A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....03-18-03...To The Bushmobile, W04Man!

FreeTheHostages; Billie

[Billie]

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.   I can remember lurking when there were only a few regulars who posted, and now there are over 60,000 who have registered for posting privileges. 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 can no longer add the photos to the body of the thread, I've been including them in additional posts as I received enough to make another collage.

Still that doesn'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, in addition to seeing FR's Finest Military Personnel every day, I thought it might be fun to feature a different FReeper (or FReepers) each day. If you would like to be pictured, or know someone who would, please FReepmail me and we'll turn the spotlight - on YOU - for the day!

And do let me know if you'd like your picture added to the groups of Veterans/Active Military below. I will keep this page updated, and continue to add them to the comment section of the original Veteran's Day thread as well.

<

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

We now have eleven groups of veterans/active military; we will post each group of three or four twice a week, with thumbnail/links of the remaining seven or eight groups on each thread. Click on any of the thumbnails below to see the group full-size.

         

GROUP 1A: TOP: Logos, SwedeGirl's hubby, Neil E Wright, FallGuy, 1John, Sneakypete MIDDLE:  T'wit, COB1, LadyX, Dick Bachert, 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub BOTTOM:  YankeeinSC, Delta21, JoeSixPack1

GROUP 2A: TOP:  Bosniajmc, AFVetGal, Archy, A Navy Vet MIDDLE:  4TheFlag, Aeronaut, 68Grunt, Xinga BOTTOM:  Codger, AAABest, Clinton's A Liar, Duke809, dcwusmc

GROUP 3A: TOP:  mc5cents, Norb2569, LBGA's son, VanJenerette MIDDLE:  Jim Robinson, KJenerette, davidosborne, KG9Kid BOTTOM:  gwmoore, Equality7-2521, SAMWolf

GROUP 4A: TOP:  porgygirl, Phil V., MudPuppy, NorCoGOP MIDDLE:  RaceBannon, OneidaM, rdb3, jwTexian BOTTOM:  USMC Vet, TheMayor, Vineyard, rhododogma

      

GROUP 9A: 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.

GROUP 10A: TOP: dakine's wife, MeeknMing's dad, Auntbee's nephew, MilitiaMan7, AlasBabylon. BOTTOM:  Joe Brower, Temple Owl, Temple Owl's wife, dutchess' dad, Aomagrat.

GROUP 11A: 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.

                     

To the Bushmobile, W04Man!! by FreeTheHostages

God gave W04 man two hands for a specific reason: so that he could hold *two* signs about President Bush’s re-election in 2004 at each event he attends! Here’s a military hero and soon-to-be Bush reelection hero who knows that 2004 is, well, just next year. He has founded his own grassroots activism campaign, complete with a website and stickers and his own Bushmobile!

~~~~Talk about your self-starter!

W04man has been preparing for 2004 for some time. About a year ago, he started his "Bush 2004 Grassroots Campaign" website. He did so because he became really impressed with President Bush and how well he was running the country, especially after 9/11.

"So I got the idea to start campaigning for him because I knew he couldn't start campaigning himself. After seeing a couple of Gore 2004 web sites, I got really ticked off. I started the Bush 2004 Grassroots Campaign from the W-04.com website. At first, I thought it would get support from local Republican Committees or maybe the RNC. I found out later that this couldn't happen at the local level because of the McCain/Finegold Campaign Finance Bill. So I am the sole financial supporter of the Campaign."

He gets some financial help from the sales of products, but concedes he’ll never catch up for the investment. His family supports the campaign: his older brother Melvin helps with the sticker mailing from Louisiana, and of course his wife is supportive.

"She supports President Bush also; otherwise we wouldn't be able to live together like we have for 44 years. I tell my wife that this is my campaign contribution for 2004."

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

Running a grassroots conservative campaign, W04man of course has found common cause with the local DC Free Republicans.

"While gathering email addresses and sending out emails to publicize the Bush2004 Grassroots Campaign website, I ran across FReeRepublic.com last July. I've been hooked on FR ever since. I had tried using Yahoo Groups, then MSN Groups, thinking that would stir up some support for Bush2004, but I have found out that FR has produced more results, and it gives me a great outlet to be an activist. I check FR frequently all day long when I'm at home, and when I'm traveling (pleasure of course), I check in with my laptop."

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

W04man takes his message to the street on his own when he has time, such as in this photograph, shown outside the White House the day of President Bush's "State of the Union Address."

W04man supporting the President, January 28, 2003

~~~~~The Bushmobile

Of course, such a superhuman grassroots effort to reelect our forty-third President must be accompanied by proper wheels, and W04man’s taken those wheels into lots of high visibility places, including the 2002 July 4th parade in Dale City, Virginia.

~~~~~Lining up the votes
for the next generation of Republicans

Our reelection superhero, Mr. Oliver Perry Ditch (aka O.P. Ditch), was born in Lafayette, Louisiana (cajun country) in 1937. His mother's Maiden name was Broussard - a good cajun name. He was named after the doctor that delivered him, Dr. O. P. Daily. The "O.P." also stands for Oliver Perry, the admiral.

"My wife is also from that area. We graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) (way back then it was called Southwestern Louisiana Institute). We've been married for 44 years and have 4 children and 6 grandchildren."

He lives in Virginia now and attends many of the local Freeps.

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

W04 has three Republican children and one on the fence who's leaning liberal (he lives on the Left Coast). But here’s the good news:

"I think all the grandchildren will be Republicans if they follow their parents."

Ah, if only there were a way to get them to vote in 2004!

You're going to fall in love with this little tyke (maybe even vote for HIM for President in, oh, about 2048?!). We didn't have to twist his arm too hard to convince W04 to let us post a photo of one of those grandchildren. Here's Jacob, and he's already campaigning for Bush in '04!

~~~~A distinguished military record

W04man spent 22 years in the United States Air Force; he retired as an 06 in 1983. With too much modesty, he adds as an afterthought:

"Oh, I forgot to mention, I did earn the 'Legion of Merit' and the 'Bronze Star' while in the service. The 'Bronze Star' was during my Vietnam service in 1966."

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

After retiring from the Air Force, he then went to work for Hughes Aircraft Company in Northern Virginia for 13 years. He has been involved with the internet since 1995 when he retired for the second time and started a home-based business creating internet websites. It was "too successful" and got to be more than he could handle; he sold it to one of his old AF buddies, and it's still going strong under the new ownership.

W04man’s second effort to retire did give him more time for the Republican cause, so he joined the local County Republican Committee. Being fully retired, he needed to find something to do. (Don’t you love this guy?) He is not *resting.* His grassroots website came as an outgrowth of his third futile effort to retire, when he "first helped a couple of local Republicans with their election campaigns. Mostly with donated web services, sign posting and a little lit dropping."

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

Well, W04man is not all work and no play. He and the missus like "crusing" and regret that they cannot attend the FreepsAhoy trip because of a previously scheduled cruise!

~~~~~It’s Getting to Be About That Time

W04man takes photographs and videotapes of various conservative events and posts them on the web. You may have seen his photos of CPAC 2003 on Free Republic. He reports that his first actual Freep was on March 1, 2003 at the Rally for America IV. (Hmm, I dunno: his own grassroots activism over the last year in this area qualify as very good Freeps-of-one.) He reports that he had "a lot of fun."   I noticed! I was working the press table near where he was standing and he caught my eye because

1. he was so tirelessly holding up multiple Bush 2004 signs, and
2. he really did enjoy himself thoroughly.

Here he is - on the Right, of course! - at the end of the rally when the veterans were asked to come on stage.

And, like a good activist and a military veteran, he was also thinking tactically smart: I couldn’t help but notice that he stayed near the front of the stage and was careful to make sure his Bush 2004 signs were never too far from the CSPAN cameras! Even when he’s blocked from the shot, you can see his tall Bush 2004 signs!

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

Somewhere inside his patriotic heart, W04man knows this is not a good time to retire! 2004 is just around the corner; it’s getting to be about that time. *Do* check out his website: he has great grassroots ideas and campaign paraphernalia for re-electing President Bush.

W04man attended his second Freep with the DC Chapter this past Saturday, March 15, 2003. Donning a red-white-and-blue hat, he became an attractive target for Fox News' national camera staff. He gave a great, clear quote about supporting President Bush and the troops.

Way to go, W04man!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 03-17-03 St.Patrick's Day

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 a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[deadhead]

Hi Mama_Bear!!

[deadhead]

((HUGS)) to you LadyX

[Mama_Bear]

Oh, I LOVE it!!! That's a keeper. Thanks! :-)

[SpookBrat]

You're welcome Billie. :) I always sincerely mean them. I find in a time when there isn't much good news lately, it's always refreshing to stop in and read about the FReeper of the day and be reminded that the world really is full of good people.

[SpookBrat]

Is Nashville far from you? I'm sure I'll be driving that way in a few weeks. Did your brother (or was it BIL) get a job yet? How is your husband? I miss you.

[SpookBrat]

((((LadyX)))) How are you feeling? You doing ok?

[ST.LOUIE1]

ROFL! I *LOVE* the "Wolfie and His Babes" graphic!!!

((((((((((Louie_Wolfie_Man)))))))))

Gosh! I've really missed your hugs! I've been missing *you*! : (

wolfie((((((dansangel)))))wolfie

[LadyX]

Doing great, Spookie, other than itching under the cast!
Go to see the surgeon tomorrow and will report thereafter.

Now that the swelling of the arm has diminished some, I can ease a knitting needle down to get some of the spots!

{{{{{ Hugs for Ally and Jonah!! }}}}}

[Diver Dave]

Sooooo, 'tis a cruiser yer a wanten, eh? You should have seen the Christmas parade up here last year. Must have been 50-70 of 'em from a local PT club in the parade all decked out in Christmas lights and decorations. Imagine that, a Christmas present for Mama Bear all wrapped and decorated waiting to be driven home. :)

[SpookBrat]

I broke my arms three different times when I was a kid. Every time they took the casts off they would find pencils and crayons down in there. LOL It itches like fire ants doesn't it?

I'm so sorry my dear. I know it's uncomfortable.

[Mama_Bear]

Imagine that, a Christmas present for Mama Bear all wrapped and decorated waiting to be driven home. :)

I'd like to find one under my tree, for sure. :-)

(pssst, jk.......hint, hint.)

[Libertina]

What a thoughtful graphic, LadyX, thank you! And glad to see little groups of American citizens are starting to speak out publically! Our troops NEED OUR UNWAVERING SUPPORT!

[Libertina]

But WE are..
Faithful, True
Red, White
& Blue!

[Libertina]

( ( ( ( ( ( Pippin HUG!

[FreeTheHostages]

I put this thread to bed with wishes for you all to have the restful sleep of Republican grandchildren. Of a grandad who knows he's done his mission for today. And with a special prayer for a guy named Hunter Phelps, a tank commander who's in a forward unit in Kuwait.

[FreeTheHostages]

Thanks for being such a good sport and such a fine example of patriotic "retirement."

[nutmeg]

W04man, it was a pleasure to meet you at CPAC. Unfortunately, we didn't realize you were a FReeper until we got back home to Connecticut!

What an interesting background you have... We admire your patriotism and THANK YOU for your service to our country.

We also echo your sentiments about President Bush in '04. You gave us a bunch of those cool stickers at CPAC, and I'll be sure to check out your website for more products. We very clearly saw your signs at two different DC Chapter rallies on both the Fox News Channel and on CPAC recently.

Congratulations on your special day here at FR!

nutmeg & zelig

[FreeTheHostages]

Apropos of Nutmeg's post above, if you want to remember who Nutmeg and Zelig were at CPAC, check out their Freeper's Finest profile here!.

Nutmeg, I'm working on leaflets for our rallies. That's my excuse for being up so late. :) What's yours?

[nutmeg]

Nutmeg, I'm working on leaflets for our rallies. That's my excuse for being up so late. :) What's yours?

Just a bad habit!

Seriously... this always seems to be the only uninterrupted time I have to surf FR... late at night/early morning.

You guys have been doing INCREDIBLE work down there in DC, BTW! We've done a "Support Our Troops" rally two Saturdays ago, and will participate in another one this Saturday here in CT with RaceBannon and other local FReepers. But those are a "walk in the park", compared to your Chapter's battles with the looney leftists down there!

Wonderful article about W04Man! :-)

[jwfiv]

Thanks for that extra-generous hug today...)