A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....10-22-02

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:  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

                     

One of FR's Finest International FReepers

Looking at the profile page of today's Finest International FReeper gives us insight as to how we are viewed as Americans by those in other countries. It's not surprising to know that there are differing opinions and varying degrees of respect and admiration for America, but it warms the heart to read the words that this Dutchman writes on his page about our country. It also speaks volumes about his character. I am pleased to introduce such a Fine FReeper as Knighthawk.

Knighthawk
Freeper since October 8, 2001

Knighthawk writes that he has loved the USA since he was a small boy, starting when he was about 9 years old. He had a great interest in the history of the "American Civil War between the Yankees and Confederals." When he finished the lower grades of school and was about to enter high school, his mother asked him what kind of present he wanted; he asked for two "Old Glories", which he hung in front of the windows of his room.

As, in his words, "Holland isn't a very America-friendly country", he didn't make a lot of points with his countrymen by hanging the Stars and Stripes and showing his love of the USA for all to see.

Yesterday, knighthawk's profile page was among those that daisyscarlett featured in her International Profile Pages Review, so many of you may have read his essay on 9/11, and how he feels about America, and what he wrote about the history of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. When I wrote to him about today's spotlight, I asked if there was anything he wanted to say, in his own words, and he sent me the following:

How does a Dutch guy end up here at the FR?

Well, it's a long story, so let's just begin by the beginning.

I was born in 1976 in the Netherlands, in the province Limburg, the most southern part, right next to Belgium and Germany.

When I was a kid I was very interested in history. A lot of this interest went to the American Civil War.

It was also the time when Ronald Reagan was president. He was disliked in Europe for his stand against communism, stating that Russia was the evil empire. In a part of the world where being left is in fashion, such things don't make a person popular. Reagan was protrayed like a cowboy. And I liked it! Having knowledge of history, it was easy to see what communism ment, so I could only agree with Reagan.

My teacher at school was a leftists, and tried to convince us kids that it was good that way. But I always was a rebel, and went the other way!

At high school I caused some teachers a lot of trouble with that rebel-attitude. My English teacher was my favorite subject on having arguments with. I disagreed with the way English was teached. I didn't have a great time there, I thought that kids were not seen as people, but as products by a lot of teachers.

My choise of profession was to go in the army (the Dutch one). I really focussed on it, and I enlisted for a test to get in the army as an officer. But I was turned down because of my bad eyesight, and for the same reason I also was not able to get NCO. So I decided to turn my hobby into work: computers. I managed to get to the Graphic/Publisching school, and it was a succes. In the final year (the 4th) I gave lessons on computers instead of the teachers. They did not really mind, because for most computers were something they never worked with.

I was also drafted for the army, there is conscription, but it was the last year they drafted anyone (the army is now professionals only). At first I was turned down, again for my bad eyesight. But the doctor who conducted the physical exam told me I was to be enlisted, not fully as a soldier, but to play basketball in the army! I was a promising point/schooting-guard, and he managed to find that out. But the last year was not called upon to serve in the army, so I could start to work after I finished school.

I started to work as a scan-operator. First at the regional newspaper for a short time to help them out to get their new scanners working, and then as a scan-operator in Roermond, a city near Helden, where I live. I mostly scan photos for magazines and glass-art books.

I also train kids at basketball, and play a little competition myself. But after years of having a bad left knee, it's not what it used to be.

But I like to have fun with the kids. They are very enthusiastic.

I am very conservative, to a certain point reactionair. On the List Pim Fortuyn forum (called very much to the right wing here in Europe) a guy told me at a party some socialists called him 'ultra-right', but when he saw my posts, he felt more center-left! Pim Fortuyn is the murdered politician. I really liked him, and his style. He was loud and loved to debate. People said 'where Fortuyn goes, there is trouble'. He angered people when debating with them, and I got that too. Being surrounded by leftists, that is not too difficult to anger some one. I really get them angry, and they usualy start to get personal instead of debating.

My dad is okay with it, he turned conservative too, but my mother and two brothers are not too comfortable with it. So it can get tense at home sometimes too! ~ knighthawk

There is no better way to end this profile of one of FR's Finest FReepers than by using his own words at the end of his Essay on his Profile Page:

"Show to the world you are proud to be an American, to be proud of living in such a beautiful country and hang up as much Old Glory's as you can, 24/7, forever, to remember that GOD HAS GIVEN AMERICA TO BE FREE!!!"

"GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!"

Thank you, Knighthawk.... ....And God Bless YOU!

THIS WEEK'S THREADs

10-21-02 International FReeper Profile Pages

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]

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, One Nation, Under God, Indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for All.

[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.

1965 CW3 Clifford R. Harry -- A/228 ASHB, Age 41, Chicago, Illinois
1965 CPT Richard K. Jordan -- 114 AHC, Age 29, Winston Salem, North Carolina
1966 WO1 William R. Davis -- 116 AHC, Age 24, Meridian, Mississippi
1967 WO1 Lawrence J. Stark -- 170 AHC, Age 21, Dayton, Ohio
1967 WO1 Patrick J. Sughrue -- 170 AHC, Age 20, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1971 WO1 Roy D. Barnes -- 116 AHC, Age 25, Modesto, California
1971 WO1 Pat G. Brannon -- 116 AHC, Age 21, Dayton, Ohio
1971 CPT Maurice E. Garrett Jr. -- A/2/17 CAV 101 ABN, Age 25, Mercer, Pennsylvania
1971 1LT Danny A. Cowan -- A/2/17 CAV 101 ABN, Age 22, Colton, California
1971 1LT William R. Lewis Jr. -- 54 MED DET, Age 24, Ebensburg, Pennsylvania
1971 CW2 Anthony J. Mensen -- 54 MED DET, Age 21, Sauk Centre, Minnesota

UNIT PATCH OF CPT GARRETT AND LT COWAN A/2/17 CAV 101 ABN

I found this memorial to CPT Maurice E. Garrett on the internet by a person who has his POW-MIA bracelet.

Maury Garrett graduated from West Middlesex area schools and headed to Vietnam. His first tour was as an MP at the embassy during tet. Many news photos show Maury (without his helmet) and another soldier dragging one of their own to safety. His picture was also carried in a still photo shown in a national magazine. His second tour was never completed as his Cobra helicopter crashed on October 22, 1971. Maury has not been returned home, because his remains were never found and he has never come home to his family. His father, mother, and sisters, along with all their families and friends still wait for his return. A vigil is held at the Mercer County Courthouse in Mercer, PA every January, in the hope that all those missing will be accounted for and/or returned to their families. I have his POW-MIA bracelet as do many others.

-- William Brandenstein - close friend of family

IN THE SHADOW OF THE BLADE

SCOUTS OUT!

[anniegetyourgun]

Happy Day, Knight!

[Billie]

You're very quick this morning. But your list is way too long. This was a particularly sad date with so many lives lost.

I love how you're including additional personal info, patches, graphics to these memorials now, ladtx. God Bless them and God Bless you for keeping the memories alive.

I got your mail - will probably try and get a group together for next week. Any additional info you'd like to include is helpful with the first post of a new group. (date of service, branch, etc)

[ladtx]

A true American at heart. You would be welcome in this country at any time knighthawk. Of course that would probably just make the leftists over here mad, but then that's what we all try to do anyway. You're a credit to this forum and your country. Salute!

[Billie]

[ladtx]

I'll FReepmail you some info in the pics I sent.

[Billie]

Good morning, annie. I loved reading knighthawk's words....it's such a wonderful feeling knowing this Dutchman loves our country so much!

[lodwick]

OK, so this is Holland MI
but I like the gif.

A great day to all passing this way.

[Billie]

Thanks - I think there will be enough photos to make another group, but I haven't 'counted' to make sure yet.

Would like to include seven's and Cobra's if I get them very soon. :)

[Billie]

I like your gif, too! But I'll bet you'll be bringing one with a Dutch windmill in the background in a bit. :)

[Joe Brower]

[Aeronaut]

Goooood morning Billie! (Robin Williams intonation, please)

[lodwick]

I will not forget the price you paid.

1965 CW3 Clifford R. Harry -- A/228 ASHB, Age 41, Chicago, Illinois
1965 CPT Richard K. Jordan -- 114 AHC, Age 29, Winston Salem, North Carolina
1966 WO1 William R. Davis -- 116 AHC, Age 24, Meridian, Mississippi
1967 WO1 Lawrence J. Stark -- 170 AHC, Age 21, Dayton, Ohio
1967 WO1 Patrick J. Sughrue -- 170 AHC, Age 20, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1971 WO1 Roy D. Barnes -- 116 AHC, Age 25, Modesto, California
1971 WO1 Pat G. Brannon -- 116 AHC, Age 21, Dayton, Ohio
1971 CPT Maurice E. Garrett Jr. -- A/2/17 CAV 101 ABN, Age 25, Mercer, Pennsylvania
1971 1LT Danny A. Cowan -- A/2/17 CAV 101 ABN, Age 22, Colton, California
1971 1LT William R. Lewis Jr. -- 54 MED DET, Age 24, Ebensburg, Pennsylvania
1971 CW2 Anthony J. Mensen -- 54 MED DET, Age 21, Sauk Centre, Minnesota

Salute!

[lodwick]

[deadhead]

"Show to the world you are proud to be an American, to be proud of living in such a beautiful country and hang up as much Old Glory's as you can, 24/7, forever, to remember that GOD HAS GIVEN AMERICA TO BE FREE!!!" "GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!"

Thank You for your support of America. Congratulations Knighthawk, enjoy your day in the spotlight! I always fly Old Glory, I Love America and am so Proud to be an American.
God Bless you Knighthawk!

[carlo3b]

You stand taller in my eyes, for seeing the light through the fog. I don't advocate taking a stand against a family, but if you believe your right... and have proof... take a stand! Be the beacon, and continue leading...

[Billie]

We fell down on the job yesterday! Somebody had a FReeper Anniversary! Happy one day late Anniversary, dansangel!

Happy Anniversary!

[Billie]

Good morning, Joe! You seem very happy this morning!

[Billie]

Goooood morning, Aeronaut! Right back to ya! C'mon down for a cup. ;)