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

[Mo1]

Morning Billie ..

[dixie sass]

Wanna go do my laundry for me? Yuck! Only four more days -company coming this afternoon - nothing done - trying to find more excuses for not doing nuffin, sighhhhhhhh. Help Billie!

[Billie]

((((((((Billie))))))))) - what a great story! If not for this, I wouldn't have even known we had such a wonderful canine comrade in Iraq.

This was the best story in People this edition! Just want to squeeze that Buster to pieces! Love these warm fuzzy/human interst stories, don't we, Sistah Dutchess?!

[dixie sass]

Oh fellow sufferer! ((((((((((MeeknMing)))))))))) I'm weak, so weak - it's a good thing there isn't anyplace within walking distance...

You know that would really make the day go by easy, a nice piece of chocolate or even a slice of chocolate cake, or, or, or...

Okay, I going to do the laundry. I'll behave. Sigh, mibble,grizzle,frizzle,dribit, drat rat, ...

[Billie]

Good morning, Dave. Here's hoping and wishing and praying you pass that test tomorrow with flying colors - and no cheating. :)

[FreeTheHostages]

My sister-in-law did, so eventually I'll have a photo!

[LadyX]

So, Kuzzin - whatcha bellyachin' 'bout??..:))

Yes - it is Monday, but "The Rest of The Story" is it's EASTER MONDAY!!
Used to be a legal holiday in North Carolina....

" From sorrow to everlasting joy"

Luke 24, 13 - 35.

"13. On the same day, two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14. They were talking about everything that had happened. 15. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself joined them and walked with them.....etc."

On the Road to Emmaus, it happened - but He who was the reason of it all, He saw them there they walked, and now He approached with his glad tidings:

"Because I live, you too will live!" (John 14, 19).

So, dear Kuz, we can truly rejoice that He is among us, and always will be.

Keep looking up, Kuzzin - - wish I could join you for a cuppa coffee, there on the Low Country side of the state...

[The Thin Man]

Ok, T Man, I'm ready for you! Yep! I goofed again!

I probably shouldn't comment since you might be setting me up again........but I will.

Anyway, you only messed up the link on what was probably the most popular FR Finest thread of the year. :-)

[LadyX]

Billie, if Thud and Dog were here, they would award Buster this:

{{{{{ Meows and Woofs for Buster }}}}}

[dixie sass]

Will you post them? Please.

[firewalk]

Good afternoon
thanks for the ping

[dixie sass]

Morning Kuz! Got a cup sitting right here waiting on you. Someday it'll get used, lol. The cup, I mean. No coffee in it, lol.

I forgot, how could I forget that this is Easter Monday and that because HE died and then rose again...
How could I forget. Would I have been as Doubting Thomas was? Oh Lord forgive me forgetting so soon... amen.

[LadyX]

Okay, jw - squintig at the screen with my one good eye, and I could swear that is quiche I'm seein'!!

I LUV QUICHE!

iwantsumquiche....

pleez, jw - purdy pleez...

gettin' weak here from lack of quiche.....

[jwfiv]

Yes, it does look like quiche...hmmm, with a little deelishus Mexican accent...oh, now I'm hungry again...time for second breakfast...)))

[dixie sass]

It's Quiche Florintine or a funny looking omelet with hammmmmmmmmmmmmm.

[LadyX]

LOL - I see I should have squinted a bit harder, dropping an 'n' - "squintig" it says.

Could swear I went back and inserted one after Preview!

HELP, TMan! Billie will be after me now!..:))

[MeekOneGOP]

LOL ! "I feel your pain" :O) . . .

[LadyX]

Please, jw - cut a slice for dixie, too?

Do believe she would appreciate it if you'd drizzle a little grated chocolate on it, though..:))

BWAHAHAHA

If it's Monday, it must be 'Pick on Dix Day'!

[dansangel]

Hello my name is Dixie Sass and I'm a chocoholic...

It seems we share an affliction, Miss Dixie. I was threatening to push Meekie down and steal his M&Ms last week as I was approaching the end of my 40-day fast from chocolate for Lent.

Meekie, sweet fellow that he is, took a hint and sent me chocolate, of his own volition (no arm-twisting) along with LadyX and the ever-thoughtful Louie.

*ALL* of which was competently devoured yesterday, followed by all of the usual discomfort befitting a chocolate-eating frenzy!

:-)

[dansangel]

What a beautiful spread you set out dear (((((jwfiv))))!

I guess I need to put my intravenous chocolate aside and concentrate on some *real* food, eh? LOL!!!