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.

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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.

                     

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.

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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.

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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!

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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.
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

[Billie]

Thanks, I'm glad to know that. We never know who's 'been' here when they don't leave footprints. :)

[Billie]

Thank you, knighthawk. It's really nice to know firsthand what one of our FReepers from aother country has to say about it. I appreciate your answer. :)

[LadyX]

I'm doing well, Nan, and Chef Bernardo had a lesson in making potato salad today...:))
It was fantastic, actually.

You know Who wrote the prayer - - it flowed freely.
Yes - may He be with us all in the days ahead.

Rest, my friend - - God and His angels watch over you.

[WVNan]

Hi Libertina. Looks like you and I arrive here about the same time lately. Guess we're both extra busy. Your work for the cause is appreciated and sometimes I feel jealous of all you who are able to be active. I live in such an isolated place there's no call for freeping. Most everyone I know is a social conservative. No anti-war protests around here. I went to a Gideon dinner for the local pastors tonight and the man who prayed included the President and the troops in his prayer, and everyone said amen.

[Billie]

I'm so sorry, Lady. You're finding out first hand the great personal costs of going against Billie, and I'm afraid it's only going to get worse.

I suspect dansy, realizing this, was too overcome with fear to speak out against the tyrant. :-)

LOL! I see from later posts you got lots of mileage out of these two statements, T Man!

Dansy, got your mail - haven't had a chance to look at it yet. I will do that and leave you regular email tomorrow - while you're out rallying for Dubya. :)

[Billie]

:)

[Billie]

Thanks for calling some of the DC folks to the thread today. There were many of us who didn't know about the blue and the gold star flags. It was indeed a very moving essay in addition to a learning one. :)

[Billie]

I love your post and the way you expressed your feelings for this wonderful man in the White House. Good to see you, Libby!

[WVNan]

LOL. Who knows, maybe Chef Bernardo will eventually open his own restaurant. Oh, the prayer...yes, it was meant to be the one. Rest? What's that? (g) Well, I will try to sleep in in the morning. But have a funeral to go to at 1:00.

[Billie]

Thank you, Nan - so glad I had a few minutes tonight and see you here. There have been many of our regular Finest who've had other things keep them away from participating as much as they (or we) would like, but that's work, and those of us that don't work will just keep the fire warm and the coffee or tea hot for when you can drop in.

I need to say goodnight in just a bit. Will see if I missed anyone this evening. :)

[WVNan]

Good to see you Billie. It's good to know that this place is here when I need to kick off my shoes.

[LadyX]

Getting late and I skipped naptime today...will leave, too, and try to help the weekend threads when many are cleaning, shopping, rallying..:)) and resting.

Good night, and love to all,

LadyX

[Diver Dave]

Evening Billie.

What a great essay you presented today, ladtx. Thanks.

A while back, Mrs. dd and I were looking through an old jewelry box that belonged to here mother. Among the items were two blue star lapel pins. A single and a double star. These belonged to Mrs. dd's grandmother from WWII era.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Thanks for the ping...

[WVNan]

Nighty night Sistah. ((((((Maggie))))))

[Billie]

'nite all. Thank you for another fine day.

[Consort]

Daughter: Captain, US Army Son: Firefighter Daughter: Staff Sergeant, US Marine Corps

[Libertina]

You are important in what you do Nan. Everyone is in different places. For instance, you post beautiful uplifting ideas here, and do good (conservative :) ) deeds in your town. And then there's your faith... That's leadership. Thank you, Nan. Hi Billie, you are too kind. I see people are turning in, so I will keep you in my prayers. Even when I am not here, you all are in my thoughts.... (BTW, Nan, one person with a proud American flag is a rally. As those whose lives you touch as they pass in their cars will tell you.)
Sleep well dear friends
Safe in God's Hands

[jwfiv]

Your story about the conference in DC dissin' Tiny Tommy makes my day too...immensely gratifying to hear of that...I'd pay money for the opportunity to give that weasel a taste of the disrespect he shows our President....I don't think I could be as polite as Pippin (usually) is...)

[MeekOneGOP]

I saw that. Thanks for checking out my websites !!