A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day 09-03-02

DaisyScarlett and 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.

TOP: dakine's wife, MeeknMing's dad, Auntbee's nephew, MilitiaMan7,
AlasBabylon.
BOTTOM:  Joe Brower, Temple Owl, Temple Owl's wife, dutchess' dad,
Aomagrat

                     

              Diver Dave

A Man Who Loves His Country,
His God, and His Family

Diver Dave with his wife, Linda
Modesto, California
Freeper since 07-04-98

**LOVE OF COUNTRY**

Military Service

Diver Dave served in the U.S. Navy for four years, enlisting on 9/30/63.

He began his Navy career as a Shipfitter/Pipefitter and his first ship was the USS Piedmont (AD-17) homeported in San Diego. While serving on the PIEDMONT, he made three WESTPAC Tours, each tour lasting six months. The PIEDMONT was a destroyer tender - a floating shipyard of sorts. It was their job to provide repair services to the ships of the Seventh Fleet.

Just prior to sailing for his second WESTPAC tour, a call went out for volunteers to attend diving school. Diver Dave volunteered, was interviewed and after passing several tests (such as swimming, diving and recompression/decompression testing) he was accepted and attended the Navy Second Class Diving School in Subic Bay. After completing Diving School, he reported back to the PIEDMONT for duty in the Diving Locker. Diver Dave left the Navy after his four year enlistment ended having attained the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class.

Diver Dave feels that the separation from loved ones was the hardest thing about serving in the military. Other than that obvious hardship, he says that he enjoyed his time in the military and would do it all over again.

Support of the Military

Diver Dave is a strong supporter of those serving our country now and those who have served our country in the past. He participates in many Forum threads pertaining to the military.

He once told the story of how he saw an elderly gentleman alighting from his vehicle which had a bumper sticker sign stating he was a Veteran of WWII. Diver Dave went over to him and shook his hand and thanked him for his military service. This is just one example of similar stories he has related on the Forum threads.

Political Activism

Diver Dave, like so many of us, lurked on Free Republic for a long time before signing up. He found FR Forum through a Drudge Whitewater link and was immediately hooked. He finally registered on the Fourth of July 1998. Someone had started a thread calling for all members of the Armed Forces and Vets to answer roll call. After reading all the posts from members, with tears streaming down his face, he signed on and mustered-in.

His screen name served two purposes. First, The Whitewater File, and the depths that X42's went to hide their scandals, required some "deep diving" to get to the bottom of the mess. The second purpose of his screen name was, of course, in relation to his military diving career.

"Freeping the Dirtbag"

"We Have Not Forgotten - Gary Condit's Rotten."

Diver Dave is a member of the California Central Valley Chapter of FReeRepublic.Com (aka the Modesto Freepers). The Modesto Freepers are well known and well loved for their successful Freeping of (soon to be be former) Congressman Gary Condit out of office.

Every Saturday afternoon for eight months, beginning on July 20, 2001, Diver Dave-along with a dedicated group of diehard FReepers and Patriots-gathered on the corner of 16th and J Streets in downtown Modesto, CA and Freeped for the removal or resignation of Gary Condit from office as a U.S. Congressional Representative and later on, calling for his defeat as he shamefully ran for reelection.

Diver Dave attended almost all of these Saturday afternoon Freeps of the Dirt Bag, missing only two in the entire eight month period. Sometimes he was joined by as many as 40 FReepers and concerned citizens and sometimes it was a group of less than 10. Passing motorists gave much encouragement to the group - honking their horns in support and giving the "thumbs up" sign. Jim Robinson journeyed 200 miles round trip from Fresno to attend many of these Freeps of Condit as did other Fresno Freepers. He also posted the weekly report of the Condit Freep in Modesto on the FR Forum and thus became the FR sounding board for the Condit Freeps.

Thank you Diver Dave and FReepers and FRiends. Here are some names of those who supported the Condit FReep: DiverDave; CheneyChick; Saundra Duffy; lager; ontherightside; Commander8; SiFiPattie; Mtngrl@vrwc; JustAmy; MamaBear; JKPhoto; Cali5; CounterCounterCulture; I_want_gary_condit_out's mom; The Real Deal; HDRider; fxrdeb; and Jim Robinson. This is NOT an inclusive list, so speak right up if I left you or one of your FRiends out!!!!

MODESTO AREA FREEPERS ATTEND
CHANDRA LEVY MEMORIAL SERVICE
MODESTO FREEP OF CONDIT

**LOVE OF GOD**

Diver Dave is a man of strong religious conviction. He attends religious services, reads the Bible and prays regularly, much as our President George W. Bush does. He often quotes religious scripture in his posts on FR..

"My faith, and thus my walk with the LORD, are the most important things in my life. I pray that it is the same for everyone." ~Diver Dave

"I felt the call to the ministry but GOD had other plans. Many are called - but few are chosen. My calling is not as a pastor, but instead, a layman to witness and share the Gospel - Ever ready to share the Good News of Jesus Christ." ~ Diver Dave

Diver Dave's Mother and Father were Godly Christian parents. His father entered into the presence of the LORD in 1996 at age 88 and here are some memories that DiverDave has of him:

"My Dad was uneducated by today's standards, was rejected by the military in WWII due to health reasons, so he wasn't a war hero. In my eyes, he was an even greater hero because of his belief and faith in Jesus Christ. He walked the walk and talked the talk. In my whole life, I never heard him swear once. I watched as his hand got smashed while hooking up a truck trailer to a truck. Not a word! The intense pain was obvious but not one swear word. I was with him on several occasions as he bore witness of his faith to different people and later led those people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. At a time when parents would drop their kids off at Sunday School, Dad and Mom took us to Sunday School and church services. He taught several Sunday School classes from Jr. High boys to Adult classes and he was very good at it. Do I have any idea what a powerful man is? You better believe I do."

STAY PRAYED UP (post#143)

**LOVE OF FAMILY**

"The Bible tells us not to have a prideful heart, but it sure is hard when we marvel at what He has blessed us with - be it our children or grandchildren." ~ Diver Dave

DiverDave is

• a devoted son to his octogenarian Mom,
• a loving husband to his wife Linda,
• a proud father to their three daughters,
• a doting grandpa to grandsons Christian and Logan David (in fact he provides child care for them on a regular basis), and
• a beloved sibling to his twin brother and three sisters.

Diver Dave also......

Loves His Mom, Apple Pie and Baseball..
How much more American can one get?

His love of his Mom was noted above.

So we will move right along to his love of apple pie. We are not sure he actually loves apple pie, but he most likely does as he is a genuine cysberspace chow hound and is usually first in line when the cyberfood bell is rung-on this or any thread. To be fair, he often serves up scrumptuous cyberfood to his FRiends as well.

At last we get to "Loves Baseball". He is a long time fan of baseball in general, the Dodgers in particular. When he bleeds, his blood is Dodger blue. Living in Modesto, far away from Chavez Ravine, he does not get to see the Dodgers very often except when they come to SF to play the Giants. Being a baseball fan, in general, he attends Oakland A's and Giants' games whenever possible. He is not only an ardent fan of "America's Pastime", he is also a very knowledgeable one and is always ready to join in a baseball discussion when it comes up on a thread.

Diver Dave, Congratulations YOU ARE ONE OF FR's FINEST

THIS WEEKEND'S THREAD

08-31-02 thru 09-02-02 Labor Day Holiday Weekend

[daisyscarlett]

I remember one night when you and DiverDave and St. Louis1 and a few others had a great discussion about the good ole days of baseball and Roger Kahn's great books.....I love to talk baseball with knowledgeable fans and you guys all fit that bill.

[MeekOneGOP]

Huh? Can't ya take a laptop and keep postin' the jokes????.....
heh heh ! enjoy yer week off !

[Billie]

Yes, I told you I wasn't satisfied with that first Dodger logo I used (the draft I sent you) This one's much better, and don't have to worry about it 'not opening' later on - unless I forget and delete it!

[ofMagog]

Ship's Log: 0410 Wednesday 03Sep92 40°F/5°C Lat: 44°24s Lon: 171° 19E, off Timaru, NZ

Larryjohnson cast his chicken bones apparently correctly as the rain let up, although there is still considerable humidity. We've made good time in spite of heavy seas and badly stained maps of the Great Lakes provided by michigander, which had us headed south until we saw icebergs and decided to do a 180. We're off Timaru, over half way from Dunedin to Christchurch.

Fred Mertz has done well, considering having to dodge stuff in the dark and muttering about the windchill. We tried to get him to wear more than his dayglow red speedo, but he thinks he looks sexy in it.

Rest of crew mostly fast asleep after having heavily celebrated a pre-Thanksgiving feast. (They seem to find something to celebrate daily, greatly reducing LadyX's and ship's physician's limited medicinal suppies.)

Cobby and Eaker are muttering about being issued only slingshots, but since they have already shot themselves several times in the feet with them trying to figure out which end is which, we are considering giving them nothing more dangerous than soft plastic toothpicks. Aquamarine seems to have recovered from her unfortunate incident yesterday and is mumbling around in the galley trying to awake WVNan and Pippin to help cook pancakes. Scuttlebutt is snoring loudly with Thud in his lap, both badly needing baths.

Beowolf has not been seen, but he may be in one of the outriggers with other crew members. Someone finally concluded that having equally weighed outriggers on both sides of the ship prevent the severe listing which caused scuttlebutt to fall in the sea and cut himself on the barnacles. We need to remind master at arms humblegunner to not follow good intentioned lodwick's advice to field dress the wounded. It took a bit to sew up scuttlebutt, but he does look better, if somewhat pale.

All is well. Time to awake LadyX so she can prepare her dawn crew lecture on "Mooning Japanese Cruise Ship Passengers Tends to Irritate Them."

[Billie]

Well, you and Frank have a great week - and keep him out of trouble if you can, Amy!

[Billie]

Thanks for the DC Bump - what a great group of FReeping FRiends we have around the country. :)

[Pippin]

Cap'n, I wanted you to know I do not go to bed at 1:00 in the afternoon!

it was 9:00pm! LOL!!

In the great state of Maryland, that is!

[Billie]

Hi, Jules - pretty post, yours! The congratulations and apple pie and your sig looks great together!

[Billie]

I love that one, too, daisy, but I can take no credit for anything except FINDING and saving it! Guess I could make him tip his hat or something - I may do that - just to make it more personal, Coby!

[Billie]

Morning, WaterDragon - appreciate your post and asking God's blessings on all our military. We owe them so much - both past and present military.

[MeekOneGOP]

Thank you. My pleasure to do what I can.

[Aquamarine]

I was wondering when you were going to get up....mumble..mumble...your pancakes are getting cold! ;)

[daisyscarlett]

MB: Thanks for providing this great graphic of California-cool (in his shorts and sandals) DiverDave freeping the dirtbag...and thank you, Billie, for choosing it for the profile...

Thanks to all who participated in the Modesto Condit Freeps...Please let me know if I inadvertently left anyone out....

[Aquamarine]

That's why I made sure to play wav files today. :) I always feel bad for you whenever I play a midi.

[Pippin]

Thanks, Dave!

I need to find out who they are and when they freep or meet.

I have a problem with traveling to DC on the weekends as I don't drive and for some reason known only to them, there are no buses or trains running to DC on the weekends.

[COB1]

"BTW, why is your name on the lifetime membership list at the address you got from your favorites?"

They like me, chadsey!
Using my influence I signed you up, also, for a lifetime membership!

NO! You don't have to thank me!
Just make sure that LIR doesn't see the bill!

[Billie]

Morning, ohio. Thanks so much. This was a nice profile to follow Eric's, don't you think? Though Eric seems to be following Dave's good example ......letting his faith shine through.

[Billie]

Good morning, T Man. He is indeed one of FR's Finest and has shown it again and again.

[Billie]

PERFECT! Absolutely perfect graphic! You are terrific!

[ofMagog]

OK, people! You wanna be the cook?! Making fun of Aquamarine's pancakes is not nice! And, using them for skeet shooting is uncouth, even if they do make a loud "crack" when hit.