A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....03-07-03...The Blue Star Flag

LadTx and Billie | Ladtx

[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.

                     

The American War Mothers flag
(The Blue Star Flag)

      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Blue Star Flag by ladtx

I hung two blue star flags in the window today, one for each of our sons.      Two yellow ribbons would have sufficed to show our concern and our love but the blue stars are more fitting, so there they hang.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yellow ribbons have become “de rigueur” when our soldiers go to war. During the Gulf War they were everywhere; trees, fences, front porches and the back windows of automobiles. It was a spontaneous and caring display of concern for our troops. It had been carried over from the days of the imprisonment of the hostages held in Iran ten years before. Inspired by the popular song, “Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Old Oak Tree” by Tony Orlando and Dawn, those yellow bows showed our concern. Although heartfelt and indicative of the love of those left behind, particularly for friends, relatives and our troops as a whole, there is a predecessor that is more steeped in history and I believe more appropriate symbol for display by mothers and fathers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The American War Mothers flag was first displayed during World War I. The blue star on a white background trimmed in red was a design created by Robert L. Queissner of Ohio to reflect the WWI service of his two sons. The flag was displayed in windows to denote the home of a soldier’s mother. As WWI progressed and American lives were lost a new flag developed from the blue star. When a son was killed the, mothers began sewing a gold star over the blue and soon thereafter President Wilson began referring to these women as “Gold Star Mothers.”

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In 1925 the U.S. Congress granted the American War Mothers a national charter. The following year on what was then Armistice Day, now Veterans Day, the American War Mothers flag was raised over the Capitol for the first time. Today the War Mothers Flag flies beneath the National Colors every Veterans Day until sundown.

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On the July 1942 cover of McCall’s, a blue-star flag appears in the window above a mother and son.

World War II, once again, saw the practice of hanging the Blue and Gold Star flags in windows. Sadly, the practice of displaying the Blue Star or Gold Star flags in the windows of mothers during the Korean and Vietnam Wars never gained widespread practice. It is one that should be taken up again. It has become one of our traditions that have fallen by the wayside and that is a shame. Traditions define us and to lose them one by one is to slowly lose ourselves and perhaps our way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On September 24, 1917 an Ohio congressman read the following into the Congressional record, referring
to the War Mothers Flag:

“The mayor of Cleveland, the Chamber of Commerce and the governor of Ohio have adopted this service flag. The world should know of those who give so much for liberty. The dearest thing in all the world to a father and mother – their children.”

SCOUTS OUT!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ladtx flew UH-1's in Vietnam, OH-58's in Germany, and the CH-47 Chinook in Korea and Texas. He served 20 years in the United States Army. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer (CW4). Click on the calvery horses above to read more about him, and his family. Two of his three sons have recently been deployed: one in the USAF and the other USAR. ~ Billie

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Father God, the star is the symbol You chose when You gave us the Ultimate Gift of Your Child. Heralding that birth was a bright and shining star in a dark sky, and ladtx has hung blue stars representing his two children, sent forth in Your name. They represent also the feelings of those who read and echo this prayer, honoring the sacrifices we, too, are willing to make in Your name, honoring the greatest of gifts - pure love. Believing in You, we entrust our sons and daughters to Your care all the years of their lives, from first breath to last; and most especially, we ask You to protect them when their absence is for the greater good of mankind. Be with them in every situation, Father. Send the Holy Spirit to fill them and all family and friends involved with Your peace and certainty of purpose. We believe America is the nation that was established in Your Holy Name, and ask Your help in our efforts to preserve her and to act according to Your will. Guide all those in positions of authority through the storms and trials ahead, particularly our President. Thank You for hearing our pleas, Lord. Amen.

Thank you, LadyX, for the beautiful prayer.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 03-03-03 Pippin's Thoughts 03-04-03 Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) 03-05-03 BilltheDrill 03-06-03 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.
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[dutchess]

Hi Julie...I love your little "support out troops" sign...mind if I borrow it????

[daisyscarlett]

Dansy, sorry your work week has "sucked". It is Friday though, so have good weekend and let us know how the rally goes tomorrow...

And check out the calendar page that Free posted today.....

[LadyX]

The arm is sporting a high tech fiberglass cast from armpit to knuckles, and am working with an exercise ball - both hands.

Can now strangle a limp spaghetti noodle with either one, now that the swelling is diminishing...:))

Thank you for asking, dutchess, and your prayers that helped.

[daisyscarlett]

Good afternoon dutchess....I wonder if they have public libraries in Hawaii...ha ha, of course they do but my first choice will be an internet cafe that sells adult beverages.....I want one of those foo-foo drinks with a colorful umbrella in it...lol...Thanks for your wishes...

[dutchess]

Love the cowboy picture....

...and Tiny Tommy, sputtering like boiling teapots

Our county commissioners just got back for a conference in DC. Probably politically the attendees from around the country were equally split Dems and pubbies. Apparantly Tiny Tom was one of the speakers...did fine for the first five minutes then started to trash GW, his policies, same old same old. Our commissioners, as well as many others apparantly got up and walked out in the middle of the speech LOL! Made my day to hear that!

[daisyscarlett]

GailA: Enjoyed the article you posted a few days ago about Johnny Cash turning 71. Aquamarine: when you get a chance, a little bit of Johnny Cash music, okay?

[dutchess]

Oh cool, you're still here. Thought I missed you!

BTW, watching GW on the new big screen was AWESOME!!! Already told Mr. D. we have to move the computer into the family room LOL!!!

my first choice will be an internet cafe that sells adult beverages.....I want one of those foo-foo drinks with a colorful umbrella in it...

That sounds like the one I found in Key West...grass hut theme and all LOL!

[WaterDragon]

I also have family in this war. i really hate the shenanigans of Old Europe and the contempt of other countries like Canada, all of whom might be making fighting this war even more dangerousl

[dansangel]

Yes Miss {{{{{{daisy}}}}}}}}, work *sucks.* I was trying to avoid any invective, but since you opened the door to that one....LOL! What's this about Hawaii? Oooohhhh! Went there twice in the 80's....absolutely loved it! Have a superbly ***wonderful*** time!

{{{{{{{{dutchess}}}}}}}}}} - tomorrow's rally is a small one, but we are bound and determined to be active, even if it means travelling 40 miles. LBGA is going with us and there will be other GA FReepers in attendance.

The *BIG* rally is next Saturday in Centennial Park, downtown Atlanta. We will be there as well. I have my new digital camera that *Santa* gave me for Christmas, so I will be snapping pics like crazy. Tomorrow and next week. Will post over the weekend if any come out well.

{{{{{{LadyX}}}}}} - Billie "spared the rod" at the staff meeting....that's why we are all so spoiled! LOL!!!!

{{{{Mama_Bear}}}}}}} - Big hugs to you, GrammyBear and JKPhoto.

{{{{{{{Billie}}}}} - Love ya, sistah!

[LadyX]

Glad you came through with unsinged wings, dansy...:))

Doesn't LBGA have a son in the military who should be on the prayers for active duty military?
Might already be there, I concede.....still hard to navigate with the left fingers to look.

[Billie]

LOL! I'm such a tyrant!

[Billie]

You have a great time tonight!

[Billie]

LOL! I'm not so sure you're 'just kidding'! :)

[Billie]

Hello, WaterDragon, it's been a long time since we've seen you here; thank you for coming today. :) May we add your family to our Military Prayer List?

Think we all understand and feel your contempt and frustration for these countries who prefer to bury their head in the sand and hope for 'it' (Saddam) to just go away.

[Billie]

{{{{{{LadyX}}}}}} - Billie "spared the rod" at the staff meeting....that's why we are all so spoiled! LOL!!!!

Ha! So THERE, LadyX! :)

P.S. We did remember LBGA's son when we started the list. :)

[LadyX]

Ya know I luvya...:)))

[LadyX]

"P.S. We did remember LBGA's son when we started the list. :)"

Thanks, Billie - - - I luv color, too...:))

A new monster has been created...

[Billie]

UhOh

[LadyX]

"{{{{{{LadyX}}}}}} - Billie "spared the rod" at the staff meeting....that's why we are all so spoiled! LOL!!!!
Ha! So THERE, LadyX! :)

I shall defer to The Thin Man for a ruling about the possibility there might have been a bribe or coercion involved in the statement by dear dansy...

Billie laughed at me, TMan...it's a sad, sad day...:(

[GailA]

Sure can........he is sweet