A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....08-30-04....Military Monday

Billie, The Mayor

[The Mayor]

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, The Mayor, 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.

TOP: Mo1's dad; BuffyT's Uncle (right, w/ her dad & grandmother); Armymarinemom's 3 sons.
MIDDLE: ru4Liberty's dad; SheLion's husband, MaineRebel; wirestripper.
BOTTOM: fivetoes; bigghurtt; hurricane; ladtx' dad; Pippin's brother.

TOP: Repubmommy's brother, Rose in RoseBear's uncle, BoxerBlues' son Chris, BoxerBlues' son Brent.
BOTTOM: Rose in RoseBear's cousin's hubby, Deadhead's stepdad, Dansy's dad, Misty's brother.

                     

THE WEEKEND THREAD 08-27 thru 8-29-04... Week in Review ^

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

[The Mayor]

[The Mayor]

August 30, 2004

Ground Squirrels

Read: Romans 8:27-39

I was at ease, but He has shattered me. —Job 16:12

Bible In One Year: Psalms 129-131; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

---

Ground squirrels hibernate near our home during the winter, and they reappear when the snow melts in the spring. My wife Carolyn and I enjoy watching them scurry back and forth from one hole to another, while others stand like tiny sentries watching for predators.

In mid-May, a man from a nearby golf course arrives on a little green tractor with a tank loaded with lethal gas. The groundskeeper tells us that these little critters have to be eliminated because they dig holes in the fairways. Some survive, but most do not. It always makes us a little sad to see the tractor arrive.

If I could, I'd chase the little animals away. I'd destroy their holes and force them to settle someplace else. I'm sure they would resent my interference, but my actions would be solely for their good.

So it is with God. He may break up our comfortable nests now and then, but behind every difficult change lies His love and eternal purpose. He is not cruel or capricious; He is working for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28). He wants us to be "conformed to the image of His Son" (v.29) and to give us glorious enjoyment in heaven forever. How then can we fear change when it comes from Someone whose love for us never changes? (vv.38-39). —David Roper

What tenderness the Father shows
To sinners in their pain!
He grants to them His strength to bear
The hurt that brings them gain. —D. De Haan

God's love can seem harsh until we view it with hindsight.

[The Mayor]

I'll be by when I can, Prayers for all our Troops.

[Aquamarine]

Thanks for posting this Mayor. Saw where you wrote that you'll be busy for a while, that's good for you but not so good for us. We'll be here holding the fort down for you.

[Dubya]

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. (Aug. 26, 2004) -- Molly was only three years old when her lance corporal chevrons were pinned on Aug. 12. She dutifully served in the Marine Corps for two years, touching the hearts of every Marine she has come in contact with.

Entering the Marine Corps as a private first class, Molly has earned a Meritorious Unit Citation and a National Defense Service Medal. She was scheduled to pick up lance corporal last year, however, she scratched her major's brand new car, resulting in a minor infraction.

"Molly will protect everyone in this shop," said Gunnery Sgt. Patrick McDonald, ordnance noncommissioned officer-in-charge, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. "However, her main purpose here is to boost morale."

Molly is a pit bull. She was adopted as the H&HS mascot in June 2002 and resides in the H&HS ordnance shop on East Miramar.

"Our major wanted to enhance everyone's spirits here, so he suggested that we got a dog," explained McDonald, a Sachse, Texas, native. "One of our gunnys got online, saw a picture of Molly and went to the Rancho Coastal Humane Society and brought her back to the shop. Everyone immediately fell in love with her."

Molly is treated like any other Marine. She has her own service record book, complete with her very own orders that Lt. Col. Lawrence Oliver, commanding officer, H&HS signed off on. Molly even dipped her paws in ink to "sign" her own orders.

In addition to having her own documents, including medical and dental records to keep track of her free health care, Molly has her own uniform. The tailor shop on base made a special cammie blouse just for her, complete with a built-in harness for her leash. In the future, Molly might even have a set of blues tailored for her.

Molly upholds all of the standards of a great Marine. She runs physical training sessions with the troops, goes to the air shows, attends formations and other events like softball games and squadron picnics.

"It's easy to be forgotten out here, since we're so far from main side," said Sgt. David Rubio, ordnance technician, H&HS. "But we're seldom forgotten thanks to Molly. It's just fun to bring her out to different squadron events at the air station."

The ordnance shop also lets other units borrow Molly to boost morale in their individual shops.

"Before Molly came to our shop, the morale wasn't as high as it could have been," said Cpl. Jeremy Sampson, quality assurance safety observer, H&HS. "Now, the work tempo has increased and everyone has been more productive since she arrived here."

If the Marines are having a down day, Molly will instantly cheer them up.

"I can remember this one day when things weren't going well. I just got back from leave and was feeling down," said Rubio, a Dallas, Texas, native. "Molly ran up to me and automatically cheered me up."

The Marines in the ordnance shop look out for one another, just like their most junior Marine, Molly, has looked out for them. She has her own food and water dish, basket of toys and even her own golf cart that she rides around at the shop.

"That green cart is her car. She just hops along and a Marine will take her out to the rifle range or somewhere else out here," said McDonald.

Anytime the Marines go somewhere in a car, they follow protocol by putting Molly in the front seat.

"Molly has a little bit of everybody in her and she has brought everyone closer with her presence alone," said McDonald. "I wish I could take her with me when I transfer duty stations, but it would crush everybody's spirits."

McDonald has been one of the main caretakers of Molly and he had the option of taking her with him when he transferred duty stations. However, he left her at the shop to benefit his Marines.

"If he was going to take Molly, he would have to replace her," said Sampson, a Houston native. "She just has so much personality. I don't know if she could ever be replaced."

[Dubya]

MOLLY

Four-legged devil dog touches hearts of H&HS ordnance Marines

Submitted by: MCAS Miramar

Story Identification #: 2004826235126 Story by - Lance Cpl. Skye Jones

[GailA]

Be sure to get this message to your Military members who are deployed. Deadline is Aug 15 & Sept 15th to send in postcard to request absentee ballots

Marines prepare to vote in Iraq

[fuzzy122]

I would like to take a moment here and now to personally thank every single person serving in our armed forces.

Where would we be without you?

Here is a page that I'm building to showcase The United States Military.
It is a "work in progress".

I recommend highly, downloading the Quicktime version of the "Enduring Freedom" video. It's a better quality widescreen version (it's zip-ed)

When I learn how to embed .mov files - like I did with the Winodws media player version, I will do so.

Stay Strong,
Fuzzy122

[Diver Dave]

Mighty impressive fuzzy. Thanks

[fuzzy122]

"Mighty impressive fuzzy. Thanks"

You're welcome. Please Spread the word!!

Here is a link to page I put together full of video and audio links.

The Swiftvets news conference on C-SPAN can be found here.

"Stolen Honor" video clips are at the top.

An interview of Steve Gardner (the gunner that served under Kerry) is next and then all 3 of the Swiftvets.com ads

There are many other links.

If you have a few minutes to spend - check out my 9/11 memorial page and turn up your speakers to hear "Have You Forgotten?"

Arm yourself with ALL the facts. Then enlighten someone else - spread the knowledge.

Disclaimer: I do NOT make any money off of my site. It's just a place for me to play.
When I can I try to help.

Stay Strong,
Fuzzy122

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Mayor.

[Lakeside]

Good Military Monday morning to you, Mayor!
Know you are busy for a while but post when you can. You are much appreciated!

I want to thank everyone for the kind words sent my way this past weekend. It's good having FR friends who understand. Hugs to you all!

Aquamarine, I'll help you any way I can. Just give me a holler!

LadyX, I've been thinking of you and praying for you and your sister. Hope all is well and keep us updated. I will also continue praying for your son, Steve, as he waits to see if his services are needed. I sincerely pray they are not 'cause this monster of a storm looks BAD. I am thankful that there are folks like he to step in and help in difficult times. God bless him!

[Common Tator]

Here are some thoughts on why the Democrats are doing the nasty attacks on all things Bush.

There is a new conventional wisdom this year. Have times changed are the pollsters right. Here are my reasons to doubt the Kerry approach will work as planned. And some reasons to think the Bush Rove approache will.

Click here for the 'tator take

[The Mayor]

[JustAmy]

Happy Military Monday, Mayor!!

Thank you for the thread and thank you for our Daily Bread.

I love this graphic.

Have a wonderful day.

[Billie]

Good morning, Finest FRiends. God Bless our Military, God Bless our Leaders, and God Bless you. So looking forward to the convention this week. Prayers for President Bush as he brings his message to America, and may the Bush haters be drowned out by those who truly believe in our country.

[The Mayor]

9/11 FLAG TRIBUTE SNUBBED

[GailA]

Good afternoon ALL...another cool over cast day here in Memphis. Still not got all my programs reinstalled...DK dosn't want me to mess with it, and he's slow doing it.

[Diver Dave]

Mornin' to the Finest on Miltary Monday. Received some photos of my fil in uniform circa WWII. KEWL stuff.

Love all these patriotic graphics.

Salute to our Armed Forces, past and present.

Wondering who/what will receive the most media attention this week - the protestors or the speakers at the convention.

[The Mayor]

the protestors