A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....10-14-02

dansangel, Billie

[dansangel]

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: Logos, SwedeGirl's hubby, Neil E Wright, FallGuy, 1John, Sneakypete
MIDDLE:  T'wit, COB1, LadyX, Dick Bachert, 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub
BOTTOM:  YankeeinSC, Delta21, JoeSixPack1

TOP:  Bosniajmc, AFVetGal, Archy, A Navy Vet

MIDDLE:  4TheFlag, Aeronaut, 68Grunt, Xinga

BOTTOM:  Codger, AAABest, Clinton's A Liar, Duke809, dcwusmc

TOP:  mc5cents, Norb2569, LBGA's son, VanJenerette

MIDDLE:  Jim Robinson, KJenerette, davidosborne, KG9Kid

BOTTOM:  gwmoore, Equality7-2521, SAMWolf

TOP:  porgygirl, Phil V., MudPuppy, NorCoGOP

MIDDLE:  RaceBannon, OneidaM, rdb3, jwTexian

BOTTOM:  USMC Vet, TheMayor, Vineyard, rhododogma

TOP:  spectr17, RightOnline, SERE_Doc, Tet68

MIDDLE:  FutureSnakeEater, RightOnline's wife, CIApilot, Clamper1797
BOTTOM:  usmcobra, onedoug, DiverDave, Joe6-pack

                     

Molly Pitcher Freeper since February 9, 1999

I visited Molly Pitcher's profile page before beginning this tribute to her. It was there that I discovered that there may actually have been an historical figure by the same name. Curious, I did a search on the Internet and came up with the following information from "The Story of Molly Pitcher" on the Wainright Army Website:

The Story of Molly Pitcher

An artillery wife, Mary Ludwig Hays (better known as Molly Pitcher) shared the rigors of Valley Forge with her husband, John Hays. Her actions during the battle of Monmouth (28 June 1778) became legendary. That day at Monmouth was as hot as Valley Forge was cold. Someone had to cool the hot guns and bathe parched throats with water.

Across that bullet-swept ground, a striped skirt fluttered. Mary Ludwig Hays was earning her nickname "Molly Pitcher" by bringing pitcher after pitcher of cool spring water to the exhausted and thirsty men. She also tended to the wounded and once, heaving a crippled continental soldier up on her strong young back, carried him out of reach of hard-charging Britishers. On her next trip with water she found her ex-artilleryman husband back with the guns again, replacing a casualty. While she watched, Hays fell Wounded. The piece, its crew now too depleted to serve it, was about to be withdrawn. Without hesitation, Molly stepped forward and took the rammer staff from her fallen husband's hands. For the second time on an American battlefield, a woman manned a gun. (The first was Margaret Corbin during the defense of Fort Washington in 1776). Resolutely, she stayed at her post in the face of heavy enemy fire, ably acting as a matross (gunner).

For her heroic role, General Washington himself issued her a warrant as a noncommissioned officer. Thereafter, she was widely hailed as "Sergeant Molly". A flagstaff and cannon stand at her gravesite at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. A sculpture on the battle monument commemorates her courageous deed.

Now, fast-forward through history about 220 years. Close your eyes and picture that day in 1998 when a large number of boxes of evidence were collected by Ken Starr's staff and delivered to the Capitol. This was the first time our very own Molly Pitcher lurked on and eventually posted to Free Republic. As Molly herself describes that first experience with FR, "It was addiction, er, love at first sight! Free Republic became my 'port in the storm' in the waning Clinton years."

Molly Pitcher follows in the footsteps of her father who "battled Dems and liberals all of his life." His legacy of political activism began during the 1930's in corrupt Louisiana. His battle continued on the Gulf Coast of Texas and culminated in becoming a Republican Precinct Chairman in suburban Chicago.

Molly Pitcher's earliest Free Republic activism involved making phone calls and writing letters during the Fall 1998 House Judiciary Committee hearings. Later, in July 1999, she joined the DC FReepers at the White House. "It may have been 100 degrees," she recalls, "but it was FUN!"

Molly Pitcher describes herself as being strongly pro-Second Amendment and pro-life. She favors a small government, low taxes and a mighty national defense. This more than qualifies her as being "conservative."

There are other important interests that Molly Pitcher has that "dominate and animate" her life. Among those, she lists her family, her faith, classical music, art, history, books and last, but in no way the least...baseball!

Molly and a friend engaged in spirited conversation

Perhaps you are one of the fortunate FReepers that has had the privilege of meeting Molly Pitcher. She says that it is always "a joy to meet other dedicated FReepers." She has accomplished just that by attending last Winter's CPAC and last Fall's Free Republic Cruise. She has also met fellow FReepers when traveling through their hometowns.

At times, she has met other FReepers as they have passed through her hometown, as well. The modern-day Molly Pitcher calls Akron, OH her home. This is not all that far from the historical Molly Pitcher's home in Pennsylvania.

Molly Pitcher, the FReeper embodies the spirit of Molly Pitcher, the soldier. Each is/was dedicated to her country and to maintaining the freedoms and principals upon which it stands.

In closing, Molly Pitcher wanted to express her gratitude to Free Republic founder, Jim Robinson. She is thankful for the "friends, inspiration, intellectual stimulation and sanity" that Free Republic has given her. I think it is safe to say that all of us here at Free Republic are thankful for dedicated members such as Molly Pitcher.

Please join me in giving another deserving FReeper a warm welcome to FR's Finest...

Today that Finest is
Molly Pitcher!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS

10-12, 13-02 "A Few Of FR's Finest" Weekend Thread

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

     1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
     2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
     3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
     4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
     5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[MeekOneGOP]

Well Meekie, I know a lot of Elvis trivia, but I did not know that....

Me either.....

[Mama_Bear]

Good day to you all. Dansangel, you are doing a great job with these profiles!

I'm afraid I need to post and run again today, but I hope to be back later this afternoon.

It is so nice to getting to know, Molly Pitcher. FR is a better place because of people like you. Thank you for all you do.

[Billie]

LadyX and FWI, I hope you know how happy I am to see you both here today - you've BOTH been missed! And do hope it means you're BAAAAAAAAACKKK! :)

Mixer, GailA - thank you as always, for your smiling faces every day....well, even if some days they haven't been smiley (when you lost your pet, Gail, for instance)....thank you for your every day presence.

lysie and MissMarple - nice seeing you again - with Molly on stage, Chairman should be along soon, too, right?!

Ohio.....good to see you, proud Military Mom. :)

[Billie]

LadyX and FWI, I hope you know how happy I am to see you both here today - you've BOTH been missed! And do hope it means you're BAAAAAAAAACKKK! :)

Mixer, GailA - thank you as always, for your smiling faces every day....well, even if some days they haven't been smiley (when you lost your pet, Gail, for instance)....thank you for your every day presence.

lysie and MissMarple - nice seeing you again - with Molly on stage, Chairman should be along soon, too, right?!

Ohio.....good to see you, proud Military Mom. :)

[Billie]

Good afternoon, all. Aqua, always love your music, girl!

jw, always love your posts! If ever the other hostesses or I get down in the dumps, I know who to contact. :)

MM7, nobody posts better or more beautiful eagles!

oldcodger and chairman, thank you for coming - hope you'll be back - your ATRW group is one of the most congenial on FR - always know we can expect the whole family when we put one of you in the spotlight, and that's wonderful! :)

Dave, dutchess, ladyred.....I just luv you guys, too! (dutchess, I've been ONE BUSY LADY! But I'll see you tomorrow) :)

[WVNan]

I think the ISP did a hiccup. I tried to post and it failed just as yours came up double.

[MeekOneGOP]

Two cannibals are eating a clown.....

LOL !

[lodwick]

Sad news for you and your neighbors.
Alex is where he'll never grow old or weak anymore.

[Guenevere]

Thanks for selecting our Miss Molly!

She's not unlike the original!!....:)))
...quite a spunky little thing :)

Congratulations Molly!.....you go girl!

[Billie]

Welcome to FR's Finest.....thank you so much for coming. It's always exciting to put some of FR's Finest in the spotlight every day and we love it when their friends come to applaud them!

[Molly Pitcher]

Thanks Guenevere! LOL! I have my moments, yes!

Mama_Bear, thanks for that patriotic welcome! Appreciate it soooo much!!!

[Molly Pitcher]

Lovely, lovely flowers! Thank you! A girl is always delighted to get flowers!:-)))

[Lorena]

dansangel, you've done another wonderful tribute to a favorite freeper of mine! Well done!

Molly, you certainly are deserving of this recognition. Congratulations to you and thank you for being a part of FR and especially my favorite thread, America the Right Way. I started lurking on FR back when you were starting the thread when it was known as USA vs. Clinton. You did such a great job with it and ever since then, I've admired your knowledge of current events and the kind and thoughtful attitude you show towards all of us who participate in the daily thread.

You're a whiz at finding the most informative and interesting links, you always have just the right word and a prayer for a fellow freeper in need, and your love of our nation and conservative ideals shines through your posts. Truly, you are one of FR's finest and I am so happy that you are being recognized as such. God bless you, Molly.

[Billie]

Jumping in here to say hello to some more of my Favoritest Finest FReepers! Hi, blackie ping-a-ling!

Louie, I loved your Molly Finest graphic! Loved how you framed her photo in that circle of stars! Lori, yours didn't escape me either! Your Finest congratulations graphics are always just beautiful.

Afternoon, Miss Daisy - nobody is more thoughtful than you with ALL the many graphics you post for every occasion! I am always in awe that you take the kind of time to find just the right things....every day!

[Lorena]

Congratulations to you from all of us at ATRW!

[Billie]

Whew.....it's going to take a while to catch up. I'm so glad you are back Lady. I know the week-end was good for you.Hi, Nan - I know that feeling. I've been taking the posts one "page" at a time (I have my preferences set to only 20 because of all the graphics; it's easier to load that way) and trying to say hello to everyone that way. I'm getting close to half-way. (I think) :)

[Billie]

Good afternoon, T Man. I'm not sure why I didn't include your name in a multiple post, except that I wouldn't want anyone else to think I was talking to them the way I usually have to talk to you. :)

[MeekOneGOP]

I just got an e-mail from my Brother John. He told me that his buddy Jake was having a lot of trouble with his hip and so forth. Multiple trips to the Vet to get help for Jake didn't give him any relief. He just got back from taking Jake to the Vet again and had to have him put to sleep. Poor Bro and Jake.

This picture from my family website....

Brother John with buddy Shadow (Left) and Jake.
Rest in Peace, Jake (10-14-2002)

Ming and I are going to go to Irving and to Ft. Worth tonight, so I'll be heading out here shortly. If I don't see ya'll before, I'll be back here in the morning. Same Bat Time, same Bat Channel......

[Billie]

That's one of the prettiest pictures I've ever seen of Lynne Cheney! She's so petite that she sometimes get's 'lost' in a group photo.

[Molly Pitcher]

Lorena, it's a good thing you came out of lurker mode, cause you sure find the neatest graphics to decorate the threads!

Thank you!

And blackie, just want to say

Molon labe!