A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....10-29-02

DaisyScarlett and Billie | Written by daisyscarlett

[Billie]

Today is a Special Kind of FR's Finest, and a Special Kind of FReeper is in the spotlight. We know that you will agree when you read today's story.

~ DaisyScarlett and Billie ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
patriciaruth
FReeper since 3-25-01

Central Valley California

Patriciaruth is shown here at a Fresno Support our Troops Rally last year with her dear FRiend, mtngrl@vrwc, who not only helped her get around in Fresno to order the silk for Operation Silk Scarves but also helped pay for the supplies initially.

A Patriciaruth Mini Bio:   Florida and California raised; B.S. in microbiology; VISTA Volunteer; medical technologist; post graduate work in neurophysiology; doctor of medicine; married 22 years to a savvy, funny and very sweet guy; AAFP member; NRA member; AUSA member; retired from family practice since disabled four years ago.

Patriciaruth enjoys the people who post on the Daily Dose as she is also a loyal supporter of President Bush. She especially appreciates being able to keep up with current events and join in the lively and informative discussions at FreeRepublic.

There is much more we could tell you about this Finest FReeper and perhaps we shall at a later date. But for now, she requested that her time In the Spotlight be shared with all FReepers who came through for our soldiers and "have every reason to be very proud of their certificate".

Patriciaruth, we are very proud of YOU, too.

Today we are very pleased to present A Certificate of Appreciation from the Department of Defense to Free Republic.

This certificate was mailed to patriciaruth in specific appreciation for "Project Silk Scarves".

Patriciaruth and her Merry Band of Patriots (almost all of whom are FReepers) are largely responsible for Project Silk Scarves. However, Patriciaruth feels that this certificate should be shared with all members of FRee Republic who sent letters and care packages to our troops in the field last Christmas either through the projects she coordinated or on their own.

Our story begins in August of 2001. In patriciaruth's words:

"Project Kosovo Care Packages"

"When President Bush went to Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo in May of 2001, I was ashamed to see how starved the soldiers were for appreciation from the people of the United States. They were in harm's way and had been given no news coverage or outpouring of gratitude from U.S. citizens as they deserved. So I started the project (Project Kosovo Care Packages) to let them know that they deserved to be remembered and they deserved our support and gratitude."

Patriciaruth appealed to fellow FRiends for help in an article posted on the FR Forum on 8-09-01... Project Kosovo.

The response was terrific. Soon FReepers were sending contributions and donations both to patriciaruth and directly to Kosovo. Patriciaruth wrote:

"Our care packages went to Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo and were received by the 101st Airborne out of Fort Campbell, KY, and the 10th Mountain Division out of Ft. Drum in New York. Many of these soldiers went on to Afghanistan after receiving our care packages."

"Those care packages contained candy, videos, paperbacks, magazines, playing cards, and notes from school children, among other items. We sent over ten thousand pieces of Halloween and Christmas candy and hundreds of candy bars. We also sent over 100 videos and uncounted paperback books."

Some of these videos and paperback books are listed in the update link that patriciaruth posted on the FR Forum:

News From Kosovo 10-23-01

The response from Kosovo was rewarding. Here are some words of patriciaruth from the above link:

"The Chaplain at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo has kept me informed about the Care packages that we started sending to our troops before September 11 and continued to send afterwards. He said that the most appreciated gifts were candy bars (Snickers was a big hit) and movie videos."

This is part of a letter received from the Chaplain that Patriciaruth shared in the above link:

"What a great blessing you all are for sending those items...it is a tremendous hit with the soldiers - especially the videos...we are also looking forward to the Halloween stuff...and of course Snickers around here are like gold...I have to be careful and not walk around with the box itself or I will be tackled!"

FReepers who sent donations to patriciaruth included:   mawmaw1; tyen; MJY1288.

Some FReepers who sent individual Care Packages to Kosovo were:   kitkat; pissed off janitor; 2jedismom; Mama_Bear; Mntgrl@vrwc; Esther2; MadEagle; and Clintons are white trash.

Patriciaruth would also like to mention and thank Hillary's Lovely Legs who organized and sent many Care packages with the support of the Guild. (Note: The Guild will be highlighted at an upcoming date and their contribuions will be expounded on at that time. Additionally, though many FReepers were eager to join patriciaruth's efforts, it is equally important to mention that there are many FReepers who prefer to support the troops privately, and this in no way is to take away from those individuals.)

Project Silk Scarves

"Project Silk Scarves"

Since the feedback from the troops was fantastic and the response from FReepers enthusiastic, patriciaruth decided to do a special Holiday project. She wanted to send Christmas/Hannukkah/Kwanzaa presents for the troops in the field.

After a bit of thought and investigation, patriciaruth decided on Project Silk Scarves. Here is why she chose silk scarves:

"...., when I asked my cousin, now an army Colonel, what the troops might like for holiday presents, he said that the most appreciated gifts during the Gulf War were silk scarves that the troops wore under the LTB (load bearing equipment) to take the friction off the neck, shoulders and back while hiking to prevent chaffing. He suggested black, brown or camouflage for color as they wouldn't show the sweat or dirt so much, and silk because it is lightweight and warm for the coming winter. He recommended 18 x 48 inches."

Patriciaruth then went though "channels", requesting permission from the Army Officer that coordinated bulk mailings. She received this letter of permission:

"Good Afternoon (patriciaruth's real name): Your offer of 200 Silk Scarves is accepted."

"...Per my corresponding with my point of contact in theater...Command would like to distribute them to outlying sites pulling duty on holidays...."

"Please inform me when you are ready to ship the Scarves, and I will provide a Donation Number and the stateside ship to address."

Donations for Christmas.....11-14-01

The above link includes an appeal for help with Project Silk Scarves from FReepers. Here is some of what patriciaruth wrote:

"Now we are at the point where we have obtained enough silk for over 200 scarves and some lovely ladies in the rural town I live in are sewing the scarves, and they should be ready to send in 7-10 days."

"The black silk, high quality for durability, cost almost $2500. Mtngirl@vrwc and I have put it on our credit cards, and are now asking the ping list and anyone else who would like to join us for donations."

"If you would like to have one or more scarves sent in your name with your personal message to one or more soldiers in the field, or would like to join with someone else to send a scarf, then we need to hear from you in the next few days. Each scarf costs:   in fabric, hiring seamstresses, and postage, about $15."

On 11-25-01, patriciaruth once again appealed to FReepers and her Merry Band of Patriots.

Holiday FReepmail for Our Troops Needed

She wrote:

"I am hoping that many of you can immediately send me Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa or Happy Holidays cards with personal messages for the soldiers, family photo, child drawings, or other inventive flat/thin decoration with your name for me to include with the scarves. Each scarf will go in a ziplock bag for the soldier to store and keep it dry, and the cards and messages will go in the clear baggies with the decorative part showing. The baggies are 5 x 6 1/2 inches, so the holiday card should not be larger than that if it can't be folded."

"Contributions totalling around $3,000, as I recall, for the silk scarves Christmas project for our troops were made by these FReepers:

mtngrl@vrwc; jtill; 2jedismom; mama_bear; cantfindagoodscreenname; Kathy in Alaska; Kayak; swheats; esther2; materetmagistra; McGavin999; calypgin; OhioWfan; reaganite; Bigg Red; Cool Guy; Pray4USA; dodobird; Bruce Kurtz; MonroeDNA; Lakelady; katnip; JohnHuang2; dixielander; omegatoo; DixieChick2000; LiberteeBell; I be tc; SuziQ; COB1; ncpastor; zeaal; JustAmy; Yehuda; d4now; JulieRNR21; exit 148; deadhead; reborn; Alamo-Girl; potlatch; RottiBiz; bloodmeridian; Texan4W; MJY1288; jwalsh07; AquariusStar22; susangirl; Torie; Miss American Pie."

"And contributions were received from these Lurkers:

Jean in Mo, April in Texas, Dawn in Florida, JL from Texas, Marcia's family in northern CA, a firefighter in MI."

"Here are some other FReepers who helped in the success of Operation Silk Scarves:

GretchenEE; Brad's Gramma; CENTVRIO EQVITVM; katiebelle; rightonline; peach; tunehead54; sabertooth; fiftymegaton; Calico; proudofthesouth; LibKill; IowaGranny; 3D-JOY; 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub; homeschool mama; MozartLover; lonevoice; Doug from Upland; sweetliberty; Diver Dave; March I up; Snow Bunny; rockfish59; TheGrimReaper; snodog; Cannonball; Harpseal; Knighthawk; Reborn; lonevoice; Old Student; Fizzie; cowgirlcutie; proud American in Canada; Clintons Are White Trash; RaceBannon; WaterDragon; LJLucido; rodeocowboy; runningbear; SAMWolf; Clinton's a Liar; mlibertarianj; rottweiller_inc; Victoria DelSoul; afraidfortherepublic; getgoing; tiki; AbsoluteGrace; lockeliberty; xp38; Zeno44; PoorMuttly."

And now it gives us great pleasure to post this Certificate of Appreciation to Free Republic from the Department of Defense:

THANK YOU, PATRICIA RUTH
THANK YOU MERRY BAND OF PATRIOTS
THANK YOU FREEPERS WHO SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

THIS WEEK'S THREADs

10-28-02 Salvation

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

     1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
     2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
     3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
     4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
     5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Thanks for the ping. The Guild has already started packing up our Christmas boxes. We have been collecting all sorts of things all year for our new ship. Currently I am packing up candy and a couple scarves, socks, razors and shaving cream. If anyone wants to contibute, we are happy to send it in our boxes. We know that they get to the right ships on time.

Thank you for remembering us, and congratulations on all your hard work.

[patriciaruth]

People, please support the care package project of Hillary's Lovely Legs this year. She did a terrific job last year and I expect she is hip deep in another one now.

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!

Iraq may be no more than a week away for some of our soldiers, airmen and sailors.

[patriciaruth]

Ping. Thought you might like to see the certificate of appreciation from the Army for the silk scarves project you all contributed toward.

[dansangel]

Hello everyone! I'm writing this to everyone that pinged me (and some who didn't, but wanted to say "hello" to just the same!)

The reason for the blanket message is that I'm on the road and I have a horribly slow dial-up connection. It's like wading through cold molasses, or some such thing. :-)

patriciaruth: thank-you for all that you do. It is folks like you that make FR so special. {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}

I LOVE the new "Bad Kitty" graphic. Wolfie has outdone himself!! LOL....but more on that in a FReepmail!

OK...I was just thrown off....better wrap this up quickly!

I wanted to relate that .45MAN and I had the privilege of meeting backhoe, a fellow GA FReeper, today. It makes me so happy to know there are real, flesh and blood fellow conservatives out in the world, especially when it feels like we are so outnumbered at times. Thank-you backhoe for your hospitality! Definitely a highlight of our trip to eastern GA! {{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}

jkphoto: Happy Birthday {{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}

Love and {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}} to all of you! Hurrying through this before I'm thrown off again. Miss you and will try to get back tomorrow!

[patriciaruth]

Ping. Thought you might want to see the certificate of appreciation that the Army sent for the silk scarves project that you helped with by sending emails, letters and cards for the Troops, and by other special contributions before Christmas and Hannukah last year.

[WVNan]

That little guy is my absolute favorite. I grab any chance I can to bring him up because I get such a laugh from him. Hope you have had a happy birthday. (((hug)))

[WVNan]

And I suppose you are going to just drop the story right there and leave us hanging aren't you? (g)

[WVNan]

Come back angel! Everybody was slow as molasses for a while and even got kicked off for a while, but it seems to have speeded up right now. Actually the best it's been in days.

[ValerieUSA]

monarch and red admiral, today

[2Jedismom]

I saw it! I was delighted! I even pinged a couple of friends from the Hobbit Hole to see it.

There's a blurb about our adventures in my profile.

[patriciaruth]

So, you want to hear how I fought it?

Well, it was decided that I needed to be evaluated by someone besides the Jane Adams Training Center trainer to see if I was feminine enough to be a VISTA Volunteer.

So I was interviewed by a blind guy.

Then the supervisor of the project said he didn't feel qualified to render an opinion because he was gay.

Then they sent me to a woman professor at the University of Wisconsin in Madison to make a decision. (I wonder how she looks back on her participation in this sexual harrassment.)

She passed me, but then I was fired by the ex-con who ran the half-way house project I was originally assigned to. He decided he would go along with the opinion of another VISTA Volunteer in the project who was sleeping with him. But he did have the grace to interview me -- in his shorts (without any underwear, and exposed) before he decided he didn't want me to continue in that project.

In the end I was sent to an Hispanic community project because it was thought my orientation toward family values would be more acceptable in that project.

[WVNan]

Gasp! Beautiful Valerie! I don't know how you do it. Every time I take a picture I manage to get the garbage can or empty beer cans in the background.

[WVNan]

Oh my goodness! What an adventure. But tell me, did you ever find out if you were feminine enough? (sheesh, the things liberals can do to us).

[humblegunner]

You are awesome!
Thanks for that, it's a lovely image.
-HG-

[patriciaruth]

I was very pretty and slender back in those days. I think that is why the trainer wanted to score with me.

[WVNan]

LOL. I think most of us were pretty and slender...... back then.

[humblegunner]

Jasper County, Texas

Is a "dry" County, I used to hunt there.

[patriciaruth]

I'll never forget your letter! LOL!

[Snow Bunny]

Thank you for the ping Billie.

Patriciaruth you are such a dear person. I am so glad we met at FR and thank you for all the hard work you did and do for the troops.
God bless you.

[mtngrl@vrwc]

Hey there Pattie! Your being chosen as featured FReeper of the day is so well deserved! Sending those scarves to the troops last Christmas was an inspired idea of yours. I am sure they were so appreciated. All of that hard work and money you put into this effort was for such a good cause! Your idea of sending videos from our personal collections was a great idea too. You are a dedicated supporter of President Bush and I look so forward to reading your posts on FRee Republic and especially on the Dose!

What fun we had the summer before last "doing" lunch in Kingsburg! Going to see Billie Graham with you is also an experience I won't soon forget. And eating dinner at IHOP after FReeping the peaceniks together.....we have had more fun together than I can write here in this reply. You are a treasured friend of mine and we would never have met if not for FRee Republic, which is one reason I value this site so much.

Enjoy your special day!