A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....03-27-03..."Operation Iraqi Freedom: Week 1"

JohnHuang2 and Dutchess and Billie | JohnHuang2

[dutchess]

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: 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, OneidaM, rdb3, jwTexian
BOTTOM:  USMC Vet, TheMayor, Vineyard, rhododogma

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 5A: TOP:  spectr17, RightOnline, SERE_Doc, Tet68. MIDDLE:  FutureSnakeEater, RightOnline's wife, CIApilot, Clamper1797. BOTTOM:  usmcobra, onedoug, DiverDave, Joe6-pack.

GROUP 6A: 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.

GROUP 7A: 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.

GROUP 8A: 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.

      

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.

                     

Operation Iraqi Freedom: Week 1

by JohnHuang2

"U.S. invasion forces faced tough resistance as they opened an assault on Republican Guards defending the approaches to Baghdad, while the humanitarian situation worsened in southern Iraq," reported Reuters this week.

Coalition forces are in full retreat, says the media, bedeviled by setback after setback, body-blow after body-blow, including "the killing and capture of U.S. soldiers and the loss of [a] helicopter."

"Days after it appeared that the battle had been won in Iraq's south, the shooting -- and the dying -- goes on," writes Associated Press reporter, Doug Mellgren, gleefully.

"At Basra," he adds, "allied forces...came under heavy artillery fire Monday. A British soldier was reported killed in action nearby."

But it gets worse.

"At the southern oil fields, once considered secure, shadowy Iraqi forces apparently ambushed a British unit...civilian workers brought in to fight fires at the wells were forced to withdraw for their own safety."

Outside of Basra, "Iraqi mortar rounds rained down through the day, with tanks and armored fighting vehicles of the Black Watch and the Royal Scots Guards returning fire," says Mellgren.

Coalition setbacks. Losses. Failures. Body-blows. Heavy enemy artillery fire. Coalition forces in full retreat.

And more dying.

Media message to public: America is getting shellacked, our enemies are racking up slam dunks on the battlefield; the Iraqis are sweeping to victory as our boys drown in a bloodbath. Bush not only "failed so miserably at diplomacy," (See Daschle), he's failing on the battlefield, too! Sky is falling! Sky is falling!

"The United States suffered its worst casualties on Sunday," reports the Miami Herald, "with up to nine Marines killed, scores wounded, and the first U.S. troops captured by the Iraqis in the fiercest fighting of the war so far."

"Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld...defended U.S. war plans in Iraq on Tuesday amid criticism from many experts who question the size and punch of the invasion force being used," Will Dunham of Reuters wrote, giddy as can be.

Well, you get the picture.

The media, as I wrote in my previous essay, thinks this war should already be wrapped up. A week is more than enough time to win. What's taking so long? It's been a whole week! War? Mortar rounds? Tomahawk missiles? Heck, Iraq should have already been rebuilt, the landscape thriving with commerce and industry, suburbs teeming with shopping malls, shiny Minivans, Porsches and Chevy Suburbans dotting the highways, Iraqi soccer-moms driving kiddies to the games on Saturdays.

All won with ZERO BATTLEFIELD CASUALTIES.

The press, having failed to thwart military action, now hopes to swing public opinion against the war by portraying the effort as a miserable failure.

The quotes at the top are just the tip of media ice-berg. Flick on CNN, and you'd swear it's Al-Jazeera TV. Judy Woodruff -- Michael Moore with a dress, Saddam's professional spinner. I keep looking for the Baghdad TV logo when Aaron Brown is on. The stuff out of Reuters, AP and UPI sound more like press releases straight from Iraq's Ministry of (Dis)Information than reputable wire copy, only less credible.

After news of a popular uprising in Basra, the faces at MSNBC looked like Iraqi barracks after several B-52 bombing runs. The Fedayeen Saddamites at the nightly newscasts barely held back their tears.

Sure there've been 'setbacks,' mistakes, tragedies. No-one's denying that.

In fact, just to prove I'm 'fair and balanced,' l'll go over some of them.

Saddam's glorious victories? I hardly know where to begin. How about his 'success' in losing control of Umm Qasr, a key port city in southern Iraq? Or his brilliant master-stroke -- losing 17 divisions out of 23 only days into Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Saddam, in his relentless march to victory, by Tuesday had lost control of 70% of Iraqi territory, with 'vanquished' coalition forces, 'crippled and demoralized' (See Reuters), poised at the gates of Baghdad, a popular uprising against the popular Saddam underway in Basra, Iraq's second largest city. On Tuesday, the British 7th Armored Brigade, also crippled and demoralized (See Reuters again), suffered a huge setback by crushing an entire Iraqi armored column, marching out of Basra, to pulp. Another 'setback' for British forces: A dawn raid which netted a senior Ba'athist official. The Brits thereafter destroyed party headquarters, which sparked the Shi'ite uprising against Saddam.

Reaction from Saddam's tender-hearted thugs, whose fealty to human rights is legendary, was to launch mortar fire indiscriminately on protesters. But the horse had already left the barn, as the uprising spreads.

Saddam's triumphant forces also scored big at Najah, just south of Baghdad, its indomitable Medina Republican Guard losing over 500 men in the first head-to-head ground engagement against 'demoralized' (again, see Reuters) coalition forces, who suffered a whopping zero total casualties during the engagement. No doubt Saddam's masterly war planning will go down in history for its skilled ineptitude, unblemished by reason, tactical or strategic.

Yep, I'm impressed.

Saddam's 'grip' on the country was further 'strengthened' tonight, after a cruise missile struck Iraq TV, knocking Saddam off the air.

You know, come to think of it, has anyone seen Saddam?

Saddam? Are you there? Hello? Saddam?

Oh, gee, maybe those bungling, blundering, inept coalition forces took down Saddam the first night.

Anyway, that's...

My two cents..

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 03-24-03 Hall of Fame #3 03-25-03 deadhead 03-26-03 Who is Jimmy Valentine?

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

[dutchess]

Beautiful pictorial. Thanks for posting it!

[MeekOneGOP]

Thank you !

I am more than happy to help find pics for you. Just let me know ! :O)

You have a lovely day too ! . . .

[FreeTheHostages]

Fortunately I caught it before ThinMan did!

I love it when that happens. Our The Thin Man isn't drawing his weapon as quickly as he used to. Tsk, tsk.

[ST.LOUIE1]

Hey Pip!!!

Always love seeing your big ol' hug! : )

((((((( Pip )))))))

[dutchess]

God Bless Our Military
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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; Daisyscarlett; Dansangel; Dutchess; Mama_Bear; 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.

~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~

We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in their hour of decision. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decisions.

Please give us the strength, Lord, to get through each difficult and devastating day that faces each of us and our country. Protect and guide our Military that are now being called to duty, strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

OhioWfan........................son mystery-ak..........son, husband Gogrammy................grandson Inspectorette...................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Pippin....niece,nephew,loved one Doug from Upland......son-in-law weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon..son-in-law,grandson BeforeISleep...................son Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty G'nad....................active duty LongCut..................active duty Trish.......................active duty

Maigrey................cousin ladtx....................2 sons Mama_Bear...........nephew gator girl............husband severa................husband MozartLover...........nephew LBGA........................son SpookBrat...........nephew Himyar.....................son boxerblues............2 sons the piper...................son sheeza...............husband kemathen7...........husband Diver Dave................niece deadhead................cousin JimRobinson.....2 nephews Armymarinemom.....3 sons Consort...........2 daughters Darheel..................niece dixiesass..............nephew

[Pippin]

This should make you want to come over more often! :^)

[JustAmy]

Excellent article today, John!! I cannot watch any station except Fox; the others make me want to throw the remote threw the TV.

Dutchess ....... you did a wonderful job on the layout.

Thank You!!!

[FBD]

thanks!

[ST.LOUIE1]

pssst, Louie. I ate your pie yesterday. Thanks, daisy. :)

That's called 'stealing'. For shame, stealing from a fellow FReeper. : (

Baseball, the Flag, pineAPPLE pie, and Mom - yep, it's great to be an American!

The absolute greatest!

Hi, Diver!

[JustAmy]

I received this via e-mail this morning; if it has already been posted, please forgive me.

Last week, the Shelby County Alabama Legislative Delegation hosted a "Stand Up for America Rally." More than 1,200 people attended including featured speakers Chief Justice Roy Moore, Adjutant General Mark Bowen and Alabama State Auditor Beth Chapman.

Attached is a copy of Mrs. Chapman's speech, which resulted in five standing ovations, tremendous applause and an encore. It's a short read and well worth it. I hope you enjoy it as we continue to "Stand up for America!"

Stand Up for America Rally Speech By: Beth Chapman

I'm here tonight because men and women of the United States military have given their lives for my freedom. I am not here tonight because Sheryl Crowe, Rosie O'Donnell, Martin Sheen, George Clooney, Jane Fonda or Phil Donahue, sacrificed their lives for me.

If my memory serves me correctly, it was not movie stars or musicians, but the United States Military who fought on the shores of Iwo Jima, the jungles of Vietnam, and the beaches of Normandy. Tonight, I say we should support the President of the United States and the U.S. Military and tell the liberal, tree-hugging, Birkenstock-wearing, hippy, tie-dyed liberals to go make their movies and music and whine somewhere else.

After all, if they lived in Iraq, they wouldn't be allowed the freedom of speech they're being given here today. Ironically, they would be put to death at the hands of Sadam Hussein or Osama Bin Laden. I want to know how the very people who are against war because of the loss of life, can possibly be the same people who are for abortion?

They are the same people who are for animal rights but against the rights of the unborn. The movie stars say they want to go to Iraq and serve as "human shields" for the Iraqis. I say let them buy a one-way ticket and go.

No one likes war. I hate war! But the one thing I hate more is the fact that this country has been forced into war - innocent people have lost their lives - - and but for the grace of God, it could have been my brother, my husband, or even worse my own son.

On December 7, 1941, there are no records of movie stars treading the blazing waters of Pearl Harbor.

On September 11, 2001; there are no photos of movie stars standing as "human shields" against the debris and falling bodies ascending from the World Trade Center. There were only policemen and firemen - -underpaid civil servants who gave their all with nothing expected in return.

When the USS Cole was bombed, there were no movie stars guarding the ship - - where were the human shields then?

If America's movie stars want to be human shields, let them shield the gang-ridden streets of Los Angeles, or New York City, let them shield the lives of the children of North Birmingham whose mothers lay them down to sleep on the floor each night to shelter them from stray bullets.

If they want to be human shields, I say let them shield the men and women of honesty and integrity that epitomizes courage and embody the spirit of freedom by wearing the proud uniforms of the United States Military. Those are people who have earned and deserve shielding!

Throughout the course of history, this country has remained free, not because of movie stars and liberal activists, but because of brave men and women who hated war too. However, they lay down their lives so that we all may live in freedom. After all - "What greater love hath no man, that he lay down his life for his friend," or in this case a country.

We should give our military honor and acknowledgement and not let their lives be in vain. If you want to see true human shields, walk through Arlington Cemetery. There lie human shields, heroes, and the BRAVE Americans who didn't get on television and talk about being a human shield - they were human shields.

I thank God tonight for freedom - - those who bought and paid for it with their lives in the past - - those who will protect it in the present and defend it in the future.

America has remained silent too long! God-fearing people have remained silent too long!

We must lift our voices united in a humble prayer to God for guidance and the strength and courage to sustain us throughout whatever the future may hold.

After the tragic events of Sept. 11th, my then eleven -year-old son said terrorism is a war between them and us and if you're not one of us, then you're one of them.

So in closing tonight, let us be of one accord, let us stand proud, and let us be the human shields of prayer, encouragement and support for the President, our troops and their families and our country.

May God bless America, the land of the free, the home of the brave and the greatest country on the face of this earth!

[ST.LOUIE1]

This should make you want to come over more often! :^)

I do my best. : )

[MeekOneGOP]

Ming's sister, Ying, is fine, thanks. Especially when you consider coming off a flight from halfway around the world in one day. Talk about time differences too. Right now, it's almost noon Thursday, and where she came from it is 2 a.m. Friday morning.

She flew from Shenyang to Beijing, China. Then to Seoul, S. Korea. Direct flight from there to D/FW took her 10 hours. It's like 16 hours total flying time.

They got up this morning, fixed up some grub and went to work at Ming's store . . .

[ST.LOUIE1]

Just beautiful, Sis, thank you. : )

[GailA]

(hocked it off another thread)BRAND NEW SONG FOR YOU TO POST JUST A PERFECT COWBOY PIC with. CLAUDE KING NEW RELEASE COWBOY IN THE WHITE HOUSE

[GailA]

Support our Troops T-Shirts $7.00, with $5.00 going to TN American Legion SUPPORT OUR TROOPS T-SHIRTS

These are nice Haynes T-shirts, they are not geared to any region or radio station. They ones they created for the Millington Rally had the WREC/KWAM logo on the back. These are plain on the back.

[jwfiv]

Thank you, JustAmy...very clear and stirring words.

Cute little girl in red, white and blue...)

[JustAmy]

Bro ......



That bunker was too comfortable this morning.
Hey .... I thought you'd forgotten your Hooligan Sis.
I have an appointment this A.M. so I will be gone for awhile.
Hope someone is here when I get back.
Good Morning, Everyone!!

[dutchess]

Thanks for the compliment Amy. John's words make illustrating very easy!

Thanks also for posting that beautiful speech. If it has been posted before, it's still worth repeating (again AND again!)

[ST.LOUIE1]

That bunker was too comfortable this morning.

Bout time you showed yourself, cookie. : )

Hey .... I thought you'd forgotten your Hooligan Sis.

No way!!!!! LOL

[JohnHuang2]

You're welcome :)

{{{{{{{{{{JustAmy}}}}}}}}}}}}}