A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....05-02-03....Pippin's Thoughts

Billie and Mama_Bear | written by Pippin

[Mama_Bear]

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: 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.

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

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.

TOP: spectr17, RightOnline, SERE_Doc, Tet68.
MIDDLE: FutureSnakeEater, RightOnline's wife, CIApilot, Clamper1797
BOTTOM: usmcobra, onedoug, DiverDave, Joe6-pack

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 1A: TOP: Logos, SwedeGirl's hubby, Neil E Wright, FallGuy, 1John, Sneakypete MIDDLE: T'wit, COB1, LadyX, Dick Bachert, 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub BOTTOM: YankeeinSC, Delta21, JoeSixPack1

GROUP 2A: TOP: Bosniajmc, AFVetGal, Archy, A Navy Vet MIDDLE: 4TheFlag, Aeronaut, 68Grunt, Xinga BOTTOM: Codger, AAABest, Clinton's A Liar, Duke809, dcwusmc

GROUP 3A: TOP: mc5cents, Norb2569, LBGA's son, VanJenerette MIDDLE: Jim Robinson, KJenerette, davidosborne, KG9Kid BOTTOM: gwmoore, Equality7-2521, SAMWolf

GROUP 4A: TOP: porgygirl, Phil V., MudPuppy, NorCoGOP MIDDLE: RaceBannon, OneidaM, rdb3, jwTexian BOTTOM: USMC Vet, TheMayor, Vineyard, rhododogma

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.

May 2, 2003

Pippin

Dear Mr. President,

I just wanted to write this letter to tell you what has been on my mind to say to you for quite awhile. I know you must have heard much the same things from lots of folks who are so very grateful and proud to have you as our great nation's leader at this crucial time in our history.

I wanted to add my voice to theirs in saying....THANK YOU!

Thank you, first of all, for your decision to campaign to become President and take on such an awesome job with it's heavy responsibilities and dangers. I know what a thankless job it can be at times - and worrisome. I marvel at the patience and Christian love and charity you have shown to all, even when your critics are at their worst. I've seen how you treat your enemies, as well as your friends and family.

You are an inspiration to me as I strive to become more in tune with my catholic upbringing and beliefs which are not unlike yours. I know how much you love God and begin your every morning on your knees in prayer to him for your family and for your country. I love how you love your wife, Laura, and how you respect the vows you made long ago to her in front of the minister of your church with both your families as witnesses.

I want you to know that I never cease to pray for you and for Laura and your family. I wish you love and peace and prosperity. I wish you a long and happy life. I pray that God will always protect you from all harm that is spiritual, political, emotional and physical. May your enemies be few while your friends are many!

Finally, Mr. President, I want to tell you how so very proud I am to be an American and to have you as my President. May God bless you and may God bless America!

Sincerely,

Pippin ~ a most grateful American citizen.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 04-28-03...Discovery of the Freeper Archives 04-29-03...Dear Mom and Dad 04-30-03...Martin_Fierro 05-01-03...JH2 - John's Two Cents

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]

Here's another picture of The Commander-in-Chief.

Don't you get the thought he enjoys this far more than rubbing elbows with royalty and 'dignitaries'??!!

This is not just a 'photo op' or publicity stunt - it is from his heart.

[Pippin]

I'd say he was like a kid in a candy store! :O)

[LadyX]

How great it is to see our Eastern Watchman here!
Please come often, Larry.

[Pippin]

Lori, did you ping the folks from the Dose thread over here?

[Mama_Bear]

Don't you get the thought he enjoys this far more than rubbing elbows with royalty and 'dignitaries'??!!

Absoultely! Those are his people! And, I think that he, and Laura, would be just as comfortable having coffee in my humble living room as they are at a State dinner....probably more so. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

I don't know how many of them are on my ping list. The only ping list I have is the one for this thread......so, probably most of them haven't been pinged. Do you have a ping list for the DOSE?

[LadyX]

" (Some here appreciate and expect 'perfect'. LOL. I just hate to disappoint T Man.) ;-)"

Shame on you, Mama_Bear!
TMan's devotion is a marvel, so focused on saving us from humiliation, lest we feel we are failures!

His efforts are solely for our good, Lori, and ought to be appreciated.

Please be careful with your remarks lest he go from Thin to Thinner Man.
Do you want to be responsible for that?!!
I thought not!!

[bmwcyle]

bttt

[Pippin]

I don't have a pinglist for the DOSE but I went on ahead and pinged everybody I could remember from that thread.

[Pippin]

Hi, bmwcycle!

[Aquamarine]

Nice words Pippin! Beautiful layout MB!

This song applies to everyone in this picture. I'm so proud of all of them!

Click on the pic

There's A Hero

There's a flower in the smallest garden, reaching for the light
There's a candle in the darkest corner, conquering the night
There is amazing strength In a willing hand
There are victories that you've never planned
There's a hero in everybody's hearts

There's a fire inside of everybody, burning clear & bright
There's a power in the faintest heartbeat that cannot be denied

Go on and trust yourself, you can ride the wind
You're gonna take your dreams where's they've never been
There's a hero in everybody's hearts

[Pippin]

GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY!

Come on over!

Mama_Bear posted my open letter to President Bush that I wrote on Tuesday. but it was timed just right for yesterday's awesome landing on the Lincoln and the speech later on. :O)

[Pippin]

Thanks, Aqua!

[Mama_Bear]

His efforts are solely for our good, Lori, and ought to be appreciated.

Of course, and I do - truly! What I meant to say was that I'd prefer NOT to be on his list of those who need 'correcting' (for my own good, or not). LOL! Am I making this worse or better? I have no idea, so I think I will just quit while I I'm ahead - or, should I say, before I get any behinder? :-)

[Mama_Bear]

I went on ahead and pinged everybody I could remember from that thread.

Okay, good. I'm sure they will enjoy reading your letter.

[Temple Owl]

It's the thouhgt that counts. Some self-appointed spelling watchdog chewed me out for a typo yesterday. I know how to spell Clymer. LOL

[JustAmy]

No rain yet but I understand that it's on the way.

I went back to bed and slept for another half hour. The child gets here at 7:00 and I decided to grab a half hour while it was available.

[Pippin]

LOL!

I try not to give them a chance!

[LadyX]

You have outdone yourself, Aqua - that is a perfectly beautiful coordination of the photograph and the song that describes the man and the moment!

Cannot help but contrast it with what the former occupant evoked....we now have a Man we can call "HERO!!" - and with utmost respect.

[MHGinTN]

Good morning, Pippin! I second your words to OUR President.

As President Bush landed on the carrier and went among the personnel, to shake hands and stand for endless photos, I was struck by the way real character comes through in this man. I couldn't help but remember the aloof, elitist posture and attitude that came through when the previous White House occupant was around our Soldiers. It was easy to discern which man was comfortable with those he commanded, which man counted these Soldiers and Sailors as fellow human beings instead of servants to the commanders will, which man had the strength of character that allowed him to be humble among the troops instead of posing for press. I was struck by the contrast of what would have gone through clinton's mind when reaching to hug a female sailor serving his whim, and what innocent manliness projected from the one now serving as Commander-in-Chief.