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

[Billie]

Louie-Wolf..."dansy" thanks you for your kind words. [LOL]

Does this mean we CAN call you Dansy?! Please?! Please?! I love that nickname!

[WVNan]

Neener neener neener.....I caught up when the posts were less than 200. Pays to get an early start LOL.

[Billie]

Molly ~~~ This honor for you is past due ..... you are a very special FReeper, indeed!

Hi, kay - I'd say ALL of the honors are 'past due' for all you fine FReepers! We can't seem to get to everyone soon enough! :) Tryin' though!

[WVNan]

Oh....how sad to lose such a close friend. Fair winds Jake.

[Billie]

That one is so sweet, and every time I see it, my first thought is that it looks like she's blowing a kiss, rather than stuffing a handful of chocolate cake in her mouth! :)

[Billie]

Wonderful!!! Finally! Your own pie stand!!! Can I have chocolate - with whipped cream topping - not meringue (sp?) :)

[WVNan]

Billie, I have a friend who is going to be lurking here. I hope she will register and join us before long, but she is sort of new to computers and is learning very fast. I'm telling you this so you will make sense of this post.

K, the reason Billie's comments don't seem to make sense in the context of were they are it's because she is way back around post 150 and is responding to comments back there. You will notice at the bottom of her posts it tells you which comment number she is responding to (to l47).

[Billie]

Hi, Amy - pretty pink roses and matching font color. :)

[Billie]

Afternoon - from 1 to 101, I love all these little bluebirds! :) Thank you!

Still might be the 'cutest' one of them - not the prettiest but the expression on this face is hard to beat!

[Billie]

LOL! Thank you for drinking that caffeine for me this morning - knowing it's not good for me. :)

[MeekOneGOP]

I missed the coffee earlier this morning! Almost time for tea now!

Here's some......

[Billie]

Dutchess, am so sorry about little Alex - I feel sad for your neighbors, and Giz, too. Thanks for your mail last night - everything is fine and I loved the pictures.

[Billie]

LOL! Well, I've had quite a few times today that my website 'quit responding', and each time I've gone to another window to see if it posted even though I got that message. Looks like this time it DID post the first time I sent it. Hope you remembered what you posted so you could play it again! :)

[Billie]

Now you've gone and made me cry, Meekie. Bless you, dear Jake - no more pain now.

[Billie]

I was still working on tomorrow's - I've already read that one though, neener neener neener! LOL!

[Feiny]

I love the story of Molly Pitcher! Great choice of screen name. Congrats on being one of the Finest!

[Billie]

LOL! Some might argue my posts don't make sense for any number of other reasons! LOL! Hello, K - I surely hope you join us! We have such a great group of 'family' here, and it grows larger every day.

[ladtx]

....it looks like she's blowing a kiss, rather than stuffing a handful of chocolate cake in her mouth! :)

Either way, both are sweet.

[Feiny]

Hello Everybody!

It is a busy day for me and I am worn out from the weekend. Great profile choice today....I don't have time to read all posts today, but I hope to catch up with you all later this week.

Ciao for now!

[dutchess]

Thanks Billie and thanks Lodwick for the great picture. Giz is laying at the patio door facing Alex's yard looking so sad. I feel so bad for him....The neighbors often "kidnap" Giz when we're gone and I think he's missing that too but they aren't ready yet to have him in the house....too many memories of the two playing together.

Billie...I'm staying home from work tomorrow to keep him company.... ;^ )