A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....10-18-02

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: 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

                     

Ladtx
Retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer

Ladtx flew UH-1's in Vietnam, OH-58's in Germany, and the CH-47 Chinook in Korea and Texas. He served 20 years in the United States Army. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer (CW4).

Just a little hole in the chopper. Ladtx, at right.
Vietnam, October 15th (1969?)

Another good day in the Republic of South Vietnam! In all the years of that war no helicopter pilots were lost on this day. Some of us had a little battle damage but at least we were able to get the skids down, grab a quick shower and head for the club. ~ ladtx

During his tenure in the United States Army, Lad served as an Aircraft Commander/Pilot in Command in the 336th Asault Helicopter company, 13th Combat Aviation Battalion, 164th Group, 1st Aviation Brigate, Soc Trang AAF, Republic of South Viet Nam from Sep 69 to Sep 70. He was also an instructor pilot at the United States Army Aviation School at Fort Rucker, Alabama in the UH-1D & H, OH-58A & C, and the CH-47B & C. He performed duties as an Aeroscout Instructor Pilot in the OH-58A and C, teaching the tactics and techniques employed by that aircraft in an Air Calvary role. Lad served his last six years in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Fulda, Germany, flying the OH-58A & C and in the 6th Cavalry Brigate at Fort Hood, Texas, in the CH-47C & D.

His medals are many. He was awarded the Master Aviator's Badge, the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, 22 Air Medals (one for valor), and 3 Army Commendations Medals (one for valor). In addition, when he was an Instructor Pilot, Lad landed an OH-58 after the engine came apart and was on fire during an Aeroscout training flight at Fort Rucker, Alabama; he received the U.S. Army Safety Center's Broken Wing Award for that heroic landing.

Ladtx has been a conservative Republican since high school when Richard Nixon ran against John F. Kennedy. He and Mrs. ladtx were married in 1969, after only one date (though he said they had known each other for about a year)! : ) A couple of weeks later he was on his way to Vietnam.

Recently they took a pilgrimage back to Ft. Wolters, TX, near Mineral Wells, where he went through flight school, and was stationed as a TAC Officer after he got back from RVN. At the time, Mrs. ladtx instructed the Warrant Officer Candidates wives in the traditions, military courtesys, etc. of being a Warrant Officer's wife. Their oldest son was born there, at Beach Army Hospital. The historical sign is near the old post headquarters. Fort Wolters closed in 1973.

Ladtx and wife at Fort Wolters, Texas

Ladtx worked for Boeing for 11 years, doing design work for military avionics upgrades, and is currently working for Rockwell Collins, doing the same type of work. He became a FReeper on April 27, 1998, and you can see him here at the Finest every day as he posts a memorial to his fellow Vietnam helicopter pilots who were killed in the line of duty on today's date. Since he began posting this memorial almost a month ago, there have only been three or four days when there were no chopper pilot casualties.

The creative side of Lad dabbles in pen and ink, watercolor, and some oils and acrylics. He's written a novel called "Dreams of Quivira", as yet unpublished, and has also written poetry based on his Vietnam experiences. One of his poems, "The Chapel Bell's Last Clang," can be found on his profile page. Very poignant, he posted it on one of our threads a couple of weeks ago.

Ladtx and his wife have three sons: one a Captain in the Air Force (WSO on B1's), one a student at Lubbock Christian University and in the Army Reserves, and the youngest, who is playing basketball at East Texas Baptist University.

Oh, there's one other member of the ladtx family that is worth a teeny mention here, because she is a teeny little tot who just celebrated her first birthday about a week ago. Her name is Leila Kay, and they are more than a teeny bit proud of her. Can understand why; she's nothing if not adorable! But don't take my word for it. Ask her granddaddy. :)

Ladtx, it is such a pleasure shining the spotlight on as Fine a FReeper as you are, and we are all indebted to you for your service and for continuing to remember those who didn't make it home.

Thank you, Ladtx!

THIS WEEK'S THREADs

10-14-02 Molly Pitcher
10-15-02 Dutchess
10-16-02 Anniegetyourgun, RikaStrom
10-17-02 "Campaign Odyssey in Baghdad" by JohnHuang2

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]

EEEKS! There bettr be no floatie in my Margarita! (seriously, I've never really seen a worm in a bottle of Tequila - 'cept in the movies once when I saw a crusty old cowboy drink straight from the bottle - and the worm, too!) :)

[lodwick]

The word whiskey comes from the Gaelic word "uisgebaugh," which means "water of life."

This is VERY good to know.

[GailA]

Thanks for posting it Billie as usual you do a super job! Matthew is nearly bald..just some fine white blonde peach fuzz..come to think of it his daddy hasn't much more hair..just fringe and a few hairs on top. Bald gene runs in the family.

[Mama_Bear]

As much as I believe there is not one FReeper more deserving nor more important than the other,

You are right about that. All of our featured FReepers are equally deserving to be in our Finest spotlight......(but I'm afraid I will always be just a bit partially to our veterans and our active duty military, just can't help it.) ;-)

[JustAmy]

Hellooooo ...... Is it time for another blonde joke? Here's one anyway!

A phone company put an ad in the paper in order to recruit workers.

The next day, two groups of workers show up - a crew of five men and a crew of five blonde women.

The company can not decide who to give the job to, so they give the two groups a test. The company boss says, "Each crew will receive a telephone pole that must be installed into the ground. Whoever is able to hammer it in first will get the job."

Both groups agree that this is a fair test, so off they go in the Company trucks with the long telephone poles sticking out the back. A few hours pass, and finally, at 5:00, the male crew returns. "Yes!" they shout. "We came back first, so we get the job!!"

"Good work, men," says the boss, "However, we must wait until the other crew comes back to make sure that the reason they're delayed is not because of traffic or the truck breaking down."

"Fine, no problem," say the men. An hour passes, two hours pass, three hours. Finally, at 8:30, the Blonde crew arrives. All the group is flushed and breathing hard, as if they had just gone through harsh labor.

"What happened to you? What took so long?" asks the boss incredulously.

"What do you mean, 'what took so long'?? Do we get the job?"

"YOU get the job? No way! The men were back here HOURS ago!"

"Well, of course they were," say the blondes. "They only put the pole in halfway!!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TA DA

[dutchess]

The kids are at home getting ready for the TGIF Party!

[lodwick]

Reminds me of the one blonde English Channel swimmer who complained that the other breast stroke competitors were cheating, "They were using their arms!"

[dutchess]

Unfortunately this little guy started celebrating a little too soon....



or...what Dashle and friends will look like election night when we take back the senate! (knock on wood!)

[Pippin]

Good Afternoon everyone!

I'm Baaaaack!

IT'd FRIDAY NIGHT! Let's parrrrrtyyyyyy!

[dutchess]

Awe...Matthew is so cute. And following in the footsteps of our beloved president!

[Pippin]

(((((LOUIE)))))

Howdy Wolfie!

[JustAmy]

This is before the election results are in ....

[daisyscarlett]

You gotta know after raising three boys that to have a grand daughter is an extra special joy...

[lodwick]

The Buffalo Theory of Drinking Alcohol

I haven't heard anyone explain this quote as well as Cliffy Clavin the postman on the sitcom Cheers. One afternoon at Cheers, Cliff Clavin was explaining the Buffalo Theory to his drinking buddy Norm...

"Well ya see Norm, it's like this... A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back, that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members.

In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest operating brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we all know, kills brain cells, but naturally it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first.

In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weakest brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine.

That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers."


473 posted on 10/18/02 2:46 PM Central by Cuttnhorse

[daisyscarlett]

Hi Lori.....Awesome graphic for ladtx....

[ladtx]

You gotta know after raising three boys that to have a grand daughter is an extra special joy...

Especially since our last one, Michael, was supposed to be Michelle.(in the days before sonograms my wife was hoping for a girl and wouldn't even pick out boys name. I named him in the hospital after he was born.) His brothers never let him live that down.

[lodwick]

Sign up for the Houston Area Texas - HAT - chapter Al Clayda Steak, Shrimp & Sausage Shootout

Do not miss this one.

[daisyscarlett]

Yep, your Chels is adorable....with or without a teacup...However, whoever loves little kitties (if I recall she loves all baby animals) so I thought of her when I saw the kitty in the teacup....Here is the top part...

[ladtx]

Sounds like ya'll are about to pass a good time down there. Wish we lived closer.

[lodwick]

Well, nuts - I was really counting on meeting you and shaking your hand. If this deal gets done as well as I'm hoping, there should be lots more notice for a shoot in the spring.

Most us need more than 10 days notice for travel planning.