A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....04-21-03...A Nose for Danger

04-21-03 | Story from People Magazine

[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: 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.

                     

A Nose for Danger
A springer spaniel with an unusual gift, Buster
helps British troops sniff out explosives in Iraq

"He should get a medal for being out here," says Morgan of canine comrade Buster.
~ from People Magazine, 4/21/03

Sure, little Emma Morgan misses her soldier-dad, Danny, who is serving in Iraq with Britan's Royal Army. But there's someone whose absence seems to sting even more - Buster, the family's springer spaniel, an explosive-sniffer extraordinaire who works as Sergeant Morgan's canine partner. Since the pair left their home in Aldershot, England, in February, 5-year-old Emma "has sent maybe two letters to me and at least 10 to Buster," says Morgan, 37. "She draws him pictures of him at home having picnics with the family."

Iraq isn't exactly proving to be a picnic for anybody. But 5 1/2-year-old Buster has definitely made plenty of new friends thanks to his role in a raid on a suspected terrorist hideout April 1. Although British troops had come up empty in their sweep of the home, Buster quickly gave Sergeant Morgan the signal that he smelled weapons. Behind a wardrobe, soldiers found a piece of tin covering a hole - and in it a huge cache of arms and drugs. "It's brilliant, wasn't it?" says Morgan's wife, Nikki, 32, of the find, which led to the arrest of 16 suspected terrorists. "I'm really proud of them both."

It's no accident that Buster - who was rescued from a shelter about three years ago and teamed up with Morgan in Northern Ireland - beame the first sniffer sent to Iraq. (Two other canines will soon join him.) During a previous tour in Kosovo, "soldiers would always ask for him, even if there were several dogs to choose from," says Warrant Officer Dave Franklin. "He's definitely seen more action than the majority of our soldiers."

On his current hitch Buster prefers to sleep next to his "dad," although he has his own kennel that can be fitted with a special protective cover and respirator in the event of a chemical attack. The kennel also offers protection from sandstorms - or overly zealous petting. In fact, Buster seems to have experienced only one real hardship so far in the Iraqi desert: "He misses trees," says Morgan. "It's the simple pleasures."

THE WEEKEND'S THREAD 04-18,19,20-03 Stations of the Cross

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

[Billie]

:) Daisy, where are you today? Do hope that you had a wonderful Easter.

[Billie]

Hi, Spookie, know that was so sad, putting Mr. Peabody to sleep. It is such a hard thing to do.

Glad you are here today, and thank you for your Easter posts over the weekend.

[Billie]

He has a place in Heaven.

Yes, he does, but hopefully he will have many more years with Danny Morgan and his little girl, Emma, before he crosses the Rainbow Bridge. :)

[Billie]

Aha! So that's the story behind the blinking lights! :)

[Billie]

Hi, Sassy! Great seeing you today - I missed you when you were here yesterday. Very nice Easter - hope yours was. :)

[Billie]

I'll just assume you have all the proper clearance lights on it, and that you have filed your 7460 with the FAA.

Oops! LOL!

[Billie]

LOL! I know what a joy he gets out of finding them no matter how small. BUT, tomorrow, in spite of it, I will strive for an error-free thread. (I've already made sure that I don't copy those double slashes in the link again!)

[SassyMom]

We had a fun weekend. My sis and her husband were here, so we went to Crawford. We didn't see the President, but we did see LOTS of Secret Service. We ate at the famous coffee shop and bought a few souvenirs. We had a blast!

[Billie]

Yummmm! I happen to think blueberry pie is dee-licious, too! Thank you! The chef was very creative with the top crust. :)

[Billie]

Wouldn't it be awful to have to have all those Secret Service Agents following you around everywhere you go?! Glad you had a good time in Crawford!

YIKES! I've got to get back to working on tomorrow's thread! Later, All!

[The Thin Man]

Here's what I think of your graphic.

Lalalalalala

[SpookBrat]

I found a picture of him, except you can't see his pretty face. This was my husband's baby. He had this dog a lot longer than he has had me. LOL This is Mr. Peabody snuggling with his Blues Clues blanket. He loved kittens and would eat anything but mushrooms. Weird dog! He loved food.

[JustAmy]

Thanks for the picture, Spooky. It is so cute.



Have a wonderful Monday!!

[dutchess]

Hi Billie....FINALLY got here! Great Thread (but you know I'm just a little partial to our canine friends!) And absolutely love the pledge!

[dutchess]

Hi Amy...a wonderful Monday back at ya!

[daisyscarlett]

What a sweet story about Buster and his "family"...I am so sorry he does not have any trees but PETA sure can't complain about the special care he is getting-shoot his own respirator even if necessary. Isn't it amazing how some of our most special animals have come from shelters?

Loved the flag graphic too-is it new?

[Mama_Bear]

Hello all! Hope everyone had a lovely Easter weekend. The "Stations of the Cross" post was beautiful, as were the graphics and replies posted by our Finest regulars and visitors.

Thank you for this sweet story about this special dog and the great job he is doing in Iraq, Billie!

[daisyscarlett]

What an incredible brunch you put out for us. I LOVE QUICHE...Bet I am too late, though. It is probably gone by now. And I bet it had a kick to it too as I note you served it with salsa....Just what I get for getting here late today!!!

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you, sweet wolfie, for another "Babes" graphic.

Like you..........it is SO cute. It is one of my favorites.........heck, they are ALL my favorites. LOL. :-)

[daisyscarlett]

What a fun Easter you had with your nice and nephew and roast lamb dinner sounds special, too. We had the traditional ham but we cooked it on the grill and it was pretty good....(and it was on sale too)