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.”

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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]

It would make a great quilt, wouldn't it? I'll bet it's been done and a photo could be found if one wanted to search for it. :)

[FreeTheHostages]

Oh yes, I loved the song too!

[Billie]

Morning, Budge. Always nice to see you here. :)

[Billie]

Good morning, Beautiful LadyX. Your posts always show such beauty and love of God, life, country.....thank you for your daily presence at the Finest - it's FReepers like you who help to make and to keep our thread the finest.

[deadhead]

Good Morning All! Thank You ladtx for the information and history about the blue star flag. I will be sharing it with others. Beautiful Prayer ladyx, Thank You. Have a great day all! God Bless Our Troops and Veterans. God Bless President Bush, I was extremely proud of him last night. God Bless America.

~~~Colleen~~~

[daisyscarlett]

I have been so looking forward to this...

Thank you for the information about Blue Star Mothers. I am so happy that this practice is being revived. What a shame that it was not popular during VietNam.

Great essay Mr. and Mrs. Ladtx-God Bless and keep your beautiful sons...

Billie, nice layout (as always). I really do like W's portrait imposed on the background...very moving.

Ohiowfan posted her blue star display on the Dose last night....Eric is still at Ft. Campbell but will be deployed soon. God Bless and keep Eric....

[ladtx]

You mean like this one?

[jwfiv]

Thank you all for a most inspiring way start to our day.

I never knew about the Blue and Gold Star Mothers....very glad that my ignorance has been diminished.

Thank you, Billie, for a beautiful composition.

Thank you, LadyX, for the prayer you offer.

Thank you, LadTX...just...thank you.

Good morning to you all...)

I made a screen capture of my TV last night, as the President was walking up to the podium for his incredible, powerful and sobering address and question taking....he sure looks cool...

Flipping channels after the news conference, to catch all the buzz, I watched for a few minutes as Chris Matthews couldn't speak a sentence without saying the word 'cowboy'...made me feel good.

Then poor, stupid Pat Caddell started spouting and fuming about how Dubya has pulled off a coup and hijacked our government to satisfy his lust for power and war and revenge....made me sick, so I switched channels again, to see Cutty Sark Ted, Captain of the S.S. Oldsmobile, and Tiny Tommy, sputtering like boiling teapots...made me sick, but amused me, too...Dubya holds aces, these poor fools don't even know the rules of the game, so out of touch with reality, they are.

Freepers know real when we see it.

God bless America, land that I love.

Dubya rocks.

Let's roll.

(Thanks for the coffee, Meek.)

[daisyscarlett]

Thanks for that great photo of ladtx....No wonder he has such good looking sons and a beautiful grand-daughter, Leila Kay, too....

[Salvation]

I got this via email and wanted to post it somewhere:


Samuel Thompson wrote:

I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for

singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December.

I don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my

high school teacher taught his theory of evolution.



Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because

someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game. So what's the big

deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire book of Acts.

They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety


to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game.



"But it's a Christian prayer," some will argue. Yes, and this is the United


States of America, a country founded on Christian principles.

And we are in the Bible Belt. According to our very own phone book,

Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would


you expect -- somebody chanting Hare Krishna? If I went to a football game
in

Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer. If I went to a soccer

game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer. If I went to a

ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.

And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit. When in Rome...

"But what about the atheists?" is another argument. What about them?

Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the

collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much,


bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the

concession stand. Call your lawyer. Unfortunately, one or two will make

that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I

don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's

foundations.



Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our

courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us

to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep. Our Bible tells us

just to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are


telling us to cease praying. God, help us. And if that last sentence

offends you, well..........just sue me. The silent majority has been silent

too long.. it's time we let that one or two who scream loud enough to be

heard, that the vast majority don't care what they want.. it is time the

majority rules!

It's time we tell them, you don't have to pray.... you don't have to say
the

pledge of allegiance.... you don't have to believe in God or attend services


that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right.... but
by

golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away ..

we are fighting back.. and we WILL WIN!

After all the God you have the

right to denounce is on our side!



God bless us one and all, especially those who denounce Him...

God bless America, despite all her faults.... still the greatest nation of

all.....

God bless our service men who are fighting to protect our right to pray and

worship God...

May 2003 be the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the


foundation of our families and institutions.

Keep looking up......

In God WE Trust

[daisyscarlett]

Read your essay from yesterday, Your Majesty. Loved it as I always do...Nice to have a patriotic, flag waving King on the Finest...

[daisyscarlett]

Missy Aqua, As I told you in FreepMail, you get an A+ on your "assignment"....Very nice framing and linkage.

Free-As Billie knows, Aqua and I are working on a music thread and it will feature many of Aqua's wonderful patriotic graphics and music. So stay tuned, lol....

[LadyX]

Your selection was so perfect, Aquamarine!
Spirited and uplifting, and a perfect fit for ladtx and The Missus,
passing the torch through their sons.

It is heartening to realize how many of us DO still stand for
the Old American Dream, and are willing to speak out for it.

[LadyX]

It is I who appreciates your heart, Billie, through five years of sharing and friendship.

That heart and your talent in expressing it bind us and inspire us - - - a collective and grateful 'we' love you.

[FreeTheHostages]

A website that sells blue star service flags is here.

[daisyscarlett]

Good morning, dear Family:

FTH-thank you for the calendar page today....reminds me of W and Laura, growing old together....Thank you for the excellent account and photos of the D.C. Freep last week....Sorry you did not have better weather and what a trooper you are, shovelling all that snow etc....

Billie-am thrilled to be here for a bit today...As I said before, great topic, great essay, great layout...

Lori-hi there....thanks for the nice thread on Monday, presenting Pippin's letters in a nice format. Glad that GrammyBear is home enjoying her own recliner etc. Hugs to Grammy.....

Dansy-Absolutely delightful and informative interview of Billthedrill....You are a treasure....Anxious to hear about the FReep you hope to attend this weekend.

Dutchess-what fun you had on Tuesday at Mardi Gras...I learned so much from your column and continue to delight in your enthusiasm....Hope having a widescreen t.v. does not cut into your Finest on line time, lol.

Louie-well, I hope you enjoyed your lunch and/or dinner with my sistahs yesterday....Boo-hoo, I was not on the invitation list but that is okay. I am not offended. In fact, I made you a pie today, double crusted pineapple...Enjoy...

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody !! Happy Friday !

57 degrees right now and headin' for 72 they say . . .

Very nice work, ladtx ! Thank you !

Have a cup while you FReep !

For those who prefer hot chocolate.....

[MeekOneGOP]

Wow. If I'd posted that 4 minutes earlier, it would have been 57 degrees on post 57 at 10:57 Central time . . .

[Pippin]

Thank You, ladtx!

[ladtx]

You're welcome, Pippin.