A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-20-02

Libertina, dansangel and Billie | Libertina

[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.

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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.

                     

Copper Miners in action

IssaquahKing Freeper since August 4, 2001

With Miner's Blood comes Love of the Land
by Libertina

IssaquahKing has a deep connection with the land and very personal reasons for his determined fight for land rights. Mom came to Alaska in 1939, dad went to Ketchikan in '46…using a dog sled to get to and from town…moose meat, fish, and a great family environment!

Crusher used in Copper Mining

IssaquahKing was raised in an America few have had the good fortune to experience. In 1968 he and his family flew into the Wrangell Mountains and located a gold/copper prospect to mine. They staked it all up, almost getting snowed in for the season - until a pilot was finally able to fly them out. Over the next few years they staked up the area, mining gold to finance the hard rock development. IssaquahKing's family knew they had been successful when exploration companies showed up to talk about buying their land and flying them around. The IssaquahKings were ready to sell.

Copper mining pit

Unfortunately, as the "exploration boys" would say: "You got government problems." Jimmy Carter, SoS Cecil Andrus and Rep Morris Udall "sold them down the river," pulling their claims. The family was prevented from "operating" and thereby selling their business. IssaquahKing's family fought the government's taking of the land through attrition, but lost. "We let the land go in 86, because we couldn't afford to hold onto a piece of property that had all the rights stolen from it… The property is now a UN Heritage site. But I knew that someday in the future we'd fight again."

Copper mining truck

IssaquahKing became an electrician, and lost some hope. But in 1998 he found FRee Republic and lurked until it dawned on him that there were others out there who cared as he did. And nothing stirred his spirit like the Klamath Basin Crisis. "It cut me right to my soul, because we had experienced the same thing in the 80's. I watched on my monitor in horror at what was being done to my fellow Americans!" It was finally time to fight again.

The rest is Freeper history. IssaquahKing joined fellow land rights activists in Oregon and did what he could to help. He saw the devastation of crops burned off at the nubs and the despairing signs posted by ruined farmers. He was there when the Freedom Cavalry Regiment rode up across the mountains and down to the head gates where the Star Spangled Banner was played - and no dry eye within a mile.

Copper mining tools

After the amazing strides made by patriots in Klamath for Land Rights, IssaquahKing joined the Sawgrass Rebellion Convoy - traveling across the country to Florida. As IssaquahKing was quoted by the AP in the 10/2/02 edition of the UK Guardian, "…miners, loggers, farmers and ranchers are making a united front." Thanks to IssaquahKing, and other Freepers and patriots, we conservatives are being heard by officials who should be protecting our land rights.

Note: You might think that IssaquahKing is so busy with land rights issues that he doesn't have time to get together with other FReepers. I'm happy to tell you that isn't so. Although we have lost IssaquahKing (WA State) to Nevada, he does sometimes make it back to party with us. Here he is on St. Patrick's Day with a nice FReeper named "Marilyn." Congratulations, IssaquahKing, for being one of FR's Finest!

IssaquahKing and his "drinking buddy" Marilyn

Please join us in welcoming another of FR's Finest...

IssaquahKing!

Thanks to Libertina for this wonderful contribution to "A Few of FR's Finest!"

Libertina

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12-16-02 Christmas Is....FReeper Memories 12-17-02 FReeper Pets on Parade 12-18-02 Places In The Heart 12-19-02 "Gore Calls It Quits"...JohnHuang2 Essay

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

[Libertina]

I just have to tell you how cute that little fuzzy bird is on the post to DaisyScarlett. Darling!

[JustAmy]

Before I leave for awhile, I want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season. I know, I know, I did this yesterday but you may not have been here.



Enjoy the holidays with family and friends.

[Libertina]

Cute reindeer!
Merry Christmas
Happy Holidays
to you, too!

[GailA]

It is my favorite of all that I saw. I've a GREAT Santa one but can't post it. I didn't save it to my hard drive :-(

I did book mark the site, it's been hit so many times they are out of bandwith until the first of next month. I'll post it then.

[humblegunner]

G'day, Y'all!!!
Great thread, dansangel! Glad to see everyone today..
I've been just busy as heck, (Holiday Plant shut-downs, y'know)
but I always get a boost from the FR's Finest thread!
IssaquahKing, congratulations Sir! Have an outstanding day as
one of the finest!!!

[GailA]

This one's especially for you Issaquahking.

[daisyscarlett]

Have a great FReep tonight Amy...love all those holiday graphics you have been posting...

Merry Christmas! DaisyScarlett

[LadyX]

Holiday? You close down the plant for the holiday?!
Marvelous!!

A Special Merry Christmas to you, HG ~ ~

[humblegunner]

Holiday? You close down the plant for the holiday?! Marvelous!!

No No No!!! ;-)
Other plants see maintenance opportunities while personnel
are not on site.. and apparently could not foresee this mysterious
circumstance. Thus we are flooded with stuff to produce and ship.
But you knew that! Besides, it's all commerce!

A very special Merry Christmas to you, too!

[carlo3b]

Thanks for the ones that you do get to share... Merry Christmas... :)

[Libertina]

I am going off line for a while. Hope you enjoyed your day, IssaquahKing! Great work, Dansangel - it was fun :)
Take care everybody

[JulieRNR21]

Wow - I hope to see Glacier Bay one day. Thanks for bringing it here.

Glacier Bay is one of the most awesomely beautiful places on Earth! We took a smaller boat (not one of the huge cruise ships) that can get really close to the glaciers.

At the entrance to the Bay which is a National Park we picked up a Park Ranger who accompanied us to the most scenic & interesting places......we saw whales; mountain goats; bears; seals; many kinds of birds & of course, the glaciers. The sound of the ice breaking off (calving) is something I still recall.

I'm sure you'll hear it one day when you visit Glacier Bay!

[JulieRNR21]

Hi Julie. I just have to jump into to your Alaska conversation with IssaquahKing. I wonder if the college you mentioned in Sitka is where Michener stayed while he was writing his novel "Alaska"? I seem to recall hearing something about that. When we were there we could see the college from a distance but didn't have time to go there. We enjoyed touring the town and seeing the artifacts at St. Michael's Cathedral. But, my favorite place of all was Ketchikan. We were fortunate to be there on one of the very few days of sunshine that they get during the year. I had just finished reading Alaska before we took our cruise and it made the visit to those towns so much more interesting.

Lori, we stayed at Sheldon Jackson College. We were living in CA at the time and our church sent volunteers every June to do work at the college.....painting, carpentry, landscaping, clerical, etc.

A Chamber Music Festival was going on & we attended many concerts in the evenings. It was the time of the longest days & still daylight at 10pm. As the musicians played, we could see many eagles soaring in the sky over Sitka Bay. Local people told us that the eagles were attracted to the music.

I do recall St. Michael's Cathedral and learning all about the Russian settlement. I think I recall hearing that Michener did stay at that college. I also read 'Alaska' before we went. It was rainy for half our week on Sitka but we were fortunate to have seven days of sunshine our second week in Juneau & Glacier Bay!

[Issaquahking]

Libertina

Thank you so much for a great day!!!Most of all thank you all for re-imforcing the reason(s) of freeping!

Merry Christmas! and good night!

[Mama_Bear]

we stayed at Sheldon Jackson College. We were living in CA at the time and our church sent volunteers every June to do work at the college.....painting, carpentry, landscaping, clerical, etc.

Yes, Sheldon Jackson College, that is where Michener stayed. That must have been a wonderful experience for you! I wish we could have seen more of Alaska, but the cruise ships don't stop long in each port, and I was very disappointed that we came so near Skagway and I didn't get to see it. Guess we will need to go back someday.

If I don't get a chance to talk to you before Christmas, I want to again wish you and yours a most joyous one. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Good Morning!
There's a brand new thread
OVER HERE

[JulieRNR21]

Yes, Sheldon Jackson College, that is where Michener stayed. That must have been a wonderful experience for you! I wish we could have seen more of Alaska, but the cruise ships don't stop long in each port, and I was very disappointed that we came so near Skagway and I didn't get to see it. Guess we will need to go back someday. If I don't get a chance to talk to you before Christmas, I want to again wish you and yours a most joyous one. :-)

Lori: We had been told by friends that they were very frustrated that they spent so little time in each port & how they hated to get back on the ship.....so we chose a three day cruise to Glacier Bay & then spent more time exploring Juneau & Sitka on our own. Like you, hope to see more of that magnificant land someday!

Thanks for your wishes.....sending my own for a Blessed Christmas & Happy New Year to you & your family!

Georgio & I love his new Christmas graphic!

Thanks for making it!