A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....03-31-03 - A Salute to our Military

Billie and Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

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.

                     

***USN SPECIAL OPERATIONS***

ANCHORS AWEIGH my boy, Anchors Aweigh,
Farewell to foreign shores,
We sail at break of day-ay-ay-ay.
Through our last night on shore, Drink to the foam,
Until we meet once more,
Here's wishing you a happy voyage home.

The Mediterranean Sea (Mar. 27, 2003

The "Air Boss" observes flight operations from primary flight control as an S-3B Viking of the "Checkmates" of Sea Control Squadron Two Two (VS-22) launches from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). The "Boss," the Air Department Head on a carrier, oversees all aircraft operations on the flight deck, the hangar, and the operations of the various maintenance shops. Truman and Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) are supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Ryan O'Connor.

"I am the American Sailor"



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Thank you to the men and women of the United States Navy. God bless and keep you. We await your safe return. Salute!

***USAF SPECIAL OPERATIONS***

Off we go INTO THE WILD BLUE YONDER
Climbing high into the sun;
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,
At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun! (Give 'er the gun now!)
Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,
Off with one helluva roar!
We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey!
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!

B-2 Spirit Bomber

The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses. Along with the B-52 and B-1B, the B-2 provides the penetrating flexibility and effectiveness inherent in manned bombers. Its low-observable, or "stealth," characteristics give it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy's most sophisticated defenses and threaten its most valued, and heavily defended, targets.

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Flags keep family close.....

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- With three American flags on board his F-15E Strike Eagle, Lt. Col. Matt Meloy prepares for a mission March 16 at a forward-deployed location in Southwest Asia. Two flags in the front of the canopy represent his two kids and he carries one for his wife. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen)

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The U.S. Air Force is an important component of the coalition military force being assembled in the Gulf region. All U.S. Air Force assets in the region are organized under the 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force commanded by Lt. Gen. T. Michael Moseley.

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Thank you to the men and women of the United States Air Force. We are praying for your safe return. Salute!

***AMRY SPECIAL OPERATIONS***

Over hill, over dale, as we hit the dusty trail,
and THE CASSIONS GO ROLLING ALONG.
In and out, hear them shout,
Counter march and right about,
And the Caissons go rolling along.

A soldier of U.S. Army 173rd Airborne guards the Harir airfield, 45 miles northeast of the Kurdish city of Irbil, after the group opened a new northern front on Thursday. The U.S. military parachuted about 1,000 troops into the Kurdish-held area of Iraq in a dramatic nighttime operation.

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Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) in firing positions during an enemy approach on their position at Objective Rams, in Southern Iraq, March 24, 2003. Joint Combat Camera Center photo by Sgt. Igor Paustovski, U.S.Army

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NAJAF, IRAQ (Army News Service, March 27, 2003) -- After a push deep into Iraq, the 3rd Infantry Division (Mech.) consolidated its forces northwest of Najaf March 25, about 60 miles from Baghdad, expecting a final assault on Republican Guard units ringing the capital.

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The Army Airborne Special Forces motto:
"De Oppresso Liber -
To Liberate the Oppressed"

The Special Forces Creed
The Special Forces Prayer


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Men and women of the United States Army, we salute you. God bless and keep you safe.

***USMC SPECIAL OPERATIONS***

From the HALLS OF MONTEZUMA
to the Shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land, and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of UNITED STATES MARINES.

The Marine Corps is a maritime force and is expeditionary in nature. In fact, the Marine Corps' history and legacy is a landing force from the sea. Today, Marines continue to be trained and equipped to come from the sea and fight America's battles. The unit in the Marine Corps specifically groomed for the contingency battles of the future is the Marine Expeditionary Unit or MEU.

A MEU is based on Naval vessels and is normally built around a reinforced battalion, a composite aircraft squadron, and by a MEU Service Support group totaling about 2,000 personnel in all.

Commanded by a colonel, the MEU is employed to fulfill routine forward deployments with fleets in the Mediterranean, the Western Pacific, and periodically, the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

The MEU's very existence is vital because with the decline of American bases abroad, it's possible that the only U. S. forces available to respond to worldwide crisis quickly will be the Marines.

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MARINE COMBAT HEADQUARTERS, Southern Iraq(March 22, 2003) -- First Marine Expeditionary Force's headquarters element and other command and control assets convoyed across the Kuwait-Iraq border and headed north March 22. In just about the middle of nowhere, Marines have stood up a forward operating base from which they are now running the Corps' portion of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

God bless "the few, the proud" of the United States Marine Corps. Thank you for your service. Salute!

We're always ready for the call,
We place our trust in Thee.
Through howling gale and shot and shell,
To win our victory.
"SEMPER PARATUS" is our guide,
Our pledge, our motto, too.
We're "Always Ready," do or die!
Aye! Coast Guard, we fight for you.

Dateline - March 4, 2003 North Arabian Gulf....Coast Guard Port Security Units maintain security on oil terminals. Coast Guard personnel from Port Security Unit 313, from Tacoma, Washington, discuss security strategy onboard the Mina al Bakr oil terminal.

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"We’ve activated nearly half of our selected reserves in support of Operations Neptune Shield, Liberty Shield and Iraqi Freedom . And our Auxiliary continues to provide an awesome presence throughout our Coast Guard—truly a model American volunteer organization.

I salute every member of our Coast Guard for the sacrifice, selfless courage, and professionalism that have been so clearly evident throughout the past year, and especially during the past week. Our thoughts and our prayers are with those who remain in harm’s way, and whose inspiring service compels me to say that I have never been more proud to wear the uniform of our great nation."
........Admiral Thomas H. Collins - March 26, 2003.

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We salute the men and women of the United States Coast Guard. Thank you for your service. God bless and keep you.

[MeekOneGOP]

To ALL branches of the military worldwide, a big salute from MeeknMing and Gang ! Thank YOU ! . . .

I thought this was a neat site and pic I found (pretend that's Ming and/or her sister Ying!) . . .

A Big Salute to all you 
military men & women!

I'm so proud to be an American!

What an incredible country we live in!  I am proud of our strength  and spirit, and the way Americans bonded together to help each other get through the pain of last year's tragedy.  There are so many heroes, large and small, and so many stories. 

I send a special salute to our American military personnel.  If you are a Veteran yourself, or currently serve in our Armed Forces, I thank you personally for what you have sacrificed for us, so that we can live with the freedoms and liberties we enjoy here in America. The tragedy of 9/11 brought home just how fragile our independence and safety is. And what an important job you do. God bless you for that. You are truly my Heroes. 

We pray for freedom and peace, and to bring you who are overseas and all our POWs home fast and safe!  God bless you...

Love,
Barbara 
xoxo

[jwfiv]

Good morning, Mama_Bear...somehow, this thread is just what I needed to see to start my day just right...keeping our Government Issue Angels in mind and heart seems the most I can do to help out in this War.

Talk about starting the day on the right foot...)

Good morning to our Hostesses all.

Good morning to all Freepers near and far.

[Aquamarine]

What a wonderful way to honor our Troops today MB!
May God bless them all!

(click on graphic)

[Inspectorette]

Good morning Mama_Bear and Billie, this tribute today is absolutely stunning. Thank you so much for all your hard work.

[dutchess]

Goodmorning Lori. What an absolutely beautiful tribute you did today. STUNNING! I'm so proud to call you "sistah"!

God bless our military...

[FreeTheHostages]

[dutchess]

Goodmorning lovely sistahs and brother louie. What an awesome tribute our mamabear did today. Have a very busy day at work today....will try to check in later. Just want to say hi!

(((((((louie)))))))

[FreeTheHostages]

This is just breathtaking. Thank you so much for your work on this thread.

[FreeTheHostages]

{{dutchess}} LOL, I know from busy. Today's shaping up to be a hum-dinger around here. Hang in there.

[daisyscarlett]

Breathtaking, awesome, wonderful thread....So nice to have all this information in one place. Your love of our military shows through in this presentation, Lori....I will cherish this one for a long time!!!

[daisyscarlett]

Well Nan I was all set post the link to your rally but I see your FRiend mountaineer beat me to it, lol.

Great photos, great job and Professor Rob needs a "swoon alert"...ha ha

[LadyX]

Who among us could ever forget the moment when you were sworn into military service for your country?!

In June, it will be 51 years since I stood in Jacksonville, Florida for my ceremony, at the time the country was engaged in the Korean Conflict.

The next day, I was in charge of eight of us women going by train up to Yemassee, South Carolina.
Switched there to a small coal-driven open air little train that chugged to Port Royal, near Parris Island.

Ah, what awaited us!!
LOL - nothing like a summer vacation of June - July - and into August there, including Elliott's Beach and those B-2-sized mosquitoes..:))

[daisyscarlett]

Great calendar Free! The FRiends we have here on FR Finest are indeed rare and hard to find and to be cherished...

What a great and rewarding weekend you had starting with your drive to the rally in Harrisburg, your after action report and your activism in GETTING NBC TO FIRE ARNETT...I am so proud you are my sistah and FRiend.....

[daisyscarlett]

A Monday morning greeting to my sibs...

Lori-I thought of one more adjective for your presentation-exquisite!!

Billie-Hope you had a fun weekend and are all rested up for a great week...I am looking forward to yor feature tomorrow (Lori is a tough act to follow, isn't she?)

Dansy-hope your dinner party went well Sat...No need to apologize for not being here this weekend, I "covered" for you, lol.

Dutchess-I love your energy and enthusiasm. Hope your work week does not interfere too much with spending time with "Us"...Still having good vibes from your MozartLover thread last week.

FreetheHostages-loved your "cutting up" on the Harrisburg thread...

And finally, Louie "wherefore art thou?" Is this you with a smile on your face -going someplace in a hurry? The fresh pineapples I brought from Kauai to make you a two crusted pineapple pie will not last forever, doncha know? Hee hee......

[FreeTheHostages]

LOL, now, now, let's not blame ME for getting ARnett fired. There were like 20 separate threads on Free Republic listing msnbc email lists -- but MANY more people throughout the country who aren't Freepers knew to send those emails and phone calls. I bet half -- or, oh, say, 71 percent -- of the country was trying to contact MSNBC last night.

Shame, because heretofore, I have to say, MSNBC's coverage hasn't been THAT bad. When FOX gets slow, I have sometimes flipped over there and found lots of hard news. They just made the right decision on Arnett, too. So I can't say I won't be flipping over there in the future. They have guys like Chip Reid who are giving really good frontline reports.

[LadyX]

What an * OUTSTANDING * presentation, Lori!!

We can only imagine the time and effort that went into it to make it so very special.

[FreeTheHostages]

Yeah, where's Louie? I'm missing him too!

[FreeTheHostages]

oh, that's such a sweet bear, bless you.

[Diver Dave]

Mornin' y'all. What a beautiful tribute to our Armed Forces. Thank You!

Your Honor, I gotta agree with your statement...I still hold that oath close to my heart I don't know of any of us that ever noticed an expiration date on that oath we took.

Great News that Peter Arnett got fired from NBC and National Geographic. KEWL! What a Jerk.

In the meantime, Our FR embedded reporters around the country are supplying FR with great news on the homefront from all the rallies being held to Support and Honor our Troops.

Hey Peter... Here's your pink slip...

[firewalk]

Hello LadyX (thanks for the ping)

Hope you have a nice day