A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day 08-13-02

Billie

[Billie]

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.  I
can remember lurking when there were only a few regulars who posted, and now there are over 60,000 who have registered for posting privileges. 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 can no longer add the photos to the body of the thread, I've been including them in additional posts as I received enough to make another collage.

Still that doesn'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, in addition to seeing FR's Finest Military Personnel every day, I thought it might be fun to feature a different FReeper (or FReepers) each day. If you would like to be pictured, or know someone who would, please FReepmail me and we'll turn the spotlight - on YOU - for the day!

And do let me know if you'd like your picture added to the groups of Veterans/Active Military below. I will keep this page updated, and continue to add them to the comment section of the original Veteran's Day thread as well.

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: 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.

                     

~~HOME~~
Of Two Of The Last Three Presidents
~~and~~

MeeknMing
FReeper since 06-02-01

Although Meek, a Dallas County resident, spends much of his time online posing articles from the Dallas Morning News, thus keeping a host of Texas issues before us, he still manages to drop in every day on two of his favorite daily threads:   this one and the USO Canteen.

Like many of us, he gets a lot of pings to other articles, but tries to answer and read as many as he can. With Meek's first post each day on FR's Finest, he always brings with him at least one excerpt from another thread that he recommends reading, as well as the link to that thread. He may or may not have been the one who posted it; he just likes to give us a heads-up on some of FR's most interesting threads for the day.

However, that may be where he leaves 'serious stuff' behind him, as he begins his friendly greetings and banter with the others on the thread. Most of his posts will have "Mr. Winky" or "Mr. Smiley" added at the end. Lately, he's added a new one as well....do you know what it is?  I do. :)

Mr. Winky    Mr. Smiley    Mr. NewOne 

Meek's father is retired U.S. Air Force, who worked "Crash Control" on the flight line (a Firefighter), and so growing up, he said their family lived in a lot of different places. You'll see Meek's dad's photo on tomorrow's thread as we post the latest group of FR's Finest Military.

Yesterday Meek asked if I would like to include a photo of Ming, the other half of his FR screenname. Silly question! Of course I wanted to! And here she is....here they BOTH are! Isn't she pretty? I want to thank you, Ming, for sharing him with us! He is such an asset to FR, and know you must be very proud of him, too. :)

Meek and Ming



Have a Super day, Meekie! You are
~~One of FR's (AND Texas') Finest!~~

THIS WEEK'S THREADS

08-12-02 backhoe

[COB1]

A Texan's thoughts:

The long, bloody road to Texas independence as a sovereign nation began as a clash of cultures between the rigid strictures of Spanish governmental rule and the spirit of independence which Anglo-American Texans had cherished since 1776.
Mexico’s independence from Spain on September 16, 1820, changed nothing about their underlying political and religious beliefs, and it didn’t alter the way the Americans thought about individual rights.

The Texas Revolution resembled in many ways the revolt of the British colonies against the King and Parliament of England in 1775-1776.
Both Texas and the colonies were remote from central authority, both were allowed to exercise self-government, defend themselves and develop their own social institutions, and both were ignored in the early years by the central government.
Both became very prosperous through the efforts of the citizenry.
In both cases the seeds for insurrection were sewn with the increasing demands for taxation and custom collection by the central government.

Texans’ feelings about liberty and justice are magnified and amplified because our state was born as a nation in the crucible of battle over these principles.
The emotional pride in our nation and the unyielding attitude we have toward our individual rights are concentrated in Texas because our forefathers fought for these same ideals in our own backyard.
We can drive down practically any highway in Texas and see landmarks erected to commemorate one of the battles for our independence.

If your patriotism ever flags, come to Texas – we’ll lend you some of ours.

[Billie]

Hi, Maggie - so glad you were here before I take time out again! I love how our Texans are giving us a chairside history, complete with photos, of the Lone Star State!

[lodwick]

Got Oil?

This appears to be the SpindleTop Field

[Billie]

Better look again - or go look at glock rocks' early post or Michigander's! Or do the right-click thingie that Meek's talking about and zoom in. :)

Hi, Julie - gotta run in just a bit!

[Billie]

Those may just be the BEST eagles yet. Would you mind if I saved them and did something with them with the flag maybe?

[MeekOneGOP]

Thank you! I'll make sure Ming gets those flowers !

[Billie]

See you later - maybe the wolf will show up. I hope so, too.

[lodwick]

Excellent summary in A Texan's thoughts - thank you from CenTex. JL

To me the key is that all the pioneers of any land, the guys who came with the clothes on their back, a weapon, a few tools, and a huge dream in their hearts and minds - those people depended on their wits and a few like minded brothers to survive and then prosper.

There was no government and they succeeded mightily because of that - not in spite of it, as we are having to do today.

I might have been born a couple of centuries too late.

[JustAmy]

This is a picture of my great-grandfathers barn taken in 1917. It was taken in Wheeler, Texas.



Looks like that Collie type dog has Texas ticks!
Aren't those great fence posts? I wonder how long that thing remained standing.

[JustAmy]

Heck ..... I thought I resized that!!!

[ValerieUSA]

The eagles are excellent. Here in Texas we're more likely to see a pair of vultures, though.

[lodwick]

Cool pic - thanks. Is that your Gramps standing in the loft?

I love the way that guys used to wear coats and hats year round back in the day.

Keep'em coming. JL

[ValerieUSA]

That's a great old picture. See the shadows of the windmill and the photographer?

There are so many wonderful old barns and outbuildings in the Texas countryside - my kids are always annoyed with them because they know I'm going to stop and take a picture. *L*

[Militiaman7]

I thought those were trial lawyers. LOL!

[COB1]

Texas fact:

When Steven F. Austin's call to arms went out on September 19, 1835, most Anglo-American Texans did not want war with Mexico.
It was harvest time, and they were farmers.
The rumor was spread that General Cos of the Mexican Army was coming to put down the insurrection, and he was bringing with him 800 pairs of iron hobbles to take away the ring leaders to Mexico for trial.
This was an affront to the dignity and pride of the settlers who considered Cos to be invading their land.
The mood for war was established.

[MeekOneGOP]

i saw that, hehehe. thanks.....

[JulieRNR21]

OOPS.... I goofed....oh well you know me....I love Siamese & see them everywhere....LOL

[ru4liberty]

One of all-time favorite Texas songs...

Click the pic

[JustAmy]

"Is that your Gramps standing in the loft? "

I'm really not sure who that is. My Great-Grandfather died in March, 1917 and that picture says December, 1917. That is probably one of my Grandmother's brothers. Sure wish I knew which one.
I have lots of silly pictures. I'll see if I can find another after lunch.

[MeekOneGOP]

The pings are my pleasure. You always show me you appreciate
them too, and I appreciate that! I appreciate you.