A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....05-27-03...Military Tuesday

Billie

[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.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and 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 could no longer add the photos to the body of the thread, I had been including them in additional posts as I received enough to make another collage.

Still that didn'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 we've created a place for just that. This is a friendly room in JimRob's house where FReeper FRiends can gather every day and just say hello if that's all they want to do.

There's more of course. We sometimes feature different FReepers, with a little background information on who they are and what makes them who they are, along with a few photos you might not have seen on other threads; sometimes others write an essay for us to post as the feature for the day; sometimes our presentation is a human interest story found elsewhere that you might not have read; sometimes special holiday threads; but whatever the topic of the day, it is always with FR's Finest in mind and that is YOU!

If you would like to be featured, or would like to see someone else featured, please send me a private FR mail.

Every Monday we will post the photos of FR's Military Personnel that I have collected and put into groups; these will be available to view through a link the remainder of the week - every day just a click away. :)   If you would like to add a photo of yourself or a loved one in the military, past or present, please let me know; I will hold it until I have enough for a new group.

Thank you, and please have fun with us...every day! ~ Billie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank You For Serving Our Country!

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

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

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.




                     

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 05-26-03 MEMORIAL DAY - Remembering SSGT. Richard A. Fitts

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 a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[LadyX]

Thank you for asking, Aqua - feeling fine.
Bit frustrated, though, rising early and driving 45 miles to the VA Medical Center in Augusta for some blood to be drawn for some special laboratory tests.

Took a week to get a message to the Chinese physician it was time to order them, per instructions from his superior.
Apparently he did not know how to dial my cell phone, and the secretary finally got through, asking for him when I'd like them drawn. I indicated today.

The Lab opens at 0730 and I arrived at 0655 - the very first on the list!!
She finally got set up and called me in - no lab orders on list. Hmmmmm....
Directed to go to the 4th Floor Desk and have them print out the orders on their computer for me, I did so. Have to put your ID Card in box and wait your turn, but I sashayed over to one of the fellows who knows me well to ask how he was - casually mentioned My Mission, and he gallantly whipped up my info on his computer to help me. DOUBLE HMMMMMMM....

The said Chinese physician had failed to enter the order in the computer.

"Go to 5th Floor to see the Nephrology Secretary for help." She opens at 0830.
Of course she was late, and I knew Dr. Z. was not at the VA on Tuesday to enter the order in the computer even if she paged him.
Even if he were, I would by then be about the 107th one in line to be helped!

I left word for her to call me at home after setting up ANOTHER DATE for the draw....
Now not a happy camper...:>(

She called at noon to apologize, and I assured her I understood it was not her fault, and to let me know what was set up after she reaches him.

The good news is he leaves the end of June to go to private practice - hooray!

Would you believe in one of our first conversations when I mentioned being a Korean Veteran, he declared, "Oh, yes - when SOUTH Korea invaded NORTH Korea!" and I quelled the seething long enough to say pointedly we will change the subject.
He spent 8 years in training in Beijing...pointless to try to reeducate him. I endured his tenure, his supervisor the private teaching physician at The Medical College of Georgia who treated me for 5 years! She is top notch and treats me like her own mother, so I always had recourse when he fouled up, which he did before.

Dubya, it really makes a difference when prescriptions are $7 per 30-day supply. In 1999 our monthly Rx bill (not counting mandatory aspirin, vitamins, iron, etc.) at $400 per month; none for illness or accident. That was when I transitioned to the VA facility that is an adjunct of MCG anyway.

I had been unable to purchase the emergency glucagon kits for severe insulin reactions, the outside price leaping from $15 to $45 to $60 for EACH in 1998. Couldn't afford to have them to save my life - literally.
When the physician at VA processed me in, I gave him a printout of my meds and he entered them in the computer. When he got to the one for the glucagon kit, I almost burst into tears - he entered fill each Rx with (5) of them; $300 or more outside!! Lord knows the cost now, and I do not stockpile them, if not needed, but it is a blessing.

[LadyX]

I'm sure this from Yahoo News was written to make you feel good, Thinny, when you peruse it..:))
(pretend billie wrote it)

U.S. President Dick Cheney (news - web sites) (L) and Sheikh Hamad bin Jassin bin Jabar Al-Thani (R), Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar, stand by as President George W. Bush (news - web sites) meets with Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani of Qatar in the Oval Office of the White House, May 8, 2003.
Qatar was home to the U.S. military command center for the war against Iraq (news - web sites).
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

(Ask who??!)

[Aquamarine]

And this communist doctor works at the VA hospital ?!

My dad never used the VA either Dubya...but he was always very healthy...passed away at age 68 from an accident.
All Veterans should use the VA, that's why it's there and besides you've earned it and are entitled to it.

[LadyX]

"And this communist doctor works at the VA hospital ?!"

Should I refuse one who is a Democrat?!! LOL

Aqua, I suppose the VA looks at it as medicine itself is not political, and the best doctors do not apply there to work at lower pay. They take who they can get.

The saving grace is they are supervised after seeing every patient, that physician in charge coming in and going over the findings and plan of action with both patient and doctor seeing them.

[Aquamarine]

He'll probably wind up on my HMO plan.

[Dubya]

Thanks for the info. I am going to try to get on the VA Med if I can.

Hope you get the Dr you like best.

Glad you set the other Dr. stright about Korea.


SEMPER FI

[Dubya]

Thanks for the info. I am very healthy and don't need any Med. but I might someday. I guess I should get set up with them.

Very sorry about you Dad.

[Dubya]

The New Alphabet for Older People

A s for arthritis
B s for bad back
C s for the chest pains. Corned beef? Cardiac?
D is for dental decay and decline
E is for eyesight--can t read that top line
F is for fissures and fluid retention
G is for gas (which I d rather not mention)
And other gastrointestinal glitches
H is high blood pressure
I is for itches
J is for joints that are failing to flex
L for libido--what happened to sex?
Wait! I forgot about K for bad knees
(I ve got a few gaps in my M-memory)
N s for nerve (pinched) and neck (stiff) and neurosis
O is for osteo-
P s for porosis
Q is for queasiness. Fatal? Just flu?
R is for reflux--one meal becomes two
S is for sleepless nights counting my fears
T is for tinnitus--bells in my ears
U is for difficulties urinary
V is for vertigo
W s worry
About what the X--as in X ray--will find
But through the word terminal rushes to mind,
I m proud, as each
Y - year - goes by, to reveal
A reservoir of undiminished
Z - zeal---
For checking the symptoms my body s deployed,
And keeping my twenty-six doctors employed.

[Dubya]

The newly-married husband came home from the office to find his young wife
in floods of tears. "Darling, whatever is the matter?" he asked.

"Sweetheart," she sobbed, "the most terrible thing has happened! I cooked
my very first Beef Bourguignon for you, and I got it out of the oven to
season it, and the phone rang. When I came back from answering the phone,"
she sobbed again. "I found that the cat had eaten it!"

"Don't worry, darling," said her husband.

"Don't cry. We can get a new cat tomorrow."

[Aquamarine]

That's sounds like a wise move.

I'm going to take my advil and go to bed now. See y'all tomorrow!

[Dubya]

Good nite. Sleep well.

[Billie]

LOL! President Cheney, have you met President Bush? :)

[LadyX]

To help yourself, you can get a form at your Regional VA Authority or (as I did) County Courthouse VA Officer Office upon which to record all your annual income information, medical expenses, etc.

It is used to determine whether or not you have to make a co-pay for certain things, and that information must be given when you apply to enter the system.
Also make a list of your physicians - list of all your prescriptions for your first visit; things like vitamins, coated aspirin, etc. that cost MORE than $7/month's supply on the outside. The doctor will appreciate that handy to key right into the computer. Saves their having to look at your bag of bottles.
(Pay attention, though - I have B-12 injections every month, and that is cheaper here than at the VA! Year's worth is $2.76 rather than the VA computer listing it as monthly amounts at $7 each - you have to be a careful consumer.)

The one at Augusta has a liaison who is employed by the State of South Carolina to represent us (living closer to Augusta than Columbia or Charleston) at the Georgia facility. He is not a VA employee, but specifically represents your interests.
There also is a Veteran Benefits Officer at each facility, and one trained for women's rights and benefits now.

Sorry, but the system does not allow you to choose who treats you - spreads patients over the physician pool for each clinic, and you might not even get into the system immediately, so apply ASAP. Staffing and available dollars vary from year to year, the amounts authorized by and at the mercy of Congress.

Still, the Rx benefit makes it worthwhile if you are on several medications - especially costly ones that are $65 on the outside, etc.

It might be worth your applying, Dubya. See how the one nearest you is. I would NOT go by word of mouth, necessarily. There are a lot of impatient patients who are irate over the slightest delay, not understanding how a hospital operates. I don't care if my appointment is not 'on time' since it means the doctor is taking the time necessary to treat his/her present patient thoroughly, and will you.

Always take a good book to read for the 'hurry up and wait' aspects..:)) Keep your cool and be pleasant, and you will be treated better, just like in civilian life.

I worked in and around medicine for 19 years, so can see both sides.

[LadyX]

Hope TMan sees that gem!!

Makes you wonder about the idiots who are supposed to proofread everything printed!

[Dubya]

Thanks for the info.
I belong to an HMO on Medicare named Secure Horrisons.
I have not been to a Dr in a year or so. Guess I should get a check up.

[LadyX]

I have plain Medicare (not restricted to an HMO) and a good Blue Cross/Blue Shield Supplemental that covers any co-pay or "excess amounts."

If I were too ill here to drive the 45 miles to VA and be seen in ER, I have been twice to a local good medical group and can be worked in.
I also retain going to MCG for my dermatologist and oncologist for follow-ups annually.
Once you hit 65, it gets easier...except for the prescription Black Hole, both of us medically disabled.
(9 & 11 years, respectively, before 65. That was tough.)

[jwfiv]

I just love the poster of the Armored Threat and Threatened Armor...one of the coolest things I ever did see...)

p.s....the caption under the pic of the Vice-President and the Shiek is quite a mouthful.

[deadhead]

Thank You, Billie. Military Tuesday :-) I am posting this today in honor of my Uncle Bobby and my friend Chris. Have a good night.

Colleen

[jwfiv]

Yes, finally made it all the way up and the day has been smooth and easy...I hope so for you, too...)

[jwfiv]

Thinkin' about you, hopin' you're feelin' better, knowin' you're in Good Hands...)