A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....06-09-03...Military Monday

Billie

[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.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and 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 could no longer add the photos to the body of the thread, I had been including them in additional posts as I received enough to make another collage.

Still that didn'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 we've created a place for just that. This is a friendly room in JimRob's house where FReeper FRiends can gather every day and just say hello if that's all they want to do.

There's more of course. We sometimes feature different FReepers, with a little background information on who they are and what makes them who they are, along with a few photos you might not have seen on other threads; sometimes others write an essay for us to post as the feature for the day; sometimes our presentation is a human interest story found elsewhere that you might not have read; sometimes special holiday threads; but whatever the topic of the day, it is always with FR's Finest in mind and that is YOU!

If you would like to be featured, or would like to see someone else featured, please send me a private FR mail.

Every Monday we will post the photos of FR's Military Personnel that I have collected and put into groups; these will be available to view through a link the remainder of the week - every day just a click away. :)   If you would like to add a photo of yourself or a loved one in the military, past or present, please let me know; I will hold it until I have enough for a new group.

Thank you, and please have fun with us...every day! ~ Billie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank You For Serving Our Country!

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

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

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.

TOP: dakine's wife, MeeknMing's dad, Auntbee's nephew, MilitiaMan7, AlasBabylon.
BOTTOM:  Joe Brower, Temple Owl, Temple Owl's wife, dutchess' dad, Aomagrat.

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.




                     

THE WEEKEND THREAD 06-07,08-03 Week in Review

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

[Diver Dave]

Morning. : )

Morning backatcha. : )

As usual, I'll be playin' hit and miss on the thread as time permits.

It's like the message I left in one of those "Leave A Note" boxes on a friends front door...

I was here and you were not
Now you're here and I am not.

[MeekOneGOP]

Just 8 eggs this time!

Hey ! You made me hafta go back. SIX !! No foolin', either !!

[Pippin]

Grrr!

next time, cowboy! LOL!

[MeekOneGOP]

next time, cowboy! LOL!

hehe !

[Billie]

God Bless Our Military

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Dansangel; Dutchess; Mama_Bear; and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~

We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in their hour of decision. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decisions.

Please give us the strength, Lord, to get through each difficult and devastating day that faces each of us and our country. Protect and guide our Military that are now being called to duty, strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OhioWfan........................son mystery-ak..........son, husband Gogrammy................grandson Inspectorette...................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Pippin....niece,nephew,loved one Doug from Upland......son-in-law weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon..son-in-law,grandson BeforeISleep...................son The Mayor........................niece LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.....................nephew Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells..................activve duty LongCut..................active duty Trish.......................active duty

Maigrey................cousin ladtx....................2 sons Mama_Bear...........nephew gator girl............husband severa................husband MozartLover......son, nephew LBGA........................son SpookBrat...........nephew Himyar.....................son boxerblues............2 sons the piper...................son sheeza...............husband kemathen7...........husband Diver Dave................niece deadhead................cousin JimRobinson.....2 nephews Armymarinemom.....3 sons Consort..2 daughters,son-in-law Darheel..................niece dixie sass.............nephew BeAllYouCanBe.........son AgThorn...............2 sons homeschoolmama.......nephew kneezles.................son

[Dubya]

What does Semper Fi actually mean?

[Dubya]

Semper Fidelis is an ancient Latin term that means "always faithful." It's the official Marine Corps motto because it reflects how we feel about our country, and about each other.

[Dubya]

UP DATE
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 9, 2003 - U.S. military medical personnel
treated the more than 20 injured German peacekeepers
injured in the June 7 suicide bombing in Kabul,
Afghanistan, according to a Coalition Joint Task Force 180
press release.

Four other German soldiers, part of the International
Security Assistance Force conducting security and
peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan, were killed in that
car-bomb attack. The injured were then taken to Bagram Air
Base for further treatment.

German-Dutch forces are currently leading the ISAF
contingent.

In other Afghanistan action, a Task Force Devil patrol took
one person under control and discovered a small cache in
the vicinity of Shkin on June 8, according to the release.

The cache included two AK-47s, 8 magazines of 100 rounds
each of AK-47ammunition, 800 machine gun rounds, a shipping
plug and cap to a mine and an 82mm mortar shipping case.
The cache was found next to two mortar firing pits.

Two rockets were fired in the direction of the firebase at
Asadabad June 7, the release stated. Soldiers at the
firebase saw two individuals leaving the area. There were
no casualties or damage to equipment.

In Iraq, an American soldier was shot and killed June 8 at
a traffic checkpoint in Al Qaim, according to a U.S.
Central Command press release. The checkpoint, according to
news reports, is located near the Syrian border.

A vehicle containing several people pulled up to the
checkpoint. After requesting help for a "sick" person in
the vehicle, the release continued, two people got out of
the vehicle and shot the U.S. soldier.

Other U.S. soldiers at the checkpoint returned fire,
killing one assailant, according to the release. Another
assailant was captured. At least one assailant escaped in
the vehicle, the release said.

The name and unit of the soldier who was killed is being
withheld pending notification of next of kin.

An investigation of the incident is underway.

[Dubya]

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today that Pvt. Jesse M. Halling, 19, of
Indianapolis, Ind., was killed on June 7, 2003, in Tikrit, Iraq. Halling was at a
military police station when his section received rifle propelled grenade and small
arms fire. The soldier received a fatal gunshot wound.

Halling was assigned to 401st Military Police Company, Fort Hood, Texas.

[Billie]

My intentions were good - I really did 'mean' to get back before lunch. :)

I did surprise you by getting it posted before 7:30 CDT, though, I'll bet! :)

Meekie, your bride is so pretty. Wishing you both the very best years ahead of you.

[Dubya]

By Casie Vinall
Special to American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 9, 2003 - It's not every day that Vietnam
veteran Paul C. Rock gets a call from the mayor. But then
again, June 8 was a special all-around day for Rock and the
town of Longmont, Colo.

Julia Pirnack, mayor of Longmont, called Rock and his wife,
Valerie, about an event that almost didn't happen.

It all started last week with an unexpected early
homecoming of some troops from Iraq. Rock is the proud
father of Marine Lance Cpl. Zachary Rock, a 19-year-old who
had just returned from four months of service in Iraq.
Rock decided to organize a parade to honor his son and 12
service members from Colorado who were killed during
Operation Iraqi Freedom. With permit in hand, Rock began
planning a parade to remember.

However, with such short notice, and despite numerous
attempts to muster support and participants in the parade
scheduled for Sunday, June 8, Rock was without a band,
color guard and any news coverage for the event. But that
all changed June 4.

Rock read about Operation Tribute to Freedom on
www.defendamerica.mil, the Defense Department's official
Web site on the global war on terrorism. He sent an e-mail
to the Pentagon, and the ball started rolling.

Brent Krueger, community relations director at the Office
of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs,
received Rock's e-mail and promptly set out to find a
solution to Rock's problem.

"I was touched by Mr. and Mrs. Rock's excitement about this
parade and how they wanted to make a profound difference in
their community," he said. "They are so very proud of
their son and want the world to know it."

Krueger acted quickly to see if the department could help.
"We immediately began working at the staff level here at
the Pentagon and with our folks in Colorado to locate a
band or color guard to participate in the Sunday parade. On
Friday, we got word that the U.S. Air Force Band of the
Rockies would participate in Mr. Rock's parade."

When Rock received a call from Senior Master Sgt. Larry
Hill from the band, he said he could hardly contain
himself. "My wife and I had grown skeptical that we'd be
able to have the kind of tribute that we had hoped for,"
Rock said.

Getting the Air Force band, he said, meant the event would
be "a real, honest to goodness, legitimate parade. Valerie
gave me a big hug and said, 'It's really going to happen!'"

Beginning at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, 13-year-old Samantha Pineda
started the Longmont event by singing the national anthem.
Rock said the audience "responded with applause and
'hoorahs.'" The parade began following a rifle salute from
the Veterans of Foreign War. The Air Force band led the
way, marching down Main Street.

Rock estimates about 250 people marched in the parade. The
Longmont Times-Call and the Boulder Daily Camera were on
the scene. Radio Colorado Network on KLMO, 1060 AM, was
slated to broadcast the parade coverage. Longmont police
provided an escort and the town's public works department
helped set up the route.

All eight of the banners Rock and his Vietnam veteran's
group had gathered signatures for were displayed. Rock rode
down Main Street with a group of motorcyclists led by the
Vietnam Survivors group.

The response from the crowd was overwhelming, according to
the self-proclaimed neophyte parade planner. Rock said
numerous volunteers wanted to carry the red, white and blue
flower bouquets to honor the 12 fallen Colorado troops.

"At the end of the procession, people spontaneously came up
to ask if they could add their signatures to the 'Thank
You' banners," he said.

"Several people I'd never met before sought me out to shake
my hand and thank me for organizing this tribute," Rock
said. "With only a couple of weeks of planning and couple
of days of exposure, we were overwhelmed with the number of
people who showed, not only to be in the parade, but also
to line Main Street to watch."

Rock thanked the Office of the Secretary of Defense for
Public Affairs, Operation Tribute to Freedom and
www.DefendAmerica.mil for "transforming this parade from an
amateur event into what some people thought was months in
the planning."

"Those who knew how little time we had to organize this
were quite impressed with the outcome," Rock said. "We've
been overwhelmed with the commitment, support and energy of
all the people who have worked so diligently to help us
with this tribute."

Rock was surprised by what was accomplished in so little
time. "I found that people sincerely want to show their
support to our service men and women, and this was a great
opportunity to do it," he said.

What was the response from Rock's son, who was the primary
reason for this parade? Zachary said he took part in the
parade mainly to show his support for the troops that are
still over there. He was surprised by show of support from
the community.

"Honestly, I expected no one to turn out," he said. "I was
amazed at how well it went."

The Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran said he got to meet
Vietnam, Korean War and World War II vets. Humbled by the
presence of these veterans who'd spent far longer in
combat, he said, "I don't think I rank in the same
category."

For Rock, the parade that almost wasn't turned into "a day
that none of us will forget." For Valerie, the parade was
an emotional tribute that brought tears to her eyes. For
Zachary, it was a way to honor his brothers in arms and to
join the ranks of the nation's honored war veterans.

(Casie Vinall is an intern working in the Office of the
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs.)

[JustAmy]

Yep, Pip ...... there he goes again but he doesn't have my original. LOL

[JustAmy]

I'm having trouble staying connected today but I will be back later, Meekie. You are forewarned!!!

I know you are just borrowing ...... yeah right!!

[MeekOneGOP]

Thank you !

[JustAmy]

Okay Meek ....... why are you making me cry?

BYW ..... that is the original!!!! Stay away from my signatures!!

I don't have an image but ...... !!! hammering on your head !!!!!

[Billie]

Good morning, Ladies. Gail, did I read something about you taking a fall last week? Are you okay now?

Maggie, thanks for sending those amazing pictures yesterday, and Dansy, thanks for resizing and posting them on the weekend thread!

I like how you planted geraniums, Maggie, using the tree as a 'planter'! Reminds me of the old saying, "if life hands you lemons, make lemonade!"

[Billie]

Hi, maxwell, nice to see you here today - Meek does look pretty spiffy (all Republican and all) :), and no wonder he's smiling so - such a lovely bride!

[MeekOneGOP]

hehe ! Hey, I also posted a couple of Nics pics there thinkin' that might draw her in.

I guess she really is swamped alright ! :O(

[dansangel]

Sorry I messed this one up.

It's absolutely beautiful. Thank you!

[Billie]

Hello, Mr. Owl. Your hellos are always cheerful!

Hi, Pip - glad you got to take a ride on wolfie's bike!