The Third Annual Fresno Tailgate and Rally Report - September 10 and 11, 2004

Fresno/Central Valley Chapter ^ | September 11, 2004 | Mama_Bear and JustAmy

[Mama_Bear]

The 3rd Annual FreeRepublic
Rally and Tailgate Picnic Report
Fresno, California, September 10th and 11th, 2004


Click HERE for the September 10th rally thread.

JustAmy reports...."Everyone agreed that our September 11, 2004 Rally and Tailgate Picnic was a huge success. There were at least 50 in attendance.

FReepers and their families present were:

Jim Robinson, Sheila and Chris
John Robinson
Tami and Nicky
Mtngrl@vrwc
Notpoliticallycorewrecked
FriendAnn
Diamondhead and Carol
Saundra Duffy
Lager
Java Guy
Lavender
Tame
Tiffany and Sage
JustAmy, Leonard, Ron, Marissa and Michael
Enterprise
Patriciaruth and Randy
Jkphoto
Mama_Bear
DiverDave and Linda
Stuart Weil and Andy
Maccabee AJB and Felix
Awestruck, Nicolle and Emily
Syncro

Non-Freepers:
Linda and Doug
Karen, Don and two grandchildren
Shirley
Kim

If we missed anyone, please let us hear from you.

We had enough food and drinks to feed about 75 people. :) We did send out for more ice; the weather was nice but warm. This year we were in a picnic shelter called "The Gazebo", we are planning to ask for this area again next year. It was perfect except there were no restrooms close by. Can you say Porta-Potty for next year?

We had several children this year and they all had a ball!!! They enjoyed making new friends and running off excess energy. The rest of us ate, visited, ate, listened to music, ate, visited some more and ate again.

Saundra Duffy and Lager taught a few brave souls to dance the 10 step and to line dance. We all enjoyed watching them while listening to some good country music."

Saundra Duffy, Lager and Shirley kick up some dust.

---

A special thank you to Diver Dave
for leading us in singing the National Anthem,
and for his excellent reading of the narrative for the

"The Missing Man Ceremony"
In memory of America's POW/MIAs from all wars.

The Missing Man Ceremony is a dignified and solemn moment in many formal dinners and other occasions. There have been many different narratives written for the ceremony, but the symbolism is quite constant.

The Missing Man Ceremony usually follows the "Posting of the Colors" and the "National Anthem" in the order of the program.

Moderator: "As you entered the Mess this evening, you may have noticed a small table in the place of honor. It is set for one. Please let me explain. The military caste is filled with symbolism. This table is our way of symbolizing the fact that members of our profession of arms are missing from our midst. They are commonly called P.O.W or M.I.A. We call them "BROTHERS". They are unable to be with us this evening and so we remember them because of their incarceration.

This table set for one is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his aggressors. REMEMBER!!

The tablecloth is white, symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country's call to arms. REMEMBER!!

REMEMBER, the single rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades-in-arms who keep the faith awaiting his return.

REMEMBER, the red ribbon tied so prominently to the vase is reminiscent of the red ribbon worn on the lapel and breast of those who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting of our missing.

REMEMBER, a slice of lemon is on the bread plate to remind us of their bitter fate.

There is salt upon the bread plate, symbolic of the families tears as they wait. REMEMBER!!

The glass is inverted--they cannot toast with us this night. REMEMBER!!

REMEMBER, the candle is reminiscent of the light of hope which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home, away from their captors, to the open arms of a grateful nation.

REMEMBER--all of you who served with them and called them comrades, who depended upon their might and aid, and relied upon them, for surely, they have not forsaken you.

Let us pray to the Supreme Commander that all of our comrades will soon be back within our ranks. Let us remember and never forget their sacrifices. May God forever watch over them and protect them and their families."

---

Our thanks also to Patriciaruth
who offered grace
and Maccabee AJB, a student Rabbi,
who recited "The Mourner's Kaddish".



The English translation of The Mourner's Kaddish

Glorified and sanctified be God's great name throughout the world which He has created according to His will. May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days, and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon; and say, Amen.

May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.

Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored, adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.

May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen. He who creates peace in His celestial heights; May He create peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

---

And, last but not least,
thank you to



FR's founder, Jim Robinson, for providing the tri-tip,

and


JustAmy for all she did to make this picnic happen,

and to


jkphoto for grilling the great tri-tip!

---

And finally, to notpoliticallycorewrecked for taking roll and to all who attended and contributed the great salads, soft drinks, ice and snacks to our 3rd Annual Rally and Tailgate Picnic, a huge 'thank you'! It wouldn't have been much of a picnic without you. To all who could not attend, we missed you. Remember, this is not just a local chapter get together, all FReepers in good standing and their families are warmly welcomed to join us, so mark your calendar for the 4th Annual FR Picnic next year, the second Saturday in September 2005. Same time, same place.

Those who have photos to share, please post them on this thread. I will be posting more pictures as I get them uploaded. (If you don't have a place to upload your photos, e-mail them to me and I will post them for you. FReepMail me (Mama_Bear) and I will give you my e-mail address.)

[Alamo-Girl]

LOLOL! That "to me you, too!!!" should have been "to meet you, too!!!" Time for more coffee...

[Mama_Bear]

...haven't been there since the 70's. But, alas, there are no major trips in our plans for probably a year or more.

Well, that's okay. Let's shoot for 2006 then. We'll be here! :-)

[Alamo-Girl]

Lord willing, I'll be there with you in 2006.

[tame]

LOL! Well, I get the idea :o)

[tame]

LOL, Looks like Nicky's burning up "More water, More water!"

It was hot out there.

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you for the reminder. I knew it was sometime in September, but wasn't sure when exactly.

But now I am confused. Their website says POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed on the third Friday of September, but their poster for 2004 shows it as the 14th, which is the second Tuesday.

Anyway, I am glad to know when it is this year. Thanks, Diva. :-)

[tame]

BTW, Mama_Bear, did you like Sage's "Democrats are Donkeys, and Elephants are Presidents" line?

He's a precious little boy! My little buddy :o)

[Mama_Bear]

Lord willing, I'll be there with you in 2006.

Wonderful!! :-)

[Mama_Bear]

BTW, Mama_Bear, did you like Sage's "Democrats are Donkeys, and Elephants are Presidents" line?

Sure did! LOL!! When he becomes a grown-up FReeper that should be his tagline. ;-)

I'll be posting photos of the little guy soon. First I need to grab something to eat before I waste away to nothing. LOL

[tame]

When he becomes a grown-up FReeper that should be his tagline. ;-)

Let's just pray the Presidents will still be elephants then..the GOOD kind, too!

I'll be posting photos of the little guy soon.

Great...er...GRATE!

First I need to grab something to eat before I waste away to nothing. LOL

I'm in no trouble of wasting away for a while, LOL :o)

Okay, go eat. Enjoy!

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I was confused about that too.. I just figured it out. They moved it this year out of respect for Rosh Hashanah.

[Awestruck]

best "hate rally" I've ever been to...LOL! Thanks for the dancing lessons!

[Mama_Bear]

I'm in no trouble of wasting away for a while, LOL :o)

LOL! Yes well, neither is MamaBear, but it sure feels like it sometimes.

Tiffany, and Tame's good buddy and future FReeper, Sage

[Mama_Bear]

Okay, that makes sense.

I know that NC is a long way from Fresno, but we'd love to have you come and rally and picnic with us next year.....second week in September. Mark your calendar. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Welcome to Free Republic Java Guy and Lavender

On behalf of Java Guy and Lavender, thank you. They will be on line and participating on the forum soon, we hope.

Mo1, Have you thought about taking a vacation to CA some September? It's a great time to visit and we'd sure like to have you at next year's Rally and Picnic, the second Saturday in September. :-)

[Diver Dave]

FRom today's Modesto Bee...

In search of heroes
Tuesday is National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Recognition Day, and black POW-MIA flags will fly over federal installations. At Modesto post offices, clerks will wear black-and-yellow POW/MIA ribbons, according to Modesto-Central Valley Blue Star Mothers and Families, which is providing the ribbons. Also, the Blue Star Mothers and Families group announced, Stanley Scott Clark’s picture will be displayed as a “Most Wanted Hero” at three Modesto post offices. Clark, of Modesto, was classified MIA on Feb. 14, 1969, while serving with the Air Force in Laos. Blue Star Mothers and Families announced that members of Scott’s family will visit the main post office, 715 Kearney Ave., on Tuesday to thank the employees.

[Mama_Bear]

At Modesto post offices, clerks will wear black-and-yellow POW/MIA ribbons....

That's wonderful!

I haven't heard if National POW/MIA Recognition Day is going to be observed down here. I hope so, but I doubt that most people even know when it is. (I have to admit that I didn't until Diva posted the reminder.)

I will see if JK will print and mount this year's poster and put it in the window at the studio.

[tame]

Thank you sooo much for the pix of Sage!!! He will be so excited when he sees them :o)

[Syncro]

In answer to your question some days ago:

Grate Minds Love Cheeze=GMTA

I'll get some pics up in a while.

It was "grate" to see you over the weekend!

[Mama_Bear]

I have some photos of you and Jim and the book that I am going to e-mail you the links to. You need to post them because I don't know the information that should be posted along with them. I'll send the links asap.