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!

[tuliptree76]

Thanks, Amy. I'm sure you'll find plenty of things to do during the summer break. :-)

I'll have to get back to work on my project tomorrow. I've been spending too much time relaxing the past couple of weeks. LOL!

[JustAmy]

Thank you for coming by today to remember and honor
our fallen heroes and to pray for our military.

Remembering LadyX in my evening prayers.
God Bless and comfort her and her family.

[DollyCali]

did I miss you?

[JustAmy]

LOL

If I can't think of something to do, I'm sure Marissa will.

It's good that you were able to spend time relaxing before getting back to your project. The brain gets tired!!

[JustAmy]

I'm back to say goodnight and thank everyone for stopping in.

Glad you made it back, Dolly.

[DollyCali]

I love your collages Eleanor.. they are great memories all packed together. Thank you. FReepmail in a few (if you are still up)

[DollyCali]

Hi AMy.. just wanted to thank you again for the great thread & everyone's nice contributions. Sad with our concern over Maggie and it is nice that this is a place of prayer & support for her & others along the way. Sleep well & be ready to tackle tomorrow & keep up with prissy missy!

[Diver Dave]

I got my hair cut; promotion ceremonies at school tomorrow

You'll do just fine, Amy. :)

[JustAmy]

:)

These days are harder on "Moms" than on the graduates.

[JustAmy]

The contributions to the thread have been wonderful tributes to our military.

God Bless them and their families.

God rest the soul of the fallen heroes.

[tuliptree76]

Speaking of tired...

I'm going to get some sleep. Good night, Amy.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

Thank a Vet every day for your freedom to say this country is wrong!

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning :) (click title for today's thread)

[JustAmy]

Good morning, AngelesCrestHighway.

Isn't it amazing that the ones denigrating our military don't realize this fact.

[Bob Ireland]

Thanks for the ping...

There are just no adequate words to express the gratitude these wonderful brave Americans deserve - and earned!

God bless them, their families... and God bless America!

[Christian4Bush]

I need some FReeper help.

At the Memorial Day service at Arlington, the band played a certain song over and over, as it was retiring the colors. I'm sure the official program said what it was, but I didn't see it. I used to play that piece in youth band, 25 years ago. I don't know the name of it.

Can anyone please help me?

[Christian4Bush]

Hi Snugs,

I don't know who I should ask this question, but I am trying to find out the name of the music that the band played at the Arlington Memorial Service on Memorial Day (or a copy of the program from there that would have that information). It was the song that they played during the retiring of the colors. I used to play that song in Youth Band, 25 years ago, but for the life of me I cannot recall the name of the song. And it's driving me crazy.

Can you help, or perhaps someone you know?

[snugs]

You may find the information on the DOD website or you could send them an email.

http://www.defenselink.mil/

[Christian4Bush]

Thanks, snugs. I just left a general question there. I appreciate the help.

[JustAmy]

If someone gets the info for you, please let me know.

I'm pinging DiverDave in hopes that he may be able to help.