A Few of FR's Finest...Every Day....02-24-03....One of the Good Guys

Billie and Dutchess

[dutchess]

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

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 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.

      

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.

                     

One of the Good Guys...

For those who have spent any time on The Dose, you will recognize a positive voice, a supporter of our president and an all around 'NICE GUY". You will see though there is a lot more to our featured guest today. Please join me in recognizing our very own MJY1288.

MJY1288 MJY heard about FreeRepublic on the radio and lurked for many months, finally signing up shortly after the 2000 election mess. If you ever want to track him down, just visit the Dose on any given evening.

My favorite thread is "A day in the Life" because I enjoy all the positive people who visit it, and because of Rintense's devotion to it. A very positive thread

He freeps from what he affectionately refers to as "THE DUNGEON". My question is did he straighten it up for this picture???

Although MJY has not participated in a lot of outside activist activities, he did attend a White House freep in August of 2001 which he thoroughly enjoyed. He also designed and distributed the now famous "you should thank me" bumper sticker shown above which many of our freepers proudly display on their automobiles.

MJY also created a beautiful tribute to September 11th which is linked to his business homepage. He purchased Joe's Auto Body Shop, where he started working at age 15, from his cousin Joe in 1988. He designed an awesome website to promote his business as well as his love of country. MJY's Homepage

Family has played a strong and positive influence on MJY's life. His father was career Army and worked at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics lab helping to design the fuse on the first Nuclear bomb. He was a staunch conservative and helped shape his political beliefs.

I grew up in a home where my father was very strict. All of my 7 brothers and sisters were taught at a young age the meaning of responsibility and structure. My mother was the glue that held it all together. We grew up very poor but never realized it until we got older and saw how others lived.

In addition to his brother, cousin Joe lived with the family from the time he was an infant and was a very strong influence on MJY's life.

MJY, Cousin Joe and Brother Joe, 1968

As a young kid I was very proud of my dad when he would come home in his military uniform. I watched my older brother leave for Vietnam as a volunteer. I watched my cousin, Joe, volunteer as a Marine for Vietnam. My Brother served on the U.S.S. Mulaney in the Navy and came home unhurt., Joe, who was like a brother to me, volunteered to be a forward observer and stepped on a land mine on Halloween day 1968, was badly injured, but survived. I prayed everyday for them while they were gone and to watch those unbathed hippies protest, to this day, boils my blood.

MJY recalls an incident after his cousin was shipped to Bethesda Naval Hospital after spending eight months in a hospital in Guam.

We all piled up in the family station wagon with my dad driving and drove over to the hospital, sneaking Joe out of there on a Saturday afternoon. Outside the hospital, there were a bunch of protestors calling injured Marines baby killers. I looked at my highly decorated father who spent 21 years of his life in the Army, looked at my older brother who just got home from a 4 year hitch in Vietnam and my badly injured cousin who was flat on his back in the back of the station wagon and it wasn't hard to figure out what side of the argument I was on. The Vietnam War impacted our family and me very much.

MJY's father passed away on March 30th, 2002 receiving full military honors.

    

As sad as I was, I was very proud of my dad and very impressed by the military showing my Dad such an honor. I will never forget it.

MJY is happily married, the father of an adult daughter and proud grandfather of two beautiful grandchildren.

Grandson's Michael and Zachary 15 month ago

MJY also used to be used to be a professional drag boat racer. In 1992 he was the world champion in his class (Super Pro Flat) in the United States Drag Boat Association and was a 5 time Champion in the Delaware Valley Boat Racing Association. You can find pictures of him racing on his FR Homepage.

It is a common statement on FR that you can tell the character of a person by their attitude and treatment of their pets. MJY passes that test too having a strong love for their dogs.

Lilly and Bud

My wife and I love dogs We have always had two dogs, mine and hers. I am a Lab and she is a mutt lover. My first Lab, Bud lived for 14 years. The hardest decision I have ever made was when I had to put him down. This dog was my faithful friend. I had him cremated and his remains are in a sealed wooden box right next to my computer in the "Dungeon" with his name engraved and my favorite picture of him on it.. Bud and Lilly, my wife's dog at the time, were the best of friends and when Bud died I truly believe Lilly was heartbroken…she was never the same after that. My wife and I can't talk about Lilly and Bud without wanting to cry.

MJY now has a Golden, Maggie, who he says is just as faithful as Bud and his wife has a Rat Terrior, Sassy, who is also a very sweet and loving dog.

His wife is also a big time Turtle collector. They have a huge turtle sanctuary on their property, including an addition on the end of their home that provides them sanctuary in the winter.

My wife has well over 40 turtles and tortoises and we take in injured turtles who need our care. I can patch their shell damage and she is incredible with their health needs. In fact…she is an expert in their care.

Finally, on politics MJY says that Ronald Reagan did more to change his belief in this country than any other, although he states that George W. Bush is quickly gaining on him. In his own word:

I see our country being led by a good man who loves this country and is in office to serve this nation and not himself , I don't always agree with him, but what the hell, I don't agree with anyone all the time. I think George W. Bush has a good chance of being one of the best ever. I find his willingness to express his belief in God very refreshing and I thank the Lord very often that he is our president in these tough times. The future is in good hands with George W. Bush leading this country

A man who has a strong belief in God, a man who has strong conservative values, a man who has a love of family, country, animals. It is a pleasure to spotlight MJY1288 - "one of the good guys".

MJY1288, You ARE one of FR's Finest!

THIS WEEKEND'S THREAD

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

[MeekOneGOP]

Yeah, it was 30 degrees. It's cooled off a little now though. 28 right now, see? ...

[FoxGirl]

Congrats on the recognition here, MJY1288! I loved reading about your life, your sweet dogs, and most importantly, your beliefs. I haven't been around FR very long, but I already know that you're one of the best! Enjoy your special day!

[ofMagog]

Aboard the Mobius Triangle

How are the dilithium crystals, Mertz?

Fine, sir. We soaked them overnight in some of LadyX’s Kickapoo Joy Juice. Their carborundum shells completely melted with any other impurities. We dumped what was left in the bilge, along with the french artificial champaign we replaced with the California real stuff.

Are we squared away for midnight sailing?

Yes, sir. We are secured for sea.

[ofMagog]

Please increase dansangel's lithium.

[Wphile]

Way to go MIKE! You certainly deserve this and your posts on the Dose are always so wonderful. You are, in large measure, why the Dose is such a positive thread!

Congratulations Mike and I loved reading more about your life and family. A terrific tribute to a terrific guy!

[anniegetyourgun]

CONGRATS to one of my favorite Freepers!

[Fred Mertz]

Are we squared away for midnight sailing?

Cap'n....Mertz reporting for duty...finally. It's a long story, I'll explain it soon.

[GailA]

Good Morning ALL..congrats MJY on being such a fine man and a FR Finest.

Coffee's on

[Pippin]

Hi, (((Spookie)))! (NHH)

I'm doing fine, went to work today. My back is still giving me some trouble. It acts like it is getting better, then it'll flare up again, grrr!

How's everything in Fla.?

Did you go to any of those rallies in support of President Bush that was held in Orlando?

[MJY1288]

Thank You Dutchess for the Spotlight and thank you all for the kind words and wishes, Freepers are the best

MJY

[Pippin]

Hi, Cap!

Pippin reporting for duty, sir! (I don't do latrines!)

[Budge]

Good morning everyone!

MJY, congrats on being one of FR's finest!

[MJY1288]

Post #30 is for you as well,

Thanks,

MJY

[FreeTheHostages]

Congratulations! Great learning more about all these familiar screen names.

My favorite thread is "A day in the Life" because I enjoy all the positive people who visit it, and because of Rintense's devotion to it. A very positive thread.

I so agree. That's hard work she does and she does it so well.

[Pippin]

Good Morning, (((FTH)))!

[Aquamarine]

I always enjoy reading your comments, they are very conservative and level headed. Congratulations on your big day here!

[Aquamarine]

ROTFL!

[Maigrey]

For anyone who doesn't know, Mike had a really, really rough week and pulled through like a FReeper would: head held high, hands a little grubby, and a smile to make the clouds go away. So, have a cup o' joe and a cookie on me!

[ofMagog]

"Pippin reporting for duty, sir! (I don't do latrines!)"

That's OK. Someone needs to clean the bilge tanks before we sail tonight. You just volunteered.

[LadyX]

So glad to learn about you, MJY, and feel assured the true American spirit is alive and well.

As for the Welcome Home accorded our returnees from Southeast Asia, that was a personal source of grief.
My husband was in charge of a Strike Team, forerunner of Special Ops, choppered routinely to supplement forces in the hot spots - Tet Offensive, Da Nang, etc.

Landing in San Francisco on a chartered plane at the end of a long year, plucked literally straight out of the jungle, there were special greeters as they debarked.
Their welcoming committee was a large group of college age hippie types screaming and jeering.

As he went by, a girl spit on him. Without hesitation, still operating on survival instincts, he snapped her arm, and without a word, the line of returnees each grabbed a protester and dragged them into a rest room.

They commenced a lesson in 'Thou Shall Not Spit in Public 101,' the airport police keeping watch outside, thrilled some justice was meted out that day.

That was only the beginning of his ordeal. Strangely related to them on the flight home was advice to travel in civvies to get home, if they could. My husband had to wear his uniform to get Standby Rates.
On the flight to Dallas, and the last one to Columbia, SC where I anxiouly waited all day, he was made to sit in the very back of each flight so the civilians would not be upset!
My hero was literally the last one off, treated like a mad dog.

Thirty-four years later I feel that tremendous pain as deeply as I did then.
My payback is three grown children in their 40's, carrying the torch, their memories and priorities eagle straight.

Thank you to all who understand and honor our military, who are willing to fight to ensure freedom, whether here or abroad.

God bless them and their families, and each of you who support them.