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.

[ST.LOUIE1]

Oops! Louie, somehow your name fell off of the ping list.....don't know how that happened. I've put it back -
but, just for today, you get your own private ping to the thread. LOL

Special treatment....I like it! LOL

Your thread is BEAUTIFUL....just like you. : )

wolfie((((((( fuzzy )))))))wolfie

[ST.LOUIE1]

Morning, dansy. : )

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

[ST.LOUIE1]

Hi, dutchess!

wolfie((((((( dutchess )))))))wolfie

[daisyscarlett]

LOL...Great photo - you had me going for a minute, scratching my head, trying to figure out how you could have been freeping Arnett in Fresno on Sat when this did not happen till Sunday. Finally figured out it was an old Condit Freep photo...Loved seeing tourist guy again, too.

From Drudge: DISHONORABLE DISCHARGE: U.S. military expels FOX NEWS CHANNEL's Geraldo Rivera from Iraq after violating rule; giving away crucial details of future military operations during live broadcast... Rivera drew a map in the sand indicating the position where the unit which he was embedded with was located, where they were going... Members of the 101st Airborne Division will escort Rivera to the border with Kuwait.... Developing...

[daisyscarlett]

How is tourist guy these days? When is not rallying with DiverDave in Modesto is he embedded with the troops, lol....

[.45MAN]

That is a Great post! And this is a Great Country!!!!!

[ST.LOUIE1]

And finally, Louie "wherefore art thou?" Is this you with a smile on your face -going someplace in a hurry?

Hi, Daisy! Yep, that's me heading to your house! : )

The fresh pineapples I brought from Kauai to make you a two crusted pineapple pie will not last forever, doncha know? Hee hee......

That's why I'm headed to your house....get started on those pies! LOL

wolfie((((((( daisyscarlett )))))))wolfie

[ST.LOUIE1]

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

As close as your pc! LOL

Hey, Freezie!

wolfie((((((( Freezie )))))))wolfie

[Diver Dave]

Mornin' Louie. Are ya ready for Baseball? Got tickets for A's - Mariners on Wed. night. Might be a good place to hold up a "Support Our Troops" sign. Hmmmm

[LadyX]

Geraldo is broadcasting live for Fox from Iraq with the troops as I type, daisy.

Attributed the rumor to old NBC adversaries!

Looking good, as if he has been working out faithfully....

[Billie]

Great tribute to our Fantastic Armed Forces, Lori, thank you! :)

[JustAmy]

Good Morning, Lori!!
This thread is beautiful. You did an outstanding job.
Prayers for our military and their families.
May God give comfort to the grieving families of those who gave their all for FReedom!

[LadyX]

Sneaking in {{{{{ Hugs for Wolfie }}}}} before I leave.

Going soon for physical therapy on the broken wing - - -

[daisyscarlett]

Okay, first we will have to go to the pineapple field and pick a pineapple for our pies...

Got two pies out of one pineapple; the one on the left is a pineapple cheesecake pie, but the one on the right is a two cruster. I even got a local to entertain you while you feast.

[ST.LOUIE1]

Mornin' Louie. Are ya ready for Baseball?
Got tickets for A's - Mariners on Wed. night.

Howdy, Diver! Too soon for baseball....have to get past hockey first.

Might be a good place to hold up a "Support Our Troops" sign. Hmmmm

Great idea! How's about adding FRee Republic.com at the bottom? Lots of publicity could ensue.

[ST.LOUIE1]

Sneaking in {{{{{ Hugs for Wolfie }}}}} before I leave.

Going soon for physical therapy on the broken wing - - -

For a woman with one wing.....you sure hug good! : )

[Mama_Bear]

Special treatment....I like it! LOL

Thought you might. LOL.

Your thread is BEAUTIFUL....just like you. : )

Thanks, wolfie. That's why you get special treatment around here. ;-)

[JustAmy]

LOL

I love that termination notice!!
I can think of a few more who deserve it!

[ST.LOUIE1]

Okay, first we will have to go to the pineapple field and pick a pineapple for our pies...

Cool! But you didn't tell me 'I' would have to help pick them. : (

Got two pies out of one pineapple; the one on the left is a pineapple cheesecake pie,

Ohhhhhhh...oh....oh.....I LOVE pineaplle cheesecake! : )

... but the one on the right is a two cruster. I even got a local to entertain you while you feast.

AhRoooooo!!!! Thank yoooou!

You're soooo cute! Sure is nice having you home. : )

[ST.LOUIE1]

Special treatment....I like it! LOL

Thought you might. LOL.

Know me pretty well, eh? : )

Your thread is BEAUTIFUL....just like you. : )

Thanks, wolfie. That's why you get special treatment around here. ;-)

Wolfie ain't no dummy. LOL