A Few of FR's Finest

Free Republic | Veteran's Day - November 11, 2001 | By Billie

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest
We Salute You
and All Veterans and Active Service Men/Women

When Snow Bunny and I first opened the doors of the Freeper USO Canteen on October 7th, the response from all of you was overwhelming, and one of the suggestions we had came from Freeper, RightOnline. He asked why we didn't call for Freepers to submit their real photos in uniform and picture them at the Canteen. We did just that, and would like to share the photos and information we received since our request. I would like to thank 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub for his help in publicizing the "vet photo drive", and Snow Bunny for her help in soliciting and collecting information so that I could sort and put together this collection, but most of all I'd like to thank ALL of you who have served or are serving our country. You have given so much to make America a better place. Even though the following information and photographs represent only a portion of Free Republic, my thanks go to those who so graciously responded to our call.

bosniajmc: U.S. Army, active CPT, TF 1-155 IN(M) JMC/IO;   AFVetGal: U.S. Air Force, '75-'95, Public Affairs Ofc - Desert Storm;   Archy: U.S. Army 1966-'70; late '70's-early '80's Dept of Army civilian employee, traded to Navy to work with Marines. 1992 til July, 2001 - U.S. Air Force - Lieutenant; July, 2001 to present Army, assigned with a reserve mobilization/training unit - Battalion Staff Officer.    A Navy Vet: U.S. Navy, '76-'86, USS New Orleans LPH-11 '76-'79 (the New Orleans is to be berthed next to the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA as a naval museum), USS Barbey FF1088 '83-'86;   4TheFlag: U.S. Army, '71-'74;   Aeronaut: U.S. Navy, '65-'69;   68 Grunt: 1st Marine Div, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, India Company, third platoon '68-'69. In '68 the battalion was known as "The Suicide Battalion".   xinga: photo 1986 B-52/G 1983-88 EWO;    codger: Photo Viet Nam 1966, Major, commanding 2nd Platoon, 48th Assault Helicopter Co - the "Blue Stars";   AAABest: Desert Shield/Storm 3/24 INF;   Clinton's A Liar: U.S.A.R. '91-'99 353rd PSYOP CO (R&A);   Duke809: 314 Tac Airlift Wing '73-'75; 724th TASS, a FAC unit in West Germany '75-'77; 111th TAC Fighter Wing, PA Air Guard '81-'89;   dcwusmc: U.S. Marine Corp. retired.

Logos served in the United States Army from 1962-83.   SwedeGirl's husband was a 1st Lieutenant in the photo above, serving in Viet Nam 1/9 CAV Huey Lift Pilot 1969-70.   Neil E. Wright's photo was taken in 1977 at CTF 72/ComPatWingsWestpac, Kamiseya, JA. He was in the Navy.   FallGuy, Snow Bunny's husband, also served in the Navy on the USS KULA GULF.   1John submitted his photo in uniform and asked us to "guess the year" it was taken; hopefully he will provide that information since no one guessed correctly!   Sneakypete's photo was taken after he returned from a mission in Laos, Viet Nam in 1969.   T'wit's photo in uniform was taken during the famed "Berlin Crisis" of 1960.   COB1 sent his photo from his first liberty out of Boot Camp.   LadyX was a Marine in the Korean Conflict. She was a Classroom Subjects Instructor for women recruits at Parris Island.   Dick Bachert submitted this photo from the U.S.A.F. when he was 24 years old.   68-69TonkinGulfYatchClubU.S. Navy GMG3, '66-69, USS Corry DD817.   YankeeinSC, husband of Commonsense, is a Viet Nam Air Force veteran. His photo was taken on the recent Freeper Cruise.   Delta 21 is currently serving in the U.S. Navy, going on 20 years.   JoeSixPack1 is retired from the U.S.M.C.

mc5cents: Photo was taken in Saigon, 1965;   Norb2569:U.S. Marines '70-'92 Gunnery Sgt.;   LBGA's son, Tyler: Active, Blackhawk Repair Specialist & Crew Chief, Korea; recently accepted to 160th Task Force, training to drop Delta Force units; Van Jenerette: U.S. Army;   Jim Robinson: Photo 1968. U.S. Navy. '65-'66 Higbee (DD806); '66-'68 USS Hull (DD945); '68-'69 Wiltsie (DD716);   K Jenerette: U.S. Army;   davidosborne: active USAR, Balkans; Ft. Bragg NC Airborne '94-2000;  The KG9 Kid:U.S. Marine Corp., photo 1987 at Boot Camp;   gwmoore:U.S. Navy '66-'72, RadioMan 2nd Class, Viet Nam 1970 (Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club), USS America (CVA-66). Currently Search & Rescue Pilot with Civil Air Patrol.   Equality7-2521: U.S. Navy '87-'92 Aviation Electronic Technician 2nd Class assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 5, deployed onboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69);   SAMWolf:U.S. Army 1969-'71, Viet Nam/Germany.

porgygirl: Submarine Force 1955-1969;   Phil V.: RA 19849878 SP5 1965-1968;   MudPuppy: U.S.Marine Corp. 1982-'93 Sgt., Presently working as a government contractor on a marine base.   NorCoGOP: U.S. Navy;   RaceBannon: U.S.M.C. '77-'81 MOS7242 Cherry Point '78-'79; Kaneohe Bay '79-'81; deployed off Iran in '80 by Jimmy Carter for the Hostage Rescue Attempt.   OneidaM: U.S. Army 1977-1987;   rdb3: 82nd Airborne @ Ft. Bragg, NC;    JWTexian: U.S. Navy '68-'71, USS Independence (CVA-62) ABE-3;   USMC Vet: U. S. Marine Corp.;   The Mayor: U.S. Army '76-'79. Ft. Devens, MA; Assigned to Military Intelligence School. Photo taken 1976 in Basic training;   Vineyard: U.S. Navy 1974-80. U.S. Navy Reserves 80-present. Captain;   rhododogma:Navy GMG 1, SEAL Team 2, BUD/S class 150, Operation Just Cause, Operation Desert Shield. aka Dave Rogers,currently running as a Republican Candidate for Congress, District 1, Rhode Island.

spectre: Lackland AFB basic training (photo taken in TI's ofc, wearing TI's hat!);   RightOnline: '77 Grad USAF Academy; '78-'84 flew KC-135 air re-fueling tankers for Strategic Air Command (Castle AFB, CA and Dyess AFB, TX. 917th AREFS);   SERE_Doc: U.S. Navy Corpsman - Guatemala SA;  Tet68: RVN VMA-223, VMA-314 '66-'68 - Viet Nam. Plane Captain A-4 Sky Hawk Ground Attach Aircraft; '68 Lance Cpl;   Future Snake Eater: (RightOnline's son) Army National Guard, NC; Bradley Fighting Vehicle drive in a Mobile infantry unit. Army ROTC at NCSU - will receive his commission as an Army officer in about a year and a half. He aims for Special Forces;  RightOnline'sWife: U.S.A.F. 7 years, Staff Sgt.; air traffic controller for AF;   CIApilot: "Dear Talibunnies, Do not underestimate the power of America's 'PMS' patriots." Captain DC3, B-727, B-757. Previously: Air America and Torrejon AFB, Madrid, Spain '66-'69;   clamper1797: U.S. Navy '72-'73, Viet Nam; AME-3 VA-93 CVA41 Member Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club;   usmcobra: U.S.M.C. Photo was taken in 1985;   onedoug: 1/1 CAV, Americal I Corps RVN 1968-69;   Diver Dave: U.S. Navy '63-'67 SFP2 (DV) (Pipefitter 2nd Class Diver) USS Piedmont (AD-17) (Destroyer Tender) Home port: San Diego; WESTPAC Tours: 3 ('64, '65, '67);   Joe 6-pack: U.S. Army 1991-2000.

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I heard from many others who didn't send a photo, but I'd like to include a bit of information they shared with me. An especially poignant note came from Dick Bachert, who wrote: "Just wanted to remember at least one of the guys with whom I served at Belvoir and who would be a Freeper today -- but can't -- because his name graces that Wall in DC.  Andy Shimp from Skokie, Illinois, died in Vietnam toward the end of that miserable travesty. One of the nicest guys I've ever known."

But for the tragic accident that took his life on the night of October 3, 2001, CHIEF negotiator would be among those veteran Marines pictured above. Instead, CHIEF, we know you're looking down from a higher place, and we salute you.


CIApilot sent the picture at left of her uncle and had this to say: "My uncle Harry Kennedy, 2nd from left, standing. 8th AF, 94th Bobm Group, 333rd Sq., B-17 Heavy Bombers 'Jimbo's Circus.' He passed away recently, but would have liked to be included in the Freeper USO Canteen. He loved to fly."

CIA, this one's for your uncle, God rest his soul.

I wonder how many FReepers have served in more than one war. I know one very special Veteran who's been at FR almost from the beginning. Invictus, you were there for us in World War II, and again in Korea, as a Chaplain, when your country needed you. Oh, the stories you can tell. Thank you for serving, and please come back to FR. We miss you.

Mark 17: U.S.A.F. '67-'87 M Sgt. 1877th Communications Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base RVN 14;  gcraig: U.S. Navy - USS Midway & USS Nimitz - Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Now Air Nat'l Guard, NC 19 yrs service;   91B: NCAR NG;   AlGone2001: U.S.A.F. '83-'84 Lackland AFB, TX basic training; '84-'86 Spangdahlem AB, Germany 2137 ISS; '86-'89 Robins AFB, GA 5th Combat Communications Group; '89-'96 Georgia Air National Guard;   LiteKeeper: '66 2nd LT - Field Artillery. Viet Nam '67-'69 1st Lt & CPT in country. 199th Lt Inf Bde & II FFORV-Artillery. 2 bronze stars for Valor; Purple Heart; 5 Air Medals. 1970 transfer to Military Intelligence CA Army Nat'l Guard (Field Artillery) '72-'85; Active '85-'95 Chaplain (Major);   Pumba: U.S. Army vet - Bosnia. About to go active Navy.   Little Bill: 1965-68 - 2 tours with the 25th. First 6 mo w/ MACV, radio humper;   pcpa: 15B40 (Sgt. Missles) 1st Battalion 68th Field Artillery Schwabish Hall, Germany '68-'70;   HillarysGateCult: U.S.A.F. Lackland AFB, Tx Basic Training. '79-'80 Lowry AFB, Colorado Aircraft Armaments Systems Specialist 4623 OJ FB-111. '80-'82 Plattsburgh AFB, NY, '82-'87 Anderson AFB, Germany; '87-'88 Edwards AFB, Calif; '92-'98 Contractor/instructor - Royal Saudi Air Force;   Don Paul Jones: MP & U.S. Army Airborne School (Class 40-86);   SurferDoc: U.S. Army and Nat'l Guard '64-'70;  connectthedots: U.S. Army '75-'79 Ft. Lewis, WA;   rangerx: U.S.M.A. '78; 82nd Abn Div '79-'80; 1/75th Ranger Bn '80-'82; 24th Infantry Div '82-'84; 11th Armored Cav '86-'88; JFK Special Warfare Center SERE Instructor '88-'90; XVIII Airborne Corp Arty '90-'92;   Taxman: U.S. Navy/ U.S.N.R. '63-'91 Naval Aviator, Tailhooker;   brityank: U.S.N.R. '61-'63. FT 'A' School, Great Lakes, Ill '63; U.S. Navy '63-'67 USS Mt. McKinley (AGC-7) Portsmouth, VA Drydock to Gitmoto San Dieto '63-'64; USS Princeton (LPH-5), Long Beach, CA to WestPac '64-'67;   dakine: U.S.A.F. 19 years - still active;   g'nad: active duty, U.S.M.C.;   cmotormac44: 1944 Veteran;   JohnD9207: Sgt. U.S. Army (retired);   SC Swamp Fox: U.S. Navy '83-'93 USS Saratoga (CV-60)   razorback-bert: U.S. Army '68-'69;   HEFFERNAN 2: U.S.M.C. - Viet Nam;   Vermonter: FTG2, 1968-69 USS Robert H. McCard DD822;   fnord: U.S.M.C. 1975-1979.   Mustang: U.S. Navy LCDR;  Vets_Husband_and_Wife: Both served during Viet Nam. I linked their profile page and urge to to read it.

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Finally, I asked Snow Bunny to join me in this tribute. There is no FReeper who loves our men and women of the military more than she does, nor does more for them than she does, and without her, there would be no FReeper USO Canteen.

*****************************************
Veterans' Day
11th Hour, 11th Day, 11th Month

Please take a few moments from your busy day to pause, reflect, and thank those who have served our country. Please show respect and honor to those who answered the call to serve their country. Tell your children about Veterans. Pass on a legacy of trust, integrity, honor, faith, and determination. Patriotism lives on!

We remember all those who have died for flag and country, duty and honor, truth and justice. For those left behind, we have not forgotten you.

On this Veteran's Day, from the bottom of our hearts and the depth of our soul, Thank you Veteran, welcome home, job well done, we are so very proud of you!
~~~Snow Bunny

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In closing, I offer this link to a thread I found on the forum. It was posted on January 22nd of this year: Thank you, Veterans.....May I Salute You?
~~~Billie

[RightOnline]

Yeah, my friend, but you know that THEY know where to go to get the real talent. That's why you got the call.

Damned proud to have you as a FReeper. There are many of us who'd do the same thing; we're considered "over the hill". Go kick some a** for us, and God bless.

[LadyX]

YES, we do indeed love Billie and Snow Bunny, but Tonkin, I positively adore you!!
Posted this on RaceBannon's thread, but it belongs here as well:

My plate is not only full, but overflowing!
Friday at the high school, my grandson's ROTC Unit staged a full blown 'We Appreciete Our Veterans' Day - school band, choral presentations, silent drill with arms team performance, guest speaker.
Very well done.

Saturday was The Marine Corps Birthday celebrated on FR, of course,
and Sunday my church had a really beautiful service for us.
Afterward we were given a lovely dinner.

Today? Here's where I get mushy - Tonkin, here are all kinds of ((hugs)) and smooches for you telling us about the free buffet for Veterans and Active Military at Golden Corrals across the country!

We had to travel 35 miles to the nearest one, but it was top notch.
The line was long and continued that way, but moved rapidly.
They did NOT stint nor restrict anything, having sirloin steaks grilled right there over a fire, and every other kind of meat - pork chops, chicken-fried steak, meat loaf, fried chicken, pot roast, spaghetti, fish, barbecue, etc.
Numerous vegetables, including real mashed potatoes and my favorite - fried okra! - soup and salad bar, fruits and desserts, and fresh from the oven yeast rolls were there, too.

The wait staff was great, everyone expressing appreciation and saying it was their privilege to wait on us.
MAJOR points are acorded the chain for this blockbuster effort.
It truly was fantastic.
Thank you again, Tonkin, for guiding me to the meal and the great company!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"but Tonkin, I positively adore you!!"

gee, I am speechless, you know how shy sailors are, LOL

[COB1]

"you know how shy sailors are,"

YEAH.....RIGHT!!!
SO.....this is a new way to hit on women, huh?
You offer 'em a free meal that even you don't have to pay for!
Gonna have to watch you a little closer, Tonkin!
You know some tricks that even I don't know!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"You know some tricks that even I don't know!"

You can always order my book "Things you never learned in the Marine Corp" LOL

[wingnuts'nbolts]

Sometimes less is great . Not in this situation . You 2 people are so giving I can not articulate at this time . More than you know people here love you both . Salt of the earth is what you both are . Thank you ever so much for being so giving and honourable in your heart's .

[Rose in RoseBear]

Q: This is Tom Bowman with the Baltimore Sun. I want to ask a couple of questions.

I thought he was there to ask questions??? Why must he restate the obvious? I swear, if his brain were twice as big as it is, we'd have a new definition of the word "flyspeck" ... but I digress ...

First of all, what's the total number of troops from 10th Mountain there with you? My Taliban friend told me ask ... And secondly -- or a ballpark figure if you can't give us specifics. 'Cause, you know, a ballpark figure is not as harmful ... it's actually useless ... that's why I requested one ... Also, there's a lot of talk about winter weather in Afghanistan and the difficulty of fighting in mountains. I live in Baltimore, and I fear the almighty snowflake ...! How many of you have had the Army's cold weather training and mountain warfare training? See how I blithely ignore the press kit that says "10th MOUNTAIN?"

Now, at this point, I literally got up from my computer and walked the length of the house, screaming at my husband, the Bear in RoseBear, "They're the 10th Mountain Division! Fighting in cold and snow and mountains is what they DO!!!"

The Bear, placidly reading a book, said, "Yes, dear, they have to study to be boneheads, darling, they're trying to live up to the SNL skit, m'love, they're the media, sweetie." He kept repeating that until I calmed down and could come back to the computer.

They were laughing at Tom Bowman, the man striving to qualify for moronic. I'll bet those nice Army kids were biting their lips trying to hold in the giggles.

Pvt. Rachel: This is Private Rachel again. On the first question, I can't discuss operational matters as far as the number of troops. The weather, it's not as cold as [Fort] Drum. (Laughter) But the Army is well trained and all of the soldiers have had cold weather training.

I've been assuming all along that the media were malicious. They're not ... they're just incredibly lazy and stupid!

[Snow Bunny]

Thank you so much for your kindness and support.Your post is beautiful. Thank you.

[Snow Bunny]

You are right LadyX, Tonkin is adorable.A very special adorable too.

[Snow Bunny]

Billie they are acting up again.

ROTFL

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Billie they are acting up again."

You know the old saying, "When trouble starts, it was a Marine who started it." LOL

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

FREEPERS-It's time to Nominate You Know Who for the Ronald Regan Award at CPAC

[Billie]

Thank you for all the wonderful, enthusiastic responses and tributes. FR is blessed to have so many caring and patriotic people. I thought I could write each of you a private mail, but it might be next year before you received it. Then you'd think....."what the heck is she talking about?" :^)

Also, I want those of you who ARE military (vets or active) that the picture below is on all USO Canteen threads, and it will be a LINK to this thread. One other thing, is that I will save the photos and info you post here (if your photo wasn't in the main thread) and at a later time, I can make another group photo. Again, I thank you all for your tremendous support.

[Billie]

I like your post. :^)

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Group hugs are acceptable!

[onyx]

You're tremendous! THANK YOU! (My WWII veteran neighbor is soon to join us --- his computer is being delivered this morning. Too bad he will have me to "teach" him 'putering!).

[Billie]

But we love you and appreciate you and thank you for serving....and working on the holiday that others get to celebrate. Small consolation, I know. :^)

[Billie]

Major ((((((((HUGS)))))))) to a great Lady Marine Friend.

[Billie]

Your post means a lot; the words you wrote are warm and fuzzy. :^) Thank you, wingnuts'nbolts!

[Billie]

Sounds like a winner to me! (((((((((((((((GROUP))))))))))))