The Third Annual Fresno Tailgate and Rally Report - September 10 and 11, 2004

Fresno/Central Valley Chapter ^ | September 11, 2004 | Mama_Bear and JustAmy

[Mama_Bear]

The 3rd Annual FreeRepublic
Rally and Tailgate Picnic Report
Fresno, California, September 10th and 11th, 2004


Click HERE for the September 10th rally thread.

JustAmy reports...."Everyone agreed that our September 11, 2004 Rally and Tailgate Picnic was a huge success. There were at least 50 in attendance.

FReepers and their families present were:

Jim Robinson, Sheila and Chris
John Robinson
Tami and Nicky
Mtngrl@vrwc
Notpoliticallycorewrecked
FriendAnn
Diamondhead and Carol
Saundra Duffy
Lager
Java Guy
Lavender
Tame
Tiffany and Sage
JustAmy, Leonard, Ron, Marissa and Michael
Enterprise
Patriciaruth and Randy
Jkphoto
Mama_Bear
DiverDave and Linda
Stuart Weil and Andy
Maccabee AJB and Felix
Awestruck, Nicolle and Emily
Syncro

Non-Freepers:
Linda and Doug
Karen, Don and two grandchildren
Shirley
Kim

If we missed anyone, please let us hear from you.

We had enough food and drinks to feed about 75 people. :) We did send out for more ice; the weather was nice but warm. This year we were in a picnic shelter called "The Gazebo", we are planning to ask for this area again next year. It was perfect except there were no restrooms close by. Can you say Porta-Potty for next year?

We had several children this year and they all had a ball!!! They enjoyed making new friends and running off excess energy. The rest of us ate, visited, ate, listened to music, ate, visited some more and ate again.

Saundra Duffy and Lager taught a few brave souls to dance the 10 step and to line dance. We all enjoyed watching them while listening to some good country music."

Saundra Duffy, Lager and Shirley kick up some dust.

---

A special thank you to Diver Dave
for leading us in singing the National Anthem,
and for his excellent reading of the narrative for the

"The Missing Man Ceremony"
In memory of America's POW/MIAs from all wars.

The Missing Man Ceremony is a dignified and solemn moment in many formal dinners and other occasions. There have been many different narratives written for the ceremony, but the symbolism is quite constant.

The Missing Man Ceremony usually follows the "Posting of the Colors" and the "National Anthem" in the order of the program.

Moderator: "As you entered the Mess this evening, you may have noticed a small table in the place of honor. It is set for one. Please let me explain. The military caste is filled with symbolism. This table is our way of symbolizing the fact that members of our profession of arms are missing from our midst. They are commonly called P.O.W or M.I.A. We call them "BROTHERS". They are unable to be with us this evening and so we remember them because of their incarceration.

This table set for one is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his aggressors. REMEMBER!!

The tablecloth is white, symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country's call to arms. REMEMBER!!

REMEMBER, the single rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades-in-arms who keep the faith awaiting his return.

REMEMBER, the red ribbon tied so prominently to the vase is reminiscent of the red ribbon worn on the lapel and breast of those who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting of our missing.

REMEMBER, a slice of lemon is on the bread plate to remind us of their bitter fate.

There is salt upon the bread plate, symbolic of the families tears as they wait. REMEMBER!!

The glass is inverted--they cannot toast with us this night. REMEMBER!!

REMEMBER, the candle is reminiscent of the light of hope which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home, away from their captors, to the open arms of a grateful nation.

REMEMBER--all of you who served with them and called them comrades, who depended upon their might and aid, and relied upon them, for surely, they have not forsaken you.

Let us pray to the Supreme Commander that all of our comrades will soon be back within our ranks. Let us remember and never forget their sacrifices. May God forever watch over them and protect them and their families."

---

Our thanks also to Patriciaruth
who offered grace
and Maccabee AJB, a student Rabbi,
who recited "The Mourner's Kaddish".



The English translation of The Mourner's Kaddish

Glorified and sanctified be God's great name throughout the world which He has created according to His will. May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days, and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon; and say, Amen.

May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.

Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored, adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.

May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen. He who creates peace in His celestial heights; May He create peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

---

And, last but not least,
thank you to



FR's founder, Jim Robinson, for providing the tri-tip,

and


JustAmy for all she did to make this picnic happen,

and to


jkphoto for grilling the great tri-tip!

---

And finally, to notpoliticallycorewrecked for taking roll and to all who attended and contributed the great salads, soft drinks, ice and snacks to our 3rd Annual Rally and Tailgate Picnic, a huge 'thank you'! It wouldn't have been much of a picnic without you. To all who could not attend, we missed you. Remember, this is not just a local chapter get together, all FReepers in good standing and their families are warmly welcomed to join us, so mark your calendar for the 4th Annual FR Picnic next year, the second Saturday in September 2005. Same time, same place.

Those who have photos to share, please post them on this thread. I will be posting more pictures as I get them uploaded. (If you don't have a place to upload your photos, e-mail them to me and I will post them for you. FReepMail me (Mama_Bear) and I will give you my e-mail address.)

[Mama_Bear]

...this beautiful thread that MamaBear created!!

Oops, I forgot to say 'thank you' for the nice compliment. :-)

[Awestruck]

Thanks.. it's really weird how not a person goes by that doesn't call her Nicole.. she's met hundreds...every single one...heheh.. so you're not alone!

[Awestruck]

Seriously it's ok.. we find it funny more than not.. see my post to Amy..

[Jim Robinson]

Beautiful thread, Mama_Bear. Thank you very much. And thanks for all you do in making these annual gatherings such great events!

Here are some pictures Amy shot:

Thank you all for coming. Hope to see you all next year.

[Mama_Bear]

We are so pleased that you and Linda made the long drive down to picnic with us, and that you gave us the idea of having a "Table For One" in memory of our POW/MIAs, and that you offered to read the narrative and lead us in the National Anthem. Thank you for the photos you posted, too.

Our "Table For One" will be featured at all of our future picnics.

And, thank you, scubachick, for sending me the article that started this ball rolling. I wish you could have been with us yesterday. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

You're welcome, Jim.

Looks like I expertly dodged Amy's camera. LOL! I am nowhere to be seen. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to dodge JK's camera.

I will post some of his photos, and some that I took, tomorrow.

Good night everyone.

[Jim Robinson]

Diver Dave did a magnificent job with the "Table for One" ceremony. Very moving. And the same for Maccabee AJB with "The Mourner's Kaddish." Beautiful!

And the tri-tip? Superb!

And wow! Had no idea the Fresno/Central Valley Chapter Choir was so talented. The Star Spangled Banner never sounded so great! And that with NO rehearsals at all! Great job everyone!

[Jim Robinson]

I think we have a few more to post. I know I spotted you in some of them. Hehe.

[Mama_Bear]

I think we have a few more to post. I know I spotted you in some of them. Hehe.

Well, dang! And here I thought I had outrun her.

[Diver Dave]

Thanks Jim.

It should also be pointed out that JustAmy arranged that fly-over by those two Navy jets from Lemoore NAS. :) She certainly must have all the right connections.

[jkphoto]

Is this the "fly-over" that you were talking about?

[Jim Robinson]

Cool! Thanks for the great photos and thanks again for the superb tri-tip!!

[tame]

A couple of the kids (my relatives) not mentioned are Jacob and Katherine (my niece). Jacob is the kid in the red shirt in the front of the group photo, and Katherine is right behind Jacob's right shoulder. That's little Sage (with the blond hair) sitting next to Jacob.

Thank you so much, Mama_Bear, for posting the pix!

[tame]

Thank you for the table and tribute!

[tame]

See the pix?

[tame]

See the pix!

[tame]

my eldest's name is Noelle

Tell Noelle I said hello! I may not forget her name because I almost startted singing the Frist Noel (sic?) when I saw her name tag, lol :o)

It was a pleasure meeting you all.

[tame]

Typo correction: I almost started singing the first Noel...

[tame]

Thanks for the prayer!

[tame]

I was great to see you all! Enterprise, thanks for the kind words regarding the Dan Rather freep :o)