A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....5-30-06.... Memorial Day Revisited

5-30-06 | JustAmy

[JustAmy]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, GodBlessUSA, JustAmy ~

Memorial Day Band

The rhythm of the drums comes through,
The marching of the feet,
Sometimes a shrill reminder,
From the fife’s piercing tweet.

I stir a bit, as if to join,
The celebrators there,
But then I settle down again,
Like dust motes in still air.

There was a time I strode about,
And shouted with the boys,
A time when we were conquerors,
Equipped with brand new toys.

We leaped across the oceans!
We flew up in the air!
And girls looked down and smiled at us,
Encouraging our stare.

We would return. We knew it!
We were too young to die.
And so we took our weapons up,
And never asked them why.

Why would we study History?
What did we know of War?
We only did what young men do,
And what’s been done before.

But lately, I’ve been thinking.
I’ve had some time for that.
I should have studied more in school,
Not jumped at the drop of a hat.
Don’t get me wrong! I’m no coward!
I would still have gone, I’m sure,
But at least I could tell my buddies,
What it was we had tried to secure.

You see, there’s a dream that we live for,
And which we will die for, too.
This sleep that I’m sleeping reminds me,
That I ought to just share it with you.

I dreamed of a world full of wonder,
Where the walls were just marks on the land,
Of whose farms had the prettiest apples,
Or where showed our Grandfather’s hand.

And a gate was a door to a new place,
You could visit, if you’d mind to behave,
And a beach was one twin with a brother,
You could see just beyond that big wave.

I could walk into China like Polo,
And say Hi to the Emperor there,
And he’d smile and he’d say something funny,
And he’d tell me to pull up a chair.

Then we’d chat about silk and we’d chuckle,
And he’d beat me a lot playing chess,
And then finally I’d have to say so long,
You come visit my folks in the US.

I’d walk down the road where the world is,
I’d be glancing around at the view.
I’d be looking real hard for a nice place,
And for something important to do.

So I guess I shouldn’t complain, then,
Having fallen into this place,
I managed to live out a part of that dream,
And I’m here with a smile on my face.

It wasn’t the nicest real estate,
And it doesn’t have much of a view,
But I paid for it with the fame I sought,
And at least I’m important to you.

NicknamedBob . . . . . . . . . May 18, 2006


























Invisible Soldier

You can tell her by the twinkle in her eye,
At parades when the flag marches by.
She served our country and she served it very well.
Some have even served a tour or two in Hell.

She suffered hardship and never ceased to care.
It gave us strength just to know that she was there.
She was a leader, you could tell by the rank she wore,
But she became the invisible soldier after the war.

She can march, she can fly, and she can sail.
She proved that bravery isn't exclusive of the male.
She did every job she was asked and more,
But she became the invisible soldier after the war.

Now, it is finally time to right a wrong.
Honor our sister soldier; hear her song.
It's very clear that she's a patriot to the core.
Don't let her be the invisible soldier anymore.

...©1995 Sarge Lintecum













With My Shield, Or On It

I know it is upsetting,
To see things done this way.
Flag-draped caskets side by side,
They’re headed home today.

One thing you might not think about,
The view from the inside.
I’ve got some time now on my hands,
While on this final ride.

Sorry I didn’t write more,
Too late to fix that now.
I’ll try to be more scrupulous,
To get word out somehow.

There are no easy channels,
But I’m sure that you will know,
I don’t regret the choice I made,
And why I had to go.

You’d think perhaps the view from here,
Would be quite dark inside,
But it is light as light can be,
My burden’s been untied.

And I’ve been lifted up,
On angel wings I think,
And I’ve got every thing I need,
Except our kitchen sink.

I’d like to wash my hands once more,
And turn and get a hug.
I wish I could shake the hand of,
My best friend too, ya lug.

But all that stuff is over now,
I’ve got my new assignment,
Looks like I hitched my wagon to,
A different star alignment.

I know I always promised Mom,
I’d try to be real good,
Will someone please just let her know,
I did the best I could.

I have to go now, duty calls,
Think of me when you can,
The folks will think they lost their boy,
My buddies saw a man.

NicknamedBob . . . April 25, 2004
© 2004







............................................Graphics by MamaBear, Billie and St.Louie1

03-28-06 ~ Hall of Fame #15

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 05-29-06 Military Monday

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

[JustAmy]

[JustAmy]

[JustAmy]

Thank you for the wonderful graphics used in today's thread.

(((( St.Louie1 ))))
(((( Lori ))))
(((( Billie ))))

[JustAmy]

NnB, thank your for the poems used in today's thread.

Thank you for keeping me supplied with material.
I appreciate you.

[Mama_Bear]

You're welcome, Amy.

You have have e-mail. :-)

[JustAmy]

Got it! Thanks.

[JustAmy]

No, Freedom Isn't Free
by CDR Kelly Strong, USCG (Ret).
©Copyright 1981

I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of taps one night,
When everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That taps had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.

[JustAmy]

Memorial Day
By Joyce Kilmer

The bugle echoes shrill and sweet,
But not of war it sings to-day.
The road is rhythmatic with the feet
Of men-at-arms who come to pray.
The roses blossom white and red
On tombs where weary soldiers lie;
Flags wave above the honored dead
And martial music cleaves the sky.
Above their wreath-strewn graves we kneel,
They kept the faith and fought the fight.

Through flying lead and crimson steel
They plunged for Freedom and the Right.
May we, their grateful children, learn
Their strengh, who lie beneath the sod,
Who went through fire and death to earn
At last the accolade of God.
In shining rank on rank arrayed
They march, the legions of the Lord;
He is their Captain unafraid,
The Prince of Peace . . . Who brought a sword.


Joyce Kilmer was killed-in-action in World War I and is best remembered for his poem "Trees."

[JustAmy]

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; JustAmy,

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.

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

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey.........................cousin mystery-ak...........son, husband Gogrammy.................grandson Inspectorette.......................son deadhead.......................cousin Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave........niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin............niece's husband sneakers..........................son 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 ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady....................nephew Spruce......................daughter Bykrbayb..........................son Leofl.................................son chena...............................son Hope and Glory..................son Philman_36.............2 nephews bjcintennessee........son, niece TheMayor...............friends'son Doug from Upland.......soninlaw homeschoolmama........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin gonzo...................friend's son visualops......................cousin auboy..........................cousin LoneRedRanger...brother-in-law Ladysmith.nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend MontanaCowgirlCop......brother nelibeli........................nephew Misty4jc.....................husband Colorado Slim..............nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews ProudAFDad......................son Alouette.............................son Katydidnt...........................son Zechariah_8_13....brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.............cousin PreviouslyA-Lurker........brother sheeza.......................husband kemathen7..................husband Q6-God..................twin brother Q6-God....................active duty 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 Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty Old Sarge.................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968................active duty NoLongerFreeState...active duty CMS........................active duty

OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son cookcounty.............................son Himyar....................................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin boxerblues........................2 sons the piper..............................son Tiffee4Bob......................boyfriend JimRobinson...............2 nephews TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Consort........................2 daughters Consort.......................son-in-law Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son painter...................................nephew SilentServiceCPOWife........husband Walkenfree................2 grandsons Walkenfree.................. 3 nephews Walkenfree..................granddaughter DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law Skimask.....................................son Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy.....2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson Socratic.............................nephew Jemian...................................son freema.......................nephew, son Azbushgal..............................son kimmykay.................................son right2parent..............................son NavySEAL F-16........................son Ike..........................................son repubmom...............................son wolfcreek..........................daughter JesseJane ...........................cousin Roses0508..............................son pmmd81..................................son GodBlessUSA......................cousin SoldiersPrayingMom.................son WakeUpandVote..................brother Skyraider.................................son CyberAnt...........................nephew mrs tiggywinkle...................cousin Jen's Mom........................daughter Meg33.............................grandson 911angelady........................2 sons Nadine...............................nephew U S Army EOD.................daughter weldgophardline.......................son jrushing....................................son thehumanlynx...........brother-in-law JFC..................................nephew Earthdweller......................nephew Scubachick.......................husband ChairmanDec19thSociety ..brotherinlaw Anthem..............................2 cousins meanie monster .........family friend PragmaticWarrior..........2 nephews

[JustAmy]

You deserve an extra hug for working under difficult conditions today.

((((( Lori ))))). Thank you.

[ST.LOUIE1]

A truly awe inspiring thread!

Your tribute to our military men and women could not have been presented more beautifully.

We shall never forget them, God bless them all.

((((((Sis))))))
((((((Lori))))))

[.30Carbine]

Thank you so much for the ping.

[dixie sass]

Morning Amy. I think I'll go to bed and take a nap!

[The Mayor]

May 30, 2006

Beyond Amazing

LISTEN TO ODB RADIO: Real | MP3 | WMA

READ: Psalm 19:1-6

The heavens are the work of Your hands. —Psalm 102:25 In 1977, the United States launched a rocket into space. On board was a small craft called Voyager I, a probe that was jettisoned into space to explore the planets. After Voyager was done sending back photos and data from the planet Jupiter and its neighbors, it didn’t stop working. It just kept going.

Today, almost 30 years later, that tiny vehicle is still going—traveling at a speed of over 38,000 miles per hour. And it’s nearly 9 billion miles from the sun. That’s mind-boggling! Brilliant scientists have sent a ship to the edge of our solar system. It’s astounding. It’s amazing.

But it’s absolutely puny when compared with what God has done. It would be like hearing someone brag to the architect of the Empire State Building that he had traveled to the second floor.

We have barely begun to explore the vastness of God’s creation. But every small step by mankind should continue to put us in absolute awe of God’s power and creativity. Think of this: While we have left the realm of one star with a spaceship, the Creator of the stars “calls them all by name” (Isaiah 40:26). After all, He made them.

Exploring the universe is amazing. But exploring the God who made it all: That’s beyond amazing! —Dave Branon

I sing the mighty power of God
That made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad
And built the lofty skies.  —Watts

The wonder of it all—just to think that God loves me.  —Shea

Bible in One Year: Bible in One Year:   2 Chronicles 10-12; John 11:30-57

[stopem]

Good morning everyone.

Good job Amy!

(wish I knew how to post graphics especially on my home page)

Every day is Memorial Day when you lost a loved one, Let us remember to honor our heroe's every day!

Last night as I watched local news and watched civilians at DFW airport welcoming back our troops from Iraq, clapping , waving flags, shaking hands in gratitude to them for their service to our country I was moved to tears.

[MEG33]

Thank you for this beautiful thread honoring those who have kept us free.
I have a very blurry screen.

[GodBlessUSA]

JustAmy
This is an incredible thread you created.

[Aquamarine]

You all have put together a fabulous Memorial Day tribute. I am impressed with the creativity which is endless here.

I may have to take another trip to DC just to see the new World War II Memorial and the Smithsonian Museum, and.... :)

[JustAmy]

Thank you for those wonderful comments, (((( Bro )))).

Thank you for the gifs that helped make the thread what it is.


** Hugs **

[Diver Dave]

Beautiful Presentation, Amy.

Repeating a pic I posted last night from the ceremony I attended yesterday at Lakewood Memorial Park...