A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....04-18-05....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, 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.

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.

LEFT: Little Pig; TOP: hattend, Old Sarge, Aquamarine's dad.
MIDDLE: HuntsvilleTxVeteran.
BOTTOM: Its_me_K.E.T.'s son, Veloxherc, SeeRushToldU_So.




                     

T.G.I.F. WEEKEND THREAD 04-15-16-17-05...T.G.I.F. at the Finest ^

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

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact dansangel or .45Man
at
danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

03-29-05 ~ Finest Hall of Fame #11

[The Mayor]

[The Mayor]

April 18, 2005

Help On The Way

Read:
1 John 3:11-20

Whoever . . . sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? -1 John 3:17

Bible In One Year: Psalm 22-24

Our friends were traveling from Georgia to Illinois in a rented van. About halfway to their destination, their van was damaged when it hit a huge hole in the road. Other cars were disabled as well, and it was a rather chaotic scene.

While our friends were sorting things out, a police officer offered to drop them off at a nearby McDonald's. When they got there, they sat in a booth to await word about getting the van fixed. Because of their dedication to serving others, they didn't have much money.

Meanwhile, they had called to let us know about the difficulty, but there wasn't much we could do except pray and trust that God would watch over them. As they and their children sat in the booth, a man came over with bags of burgers and fries. "God told me I should give you some food," he explained as he delivered supper for the hungry family.

How many times have we seen God send help on the way? On the flip side, how many times have we felt the urge to help someone-and balked at the notion?

We are God's hands on earth-created both to receive help and to give it. Do you know someone who needs help on the way? -Dave Branon

Jesus taught when He lived on this earth
How to show love to the lost;
Don't be afraid to give a kind touch,
No matter how much it may cost. -Carbaugh

A helping hand can lighten another's burden.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
How Do You Live The Christian Life?
The Compassion Of Jesus

[GailA]

Good morning

[The Mayor]

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Mama_Bear; Dutchess; Dansangel; Aquamarine, and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

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

Maigrey...................cousin OhioWfan........................son mystery-ak..........son, husband Gogrammy................grandson Inspectorette...................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Diver Dave.......niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin..........niece, loved one Pippin...nephew & his fiancee weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon.............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law BeforeISleep...................son kimmie7......................brother Armymarinemom............3 sons american_ranger.............son LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.......................nephew Dubya............................nephew StarCMC......................brother ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady.....................nephew Spruce.....................daughter Philman_36..............2 nephews bjcintennessee.......son, niece Ladysmith..nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend Katydidnt..........................son MontanaCowgirlCop.......brother Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells..................active duty LongCut..................active duty cjk..........................active duty Trish.......................active duty ODC-GIRL.................active duty AF_Blue..................active duty Notwithstanding.....active duty thumperusn.............active duty Q6-God.....................active duty Q6-God...................twin brother Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx..................active duty Old Sarge................active duty Bykrbayb.........................son Hope and Glory................son Walkenfree............2 grandsons, 3 nephews, 1 granddaughter ariamne...............................2 cousins Zechariah_8_13......brother-in-law, cousin

scubachick...............husband ladtx........................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T...................son gator girl.................husband severa.......husband, brother Hostel......................cousin MozartLover......son, nephew LBGA...............................son katykelly......................son cookcounty.....................son SpookBrat...nephew, cousin Doug from Upland...son-in-law Himyar..........................son boxerblues................2 sons the piper.........................son sheeza.......................husband kemathen7.................husband Tiffee4Bob.................boyfriend deadhead......................cousin JimRobinson.........2 nephews TexKat..............son, step-son Consort..2 daughters,son-in-law Darheel.........................niece Donaeus......................nephew dixie sass...................nephew BeAllYouCanBe...................son Repubmommy...............brother AgThorn.........................2 sons homeschoolmama.......nephew kneezles.............................son Rose inRoseBear...cousin's hubby Skimask.......................Son Atomic Conspiracy..half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...nephew Atomic Conspiracy..........niece Sunflowergal..............grandson visualops.......................cousin Alouette..............................son mrstank.......................husband MrsMike31..................husband eaglesiniowa.........................son auboy..................................cousin spotbust1.......................husband Leofl......................................son chena......................................son campfollower.......................fiance LUV W.........................................son painter................................nephew ProudAFDad.................................son TheMayor...........friends'son & nephew mhking.....................................cousin Misty4jc................................husband Colorado Slim........................ nephew Tapatio..............................2 nephews CGblue............................active duty ak_daddoo.........................nephew DirtyHarryY2K............daughter, son-in-law nelibeli......................................nephew bigghurtt...............................Active duty frankiep................................Active duty

[The Mayor]

Good Morning Gail!

[MoJo2001]

Good morning Mayor!
God Bless to our military!!
Thank you for always remembering our Troops!
Have a fabulous week FReeper's Finest Crew!

[The Mayor]

Hi MoJo, Happy Monday and Thank you!

[MoJo2001]

Of course, I'm sucker for Military Mondays and free hot chocolate. LOL!
*HUGS*
Have a great week!

[MEG33]

Good Miltary Monday to the Finest!

I am so grateful to those who serve our country

AMERICA...HOME OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE

[MoJo2001]

Good morning MEG!
How are you today?

[The Mayor]

Hi ya Meg! Thank you!

[Gabz]

Good morning everyone!!!!!!!

[The Mayor]

What's happening Gabz....Good to see ya.

[Texagirl4W]

Good morning, everyone. I too am grateful for all those who serve our country. My nephew is still scheduled to return from Iraq next month. God bless them all.

[Aquamarine]

Mornin Mayor.

May God bless our Military and keep them safe.

America The Beautiful

[DollyCali]

Good Morning FRiends and isn't it nice to see the sun & have warmth in NE Ohio? (yes it is)

Thanks you for the thread Rus and for your daily devotional.. always appreciated despite infrequent notes to that effect.

I have to take one aunt to Doctor this AM, at 1 another aunt to the beauty shop and my uncle to dentist at 4:30.. not sure if I will have any "yard" time in between but will try

My body & every joint in it is reminding me of my age as I am really working hard in yard. I crash early most nights & sleep soundly (and wake up very stiff - but warm, so I guess that is okay)

Billie, tonight is "tackle HTML" and tackle Finest work ... wish me success. Will email you with snags (notice I didn't say "if")

:)

God Bless you all today in all you do & say...

[Dubya]

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2005 - A new program at the Department of Veterans Affairs is helping disabled troops train for new careers while awaiting discharge from the military, with the goal of hiring them at the VA.

The program, dubbed "Vet IT," launched as a pilot at the VA headquarters here in October, is winning acclaim as a win-win for everyone involved. Newly disabled veterans get a jump-start on new careers and, ideally, job offers with good benefits and advancement potential.

But Jennifer Duncan, who came up with the idea and oversees the VA program, said her agency gains as well, by attracting young, motivated employees who understand military veterans and their needs firsthand.

"This is the opportunity of a lifetime," said former Staff Sgt. Matthew Braiotta, who was medically retired from the Army after an improvised explosive device attack in Fallujah, Iraq, left him with severe leg injuries in October 2003.

Like many participants in the new Vet IT program, Braiotta said he had hoped to make the military a career, but found his plans abruptly derailed. He had concerns about what kind of job his experience as an Army scout might land him outside the military, but now he's a mid-level federal civilian employee at VA headquarters here, training as a budget analyst.

"The amazing thing is that I have no skills conducive to what I'm doing here, but they're giving me a chance to learn them," Braiotta said.

Former Army Cpl. Tristan Wyatt, another participant in the program, acknowledged that his resume is "short and sweet" and that he has no formal training for his job at the VA, conducting cyber-security for the agency's computer systems.

Wyatt, who lost his right leg during a firefight in Fallujah in August 2003, said he's "amazed" that the VA looks beyond this and offers him and his fellow veterans a fresh start in life. "They're willing to train us and build us from the ground up," Wyatt said. "It's one of the huge benefits of this program. I'm still blown back by how giving they are here."

But Duncan said disabled veterans like Braiotta and Wyatt bring far more to the VA than they realize. "They're disciplined and energetic, and looking forward to starting new career paths," she said.

And as they build careers at the agency, eventually to replace its aging workforce, these veterans bring a clear understanding of issues important to veterans, particularly disabled veterans, Duncan said. "Who can better understand a veteran than a veteran?" she said.

The Vet IT program helps disabled veterans, most of them wounded during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, transfer that understanding into careers where they can help their fellow veterans.

Most enter the program as volunteers while in the process of getting their medical board disability rating and military discharge. By law, the federal government can't pay them for program participation while they're still on the military rolls, Duncan explained.

While the program doesn't guarantee a job, Duncan said it's been successful so far in identifying permanent positions at the VA for participants.

The agency goes beyond offering steady jobs and valuable work experience, Duncan explained. Working through a wide range of partners, it helps participants move to the Washington area, find places to live, navigate the local transportation system and even get gift cards for work clothes and other essentials if they need them.

"This is an individualized program. It's not a job fair," Duncan said. "These are young men and women who were on a career path that due to circumstances beyond their control, they can't continue. So we're starting them on a new career path and doing everything possible to help them as they do that."

Kelly Wilson, who was medically retired as an Army specialist due to a severe respiratory disease he developed while working at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, said he was delighted to find himself in an interesting job with long-term potential.

At the VA, Wilson helps plan the operations that would keep the agency running in the event of a disaster or terrorist attack. It involves reviewing the VA's essential functions and putting plans in place to ensure they wouldn't be disrupted.

"It's certainly interesting," he said. And even with a college degree under his belt, he's convinced, "I probably couldn't have landed this job without this opportunity" provided through the Vet IT program.

So far, 27 disabled veterans have entered the program, with 10 of them being offered fulltime jobs at the VA.

Duncan hopes to eventually expand the program to other VA offices, but said the agency prefers to move slowly to be sure it gets the program right. "We want to make sure we match skill sets (between participants and their VA jobs) and that we don't make promises we can't live up to," she said.

If former Army Staff Sgt. Robert Barden gets his say, many more veterans like himself will get the opportunity to participate in the Vet IT program. Barden received a traumatic brain injury and was partially paralyzed during a mortar attack in Balad, Iraq, in April 2004. Now, thanks to the Vet IT program, he's a program analyst in the VA's information technology office.

"It's a great program that offered me a career in something I never knew I could do," said Barden. "It can definitely put you on a path to start over and begin something new."




Related Site:

Department of Veterans Affairs [http://www.va.gov/]


_______________________________________________________
NOTE: View the original version of this web page on DefenseLINK,
the official website of the U.S. Department of Defense, at
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Apr2005/20050414_610.html.

---

Visit the Defense Department's Web site "America Supports You" at http://www.americasupportsyou.mil, that spotlights what Americans are doing in support of U.S. military men and women serving at home and abroad.

---

Visit the Defense Department's Web site for the latest news
and information about America's response to the war against terrorism: "Defend America" at http://www.DefendAmerica.mil.

[Diver Dave]

Greetings to Military Monday at The Finest....

Saluting our Armed Forces, Past and Present. Thank you for your service and my God Bless and Protect each one.

[LadyX]

"A helping hand can lighten another's burden."

Mornin' Your Honor! Wanna hear some Good News?
Thanks to the prayers of many, Eaker has this Monday Report on TexasCowboy:

"I just spoke to TC a few minutes ago.
He sounded absolutely GREAT!!

Totally large and in charge! He said that the radiation is shrinking the tumor much faster than they expected and that he is feeling really good. They seem to have figured out the pain meds and he is ready to get the heck out of there.

It was the old TC!!"

1,029 posted on 04/18/2005 9:50:27 AM EDT by Eaker

Momday, Monday - a Happy Monday for that old Marine veteran!!

[LadyX]

What a wonderful approach for all concerned, Dubya!
Thank you for posting this important effort.