A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....01-11,12-03...Week in Review

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: 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.

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.

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 5A: TOP: spectr17, RightOnline, SERE_Doc, Tet68. MIDDLE: FutureSnakeEater, RightOnline's wife, CIApilot, Clamper1797. BOTTOM: usmcobra, onedoug, DiverDave, Joe6-pack.

GROUP 6A: 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.

GROUP 7A: 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.

GROUP 8A: 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.

One has to be stirred, knowing our present military is a volunteer one.

Yes - some do go into the services primarily for selfish reasons - to acquire job skills or help with an education, and gain experience in life and discipline.
They, however, understand their commitment and true purpose is to physically protect our own nation, and, as is so now, fight necessary external battles.

They are asked for sacrifices the average civilian cannot begin to comprehend, and they and their families are greatly disadvantaged and stressed.

May we always be cognizant of these things, and keep them in the forefront of our daily prayers.
Please preface and end each day with special ones for them, and support them in whatever ways you are able.

I cannot forget a simple gesture with a profound effect of several years ago.
Having visited friends at Emerald Isle, North Carolina, and on our way home very early, my husband and I stopped at a restaurant in Jacksonville, NC for breakfast.

Among the others there, was, quite obviously, a Marine family, the father with the distinctive haircut and bearing.
He and his wife were perhaps in their early thirties, with a son and daughter around 10 to 12 years of age.

Seeing their quiet interactions with the waitress and with one another, it was heartening to see the beautiful manners and attention of the young ones.
They politely and clearly gave the waitress their orders - never argued with or poked one another, or fidgeted or squirmed around or acted up in any way as so many civilian children do in public!

It was a joy to see them talk pleasantly with their parents, and all respond with calm and dignity, long ingrained in them.

(Okay - I was seeing my own time as a young mother with three such children, and still proud of it..:)) Guilty as charged!)))

As we rose to leave, I stepped over to them to express my observations and appreciation, and the looks on their faces would have made you openly weep. It was all I could do to not do so.

Their reaction was near disbelief that someone did so - and deep joy and pride shone on all their faces.
No award or statue could evoke what they felt- for one moment feeling all they lived and endured was worth the long, unending process and sacrifices.

If you happen to know or live near a military family, please tell them how you see and feel about them.

You cannot begin to comprehend the horrors we, the families of the Nam War experienced with the literal and daily felt vilification of our loved ones and of us by civilians then.
I lived it for one very lonely year, suppressing the pain and resentment for 20 years.
It was only during the Gulf War when those returning warriors insisted upon honoring the Nam veterans when it surfaced and I dealt with it.
I was finally able to see and let it out; was able to forgive the protesters.

Do not let that happen again, I implore you.
Please support those who are there to act for just causes.

Thank you for that beautiful post.

Psa 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, [so] great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
Psa 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Psa 103:13 Like as a father pitieth [his] children, [so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
Psa 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we [are] dust.
Psa 103:15 [As for] man, his days [are] as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
Psa 103:16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
Psa 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD [is] from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
Psa 103:18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
Psa 103:19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

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