A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day May 26,08 Memorial Day Military Tribute

Billie, The Mayor

[The Mayor]

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 have been including them here as I receive enough to make another collage.

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.

We have featured 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!

Every Monday we 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.

TOP: DollyCali, Wheelbarrow, DollyCali's dad, DollyCali's brother, Jen's Mom's daughter Jen.
MIDDLE: ConorMacNessa's dad & ConorMacNessa, SoldiersPrayingMom's son jmpmstr4u2,
Indy Pendance's daughter, Agthorn's dad.
BOTTOM: Tupac, GulfWar1Vet, SandRat, JRios1968.

TOP: Jaxter, MozartLover's son, mystery-ak's son, mystery-ak's husband.
MIDDLE: skimask's son, silent_jonny's dad, dwhole2th's son, jackv's son.
BOTTOM: Jen's Mom's father, txradioguy.

FR FINEST HALL OF FAME #19 THE WEEKEND THREAD 05-16,17,18-08.... T.G.I.F. at the Finest

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

[DollyCali]

I posted this last year a the Memorial thread about my favorite vet to memorialize - my Dad! ...HERE

DollyCali’s Dad
MM Michael Grlicky, USN

Raised as one of 7 children to immigrant farming parents from Czechoslovakia, Mike was born in Michigan & later relocated with his family to NE Ohio. Public Schools & technical training at East Tech in Cleveland helped him with skills that would be used in the military & in his early jobs following college graduation

He met wife Eleanor at Martin Luther Lutheran Church & they were married shortly before the US was attacked at Pearl Harbor. Mike joined his other 4 brothers in signing up when the nation was attacked. The other 4 joined Army but Mike loving the water, chose Navy

He used his mechanical skills learned at East Tech to become a Machinist Mate. He envisioned lots of travel on ships. But the curse of all naval guys was his.. SHORE DUTY. He was stationed in Pacific theater in Okinawa & This was a “boring” land assignment to dad as he was in charge of setting up & maintaining the water purification on the island for the troops. He didn’t speak much about his war time but did recall LONG days & nights on Okinawa playing cards with his shipmates.

Following the war he used the GI Bill to go to Chiropractic College (a new field) in Davenport Iowa. He trained under BJ Palmer - the father of Chiropractic. Those early years found students invited to BJ’s home & learning the skills from the Master.

Back in Ohio following graduation & further studies at Logan Basic in St. Louis presented a dilemma.. Begin a practice & have the financial drawbacks that went with it or use his mechanical skills in industry & make the comfortable living.

Mom’s 10 votes to dads one vote had Industry(money) over Chiropractic(drought). As fate would have it, years later he was in middle management and the company was overtaken by a mega-buyout & he was “downsized”…

The devastation of this job and income loss was huge. The silver lining is that he was able to NOW later in life, do what he wanted to do his WHOLE life & he began his chiropractic practice.

He died of heart failure at age 74 & at his funeral My brother & I were thrilled and touched by the number of patients who came through & told us how much he meant to them & how often he treated them if they couldn’t pay. And this was the norm, not the rarity. He felt it was his duty to help/cure the infirm.. not get rich off of them.

He was an active man his entire life. He bicycled, walked, golfed, and was an avid card player. He was very involved as a Mason with the Twinsburg Lodge & along with my Mom in Eastern Star. He became Worthy Master & attained the 32nd degree

He was a fun father & played with us and taught us much regarding life. My love & excitement regarding the outdoors I attribute to the hours we would tromp around the woods & have berry picking outings or go to a nice lake & swim & enjoy the sun & nature in general.

He was a devoted & involved father to both my brother and my self. As a teen I could NOT even get a temporary permit to drive until I could change the oil of the car, change a tire & learn to check fluids & FILL THEM, I attribute my math skills to the hours he spent with me playing cards. He was the faithful dad when I did my dance lessons over the years. Mom never drove & if I couldn’t get there via bus, Dad would drive. In Sunday school we had “memory ladders”. Dad spent hours each week for MANY years learning them all with me. He always learned them faster. He had a wonderful mind & great sense of humor. He would amuse my friends when we would go on family outings as he was the only dad in the water & did fancy dives & flips off the board. The other dads were drinking beer with their buddies (my dad caught up on that later in day however).

His two times of "not so happy with Dolly" came when at 16 I sneaked out with the car one evening & got in accident. The second is at my wedding I chose White tie/tails for the attire for the men. He said he felt like a penguin. (but he looked very handsome). He was very proud when I joined the Navy following college & proud also of my brother's decision to join the Air Force. He was a wonderful grandpa & in his later years loved his "pup" Pierre, a Pomeranian, that he called - PeePee Fox.

He served his country, his church and his family with devotion & honor. Each Memorial Day I proudly go & “decorate” his grave & thank God for men such as him who have been the backbone & examples of decency in our great country.

[The Mayor]

Wow Dolly, Thank you and God Bless my FRiend.

[luvie]

I thank the Lord for YOU and that I have met you!

I also thank Him for all our brave soldiers who do the
hard job—and give their all sometimes—by keeping this
great country safe from our enemies!

How could we NOT honor them!

[luvie]

What a lovely tribute to a real hero, Dolly! Thank you for
sharing it with us here!

[The Mayor]

Jim,

First Thank you my FRiend for ALL of your sacrifices you have made for this Country. Thank you for serving and Thank you for Free Republic.

You have been all of our thoughts and Prayers and I am still Praying for your quick and complete recovery.

God Bless you Jim.

[Mama_Bear]

That is a touching and beautiful tribute to your dad, Dolly. Thank you!

It made me think that maybe I should post this link to a page I made several years ago that is linked to my FR profile page. I have dedicated this to my TWO dad's; my father and my husband's father. Each served honorably in the Navy.

I post this in memory of all Navy men and women who made the ulitimate sacrifice for their country and gave their lives serving in the United States Navy....

I Am The American Sailor

[La Enchiladita]

Wonderful poem....

[La Enchiladita]

Sending love...

[HiJinx]

From Patriots come Patriots, Love of God, Men and Country is something that is instilled in us from birth.

Amen, my FRiend...it is so.

[La Enchiladita]

Click here to view slideshow

[yorkie]

Thank you so much for that loving tribute!

[pookie18]

http://www.gopachy.com/forum/comments.php?DiscussionID=19276

[gardengirl]

Thanks for posting that Dolly! Sounds like your dad was a great guy!

My dad’s a vet but he won’t talk about it. I have his Marine Corp uniform and I know he was stationed in Japan late 50’s early 60’s. He had a motorcycle while he was there. He hates rice to this day. Won’t pick up a gun for love nor money. Came back to the States and didn’t even let mom know. One of his brothers spotted him hitchhiking outside town and picked him up and took him home. End of story.

Have a great and safe Memorial Day!

[PGalt]

Great post. America’s finest.

Thanks to all who have served, all who are serving and all who will serve in the future.

Thanks to family, friends and acquaintances of all.

[Issaquahking]

Beautiful day to remember those who who gave their all to defend this great nation.


Those of with flag poles, lest we not forget this is a half mast flag day till noon, then run the flag up strong!

On Memorial Day, should we place small flags at gravesites?

Yes, it is customary to honor fallen soldiers every Memorial Day by placing a small flag at the gravesite. At Arlington Cemetery, on the Thursday before the Memorial Day weekend, small flags are placed at every burial site in a ceremony called "Flags In." The small flags are removed at the end of the Memorial Day weekend.

Memorial Day is the last Monday of May and the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon and then raised to full-staff. Full staff shows that the nation lives, for the flag is the symbol of the living nation.

Memorial Day began after the Civil War to honor the fallen Union soldiers. Over time it expanded to memorialize those who served from all branches of the military and in all wars. It was traditionally celebrated on May 30. In 1968, it was changed to the last Monday in May, traditionally kicking off the unofficial beginning of the summer season. At 3:00pm a minute of silence is observed across the nation.

[seoul62]

Your patch makes me think of My Late Father, may he rest in peace. He served his country honorably and was a true patriot. God Bless you and all fellow freepers who have served or who had family members that have served./Just Asking - seoul62........

[The Mayor]

May 26, 2008

Gone The Sun

ODB RADIO: Listen Now |  Download
READ: Isaiah 60:17-22

Your sun shall no longer go down , . . . for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended. —Isaiah 60:20

In 1862, during the US Civil War, General Daniel Butterfield wanted a new melody for “lights out.” And so, without any musical training, he composed one in his head.

Years later, the general wrote, “I called in someone who could write music, and practiced a change in the call of ‘Taps’ until I had it suit my ear, and then . . . got it to my taste without being able to write music or knowing the technical name of any note, but, simply by ear, arranged it.” General Butterfield gave the music to the brigade bugler, and the rest is history.

While there are no official lyrics to the hauntingly familiar strains of TAPS, here is a commonly accepted version of one verse:

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the hills, from the lake, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

What a comforting lyric as faithful members of the military are laid to rest! And what hope in the acknowledgment that God is near, even—especially—in death!

At a time when death and evil reigned, the prophet Isaiah anticipated a day when death itself would die. “Your sun shall no longer go down,” he wrote to Israel, “for the Lord will be Your everlasting light” (60:20).

For those who follow Jesus, the strains of “Taps” are not a funeral dirge but a song of hope. “The days of your mourning shall be ended” (v.20). All is well. God is nigh.

 

Sunset in one land is sunrise in another.


Bible in One Year: 1 Kings 16–18; Proverbs 20:1-10

[DollyCali]

(from my friend Phil's newsletter)

@

The Memorial Days of Your Life

This is our Memorial Day Weekend, a time traditionally set aside to honor those who gave their lives for our freedom.

Liberty and democracy are fragile things and they do not flourish by themselves. They require loving care and, too often, costly sacrifice by those who cherish them. Every day, liberty is under attack by those who would censor our words, our thoughts and our prayers. Every day, freedom is challenged by those—often good, well-intentioned people—who want “order” at the expense of chaotic, inefficient democracy.

We are free people and we can disagree about where, and when, and how we should defend freedom, but we are only free because brave men and women have resisted tyranny. In honor of those who died on 9/11, and to those who have sacrificed in the past and are continuing to sacrifice every single day so we can enjoy our holidays, have our picnics, and have our debates: Thank you.

And now I want to make a tricky intellectual “pivot” and turn from talking about honoring those who fought for our freedoms, and talk about how we build our own lives, and the “Memorial Days” that signify our progress. Clearly, we must first acknowledge Memorial Day the way it was intended and honor those who have given their lives for our freedom, but we honor them most by USING our freedom, not merely luxuriating in it.

I'm going to make a strong, blunt statement that may offend some, but here goes: I believe too many of us (around the world, not only in the U.S.) have grown flabby and lazy. We enjoy our freedoms, our wealth and our opportunities, but we also squander them.

Too often we use our freedom to become consummate consumers, rather that expert builders. Too often we use our freedom to complain rather than to create. Too often we use our wealth and our power to become couch potatoes and channel-surfers rather than pursuing our potential and exploring the limits of possibility.

As you celebrate this national Memorial Day, I encourage you to note the key Memorial Dates in your own life. As you look back, do you mark the date you graduated, or the date you launched your business? Do you mark the date you set your own course, perhaps the day you risked it all for your dreams?

On a warm, sunny day in July, 1984, a friend and I reached the summit of Mt. Blanca, a 14,100 foot mountain in Colorado and as we enjoyed the view, I knew we would climb many mountains together. I didn't ask Mary to become my life partner for two more years, but that day on that mountain is one of my “Memorial Days.” I remember it well. The view, the struggle to the summit and the partnership we forged that day changed my life forever.

I remember a blustery, rainy day on December 12, 1997. That was the day I turned in my keys and walked away from the clinic I had built. I'd sold it earlier, but agreed to stay until the end of the year, and on that Friday afternoon, I launched a new direction. It is one of my Memorial Days.

How about you? What are your personal Memorial Days? Have you used your freedoms, your talent, your dreams and abilities to create the life you want? Some dates are specific and easy to recall, others may not have seemed special but in retrospect, we know they were turning points. We all have these Memorial Days and they are important.

Honor them. Honor yourself! Freedom and opportunity only exist if they are used! And more than that, one of the ways we fuel our dreams and empower the future is by “borrowing” confidence, courage and momentum from the past. Celebrate your achievements and use them to know, deep inside, that you can boldly go wherever your wish in the future. Go climb some big mountains!

Published by:

The Philip E. Humbert Group, Inc
PO Box 50910
Eugene, OR 97405
U.S.A
541-342-1030

Phil's website

[The Mayor]

Thank you for that beautiful tribute Cuz.

[The Mayor]

Good morning HiJinx, Thank you.