A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....06-13-05....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.




                     

03-29-05 ~ Hall of Fame #11

THE WEEKEND THREAD 06-10 thru 06-12... T.G.I.F. at the Finest

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[The Mayor]

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic, for which it stands;
one nation UNDER GOD,
indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.

[The Mayor]

June 13, 2005

Spiritual Deafness

Read:
1 Corinthians 2

The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. —1 Corinthians 2:14

Bible In One Year: Ecclesiastes 10-12

Some people suffer from a strange hearing disorder—they can hear sounds but can't understand words. They have no trouble hearing a bird sing or a watch tick, but words are as unintelligible as if they were a foreign language. The source of the problem is not in the ears. It stems from an injury to the brain.

There is also a spiritual deafness that affects many people. Because of a sinful heart, those without faith in Christ can read the Bible and hear the teachings of God's Word, but its spiritual message is foolishness to them (1 Corinthians 2:14).

That explains why some people can appreciate the Bible as literature, as reliable history, and as a source of high moral standards, but they fail to understand its spiritual message. They don't grasp the significance of what it says about Christ—His death on the cross for our sins, His resurrection, and His ministry of intercession for us in heaven today. These truths make no sense to them.

As you read the Bible, do you "hear" what it says? If not, ask the Lord to open your understanding to what it says about Jesus. Put your trust in Him as your personal Savior and experience a spiritual birth. That's the cure for spiritual deafness. —Richard De Haan

We cannot understand God's truth
Until we know the Lord;
It's when our heart is home to Him
We understand His Word. —Anon.

The key to understanding the written Word is knowing the Living Word.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Can I Really Trust The Bible?
How Can I Know God Through His Book?

[The Mayor]

I can't beleive I did it....
With no text saved, all lost with my hard drive..
It took me a while but Success!

[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 El Gato.....................nephew MississippyMuddy.............sister MississippyMuddy.....2 nephews Kramster......................stepson

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 Palladin...............................grandson Gonzo...............................friend's son jkphoto............................nephew

[The Mayor]

Welcome Home

From my Town

Grand Island Soldier Killed In Iraq

Lieutenant Colonel Terrence Crowe, a Grand Island resident, was killed in Iraq on June 7 while part of offensive operations in Tal Afar.

Lt. Col. Crowe was a member of the U.S. Army 98th Division and was helping to train Iraqi security forces.

Lt. Col. Crowe is a 1982 graduate of Niagara University. He worked as an Assistant Professor of Military Science at Canisius College. He is survived by his parents and two children. He was 44 years old.

Isledegrande.com

There is a Memorial ceremony tomorrow here at Veterans Park. I know his sister.
Funeral arrangements have not been completed as of yet.

[StarCMC]

Thank you, LTC Crowe, for your sacrifice for our country and for freedom. You will not have died in vain. Vaya a Dios!

[The Mayor]

This is from there too..


Fund Raiser For Rus Thompson - 2005

   A Fund raiser for Rus Thompson - "Invitation To A Party" - will be held from 5-9 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at the Eldredge Club, 17 Broad Street in the City of Tonawanda (across from Walgreens). A donation of $20 per person includes Hors d’oeuvres, raffles, rally and fun. An Island resident, Rus intends to run for the Erie County Legislature, 10th district, serving Grand Island, NY. Http://www.RusThompson.com

[LUV W]

REST IN PEACE, LT.COL. TERRANCE CROWE.
YOU ARE A GREAT AMERICAN HERO.
GOD BLESS AND KEEP HIS FAMILY.

[Soaring Feather]

RIP
Lieutenant Colonel Terrence Crowe,
Grand Island, NY

[The Mayor]

Thank you for your words..

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

And now a word from our Sponsors of Free Speech Click on a service emblem to send an online
Thank You to a service man or woman in any branch.

Army	Navy	Marines	Air Force	Coast Guard

[LUV W]

Words are so inadequate, but it's all I have to give. God bless this hero and God be with his family, who, I know, are so proud and yet so sad! My heart breaks when I hear of the sacrifice of another great American!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Lieutenant Colonel Terrence Crowe

[StarCMC]

Not just words, sir. These men and women have my undying gratitude and respect. I can never thank them for what they do everyday and just call it their JOB. It's more than that to me. They are my heroes.

[GailA]

Late night ping for tomorrow.

[The Mayor]

I posted it here too..
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1421652/posts?page=130#130
I sent this thread to the local online paper.
I hope some people come by to see it.
They need to know the support how we support the Troops here.

[Smartass]

PRAYER OF GRATITUDE

The Greatest Love

The greatest love I was ever shown,
Was given me by those unknown.

Whose love for all of those like me,
Was given without vanity,
Was given freely without remorse,
Free-flying into the battle course.

With courage fighting our enemy,
So our land would always home the free.

So my own children can live and grow,
My children that they did not know.
Those brave warriors, whose lives were lost.
All paying the terrible, ultimate cost.

The greatest heroes, woman and man,
Who gave their lives in a foreign land,
Whose last sight was the desert sand,
All led to glory by God's tender hand.

Never again to see
This sweet land, that they so loved,
That they made their stand.
Never again, to take a breath free,
Or to feel the touch of family,
They gave up their lives so
That it remained free, for they so loved
This great country.

With pride we stand
And voice what we want,
While overlooking soldier souls haunt,
Smiling while children laugh and play,
In freedom growing day by day.

All because of those unknown,
Who's greatest wish
Was to just come home.

I pray that maybe,
When they take their last breath,
That they closed their eyes,
And just before death,
Took the vision to glory,
Of America green,
And smiled when thinking
Of those unseen.

The greatest love I was ever shown,
Was given me by those unknown.

THANK YOU!

By Kimm Gant,
Member of The Presidential Prayer Team
March 26, 2003

 

[LUV W]

Thanks, Rus! You are such a great supporter of the troops and that was a great thing to do sending the newspaper information on how we love and support the troops here on FR! (((hugs)))

Now, I need to back up and read your latest news on your campaign. I just got so caught up in the death of that hero I didn't take the time to read it! You are making such a difference in your area!

[Texagirl4W]

Good morning, Mr. Mayor. Much success on the election.

[The Mayor]

Thank you

[The Mayor]

Good Morning.

[Mama_Bear]

I am a small and precious child, my dad's been sent to fight.
The only place I'll see his face, is in my dreams at night.
He will be gone too many days for my young mind to keep track.
I may be sad, but I am proud…My daddy's got your back.

I am a caring mother. My son has gone to war.
My mind is filled with worries that I have never known before.
Everyday I try to keep my thoughts from turning black.
I may be scared, but I am proud…My son has got your back.

I am a strong and loving wife, with a husband soon to go.
There are times I'm terrified in a way most never know.
I bite my lip, and force a smile as I watch my husband pack.
My heart may break, but I am proud…My husband's got your back..

I am a soldier. Serving Proudly, standing tall.
I fight for freedom, yours and mine by answering this call.
I do my job, while knowing the thanks it sometimes lacks.
Say a prayer that I'll come home…It's me whose got your back.

---

Some of you have already been introduced to our new "little one" via e-mail, but I can't help showing him off to the rest of the Finest.

Meet "Chachi Bear", our 7 week old Pomchi (Pomeranian/Chihuahua). He is really keeping my hopping around here. New puppies can sure be a handful! LOL.

[tuliptree76]

Good morning, Mayor. Have a good Monday! :-)

[LadyX]

Paying my respects for Lt. Col. Terrance Crowe, Your Honor, with profound gratitude for him, and for all who serve or have served our country.
Without them, there would be no free and strong America...

======================================================= Looking for something appropriate to post for all fallen,
I found a deeply moving and very recent tribute
from their command to our Night Stalkers --

RELEASE NUMBER: 050526-01
DATE POSTED: MAY 26, 2005

USASOC memorializes 23 fallen Soldiers during emotional Fort Bragg ceremony

By Walt Sokalski
U.S. Army Special Operations Command

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, May 26, 2005) —

"The Soldiers we honor today, could have chosen another profession - one that was safer, or less demanding, or more profitable."

The speaker, Lt. Gen. Philip R. Kensinger, Jr., was referring to the 23 members of the special operations community whose names were added to the Memorial Wall outside the headquarters of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command in a solemn memorial ceremony here May 26.

"But at this critical time in our nation's history," Kensinger, the USASOC Commanding General, said, "these selfless men and women raised their right hands and swore to defend liberty."

Nearly 150 family members of the fallen warriors traveled from across the country to participate in the ceremony unveiling personalized nameplates of the Army Special Operations Soldiers killed in action over the past year. However, Lt. Gen. Kensinger told the gathered crowd the honored Soldiers' real legacy was not the one rededicated at this ceremony.

“In fact, the Soldiers we honor today, and the thousands of other men and women who serve today in Iraq and Afghanistan, have built their own memorial – a memorial far more meaningful than we could ever hope to build.”

The general then went on to cite the hundreds of schools, hospitals and polling places opened by special operations units in the two countries.

The general concluded his remarks with a terse command, “Command Sergeants Major, Call the Roll!” And, as the sergeants major read each of the names, a large brass bell rang once sending waves of emotion through the gathered crowd of families, friends, and comrades-in-arms.

“No one can measure this wound,” remarked Yury Tarlavsky after the ceremony.

“It’s like touching a wound that never heals,” his wife, Rimma, chimed in. The Tarlavsky’s are the parents of 5th Special Forces Group Capt. Michael Yury Tarlavsky who was killed in August 2004 in Najaf, Iraq.

Both return to Passaic, N.J. with the feeling that their son will never be forgotten.

“Like the flag, he now flies freely over this country,” Mr. Tarlavsky said.

Michele Sanderson agrees. Her son, Cpl. William M. Amundson, died in Afghanistan in October 2004, while deployed with the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

“All my son ever wanted to be was a Ranger,” the Montgomery, Texas, resident explained.

While today’s ceremony “leaves you speechless,” Mrs. Sanderson feels strongly that this ceremony is all a part of the Army “taking care of your own.”

“The Rangers,” she quickly added, “go over and above.”

The ceremony began drawing to a close with each of the family approaching the wall and laying a single rose at its base. None could resist a loving touch of their loved one’s named memorialized in bronze.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, everyone gravitated back toward the wall to once again touch a particular name or make a rubbing of it.

From the periphery, the general gestured toward the crowd at the wall and simply said, “That’s what it’s all about.”

“Each family knows that we will pay the right homage to their loved one,” he said.

The commander of troops for today’s ceremony, Col. James L. Holloway, looked back on his duties today as a great honor.

“This is the most important event of the year,” he said. “I’m glad that I’m considered good enough to be included.” This is the second year as COT for the USASOC Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations.

The Memorial Wall originally listed Soldiers killed in action during combat in Vietnam, and was updated in the 1980s to include Soldiers who were missing in action or declared dead. The wall was later expanded to include all Army special operations Soldiers killed in action from 1983 to the present.

Today, the Memorial Wall displays the names of 916 fallen special operations Soldiers, including the 23 added today.

“This wall reminds us that each name belongs not only to a brave, talented Soldier,” Kensinger said during the memorial, “but also to a human being who was somebody’s husband or wife, son or daughter, mother or father, a friend…”

[List of names that followed not copied here]

===================================================

*** Tissue Alert ***

Surely God has very special rewards for such warriors, who go not to conquor others, but to free the oppressed and downtrodden - -

I present to you from the same site, The Night Stalker Creed, unable to read it without weeping, understanding the heart of each one...
Read it twice to get the full effect of each sentence...

~ LadyX

Night Stalker Creed

Service in the 160th is a calling only a few will answer, for the mission is constantly demanding and hard. And when the impossible has been accomplished the only reward is another mission that no one else will try. As a member of the Night Stalkers I am a tested volunteer seeking only to safeguard the honor and prestige of my country, by serving the elite Special Operations Soldiers of the United States. I pledge to maintain my body, mind and equipment in a constant state of readiness for I am a member of the fastest deployable Task Force in the world – ready to move at a moments notice anytime, anywhere, arriving on target plus or minus 30 seconds.

I guard my unit’s mission with secrecy, for my only true ally is the night and the element of surprise. My manner is that of the Special Operations Quiet Professional, secrecy is a way of life. In battle, I eagerly meet the enemy for I volunteered to be up front where the fighting is hard. I fear no foe’s ability, nor underestimate his will to fight.

The mission and my precious cargo are my concern. I will never surrender. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.

Gallantly will I show the world and the elite forces I support that a Night Stalker is a specially selected and well trained soldier.

I serve with the memory and pride of those who have gone before me for they loved to fight, fought to win and would rather die than quit.

Night Stalkers Don’t Quit!

"The Lord knows the way I take, and when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold" JOB 23:10

==========================================

Please observe a moment of silence for all our military members, and pray for them...

~ LadyX

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Good Morning Mayor! Thank you for posting this great thread! I like to take this oportunity to say this to our Troops:and

[LUV W]

Thank you for sharing that tribute. It is very moving. *tears*

[LadyX]

Requesting prayer coverage for the father of my grandson, Kyle (19 years old).
For obvious reasons, I cannot reveal his name, but he had been in the Army 24+ years ago, in Intelligence, and returned to civilian life after 4 years.

Last summer, the Army telephoned to ask him to return to that career field, and although he has a wife and another son (15), he felt strongly the need to further serve his country .
He was immediately sworn in again, briefed, clothed, equipped - and sent directly to Iraq (and possibly on to ???).

Please, Lord, watch over this dear and selfless man; his name known to You....Amen.

[Billie]

Ohhhhhhhhh, Lori, these are even better than those in email! What a precious little thing!!!! (Looks like he already likes the camera - you may have the makings of a Puppy Chow commercial) :)

[DollyCali]

Congrats Mama_Bear


See pictures of the "new arrival"
HERE

[The Mayor]

Thank you Cuz!

[LadyX]

My ping list is unavailalble this morning, and I meant to hail you to both my posts, Noosie...
PING!!! PING!!

Hope things go well for you out there..:))

[DollyCali]

Maggie & Rus --- thank you both for making this a memorable and touching thread today!!!

[The Mayor]

Amen M'Lady..

Beautiful post.

[The Mayor]

It is truly my pleasure to post this thread every Monday.

[Billie]

Good morning, Rus. I'm happy to see your post this morning. Was MrK able to recover most everything from your harddrive?

[The Mayor]

Morning Dolly..

[The Mayor]

So far nothing has been recovered.
I just went back to last weeks thread and you know.
View source, copy and paste..

Trick you taught me.

[Billie]

God Bless our troops. Thank you for your service to this great country of ours.

A reminder that tomorrow is Flag Day and thought it would be fun if everyone who flies a flag could take a picture and post it on our thread tomorrow. Wouldn't it be fantastic to see a flag in every post! (keep them *kinda* small though so the thread won't be such a clunker to open!)

[DollyCali]

Hi there Rus.. one of my very special young people is leaving in next day or so for basic training & apparently right to sandbox, He is 18, just graduated from HS & is hoping to be a band teacher eventually. so I add John Mike, my adventure team partner to the Military prayer list

[Billie]

I'm sorry, Rus - I should have read further before I made my first post to you. Congratulations on picking up the source code and posting today's thread! Had thought you would let me know if you needed the text, and apparently you didn't! Whoo Hoo!!! Way to Go!!!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Good Morning LadyX!

Prayers are being said as we speak!!

God bless this brave soldier and all of our Troops!!

HUGS

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Things are going well and I saw your posts!

Hopping between threads and I always read here ,but I don't always post!

HUGS

[Billie]

Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel Terrence Crowe, for the ultimate sacrifice for your country. Rest in peace, and may God comfort your family.

[The Mayor]

After watching you for almost 5 years I have learned alot..

Thank you!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

It is a pleasure to visit it every Monday,even is I don't always post,I am lurking!

[Billie]

Hope the fundraiser is a huge success! Good luck!

[Billie]

Joining you with prayers for your grandson's father as he returns to Iraq. Please, Father, watch over this brave man so that he can return to his family soon.

[The Mayor]

There are more lurkers on monday's than posters..

Thank you for being here in Spirit.

[The Mayor]

Thanks Billie, me too.

[LadyX]

SUGGESTION:

If you know the wife of a man serving away from home in the military, please consider speaking to her - offering her a cup of coffee and conversation - -
if you are able, give her a

Gift certificate for her and the children to eat out, at a buffet/good restaurant/even McDonald's??

Watch her children for a few hours to give her quiet time, or have her hair done, shop, see a movie without little ones to handle?
She serves you indirectly 24/7, you realize ---

I can never forget the year ('67-'68) my husband fought in Southeast Asia, and we wives had to blend into the woodwork around civilians, our husbands accused of being baby killers...

NO support, even working as a teacher in the base school, from even military wives, who seemed afraid if they mentioned his absence, *their* husband would be tapped to go over there...in that year, the *only* person who helped me was the Okinawan wife of a fellow who had served with my husband, asking my 3 children and me to Thanksgiving dinner with them, and once when I was very ill with food poisoning (not from my cooking - lol), quietly coming over and feeding my children (then 14, 12 and 5) without disturbing me...

While I was strong and self sufficient, I no longer had a "home" to return to, my mother deceased and father in a nursing home...it was a very long year....

Please do not let this generation suffer like that...