A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....07-14-03....Military Monday

Aquamarine; Billie

[Aquamarine]

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 07-12,13-03 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

[Aquamarine]

Great post Calpernia. Lots of good info and links!

[Aquamarine]

Have to leave for a while. Be back in a bit. :)

[FreeTheHostages]

Well, obviously that's silly: people should learn to live with fire sirens. What's the favor you want me to do?

[Mama_Bear]

Our very own Finest FRiend (10-01-02), mhking is making big news OVER HERE. Be sure to tune in.

[Pippin]

Contact some of the freepers in the Dc/Md.Va area as you can and see if I can't get some folks together to sent Janet Owens a message. such as LEAVE OUR FIRE FIGHTERS ALONE.

[Diver Dave]

I don't think I get this one: "Don't ever be the first, don't ever be the last, and don't ever volunteer to do anything."
-U. S Navy Swabbie

Don't ever volunteer to do anything? Am I not reading this correctly?

I don't write 'em... just repeat 'em. :)

Don't think I can really agree with that swabbie's comment.

I volunteered for diving duty and had great time doing it.

re: Don't ever be the first... Now there may be some merit to this one. Allow me to share a sea story with y'all.

The call went out for volunteers for Navy Divers due to some upcoming transfers from some of the guys in the diving locker. Four of us volunteered and three were chosen.

The first "test" was to see if we could swim. The diving crew took us out in the boat, dropped us off at the end of the pier and told us to swim to the other end. Don't know the exact length of the swim, but the pier was long enough to two 600 ft ships tied up with lots of room to spare. We weren't allowed to break the water with our hands or feet, so it was breast-stroke all the way.

The next "test" occurred once we got to Yokosuka, Japan. Each one of us was dressed out in a deep-sea diving suit (hard-hat rig), one at a time and lowered over the side of the pier. Once on the bottom, we were to follow the Chief's instructions that was relayed via speaker in the helmet. As luck would have it, I was the first to make the dive out of the three of us.

My first instructions were to "Back straight out." I was able to move backwards about 5 ft. before I sunk to my waist in the mud and silt on the bottom. All the while I'm thinking I'm moving backwards, but in reality, I standing in one spot trudging away like crazy, only to sink even further into the mud.

With the deep-sea diving suit, you have a constant supply of air coming to you through an airhose from the surface. At the same time the air is coming into the suit, it is also being expelled through the exhaust port with the bubbles rising to the surface.

Once again the Chief's voice comes over the intercom, "Back straight out." Procedure called for me to repeat what I hear and execute the command. After hearing the command several times, I answered back, "I am backing straight out!"

The next sound on the intercom... "Well take your bubbles with you cuz they're staying in the same spot."

After returning to the surface, amidst much ribbing and laughter, we found out about a "chin button" within the helmet that allows the diver to inflate the suit by hooking his lips over the button and pulling the button towards himself. The button is a valve and shuts off the air escaping the suit. As the suit fills with air, the diver becomes bouyant and can lift himself to the point that he can actually walk across the top of the mud.

A simple lesson learned by "Going First."

[Mama_Bear]

Thanks for this post and for the heads up about mhking.

I really must stop posting from my comments page! Twice I posted a message about mhking's television appearance on the WRONG thread. Finally got it here where I intended it. LOL

[Dubya]

Tax cut explained!!

If you don't understand the Democrats' version
of tax cuts (and you are not alone), maybe this will
help explain it for you:

Fifty thousand people go to a baseball game,
but the game was rained out. A refund was then due.
The team was about to mail refunds when the
Congressional Democrats stopped them and suggested
that they send out refund amounts based on the
Democrat National Committee's interpretation of
fairness. After all, if the refunds were made based on
the price each person paid for the tickets, most of
the money would go to the ticket holders of the most
expensive tickets. That would be unconscionable.
People in the $10 seats will get back $15,
because they have less money to spend. Call it an
"Earned Income Ticket Credit." Persons "earn" it by
demonstrating a lack of education, little or no
ambition, few if any employable skills and in general
poor work habits, thus keeping them at entry-level
wages.

People in the $25 seats will get back $25,
because that's only fair.
People in the $50 seats will get back $1,
because they already make a lot of money and don't
need a refund. If they can afford a $50 ticket, then
they must not be paying enough taxes.
People in the $75 luxury seats will have to
pay another $50, because they have way too much to
spend.

The people driving (or walking) by the
stadium who couldn't afford to watch the game will get
$10 each, even though they didn't pay anything,
because they need the most help. (Sometimes known as
Affirmative Action)

Now do you understand? If not, contact
Representative Richard Gephardt, Senator Tom Daschle
or Senator Hillary Clinton for assistance.

[Calpernia]

ROFL!!! (actually, that was chilling too...sink holes aren't funny)

I fell into a false bottom of a pond once. No diving gear. Silly mommy trying to catch tadpoles.

Boy, my kids got a kick out of me emerging from the pond looking like swamp thing.

Oh, Diver, here are your bubbles, take them with you :)

[JustAmy]

This is dedicated to every person who ever attempted to get into a regular workout routine.

Dear Diary... For my fiftieth birthday this year, my husband (the sweet dear) purchased me a week of personal training at the local health club.
Although I am still in great shape (from playing on my high school softball team), I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try. I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Bruce, who described himself as a 26 year old aerobics instructor, and model for athletic clothing and swim wear. My husband seemed pleased with my sudden enthusiasm to get started. Well, the club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress, so here it goes:

Monday: Started my day at 6:00am. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Bruce waiting for me. He is something of a Greek God - with blond hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!!
Bruce gave me a tour and showed me the machines. He took my pulse after five minutes on the treadmill. He was alarmed that my pulse was so fast, but I attribute it to standing next to him in his Lycra aerobic outfit. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which he conducted his aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring. Bruce was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time he was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week!

Tuesday: I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Bruce made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air- then he put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Bruce's rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT!! It's a whole new life for me.

Wednesday: The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot.
Bruce was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. His voice is a little too perky for early in the morning and when he scolds, he gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying. My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Bruce put me on the stair monster. Why in the world would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Bruce told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. He said some other garbage too.

Thursday: Bruce was waiting for me with his vampire-like teeth exposed as his thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late, it took me that long to tie my shoes. Bruce took me to work out with dumbbells. When he was not looking, I ran and hid in the men's room. He sent Lars to find me, then, as punishment, put me on the rowing machine-which I sank.

Friday: I hate Bruce more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic little cheerleader. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat him with it. Bruce wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the *@*#$&*@*#$&*@*#$ barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich. (Which I am sure you learned in the sadist school you attended and graduated magna cum laude from.) The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher.
Why couldn't it have been someone softer like a drama coach or the choir director?

Saturday: Bruce left a message on my answering machine in his grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing him made me want to smash the machine with my planner. However, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the stupid Weather Channel.

Sunday: I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my husband (the JERK) will choose a gift for me that is fun - like a root canal or a hysterectomy.

[JustAmy]

"82 degrees isn't too bad."

I'm hoping the forecast is wrong. But

Today ... Sunny. Highs 96 to 104. Northwest winds 5 to 15 mph.

I would be great if the temps stayed in the low 90's.

[ST.LOUIE1]

Congrats! A *Babe* you are! : )

Very nice, Aqua. : )

[ST.LOUIE1]

Afternoon, ((((((((((fuzzy sistah))))))))

: )

[ST.LOUIE1]

Hi, JW! Nice *Aqua* graphic. : )

[Dubya]

FUNNY LOL.

[Dubya]

FUNNY LOL.

[ST.LOUIE1]

Pip! You're alive!!!! LOL

You musn't scare your FRiends, doll. Very happy to see *you*. : )

[Billie]

Hallelujah! All the pictures opened!

Whew! And now, see, Aqua, that was a piece of cake, wasn't it?! Think how much easier the next one will be because you got your feet wet with this one, and it's 'behind' you now!

You did a beautiful job posting today, and thank you so much for giving me a little break this morning. (Break? :) Free, you have mail - I just finished tomorrow's thread a few minutes ago - hope that it will open for you!)

[Billie]

Good afternoon to my other sweet sistahs! Dansy, I hope our Domania nightmare is behind us - but not so sure, as I read Aqua's post that said the opener didn't 'all' open for her this morning. :(

[Mama_Bear]

a pretty picture!

Yes, it is. So, wouldn't you think the women's rights activists would be applauding President Bush and our military for liberating the women of Afghanistan? Heck no, women's rights issues are only addressed and supported when it suits their agenda.