A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....05-30-03...Voices of Our Presidents

A Celebration of America/Meridith Publication; various

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, daisyscarlett, dansangel, dutchess, Mama_Bear

In times of war and peace, our leaders
inspired us to pull together as
one nation - and to prevail

---

George Washington's
Farewell Address
September 19, 1796

Saying no to a third term, America's first President shared his hopes for the future of the young nation he helped create and which he so valiantly served.

"The constancy of your support....I shall carry it with me to my grave, as a strong incitement to unceasing vows that heaven may continue to you the choicest tokens of its beneficence; that your union and brotherly affection may be perpetual; that the free Constitution, which is the work of your hands, may be sacredly maintained; that its administration in every department may be stamped with wisdom and virtue."

---

Abraham Lincoln's
Gettsyburg Address
November 19, 1863

With a divided nation at a crossroads, President Lincoln paid tribute to the thousands who gave their lives during the most decisive battle of the Civil War.

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal...We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

---

Franklin D. Roosevelt's
Radio Address to the Nation
December 9, 1941

Two days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, a beloved President rallied his nation for the ordeal ahead - unsparing about its dangers but confident of victory.

"We are going to win the war, and we are going to win the peace that follows. And in the dark hours of this day and through the dark days that may be yet to come - we will know that the vast majority of the members of the human race are on our side. Many of them are fighting with us. All of them are praying for us. For, in representing our cause, we represent theirs as well - our hope and their hope for liberty under God."

---

John F. Kennedy's
Inaugural Address
January 20, 1961

Bearing the hopes of a new generation, a young President set out his bold agenda for a strong, compassionate America.

"Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans - born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage - and unwilling to...permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world...And so, my fellow Americans: ask not your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what we can do for the freedom of man."

---

Ronald Reagan's
Address to the Nation
The Day of the Challenger Disaster
January 28, 1986

The President eloquently consoled a grieving nation, reminding us that fallen heros can be honored by keeping their mission alive.

"We've grown used to the idea of space, and perhaps we forget that...we're still pioneers. They, the members of the Challenger crew were pioneers. And I want to say something to the schoolchildren of America who were watching the live coverage of the shuttle's takeoff...Sometimes painful things like this happen. It's all part of the process of exploration...The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we'll continue to follow them...[They] honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for the journey and waved good-bye and 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to 'touch the face of God.'"

---

George W. Bush's
Address to Congress and the Nation
In the Aftermath of 9/11
September 20, 2001

Unbowed by a new and deadly enemy, the President readied us for the war on terror ahead and reminded us of our values.

"We are a Country awakened to danger and called to defend freedom. Our grief has turned to anger and anger to resolution. Whether we bring our enemies to justice or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done....I ask you to uphold the values of America, and remember why so many have come here. We're in a fight for our principles, and our first responsibility is to live by them.

No one should be singled out for unfair treatment or unkind words because of their ethnic background or religious faith...I know there are struggles ahead and changes to face. But this country will define our times, not be defined by them. As long as the United States of America is determined and strong, this will not be an age of terror; this will be an age of liberty, here and across the world....

It is my hope that in the months and years ahead, life will return almost to normal. We'll go back to our lives and routines, and that is good. Even grief recedes with time and grace. But our resolve must not pass. Each of us will remember what happened that day, and to whom it happened. We'll remember the moment the news came, where we were and what we were doing....I will not forget the wound to our country and those who inflicted it. I will not yield, I will not rest, I will not relent in waging this struggle for freedom and security for the American people.

The course of this conflict is not known, yet its outcome is certain. Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty, have always been at war, and we know that God is not neutal between them. Fellow citizens, we'll meet violence with patient justice, assured of the rightness of our cause and confident of the victories to come. In all that lies before us, may God grant us wisdom, and may He watch over the United States of America."

~~~~~~~~~~       ~~~~~~~~~~

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 05-26-03 Memorial Day - Remembering SSGT. Richard A. Fitts 05-27-03 Military Tuesday 05-28-03 FreeTheHostages' FReeper Pets Bobbi & Kitty 05-29-03 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 a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[ST.LOUIE1]

Thanks! I'll try to drop in more often:-)

Good! If not, I'll have to stick you on a ping list. : )

[ST.LOUIE1]

Uh-huh. I wuz a good Boy Scout:

LOL

If you say so....... : )

[tame]

[WVNan]

What a beautiful tribute Billie. Very dignified and heart-warming. the set-up is perfect. You do great work girl.

[ST.LOUIE1]

WooHoo! Hope Batman's not around.....you be in big trouble! : )

[Aquamarine]

Thanks, Aqua....I'll read them later.

Sorry, I didn't make it clear, the links are wav's of his actual 911 speeches. You listen to them.

[ST.LOUIE1]

Sorry, I didn't make it clear, the links are wav's of his actual 911 speeches.
You listen to them.

Not your mistake, Aqua, it' mine, I didn't pay attention. LOL

[tame]

BTW, I had the priviledge of freeping at a rally with Mama_Bear in Fresno a couple of times. Did you all meet in person? I Saw her picture on your profile page.

Hi, Mama_Bear, I hope to see you and your hubby again soon. I'd like to give you a CD of some of my songs (don't worry, their not that bad, and I hope the tunes will lead me out of my current job:o)

[Aquamarine]

There is that certain "something" in his bearing that is delightful to see

He's a peach! :)

[ArneFufkin]

Hi LadyX! I recalled some thoughtful reflections you shared last fall describing your sense of discomfort on where we are as a moral culture, what kind of kids are we grooming to preserve this beautiful America etc.

My recollection was spurred by a interview Rush Limbaugh conducted with a University Profressor in his newest monthly newletter. It was about America's historical position and challenges, and our tools and mettle to meet these responsibilites the way prior generations of Americans did.

I threw it AWAY by clumsy Arne goofballness. I'm going to re-order it (Rush would charge me again, would he? LOL) and transcribe it here. The Prof sees our 18-21 year olds metriculating through the Acid Trip known as college, they're not buying what the tenured Dinosaurs of the left are force feeding them, and he is sanguine and joyful about our future.

It was a really empowering and positive view of America, Americans and the enlightened and God-blessed humanity we represent here, now and forever.

But, I've heard that good news everywhere. My cousin was a DI and an MP in the USMC for 15 years ... from 80 to 95 or so. Great guy, he was the type to go to the Oceanside police station, introduce himself and work out a relationship that benefitted everyone.

He's still wired into the powerful USMC NCOs who run that little operation, and he says that his pals ... many who are 20 year veteran DIs, MPs and CWOs ... say they've never seen a more dedicated, talented and professional group of recruits to the Corps EVER. The Apache, boat and Harrier pilots, Force Recon ninjas and ground warriors are the best of the best of the best ever in their experience. This is coming from guys who don't sugarcoat a dog turd if it's celebrating a pungent boquet on the front step. The Marines are smoking with a high morale and skilled force. He's really bullish on America's prospects right now, because the kids are bright, serious and highly skilled. No Gomer Pyles in the crew.

Think about what we were living on 9/12/2001. The next strike was imminent. We're prevailing in the American Way.

America has always found the right guy to lead us at the right time. Bush is the man. What a bold, audacious and talented guy.

Al Qaeda is now reduced to threatening the House of Saud. They are active in Morocco, Ridayh and Pakistan. That's an earth change that should not be overlooked.

[ST.LOUIE1]

BTW, I had the priviledge of freeping at a rally with Mama_Bear in Fresno a couple of times.
Did you all meet in person?

No, I've never had the pleasure. She's a very dear friend of mine, though.

I Saw her picture on your profile page.

Yeah, the FResno girls had that pic taken for me, those are cookies they're holding. Love that pic! : )

You'll have to tell Mama about the CD's week after next, tame, she and Jeff are in Australia. : )

[ST.LOUIE1]

Howdy, Ms.Nan. : )

Where have you been keeping yourself, long time no see.

[tame]

Australia! Hmmm. Thanks for the tip!

[tame]

[Aquamarine]

The links on post 138 (where I misspelled excerpts) are also wav's of Roosevelt's actual speeches with his voice.

[WVNan]

(((((LOUIE))))) I've been nursing a pinched nerve in my back most of the week. Yesterday I spent at St. Mary's Hosp. in Huntington with a friend whose husband was undergoing some heart surgery. Got home late. Today, I did go back to the fitness center to do what exercise I could tolerate. Walked a mile and worked with lighter weights. I think I'll live. LOL.

[WVNan]

Howdy Arne. I've been waiting for you a long time. Where ya been?

[ST.LOUIE1]

The links on post 138 (where I misspelled excerpts)

See, I even missed your typo. LOL

are also wav's of Roosevelt's actual speeches with his voice.

Ok, great! : )

[Billie]

Well, thank you! That's so nice of you to link the speeches so anyone can go back and read the full speech if they want to. That's what I like about FReepers! Always so helpful!

[Billie]

Thank you for that compliment, Arne. Appreciate that! You had fun at the Art Fair, huh?! Good to say hi again - thanks for stopping in. :)