A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....11-19-02

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:  spectr17, RightOnline, SERE_Doc, Tet68.
MIDDLE:  FutureSnakeEater, RightOnline's wife, CIApilot, Clamper1797
BOTTOM:  usmcobra, onedoug, DiverDave, Joe6-pack

We now have eleven groups of veterans/active military; we will post each group of three or four twice a week, with thumbnail/links of the remaining seven or eight groups on each thread. Click on any of the thumbnails below to see the group full-size.

         

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

GROUP 2A: TOP:  Bosniajmc, AFVetGal, Archy, A Navy Vet MIDDLE:  4TheFlag, Aeronaut, 68Grunt, Xinga BOTTOM:  Codger, AAABest, Clinton's A Liar, Duke809, dcwusmc

GROUP 3A: TOP:  mc5cents, Norb2569, LBGA's son, VanJenerette MIDDLE:  Jim Robinson, KJenerette, davidosborne, KG9Kid BOTTOM:  gwmoore, Equality7-2521, SAMWolf

GROUP 4A: TOP:  porgygirl, Phil V., MudPuppy, NorCoGOP MIDDLE:  RaceBannon, OneidaM, rdb3, jwTexian BOTTOM:  USMC Vet, TheMayor, Vineyard, rhododogma

      

GROUP 9A: 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.

GROUP 10A: TOP: dakine's wife, MeeknMing's dad, Auntbee's nephew, MilitiaMan7, AlasBabylon. BOTTOM:  Joe Brower, Temple Owl, Temple Owl's wife, dutchess' dad, Aomagrat.

GROUP 11A: TOP: ladtx #2 son; DiverDave's twin Don; petuniasevan and husband poorman; Mustard; ladtx #1 son. BOTTOM: AlamoGirl's brother Floyd; AG's dad; AG's brother Jim (inset); WVNan's husband; ladtx' Aunt Eva.

                     

Announcements



The Holidays Are Coming

This will be pretty short. As your hostesses, we wanted to say a few things about the upcoming holidays and some of the things you might expect to see on the Finest between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Expect some reruns of earlier tributes, for those who might not have seen them from the summer.

We know that Christmas shopping, and decorating, and baking, and families, and Open Houses, and other things will be occupying more of everyone's time from Thanksgiving all the way through New Year's Eve.

With that in mind, realize that Daisy and Lori and Dansangel and I will also be doing all these things, and while we'll still be inviting you here every day with a fresh thread, during this busy season we will be cutting back on extensive new profiles and ask for your participation in keeping it fun and interesting for all who still come by every day.

Will You Help Us?

We want to ask you for help in putting a thread together .... would someone like to share their favorite holiday crafts, recipes, a special holiday memory, collectables, photos of your home decorated, inside and out?

Please share your ideas and thoughts with any one of us by FReepmail, and let's have a joyous, frazzle-free holiday season. That's not to say we don't still have several New Profiles up our sleeve .... it's not ALL reruns! (But of course you will have to visit the thread to see!) LOL

And Finally..A Couple of Things...

Just a reminder: we DO have some great new profiles for this week AND next, already in the works .... and next Thursday, look for a beautiful special Holiday thread by Mama_Bear, which will run from Thanksgiving Day through Sunday.

Do start getting those pictures of your special fur friends to us for our Pet Christmas thread later in December. We will announce the deadline very soon for you to get them to us!

Billie    DaisyScarlett    Dansangel    Mama_Bear

THIS WEEK'S THREADs
11-18-02 Outrageous Outtakes from FR

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

[dansangel]

PS....I almost forget....you will also need a short length of telephone wire. Most all hotels have modem hook-ups on the room telephone (an external jack to connect to located on the phone - "data port.")

[lodwick]

Thanks, but as you should know by now, CREDIT is not what I seek. Just happy to be here. ;-)

[dutchess]

Thanks for the info...I'm sure it won't happen next week (although it is my 49th (yuck!) bday on Tuesday...hint hint Mr.D.!!!) But after a summer vacation of him having to put up with me running back and forth to the library I bet he is willing to consider it! All I know is freeper impaired vacations are NO FUN!!!!!

[SheLion]

As a matter of fact, maybe FReeper MaineRebel does. He served in VietNam in the US Army from 1966-1967, 6BN27thArt. Ring any bells?

Hi daisyscarlett! What was the question??

[WVNan]

Evenen' Cap'n, I've been leery of participating in the on-going battles since the great snowball fights. I don't want to end up at the hospital again any time soon. I'm taking shore leave for a spell.

[LadyX]

Wonderful true story, DD!
It always is awesome to see God's plans unfold, and yesterday and today I saw one of His do just that.

Some of you are aware how He on my routine appointments at the VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia points out to me some who need a human touch, the needs very great as a rule.

Yesterday, going for a lab draw and subsequent appointment in the Nephrology Clinic, it was a "God, green lights and Glory Day."
Had a new tape by Michael W.Smith - Worship Again - to make the 45-mile drive each way special, and go by quickly.
Somehow, everything went smoothly, and I was the one blessed over and over.

First thing was instead of a long line for the labs, I got in speedily.
The woman who often is the one who draws mine is a good friend and Christian, normally aglow.
In the summer she had caught me in the hall and asked if I would pray for her son - on a helicopter crew in Afghanistan. I of course added them both to my daily ones.

Yesterday we hugged right in front of God and Georgia - this other child of God happens to have dark skin.
She was quiet and subdued, and while pleased I remembered Walter's name, was just not herself. I didn't press her for details.

My physician in setting up in July for the labs now, forgot to add a CBC and urinalysis, and since I am seen only every 4 months, I mentioned it to the physician over him, who always reviews his findings.
She happens to have been my personal physician at the Medical College of Georgia before I began going to the VA, and treats me like her mother.
Evidently, she pointed out to him the oversight, having him call me after I got home to ask when it would be convenient to return for them, and I chose today.

Okay - while you are on a list and it doesn't matter what time you go - first come-first served is the only rule - I decided to beat the crowd, and was the 3rd one on the Sign In List.

When Rosa called me in, like yesterday, she seemed almost depressed.
While she was drawing the blood, I asked her what was wrong - if she were not feeling well. She replied her husband is hounding her every day to 'hang it up' and stay home. (Imagine she is perhaps 62 and could get early SS)

Just then, in came a blonde, older 'Helga the Storm Trooper' type, immediately spewing venom at Rosa.
Must be over her in the Lab Pecking Order.

This lab section is new, and Rosa is immediately in the front of the room - partition behind her, and on the other side, two setups for lab personnel who arrive later in the schedule to draw from patients.

LOUDLY, she berated Rosa about a collection wire basket cart that was in the BACK of the partition rather than "its place" by the entrance door.
A RATIONAL person might assume a cleaning person had moved it out of their way - wouldn't you??
She shoved it roughly, jerking it around, into place by the door, continuing her tirade - on and on, ignoring the fact I was present, blood being drawn from my arm.

She continued going off very loudly - "and left these dirty gloves back here, ETC." glaring at Rosa and continuing to what amounted to accusing her of gross negligence. Rosa never said a word, other than an initial "I did not put it there."
During this, I quietly put my hand on Rosa's forearm to steady her.

My heart broke, because I sensed she had been getting daily such lectures, setting her up to be fired, probably. (Maybe the reason her husband wanted her to quit ?!)
As an older and black woman, she had to take it.
I could see her spirit draining out of her second by second, unable to counter the assault.

"Time for ACTION," God prodded me.
I spoke loudly and clearly and coldly and (deadly) calmly to 'Helga':

"I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD STOP TALKING LIKE THAT WHERE I AND THE OTHER PATIENTS ARE SUBJECTED TO IT. "
( think lioness prepared to leap for her throat, growling softly )

(Kind of "Satan - LEAVE!!")

She looked as if I had thrown ice water in her face!!

OH, the triumph of the Lord, directing what Rosa COULD NOT do - and as 'Helga' tried to minimize her ranting and railing, glossing it over as ' well, it was just brief,'
SHE KNEW THAT I KNEW her mouth and heart !!

She left as fast as she could, and I put my hand back on Rosa's arm.
She knew absolutely God did it for her.

That look we exchanged without words is one of the most beautiful things in my lifetime.
She did mouthe 'thank you' - no more words were necessary.
Love of Him literally lit the room.
You KNOW it all was His orchestration, beginning in July, having my physician forget to write the lab orders correctly, and arranging to lift Rosa when she was just about to die inside.

Our God is so awesome!!

[lodwick]

" You must be the chip monk!"


Please excuse the HUGE groan here Pips. Good grief. ;-)

[dansangel]

All I know is freeper impaired vacations are NO FUN!!!!!

Pffffttttt! True! When the shakes hit, it is NOT a pretty sight!!! Happy almost birthday! My 47th (ugh!) is coming up in January. Time surely does fly.......

[SpookBrat]

Oh Gosh, let me see if I can find one.

[WVNan]

Lots of Rhodos in WV mountains. Did you get any snow this past week-end Molly? They talked about snow, but it didn't snow here or in Columbus. Thank God. It was hard enough for my hubby to endure my driving him home on a clear day. It's not that I'm a bad driver, it's that he thinks he has to do everything. I thought he would have another heart attack when the doctor told him he couldn't drive for 6 weeks. LOL.

[WVNan]

My guess is poor supervision. All the members of the crew are often left to their own devices. That's how the cat fell overboard.

[WVNan]

I know you will have a great visit to Key West, even without a computer. Remember......sunsets?

[GailA]

Maybe we need to include a favorite receipe for the Christmas thread. I'm sure most of us have ones they'd like to share that we could try. I make homemade chocolate covered peanut butter balls every Christmas. Sure beats Reeses' cups. I'm about ready for a piece of pumpkin pie.

[Molly Pitcher]

Aren't we blessed to have these beautiful flowering shrubs??!!

We had snow showers the end of last week...Thurs.???

So happy to hear you have your husband home and on the mend. He's well taken care of, I'm thinking!

Night, Nan!

[dansangel]

Our God is so awesome!!

And so are you, LadyX, for speaking up to defend a fellow human being against a ladder-climbing barracuda. Being in the corporate world...very close to "hell" itself...I see similar tirades every week. Sometimes I remain quiet when I witness it, other times I will say something in defense of the victim.

Someday I expect my blunt mouth will get me in trouble...but it will be worth it if it happens defending a helpless subordinate.

May God continue to bless you abundantly!

{{{{{{{{{ladyx}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[lodwick]

Nice conduit - way to go. ;-)

[dutchess]

"My 47th (ugh!) is coming up in January"

I was worried about turning 40, Mr. D. took me to New Orleans (it's a tradition to go out of town Thanksgiving week which also is my birthday week) and I fell into I'm a "forty something" comfort zone. Have loved it.... Not sure about the 40 something being over...but guess I have to start the 50 something comfort zone...and be grateful if I make it to the 60 something comfort zone....70 something comfort zone etc. It's all in the attitude isn't it!

[WVNan]

Oh, you go girl! It's a beautiful thing. I sure hope that Rosa doesn't get fired. As she is getting near retirement age she is in danger of being let go. A lot of places do that in order to keep from paying retirement. It's very unfair. I'm so glad you spoke up. Praise God for putting you there!

[dansangel]

It's all in the attitude isn't it!

Absolutely....learned that from my Dad who, at 77, is a feisty "39 and holding."

"But, Dad, how do you explain being younger than me?"

Shrugging: "That's YOUR problem!"

LOL!

Off to bed....(wake-up time tomorrow is 4:00 in order to post the thread before w-o-r-k-ugh.) Have a great evening!

[WVNan]

What? I thought it was very funny. But then I laugh at brocolli.