[DollyCali]

Come join us for a 4 day weekend at the Finest to give tribute to both the living and the dead military vets. . Special treat: read about and chat with Nick Popaditch (AKA Ceegar Guy) and his lovely wife April



Please Let me know if you want ON or OFF the Finest Ping List.

[DollyCali]

Welcome to FRee Republic Nick and April !!! Here are two of the favorite pictures a bit larger.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Dolly.

[Peach]

Thank you for the wonderful thread, Dolly.

[Lakeside]

WOW, Dolly. What an amazing tribute to our heroes both here and gone on this Memorial Day weekend. Ya done good, girl!

It's great to get to know Nick and April a bit better. We've been following the story of Ceegar Man since his picture was posted here on FR.

I'd like to salute my dad who served in the Coast Guard during WW2 doing duty as destroyer escort (torpedo bait) back and forth across the Atlantic. He's now 84 and still works at his job 3 days a week. He's slowed down a bit over these last couple of years but can still run circles around me! I'm awfully proud of him.

To my two sons who currently serve in the Navy: you guys are the greatest and you make a mom very proud.

Now, to Nick and April I'd like to say thank you. Two small words that seem so inadequate but are heart felt none the less. It's an honor to have you here on Free Republic and especially here at the Finest.

[Temple Owl]

Hi FReepers. Have a great Memorial Day weekend, but before lighting the barbecue please say a prayer for all of our servicemen and service women everywhere. Remember all those who died to keep America free.

[Texagirl4W]

Good morning, Dolly. What a beautiful post. God bless our military.

[FreeTheHostages]

[The Mayor]

May 27, 2005

Tonsilitis Jones

Read:
Acts 11:19-26

The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. -Acts 11:26

Bible In One Year: Psalm 139-141

A psychologist made the observation that children often develop lifelong complexes because of their names. That may have been true in the case of a boy I read about. His parents gave him the name Tonsilitis Jones, and it caused him difficulties in school and again when he tried to enlist in the navy.

I know from personal experience that our names have a definite bearing on how we feel about ourselves and the way we behave. Because my father was a well-known preacher by the name of De Haan, I felt that people had higher expectations of me than of my peers. But the family name was also a helpful reminder of many positive values that were to guide my behavior.

According to today's Bible reading, the disciples of the Lord Jesus in Antioch were the first to be called Christians. It's a name that could never be improved on because it identifies believers as followers of Jesus Christ. And what an honor to bear a name linking us to God's Son, our Savior and Redeemer! This should shape and mold our manner of living so that it becomes increasingly consistent with the way Jesus spoke and conducted Himself.

If we want to call ourselves Christians, let's live up to our name! -Richard De Haan

O to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer!
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I'll forfeit all of earth's treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear. -Chisholm

Christians are either Bibles or libels.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
What Does It Take To Follow Christ?
Knowing God Through Acts

[Billie]

Dolly, Nick and April,

This is an Amazing Memorial Day Tribute today, Dolly, and the photos and story from all three of you are overwhelming.

N & A, Dolly told me what she had planned for this weekend, and I've been so looking forward to reading it and seeing the wonderful pictures and *your* story. This is very special, and you're a beautiful couple, and we are blessed you shared this with Dolly so she could share it with the Finest. And shared it in the most wonderful way - the presentation is awesome, Dolly! (Well, except for the bottom links - which, guys, is *my* fault. :( Looked fine when I previewed and sent to Dolly to save *her* some time last night, but that was until it was posted in the FR Posting form, and I know what happened - a < br> out of order prompted the unforgiving FR posting form to strip a whole set of commands after the Hall of Fame block. I'm sorry, Dolly, the blame is on me - you did great with your part!)

[umbagi]

Great thread, Dolly! Thanks for the ping, the great memories, and especially the get-together with Nick Popaditch!

Good morning to you, and have a wonderful Memorial Day!

And, hey, Gunny, thanks for inspiring a grateful nation once, twice, and now yet again; we're so proud of you and your Marines, and all you do. April, bless you, and thanks for sharing Nick with your country; the two of you have done much to make a better world.

[TexKat]

The First Memorial Day

According to one writer, the first Memorial Day service took place on Belle Isle in the James River, at Richmond, Virginia. The school superintendent, Andrew Washburn, and F.B. May, the Mayor, planned a program for May 30, 1866. Several teachers, and Miss Gibson, a nurse, went to the burial ground of Union soldiers, who had died during the war in a Confederate prison located there. It was raining when Mr. May set up a cross and placed bouquets at each headboard, Miss Gibson sang a hymn, and the others joined in the refrain. R.R. Wilson, who described the scene in the New York Tribune, stated that suddenly the clouds parted and a bright ray of sunshine shone on the cross.

The first official observance in 1868, included a program at the National Cemetery at Arlington and memorial services in various communities, the idea gradually spread around the country. In 1873, New York was the first state to make the day a legal holiday; and others soon followed. Now the occasion is set by Presidential Proclamation.

[Gucho]

A beautiful Tribute DC. Prayers for all our Troops and Families past and present.