A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....09-26-02

Billie

[Billie]

[Billie]

Morning! Be right back - making coffee. :)

[rdb3]

Mmmm... Coffee.

Good mornin', Billie!

[lodwick]

MI sunrise

[Aquamarine]

It's great getting to know you this morning RW9. Thanks for actively working to make improvements in our country.

[LadyX]

Another great day - another great Freeper- - -

Wonderful to read about our friends on Free Republic and honor their efforts for revitalizing America!

[ladtx]

In memory of my fellow Vietnam helicopter pilots who were killed in that war the following were lost on todays date. God bless them all.

MAJ Dupre -- 114 AHC
MAJ Grundman -- 25 AVN 25 INF
CPT Mosburg -- 114 AHC
WO1 Wallace -- 1 CAV
WO1 Barnett -- A/3/17 CAV
WO1 Bauer -- C/229 AHB 1 CAV
CPT Bostick -- 58 TC BN
CPT Craw -- USARV FLT DET
WO1 Holtom -- C/229 AHB 1 CAV
1LT Lawson -- C/229 AHB 1 CAV
CPT Sullivan -- C/229 AHB 1 CAV

SCOUTS OUT!

[diotima]

YEAH RW9!!!!!!!!!!!!!

REDWING IS THE BEST!!!!!!

[LadyX]

Sun's up - loddy's up - all is right at The Finest!

(but where's the coffee, Billie?!)

[dansangel]

Hello Everyone!

RW9: What a great tribute to another of FR's Finest! The picture showing you FReeping in the sleet speaks volumes to your dedication. Congratulations to you and your lovely family! Enjoy your day in the spotlight!

We're having major "technical difficulties" here at work, to the point where they are looking into sending the hourly people home with the option of working Saturday. My position/duties do not involve working exclusively in the program that is "down," so I'll stay no matter what. But, it may be difficult to hang out with y'all for any length of time.

Wanted to make sure I get my {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}} in to everyone here at the Finest! (You, too, Louie! - {{{{{{{{{smoochies}}}}}}}} to you!)

I'll try to get back, but I have a feeling there are going to be lots of "fires" to put out! Love to all!~

[ladyinred]

Remembering your fellow Vietnam helicopter pilots with you. They are heroes one and all. What a wonderful thing to post, btw.

[Constitution Day]

Great profile!

Thanks for the ping, Dio!

[ladyinred]

Good morning everyone! Returned last night from another adventure filled business trip with Chadsworth! Trust me, I need coffee this morning, by the gallons! :-)

[Temple Owl]

Good morning all. I've had my coffee and am now waiting for some much needed rain. Those drops will be as welcome as pennies from heaven.

[Pippin]

GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY!

Congratulations RW9!

[Billie]

Coffee for all......for the ladies - the china cup, and for the gentlemen - the mug.

And today's calendar! Laugh and have fun!

[Pippin]

Hi Billie!

Thanks for the coffee!

[JustAmy]

Thanks for remembring them and posting their names here. My gosh, 11 today.
May they rest in peace knowing they are not forgotten!

[lodwick]

This is a bit lengthy - but excellent. Dated 5 June 2002


John R. Murphey
Chairman and CEO
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
P.O.Box 482
Fort Worth, TX 76101

Dear Mr. Murphey:

I am writing on behalf of all the living Huey Medal of Honor recipients to ask your help to enshrine your Huey in its rightful place among the great combat aircraft in the history of warfare.

We believe it is time that the story of this bird was told. The Huey was the greatest combat aircraft of all time; it flew more missions, saved more lives, was involved in more Medals of Honor, and touched more warriors than any other bird in history.

The staff at a VA hospital noticed a change in the demeanor of Vietnam patients when they heard a Huey flying into a nearby Army Airfield. The patients would immediately stop whatever they were doing and begin to search the skies for a glimpse of that marvelous machine. It had been everything to them in their service to America; it took them into combat, provided for them while they were there and took them to safety or their buddies to a morgue. The VA hospital, as a form of therapy, actually arranged for the patients to visit a Huey at the Army base. There they would look at it, feel it and once again sit within its protective embrace.

I recently lectured at the Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian. I was amazed to find only one helicopter there (a Bell by the way). I was more amazed at the ignorance of the audience on the combat history of the Huey. The aviation culture is dominated by fixed wing pilots who counted their combat missions in the hundreds. The Huey pilots counted their missions in the thousands. During that visit I became aware that one of the greatest stories ever to come out of war had not been told.

The story of the Huey is about to be told. Pat Fries of Arrowhead films (512-302-1100) is well on his way to producing a documentary on the lives the heroism and the loves of the Huey crews. He will tour America in a Huey filming the great stories associated with that beautiful bird. This film "In the Shadow of the Blade," connects a great machine with the heroic lives it enveloped, their hardship, tragedy and sacrifice as well as their love for each other and that of those who loved them. He has the support of the American Legion, the world's largest veteran's organization; he has the support of every Vietnam veteran and he has the support of their loved ones. He needs your support.

The Vietnam veteran is grateful to Bell for providing us with the most effective and efficient combat aircraft of all time. We hope that Bell is grateful to those who sacrificed so much in the Huey. We know that the Huey was a treasure chest for Bell. We are asking that you share some of that treasure.

All the best,

Pat Brady [signature]

Pat Brady, MG, US Army (Ret)
Medal of Honor Recipient




James P Fleming [signature]

Jim Fleming, Col., US Air Force (Ret)
Medal of Honor Recipient



Fred Ferguson [signature]

Fred Ferguson, US Army (Ret)
Medal of Honor Recipient

[LadyX]

This you, Pippin?
Hope you are home and getting better ~ ~ ~ we miss you!