]

[The Mayor]

February 20, 2006

My Staff

Read:
Psalm 73:23-28

By faith Jacob . . . worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. —Hebrews 11:21

Bible In One Year: Leviticus 26-27; Mark 2

An antique rack in the entryway to our home holds the canes and walking-sticks of several generations of our family. My favorite is a slender staff with a gold-plated knob engraved with the initials "DHR." It belonged to my wife Carolyn's great-grandfather, Daniel Henry Rankin. Curiously, his initials are the same as mine.

In my study is another collection: my father's peeled, apple-wood walking stick, among others. And in a barrel in our garage there's an assortment of cross-country ski poles, wading wands, and trekking sticks I've gathered over the years. One of these days, I'll trade them all in for a walker. I'll always need something or someone to lean on.

I'm reminded of the old patriarch Jacob, once strong, now humbled and utterly dependent on God. When he was dying, by faith he "worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff" (Hebrews 11:21).

As I grow older, I'm learning to lean more on God and His faithfulness. Over the years, He has "held me by my right hand." He is guiding me with His counsel, and afterward He will "receive me to glory" (Psalm 73:23-24).

Shakespeare said it well: God is "the very staff of my age, my very prop." —David Roper

Our vigor is fleeting, our best years are brief,
Our youth passes quickly—time's ever a thief;
But hope yet becomes us—death's sting holds no power;
We have a Redeemer—an unfailing Tower. —Gustafson

Learning of our weakness teaches us to lean on God's strength.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
God Our Father

[MoJo2001]

BTTT for The Finest's Military Monday!!

Have a fabulous week Mayor and to the rest of the Finest Crew!

[Temple Owl]

Have a happy Monday everybody

[The Mayor]

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; Dutchess; dollycali;The Mayor; GodBlessUSA , 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.

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

Maigrey...................cousin 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 LakeLady.....................nephew Spruce.....................daughter Philman_36..............2 nephews bjcintennessee.......son, niece Ladysmith..nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend Katydidnt..........................son MontanaCowgirlCop.......brother Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty 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 Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx..................active duty Old Sarge................active duty Bykrbayb.........................son Hope and Glory................son Walkenfree............2 grandsons, 3 nephews, 1 granddaughter ariamne.....................2 cousins Zechariah_8_13..brother-in-law, cousin El Gato.....................nephew MississippyMuddy.............sister MississippyMuddy.....2 nephews Kramster......................stepson veeceeque................active duty freema.............. nephew and son Jemian............................ son Lone Red Ranger...Brother in law No Longer Free State ..... active duty right2parent.................son Ike..................................son repubmom......................son Skyraider........................ son CMS................... active duty CyberAnt.................nephew Jen's mom.............daughter 911angelady...........2 sons ninergold3.............nephew weldgophardline........son Earthdweller....nephew

scubachick...............husband ladtx........................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T...................son 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 Rose inRoseBear...cousin's hubby Skimask.......................Son Atomic Conspiracy..half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...nephew Atomic Conspiracy..........niece Sunflowergal..............grandson visualops.......................cousin Alouette..............................son mrstank.......................husband MrsMike31..................husband eaglesiniowa......................son auboy............................cousin spotbust1...................husband Leofl.................................son chena................................son campfollower...................fiance LUV W..............................son painter.........................nephew ProudAFDad......................son TheMayor....friends'son & nephew mhking........................cousin Misty4jc......................husband Colorado Slim................ nephew Tapatio.....................2 nephews CGblue....................active duty ak_daddoo.....................nephew DirtyHarryY2K.......daughter,son-in-law nelibeli.........................nephew bigghurtt...................Active duty frankiep....................Active duty Palladin.......................grandson Gonzo......................friend's son jkphoto.........................nephew JRios1968..................Active Duty Azbushgal..........................son rahbert............................son Kimmykay...........................son sneakers……….son NavySEAL F-16 .................son wolfcreek................daughter JesseJane ............ cousin. Roses0508..................son SoldiersPrayingMom.........son WakeUpandVote..........brother mrs tiggywinkle............cousin MEG33..................grandson U S Army EOD.......daughter thehumanlynx....BrotherinLaw JFC...nephew Micah

[trooprally]

TM - Thanks for the history. As a fairly new FReeper, this is great. I assume the picture of you is in your younger days, since your niece looks as old as our kids.

ping to the D.C. Chapter

[Mr] T

[Diva Betsy Ross]

An awesome thread Mayor! Thanks for the ping to the finest Military Monday! I love our veterans and troops- they are awesome!

[The Mayor]

Thanks MoJo!
And a special Thank you for all you do!

[The Mayor]

Hello Temple Owl, thank you for coming by!

[The Mayor]

A little older, yes, I look more like this these days..

[The Mayor]

Hi Diva!

Thank you for all you do!

[trooprally]

Still an excellent mug shot. And Thanks for your and your family's service. Have a good President's Day Holiday to you and all you read this Thread.

[Mr] T

[Soaring Feather]

Howdy Mayor!


Bumping Military Monday.

[The Mayor]

Hi Feather, thanks for the bump!

[LadyX]

]The graphic made a great Pledge of Allegiance, Your Honor.]

Some folks go to *REALLY* great lengths to show their support for our troops!

An "America Supports You" banner waves overhead as deployed sailors prepare to dig into a steak dinner served to them by
"Cooks from the Valley" volunteers to show appreciation
for their service.
Courtesy photo

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

Long, but truly heartwarming read about civilians from California
who go far out of their way to show support:

America Supports You: California Group Sizzles Up Steaks for Deployed Troops
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2006 – "Cooks From the Valley," a California volunteer group, goes to great lengths to throw an all-American barbecue to show their support for America's men and women in uniform - 18,250 miles, to be exact.

An "America Supports You" banner waves overhead as deployed sailors prepare to dig into a steak dinner served to them by "Cooks from the Valley" volunteers to show appreciation for their service. Courtesy photo (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

The group recently returned from the Middle East, where they sizzled up 2.8 tons of prime 14-ounce New York strip steaks for crewmembers aboard the carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, Aegis cruiser San Jacinto and guided-missile destroyer Donald Cook, said Tom Anton, a group leader.

The weeklong visit, which wrapped up in late January, was the group's first barbecue for U.S. servicemembers outside the United States.

Anton, a longtime member of the Bakersville Navy League, told the American Forces Press Service he began preparing gourmet steaks for sailors aboard aircraft carriers 25 years ago. He and other volunteers dug into their own pockets to purchase the best-quality steaks money could buy and grilled them up personally for thousands of servicemembers at a time.

They expanded the operation to feed a Marine battle group just before its members left for Iraq, then traveled to Fort Lewis, Wash., to throw a barbecue for a Stryker battalion.

During their latest trip, the group - business people, lawyers, doctors, developers, contractors, farmers and even a federal judge - prepared 6,300 juicy steaks for deployed troops in the Middle East, Anton said.

"It's a piece of home that we're able to bring these men and women," he said. "Our goal is to graphically display to them that civilians support their voluntary military service. It's a way of showing that absolute strangers care about absolute strangers."

Anton expressed thanks to the many people who help make the effort a success. Among them is Jim French, a civilian employee at Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, who helps on the logistics end to ensure the cooks' steaks reach their intended destinations. "He's a magician," Anton said.

Servicemembers treated to the feast offered nothing but rave reviews. "That was the best meal I'd had in six months!" one petty officer second class wrote after the barbecue. "I'll eat steak any day they want to cook again!"

A lieutenant junior grade credited the California cooks with serving up "some of the best steaks ever" and said he'd have eaten two if one hadn't been completely filled him up.

The barbecue was a big morale boost for the crews and made it easier for them to be away from friends and family for months at a time, a petty officer 3rd class wrote following the feast. "When we get any kind of support - a letter or anything from someone back home to show their appreciation for what we do - it drives us to make sure that we continue to stay safe and do our job and keep the ones back home happy, safe and free," he wrote. "Because of people like you, I am proud to serve."

Part of the motivation behind the Cooks from the Valley effort is to ensure that today's military members never experience the lack of support Vietnam veterans faced, Anton said.

All military members raised their hands and "voluntarily chose to put their lives on hold, and sometimes in harm's way to serve their country," he said.

Entertaining servicemembers with food is just one way Americans are showing their support, Anton said. "Each community and each person has something they can do for the military," he said. "Regardless of our political views, we all have an obligation to support our troops."

Cooks from the Valley is a partner in the Defense Department's "America Supports You" program. The nationwide campaign spotlights what the American public is doing to support military members, encourages others to express their appreciation and offers a forum for military supporters to share their efforts and activities.

[The Mayor]

I cooked at quite a few BBQ's for our troops..

Thank you M'Lady!

[The Mayor]

I am just finishing up this page in my site Maggie.
It is time to educate our politicans on stem cell research.

http://www.rusthompson.com/TheTruthStemCellResearch.html

[LadyX]

More Photographs:

[The Mayor]

Man, that looks familiar cept we were in green..

[LadyX]

"I cooked at quite a few BBQ's for our troops.. "

[how about sum steaks on Monday
fer us Finest Folks, Your Honor?!!]
LOL