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]

LOLOL - you would do it, too...:))
Thursday was attacked by a Christmas card at Easter time - God trying to tell me something?!

Was placing something on a high shelf, and a box of leftover Christmas cards slid, one spilling out and striking my right eye. Corneal abrasion - antibiotic and an eye patch for a week.
I am being very, very protective of the right foot, Sistah!

[Billie]

LOL! Actually, I figured you would 'borrow' my gif and replace your name with mine.

Oh, no! I just gave you an idea, didn't I? :)

[LadyX]

Did anyone record it with a camcorder, Nan? Still photos?

I can almost see it in my mind - -

[Billie]

Mr. Peabody looks very lovable and sweet!

[Billie]

Hi, Sistahs - glad you liked the pledge graphic - yes, it is new, daisy - just made it over the weekend when I put this thread together. Please add to your pledge files and use anytime!

Buster is a sweetie, isn't he? He needs special treatment for what he's doing, though. I think of the danger he's in, too.

[WVNan]

Our S.S. and Worship was also great. During the children's time I talked about the empty tomb using the vanishing Jesus in the paper bag trick. I put Jesus in the bag, and he vanished. It's the old double sideed bag trick.

During the rest of S.S. I got my characters costumed. During worship I went through the regular worship routine with prayers, Apostles' Creed, tithes & offerigs. Then I disappeared behind the backdrop we had set up in front of the piano and choir for our Abigail reader. Abigail came in from the front door and down the aisle to the desk in her setting. She is carrying four scrolls. She sits down and talks about receiving so many messages from Jerusalem and how unusual that is. She opens the first scroll from her cousin Malcus who is a member of the Sanhedrin, and begins to read. Dear Cousin Abigail, the Passover this year was both exciting and disturbing......

At that point Malcus has comes in and sat at the desk in front of the second set on the other side of the room. He picks up the sentence.....and things haven't settled down yet. It was meant to depict a flashback where the participant in the events is writing the letter. Malcus tells about the arrest and trial of Jesus. After Malcus, came Abigail's son Eli, who is a member of the Temple Guard. Eli tells about the arrest in the garden and how Jesus healed his ear after it was sliced off. Then Ayla tells about her husband Josh being crucified with Jesus, so she tells the crucifixion story from the Via Dela Rosa to the death. Then finally Mary Magdalene tells of the burial and resurrection. Inbedded (like that word) within the monologues were appropriate songs coming from the invisible choir.

At the end of the program I had all the adults come forward and select a live carnation from the "living cross" I made on Saturday. Each flower had a Scripture message wrapped around the florist stick. That was my gift to everyone. The children got Easter eggs with a small toy and candy in them.

Everyone was very complimentary of the program and I thought it went well. The choir was in good voice and no one made any mistakes. My readers did a great job. I just wish I could have been out front to see the whole thing.

[WVNan]

No one took any videos of either program. It seems like someone took some still shots at the Sunrise Service. Not sure. I really wish I had a video of the Worship program. I never think of that ahead of time. I get so involved in getting the program together, I forget the little things.

[LadyX]

I so love the things you create, Nan - how blessed are those who know you!

[WVNan]

Sheesh, there are enough mistakes in that report to start a course in English grammer.

[Billie]

Hi, Nan - love your favorite flowers! Thank you for sharing with me. Wish we could see you more often.

Saying goodnight now. See you all tomorrow.

[WVNan]

Lady, get this. I'm seriously considering taking over management of our local theater. It's an old movie theater and a real historical treasure. Right now a young couple is renting it from the owner and the girl runs her dance studio out of it. She also lets people use the theater for a cut and concessions. The owner won't do the necessary repairs and things are falling apart. Needs new heating and cooling units, etc. The owner will sell for $125,000 but won't come off that price. We can't afford it and the couple who rent can't afford it. My idea is to get out there and try to organize a fine arts group who will incorporate and buy it and refurbish it. I would like to start a community theatre and children's theatre. We already use the theater for our River Valley Opry and will have to give that up if the couple gives up the lease in July. She says she will only renew her lease if she can find someone to help her with managing it. It's taking all of her time now. Now do I look like I'm nuts? I'm pushing 70 here, but I have a passion for preserving history. I took on the Union Campground and got it designated as an official historical site. Maybe I can save the theater somehow. I don't know if I can handle it with everything else I have on my plate.

[WVNan]

Hi and good night Bille. Maybe one of these days. Sleep well.

[LadyX]

If there is a single human being who can do it, you are surely The One!

Gosh, Nan - it is breathtaking in scope!
Wish I could lend more than prayer support, but those go forth all the time anyway...will increase them, though..:))

[LadyX]

Afraid I need to withdraw, too, Nan.
Am writing back and forth with jw on The Project we are doing for Billie, and have some critical work to do before I go to bed!

Hope you'll come back tomorrow, dear sistah - - - good night, and God bless - - -

[WVNan]

((((Sistah)))) Nighty night. God love you.

[Pippin]

Okay, will try again!

Did you get my e-mail to you?

[Pippin]

YUMMY!

Thank You! :O)

[Pippin]

May God put His healing hand on this Freeper today and always.

[MeekOneGOP]

He and Rummy do know how to turn a phrase...

hehe ! They sure do. :O)

[grantswank]

DYING IN THE FAITH

I am drinking my Tim Horton’s coffee while seated in this crowded coffee shop in Elmsdale, Nova Scotia. The day is overcast, drizzly and not all that sunshine promising.

However, I have just come upon another Easter story of sunlight. It flows quite freely from the life of John Savage, former premier of Nova Scotia. He has but a short time to live, dying of cancer.

Three weeks ago, he lost his wife of 45 years, Margaret, to cancer.

“I’m not maudlin about it. I’m not crying about it. I’m accepting what happens to everybody sooner or later,” Mr. Savage witnessed to reporters on Easter Monday. He was speaking from his dining room table in his lakeside home in Dartmouth. To this city, he gave seven years of his life as mayor before leading the provincial Liberals to power in 1993.

As I feel hail and hearty on this misty Tuesday morning, Mr. Savage is closing out his earthly stay in typical courage and outspokenness. Never one for mincing words, he continues his forthright persona to the end.

“I’ve had some really startling remissions. . .now it’s got to the point where there is no further treatment and I’m prepared to go the way the good Lord intends me to go,” Mr. Savage stated simply.

For a personality of extreme independence and at times bold stubborn streak, his reliance upon God has never wavered. He told reporters that being obedient to the divine was his daily walk. He did not mind it. It brought him great support and now that the end is near, it is proving to be his stay.

It was the same spiritual stamina experienced by his wife. What a heritage to give to his children who were watching over him as the reporters queried the politician.

Photographers asked if they could take his picture; he declined, saying that he was no longer photographable. He has lost 40 pounds due to sickness and therefore would like to be remembered as he looked when in robust health.

Mr. Savage could not be more complimentary of the medical staff he has come to know most intimately during his illness. He also expressed heartfelt appreciation to his children for their daily kindnesses.

In speaking to the media, he stated that he expects to spend “the rest of my life in some peace,” primarily because of his faith in God. He stated that what lies ahead is exciting him for he believes that death will entrance him into the presence of God, just as his wife’s faith held firm.

“I’m quite happy. I have no qualms about dying.” He elaborated by saying that a person’s faith “gives you a reason for being and for doing. . .It’s something that I’ve always followed, something I’ve always obeyed and worked with. I find it a real treat at the end.”

___________________

J. Grant Swank, Jr., Pastor, New Hope Church, Windham ME