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

[LadyX]

Guess Pipster is retreating,

Bewaring of Friends bearing Gif(t)s !!!
LOL. Westy - - - may I have the ice cream cone?

[MeekOneGOP]

Okay ! G'night !

[jwfiv]

Here's a fresh one, just for LadyX...

[LadyX]

Maple walnut, with no molasses - just how I like it..:)))

Thank you!

[LadyX]

On a serious note, may I ask everyone who reads this to lift up a Fellow Freeper who tomorrow is undergoing some surgery?

Not hearing back from the person with permission to name a name - our Father knows who this is - - - please stream forth prayers for the surgery and recovery period.

Lord, You are The Great Healer & Physician!
Guide all those involved in this surgery, and those who care for him afterward.
Be with all those who love him and call him Friend - - - Amen.

[MeekOneGOP]

Amen !

[WVNan]

I hope it's not too late to say hello Billie. I even brought you a bouquet of my favorite flower. BTW, I loved that dog story.

[daisyscarlett]

I am so sorry to hear about your eye and that you have to wear an eye patch.You must be a site what with a cast on one arm and a bad eye. Good thing you live in a small town; otherwise folks might wonder if you are a battered wife...(hey, I live in California, what can I say?)

I will certainly add your grandson to my military prayer list....May God Bless and Keep Him.

[daisyscarlett]

Well I step away for a bit and looks like I missed out again. Know that banana split has been gobbled up by someone by now!!!Looked yummy...

[daisyscarlett]

Thanks for the link...Enjoyed this quip, especially:

re:Saddam Hussein"If he is alive," Mr. Bush said, "I would suggest he not pop his head up." ..hee hee....He and Rummy do know how to turn a phrase...

[daisyscarlett]

Good night Pippin....So glad you had a Happy Easter with all of your family...

[WVNan]

Well, hello daisy! We don't cross paths much these days do we? Hope you are well and getting some things done. I'm so behind I don't think I will ever get caught up.

[daisyscarlett]

Prayers for a Fellow Freeper having surgery tomorrow. .

[daisyscarlett]

Oh what a beautiful graphic with those lovely daisies.

How are you...the last I saw you you, on Sat., you were making Easter flowers and getting ready for a special Service. Know all went well but do tell us about it....

[jwfiv]

Bananas Foster...a little Big Easy specialty...flambéd in rum...just for Daisy...)

[WVNan]

Oh my, I had two beautiful services. The sunrise service was held at the village town hall. My pianist and I decorated the tables with white table cloths and purple tissue paper made into fan shapes arranged around vases of flowers, and colored grass, eggs and bunny sprinkles. I set up the podium and a small table at one end of the room, on which I put the Paschal Candle and lots of smaller candles to be lit from it. We did a joyous responsive reading, sang He Lives and had prayer. I preached a short sermonette and Stephanie, my girl with the angel voice, sang He's Alive. We recited the Apostles' Creed and ended with a prayer and blessing of the food. Then we ate the biggest breakfast you ever saw. My pianist is also the manager at Wendy's and he wants to have his own catering business. He never knows when to stop with the food. We had scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, sausage gravy (my contribution), cinnamon apples, cheese baked tomato slices, hash browns, mixed fruit, muffins, pecan sticky buns, cinnamon buns, coffee, milk, chocolate milk and orange juice. Did I miss anything? Afterwards I felt like this...

[LadyX]

Thank you so much for seconding and thirding the prayer.
Know there will be many by others who read of the need - one of the great things about The Finest is the sense of Family and Sister and Brotherhood.

Still there, Nan?
Can you bear indulging in some of the shamelessly great concoctions jwfiv is plying us with this day?!!

Just name your poison, and he will produce it!
I'm waiting for the full course meal that includes prime rib - - -

[WVNan]

There you are sweetie! What's this about you being attacked by a Christmas card? Just let me at em....I'll take care of anything that hurts my Sistah.

[LadyX]

Now that I see what you consumed yesterday, you won't need another meal for a while, girl...:))

Know everything was beautiful and wonderful!

[WVNan]

I forgot, we also lit the cnadles and put them on a couple of tiles....one said peace and the other said hope. They were so pretty as the sun came up and the door was open, so we could hear the birds singing. Twas very moving.