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]

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

Sounds like a classic case of 'Fallen Angel' to me....

Dr. Maggie

[jwfiv]

dixie, at the request of a certain LadyX, here's a little treat to sweeten your day...the quiche went kinda quick, so I hope this may satisfy...)

[dansangel]

You've got *that* right, (((((((Dr. Maggie)))))))

LOL!

[LadyX]

In the meanwhile, that certain LadyX is eating her meager bowlful of won-ton soup with a fair amount of gusto - - - sigh...no quiche...no molasses flowin'....what is the world comin' to, TMan??

[JustAmy]

Good Morning, Billie!!
Love today's thread. Animals are amazing.
Our pets are special friends!

[jwfiv]

Well, may I suggest you enjoy both...)

Life is fleeting...wonderful...delicious.

[The Thin Man]

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

Don't worry, Billie's in hiding after her own mistake. I'm certain she won't be back today. :)

[dansangel]

It's beautiful, jw, but I guess I haven't learned my lesson. My first impulse is to skip the main meal and go directly to dessert!

:-)

[jwfiv]

Oops...forgive me for being so late with your dessert, madam.

[LadyX]

And a grand dessert it is, jw!

- - and wasn't it just a week or ten ago you posted your very first graphic - a large ice skating on a pond scene?!!
LOL

[Billie]

I missed many of you yesterday on the Easter thread, and wanted to especially say hello and thank you for your wonderful contributions and posts to a beautiful thread. (Yes, you, too, T Man!) :)

'nad, miss you and hope that you get your 'puter hooked up in your new home and can join us very soon. Hope you and your family had a Blessed Easter.

Colleen, loved the White House state Easter Eggs, and thank you for giving me the link to Texas'! And yes, I love the bluebird on New York's!

Thank you all!

[Billie]

I missed this yesterday and didn't know if the rest of you saw it or not. (Of course, wolfie, bear in mind that daisy may not bake you any more pineapple two-crust pies for your remark!) Of course, also we know that you are kidding and you probably picked the sweetest one of us to put on that bunny!

Post #649 yesterday's thread: TOO CUTE! Thank you, wolfie! Hugs are in order for another cute hostess graphic.

((((((((((((((((((((wolfie))))))))))))))

-------------------------------------------

Wishing my BunnyBabes a wonderful, blessed Easter.
Freezie, you are hidden behind daisy....she's a little on the fat side. LOL

((((((( Babes )))))))

[Billie]

Thank you, IG. Your comments are really appreciated. :)

[JustAmy]

Since it is Buster's day ..... Here's something for him!!



Buster ..... you are truly a Finest!!

[Billie]

Afternoon, Meekie. :) I'm wondering if FR is running extremely slow for others today, or if it's just my connection.

[dansangel]

I saw it....in fact I offered to take Daisy's place after eating *TONS* of chocolate yesterday!

[[[[[{{{{{(((((Louie_Wolfie_Man)))))}}}}}]]]]]

[dansangel]

((((((((((JustAmy)))))))))))

I *love* that cute doggie animation....and yes, Buster really *IS* one of The Finest!

[MeekOneGOP]

Howdy! It seems fine to me so far today.

[Billie]

Good afternoon, Aeronaut. Don't bump into my new flagpole as you fly over us tomorrow. :)

[SpookBrat]

Thanks for the sweet thread. We have a soft spot for Springers. We had to put our 16 year old Springer to sleep two years ago. His name was Mr. Peabody. He was the most obedient dog we ever had. If you looked at him cross eyed, he would obey you. Very smart, loyal and affectionate dogs.