A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....07-04-03....Finest Fireworks Display..Happy Birthday America

Billie

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine ~

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* Independence Day * 4th of July * America's Birthday *

The Declaration of Independence, unanimously declared by the thirteen United States of America, was adopted on July 4, 1776.

"Hallowed be the day, forever bright
its memory in the heart of the Nation.
Sing to it, poets; shout to it, freemen;
Celebrate it with bonfires, parades
and triumphant assemblies."

(Daily Alta California, 4 July 1855)




September 11, 2001

"Each of us will remember what happened that day, and to whom it happened. We'll remember the moment the news came, where we were and what we were doing...I will not forget the wound to our country and those who inflicted it. I will not yield, I will not rest, I will not relent in waging this struggle for freedom and security for the American people." ~ President George W. Bush, September 20, 2001

* God Bless America *
* God Bless our Leaders *
* God Bless our Warriors *
and
God Bless You.

From all of us to all of you, our Finest FReeper FRiends, please have a safe and enjoyable Holiday. This thread will be here all weekend for those who might be in town and want to drop in from time to time.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 06-30-03 Military Monday 07-01-03 LiftOff (RadioAstronomer) 07-02-03 FRPet DaisyMae (Aqua's) 07-03-03 JohnHuang2 Essay

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
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[FreeTheHostages]

Report from the National Mall

Strictly as a favor to my half-sisters, I attended the national fireworks display on the mall this evening. I report to you as follows:

What a nice crowd! Lots of people from out of town. They didn't litter (unlike the anti-war protestors) and they didn't shove in the *somewhat* but not terribly long securty lines. The Park Police did a *great* job on security -- they basically fenced the entire mall off and had these real efficient security tents at entrance points to check us all. Not bringing a purse or backback or other closed container helped get me and Bill right through. Whew.

I so wanted to see Dolly Parton, BUT the seating at the capitol for the concert was already full. So we wandered around the mall for an hour waiting for the fireworks to begin. The Smithsonian folklife festival was on the mall, and we glanced at some of those exhibits.

We found a nice spot to sit. Now, hardcore watchers swear by the west lawn of the monument -- as close as they'll let you get to right under the fireworks -- but that's very crowded. Some people who are totally afraid of crowds stay far back by the Capitol. We chose a nice in-between spot on the Mall, near 12th Street (a couple blocks east of the Monument) and had a nice fluffy spot of grass to ourselves to watch.

My favorite fireworks this year were the brilliant multi-color works that came near the end of the show. Everyone clapped at the end.

The crowd was surprisingly young -- seemed like a lot of college kids in addition to tourists and locals. But incredibly well-behaved.

There was tons of security -- helicopter overhead and U.S. Park Police everywhere. Every USPP cop I saw was busy yet calm. Not a bored one in the bunch -- and there were bunches of them. On foot, on bike, on motorbike, on horse, in car, and I'm sure undercover. I saw U.S. Secret Service and DC Metro police -- especially once outside the mall, walking home. But inside the park, the US Park Police had a very strong but respectful show of force.

If I saw things that looked like air detection stuff, I wouldn't tell you, but I just assume they had that stuff out there. When it was over, I wanted to walk through the mall, past the Monument and then some, to just walk around the departing crowd rather than avoid the crowd. It was just such a nice crowd! I bought a hot dog from an Asian American vender couple and gave them a big tip, saying "Happy 4th!" They were very happy and patriotically wished me the same. All races, ages, sexes. It's nice to see Americans celebrate on the mall and see young people in particular wishing the country a happy birthday -- after seeing so many young people bring their trash and disrespectful thoughts to the mall for the anti-war protestors.

So that's the report. Good fireworks, great crowd!

[Dubya]

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE

[Aquamarine]

Thanks for the first hand report Free. I just finished watching the fireworks show in DC on the tube. It was fantastic...looked like Shock and Awe! Especially after watching my small hometown fireworks show. LOL
The well behaved crowd you described were Patriots who are the best in our society.

[Billie]

There have been such fantastic shows of patriotism today, and know everyone's seen spectacular fireworks displays this evening. Wanted to thank you all, and say goodnight, and please feel free to continue to add your own thoughts or 4th of July graphics throughout the weekend.

LadyX, the bluebells are keepsakes, thank you. Rus, so nice to see you were here this evening. Free, thanks for the report of the fireworks at the Mall. To All, I bid you goodnight.

[Calpernia]

Online graves for the 9/11 families.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsr&GScid=764416

[Calpernia]

What a fun story Pippin! Thanks for sharing!

[Calpernia]

Hiya Mama Bear! Hope you had a great 4th. We did. Night.

[Calpernia]

OMG! Now that is DETAILING a Car!!!

[Mama_Bear]

Hiya Mama Bear! Hope you had a great 4th. We did. Night.

Hiya Calpernia! Yes, we had a nice 4th of July, glad you did too.

The neighborhood fireworks just now started and my two dogs are all nerved up. I would like to go out and watch the displays, but can't leave the dogs by themselves. My Doxie is in my lap trembling and our little Silky is sitting by my feet. They hate these strange noises....it's almost as bad as Halloween. :-(

[Mama_Bear]

G'night Billie, good night all.

[Calpernia]

Hi Mama_Bear,

I was off to bed but got sidetracked with MHGinTN. I was updating him on a story.

You can watch the fireworks from the window. I have dogs too. They don't like the noise either.

I'll assume Doxie is a Dachshund? Right? What is Silky?

[Mama_Bear]

I'll assume Doxie is a Dachshund? Right?

Yes, he is a Dachshund (doxie is easier to spell, LOL). His name is "Bear". He turned 10 years old yesterday.

What is Silky?

A Silky Terrier, this is Bear's sidekick, Jackie. :-)

[firewalk]

Good morning
Thank you Dutchess. Hope you & yours
had a wonderful day also (-:

[GailA]

It turned out real good.

[Billie]

Saying hello on Saturday, along with a request. I have a picture called UncleRon-RVN-69 in my Veterans file, and cannot find the information to go with that picture. If this is 'your' Uncle Ron, would you please let me know. I've checked my FReepmail on the date that I downloaded the picture (November 3, 2002), but no clue there, and I don't save my regular emails that long. Help?!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! Weren't the fireworks everywhere this year awesome!!!

[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; Mama_Bear; Dansangel; Dutchess; Aquamarine 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 ValerieUSA................2 sons 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 Tiffee4Bob.......boyfriend 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

[Calpernia]

Bear is adorable! Jackie looks just like the lion from Wizard of Oz! My daughter wants Jackie :)

[Molly Pitcher]

A quick sunny, Saturday "hello" to everyone!

Hope you enjoyed the wonderful 4th of July.

If you're travelling, be safe!

[humblegunner]

Awesome indeed!

[Mama_Bear]

I am reposting the photos that you posted on #132 of that cool Iraqi Freedom van. I took them into photoshop and cropped some, optimized and resized in order to reduce the file sizes. People with slower connections were not able to get the page to open because the file sizes on the photos you posted were so large. The quality isn't as good now, but at least everyone will be able to get the page to open.

I LOVE the paint job on this van! Absolutely beautiful!!