A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....05-08-06....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, Neets, 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.




                     

12-28-05 ~ Hall of Fame #14

THE WEEKEND THREAD thru -05-5,6,7-06... 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]

[The Mayor]

May 8, 2006

Looting The Camp

LISTEN TO ODB RADIO: Real | MP3 | WMA

READ: 2 Kings 5:15-27

Did not my heart go with you . . . ? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing? —2 Kings 5:26

While visiting a US Civil War battlefield in Virginia, I was struck by a story about an army unit that arrived too late for a major battle. The troops had stopped to loot a camp abandoned by their enemy. By taking what they felt they needed, they could not accomplish their mission.

That seems to describe the failure of the prophet Elisha’s servant Gehazi, who sought money and clothing from Naaman, a Syrian military commander (2 Kings 5:20-25). Elisha told Naaman how to be cured of his leprosy, but he refused any gift or payment from him (v.16). Gehazi, however, decided to get something for himself (v.20). In a stinging rebuke, Elisha said to Gehazi: “Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing . . . ? Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever” (vv.26-27).

The desire for personal gain can be a snare in our service for the Lord. It may be the subtle lure of recognition or the fatal attraction of financial reward. Any motive that changes our focus from giving to God to getting from Him poses a real spiritual danger.

Greed makes us believe that we deserve what we desire. That leads us down the wrong road. May God give us the wisdom to avoid the sin of Gehazi. —David C. McCasland

God’s riches fill up our supply,
Whatever we may need,
So we can then be generous,
And not controlled by greed.  —Sper

Live to give.

[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; Dutchess; dollycali;The Mayor; GodBlessUSA; JustAmy, 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.

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

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey.........................cousin mystery-ak...........son, husband Gogrammy.................grandson Inspectorette.......................son deadhead.......................cousin Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave........niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin............niece's husband sneakers..........................son 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 ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady....................nephew Spruce......................daughter Bykrbayb..........................son Leofl.................................son chena...............................son Hope and Glory..................son Philman_36.............2 nephews bjcintennessee........son, niece TheMayor...............friends'son Doug from Upland.......soninlaw homeschoolmama........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin gonzo...................friend's son visualops......................cousin auboy..........................cousin LoneRedRanger...brother-in-law Ladysmith.nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend MontanaCowgirlCop......brother nelibeli........................nephew Misty4jc.....................husband Colorado Slim..............nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews ProudAFDad......................son Alouette.............................son Katydidnt...........................son Zechariah_8_13....brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.............cousin PreviouslyA-Lurker........brother sheeza.......................husband kemathen7..................husband Q6-God..................twin brother Q6-God....................active duty 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 Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty Old Sarge.................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968................active duty NoLongerFreeState...active duty CMS........................active duty

OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son cookcounty.............................son Himyar....................................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin boxerblues........................2 sons the piper..............................son Tiffee4Bob......................boyfriend JimRobinson...............2 nephews TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Consort........................2 daughters Consort.......................son-in-law Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son painter...................................nephew SilentServiceCPOWife........husband Walkenfree................2 grandsons Walkenfree.................. 3 nephews Walkenfree..................granddaughter DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law Skimask.....................................son Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy.....2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson Socratic.............................nephew Jemian...................................son freema.......................nephew, son Azbushgal..............................son kimmykay.................................son right2parent..............................son NavySEAL F-16........................son Ike..........................................son repubmom...............................son wolfcreek..........................daughter JesseJane ...........................cousin Roses0508..............................son pmmd81..................................son GodBlessUSA......................cousin SoldiersPrayingMom.................son WakeUpandVote..................brother Skyraider.................................son CyberAnt...........................nephew mrs tiggywinkle...................cousin Jen's Mom........................daughter Meg33.............................grandson 911angelady........................2 sons Nadine...............................nephew U S Army EOD.................daughter weldgophardline.......................son jrushing....................................son thehumanlynx...........brother-in-law JFC..................................nephew Earthdweller......................nephew Scubachick.......................husband ChairmanDec19thSociety ..brotherinlaw Anthem............................2 cousins meanie monster .........family friend PragmaticWarrior..........2 nephews

[AZamericonnie]

Supporting our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen at more than 1,000 places across the U. S. and around the world.

~Tribute to Our Troops~

[The Mayor]

Hi Connie, good to see you.

[AZamericonnie]

Good to see you Mayor....Hope you had a blessed Sunday!

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Armed Forces Day
"America Supports You"
Saturday, May 20, 2006

[MEG33]

Wonderful tribute,Dr Scarpetta.

[MEG33]

God Bless Our Troops

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Thank you. I read in the newspaper that a town in my state had an Armed Forces Day Parade on Sat.

[The Mayor]

What a Great picture! Thank you so much..

[The Mayor]

Meg, that is fantastic! My you are getting good.. : )

[The Mayor]

[MEG33]

Thank you ,Mayor..all I did was frame it..someone else did the message . I love it,too.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

[DollyCali]

Supporting the Troops, Worldwide!

Hope all had a good weekend & some nice things in their life along the way. Urgent matters going on in household/family. Won't be around too much this week.

[The Mayor]

Thanks for coming by Dolly, I hope things are alright..

[RonPaulLives]

I don't post much, and hardly ever to this thread.....but I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to Me!

It's been a tough year (a microcosm of a difficult life sometimes). But Free Republic is always there for me, and I am very thankful for my friends here.

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning, all. God Bless our Troops!

[Billie]

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Good Morning FR Finest.

Our Troops fight for our freedom and keep us safe.

We should thank our Troops every day and show our support for what they do,because they sacrifice everything for us.

Always remember that.......

It is the SOLDIER, not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the SOLDIER, not the courts
who has given us the right to keep and bear arms
It is the SOLDIER, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the SOLDIER, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the SOLDIER, not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the SOLDIER, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the SOLDIER, not the politician,
who has given us the right to vote.
It is the SOLDIER, who salutes the Flag,
and serves under the flag.

So join me in saying........

God bless our Troops and their families!

God bless the USA,the land that I love!

[snugs]

Happy VE (Victory in Europe) Day. It is also dad's birthday and he always says that his best birthday ever was May 8th, 1945.

[LadyX]

"Happy VE (Victory in Europe) Day. It is also dad's birthday and he always says that his best birthday ever was May 8th, 1945."

G'day, Eleanor!
This actually is something of a very sore point for me.
Please note the following fact from WWII History...

"On May 2 German forces in Italy and southern and western Austria stopped fighting and
on May 7, after 3 1/2 years of war with the U.S.,
Nazi Germany surrendered unconditionally. "

Despite that being the actual end of the war with the Germany/Italy Axis, our President Harry Truman
waited until the next day to declare VE Day.

Um...the 8th *happened* to be HIS birthday!

So why did I care about that little delay?
Because May 7, 1945 was my 11th birthday,
and I thus wuz robbed..:((

[Majie Purple]

Dear Troops!!!!!! X's & O's!!!!!!

[Majie Purple]

Thanks much for the ping Sweet Billie! Look! Finally found a doll to gif gift back to you!

[Majie Purple]

Thanks a bunch!:)

[Majie Purple]

Magnificent # 7 post!

[Majie Purple]

Love your # 9 post!

[Majie Purple]

Just wanted to say hi
& hope all is well with
you & yours! Hugs...

[Majie Purple]

Your # 21 post definatly bears repeating!
Tis a great one!

[Majie Purple]

For snugs/Eleanor's dad!

[snugs]

:0)

Seeing as today is VE day I thought I would take a photo or 2 of the Memorial and Memorial Gardens in Ashford to post today.

The wooden bench is actually dedicated to those that lost their lives during the Korean war

[snugs]

Thank you

[Majie Purple]

My Pleasure!
& your # 32 post is very pretty...

[snugs]

I know you like pansies here is close up of a bed of them in the Memorial Gardens.

[LadyX]

"The wooden bench is actually dedicated to those that lost their lives during the Korean war"

Ah ha! As most here know, I happen to be a veteran of The Korean Conflict, Eleanor..:)
In June 1952, I entered the U.S. Marine Corps, training at Parris Island (South Carolina), and went straight to the podium down the street.
It was my privilege to instruct women recruits in their classroom subjects during their eight weeks of boot camp, with anywhere from 60 to 120 women per class.

See my Profile Page, including a photo of me 50 years later by the Iwo Jima Monument on the Parade Deck there...
I literally led the Dedication Ceremony for that statue, out front beside the Company A Commander, with me proudly carrying the American Flag.
It was THE biggest buildup EVER of the Marine Corps, and we led eight full companies [each with many platoons] in the ceremony.

Wonderful memories of another day and time....
Our very own Finest poster, Dubya, had not so great memories, being in combat in Korea.

[Majie Purple]

Thank you snugs! Lovely...and for you, I remember you mentioned a fondness for buttercups... What are you & your dad doing to celebrate his B-Day?

[Dubya]

Kids in the 40's & 50's

And you have to wonder, how DID we survive?????? We only had ONE TV...AND we didn't even have a remote! Can you imagine??????????? Life was good..... Hope you enjoy.

Were you a kid or did you raise kids in the 30's, 40's or 50's?

Were you a kid in the Thirties, Forties or Fifties or so ? Everybody makes fun of our childhood! Comedians joke. Grandkids snicker. twenty-something's shudder and say "Eeeew!" But was our childhood really all that bad? Judge for yourself:

In 1953 the US population was less than 150 million... yet you knew more people then, and knew them better... AND THAT WAS GOOD !

The average annual salary was under $3,000...yet our parents could put some of it away for a rainy day and still live a decent life... AND THAT WAS GOOD !

A loaf of bread cost about 15 cents... but it was safe for a five-year-old to skate to the store and buy one... AND THAT WAS GOOD !

Prime-Time meant I Love Lucy, Ozzie and Harriet, Gunsmoke and Lassie... so nobody ever heard of ratings or filters... AND THAT WAS GOOD !

We didn't have air-conditioning... so the windows stayed up and half a dozen mothers ran outside when you fell off your bike... AND THAT WAS GOOD !

Your teacher was either Miss Matthews or Mrs. Logan or Mr. Adkins... but not Ms. Becky or Mr. Dan... AND THAT WAS GOOD !

The only hazardous material you knew about...was a patch of grassburrs around the light pole at the corner... AND THAT WAS GOOD !

You loved to climb into a fresh bed...because sheets were dried on the clothesline... AND THAT WAS GOOD !

People generally lived in the same hometown with their relatives... so "child care" meant grandparents or aunts and uncles... AND THAT WAS GOOD !

Parents were respected and their rules were law.... Children did not talk back..... AND THAT WAS GOOD !

TV was in black-and-white... but all outdoors was in glorious color....AND THAT WAS CERTAINLY GOOD !

Your Dad knew how to adjust everybody's carburetor... and the Dad next door knew how to adjust all the TV knobs... AND THAT WAS VERY GOOD !

Your grandma grew snap beans in the back yard...and chickens behind the garage... AND THAT WAS DEFINITELY GOOD !

And just when you were about to do something really bad... chances were you'd run into your Dad's high school coach... or the nosy old lady from up the street... or your little sister's piano teacher... or somebody from church... ALL of whom knew your parents' phone number...and YOUR first name... AND EVEN THAT WAS GOOD !! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ REMEMBER....
................................................................................................................


Send this on to someone who can still remember Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Laurel &Hardy, Abbott &Costello, Sky King, Little Lulu comics, Brenda Starr, Howdy Doody and The Peanut Gallery, The Lone Ranger, The Shadow Knows, Nellie Belle, Roy and Dale, Trigger and Buttermilk as well as the sound of a reel mower on Saturday morning, and summers filled with bike rides, playing in cowboy land, playing hide and seek and kick-the-can and Simon Says, baseball games, amateur shows at the local theater before the Saturday matinee, bowling and visits to the pool...and eating Kool-Aid powder with sugar, and wax lips and bubblegum cigars

[dutchess]

God Bless Our Military Men and Women and their Families

[Majie Purple]

Hi Dutchess!
Thumbs up on your # 39 ping :)
Take Care...HUGS!

[Majie Purple]

[Billie]

Oh, thank you, Majjie, that is such a pretty doll, and the hummingbird with her is so sweet!

[Dubya]

Veterans ask Oceanside for permanent home

By: CHRIS TRIBBEY - Staff Writer

OCEANSIDE ---- A group of former soldiers and Marines urged the City Council this week to give veterans a gathering spot in Oceanside and create a permanent war memorial in the city that neighbors Camp Pendleton, one of the busiest military bases in the nation.

More than 20 war veterans attended Wednesday night's council meeting to support a request by Councilman Rocky Chavez that the city look at using its former Police Department operations center on Mission Avenue as a veterans hall, where different groups can meet.

But the Oceanside Fire Department and Oceanside Police Department are looking at the 1617 Mission Ave. facility as a possible home for their emergency operations center.


On Wednesday, the council also approved the demolition of jail cells and accessory buildings at the site in anticipation of emergency dispatchers moving back in.

"We had always anticipated that backup dispatch would move back in there," said Public Works Director Peter Weiss. "(Councilman Chavez's) request took us a little bit by surprise."

Chavez said it was wrong for Oceanside's veterans to not have a permanent place to call home.

"I don't like to see a conflict between veterans and public safety," he said.

The former site of the Playgirl club on Pier View Way and the run-down Moose Lodge site on South Coast Highway are two other sites the Police and Fire departments have considered, but neither are attractive options, according to City Manager Steve Jepsen.

"Our city needs an emergency operations center. From my perspective, is this the best location? No," said police Chief Frank McCoy of the 1617 Mission site. "But we do need one."

Veterans expressed anger at the city for the lack of a veterans hall.

"In 22 years, we have not had a post," said James M. Jones, a certified national recruiter with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and commander of VFW Post 10577 in Oceanside. "Whoever is elected commander (of the Oceanside chapter), his garage is the post.

"New members don't stay in Oceanside ---- they go to Vista or San Marcos," Jones added. "We're tired of meeting in garages. There must be some place for us."

Gerald "Skip" Cline, commander of The Military Order of the Purple Heart, said Oceanside also needs to move fast on bringing a permanent war memorial to town.

"We have been waiting 50 years for a memorial," he said. "We in this city need a memorial for our veterans. And we need a home. I've met members who've gone to a Carl's Jr. or Jack In The Box just to keep things going."

The council voted 5-0 to have Chavez lead an ad hoc committee to find a permanent meeting home for veterans, while Councilwoman Esther Sanchez suggested that the former Playgirl building be considered as an interim spot for veterans to hold meetings and events.

More than one council member said the city may look for a permanent veterans hall near the planned senior center at El Corazon.

Contact staff writer Chris Tribbey at (760) 901-4067 or ctribbey@nctimes.com.

[Majie Purple]

Thanks that read was good! :)

[Majie Purple]

Re: your# 38 post is what my prior post refers to.

[Majie Purple]

You're welcome Billie...Always!:)

[Dubya]

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 7, 2006 - Military Appreciation Month is under way, as millions of people have jammed the beach here this week for "Fleet Week USA - A National Salute to America's Heroes," sponsored by McDonald's.

The company kicked off the salute on May 1. Today's McDonald's Air and Sea Show, featuring the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels demonstration team and the Army's Golden Knights parachute team, will conclude the week's festivities. The Canadian Forces Snow Birds precision aerobatics team is adding an international flavor to the weekend.

The salute has been a fixture here for 12 years running, according to event officials.

"This salute to America's heroes is presumably the largest spectator event in the world," Mickey Markoff, founder and president of MDM Group, told a crowd gathered for an earlier Fleet Week activity. "We expect millions of people here this weekend." MDM Group is a Fort Lauderdale-based marketing firm specializing in corporate-sponsored sporting and special events.

The weekend's activities on the water include a Super Boat International/American Power Boat Association race and a beach invasion conducted by the Marine Corps and the Navy.

Those who want to take in the demonstrations the military is offering but want to stay off what promises to be a crowded four-mile stretch of beach can check out the McDonald's Air and Sea Show Display Village. Located at a nearby mall, spectators can view civilian and military land and marine vehicles as well as sponsor displays and demonstrations.

"Part of the reason we sponsor both of the programs is ... giving back to the community at large has always been a cornerstone of McDonald's and our business," Ellis said. "So this program is just another great way to do exactly that, and at the same time, salute the very important work of the men and women of the U.S. military."

[The Mayor]

Happy Birthday to you my friend!

[LadyX]

"The company kicked off the salute on May 1. Today's McDonald's Air and Sea Show, featuring the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels demonstration team and the Army's Golden Knights parachute team, will conclude the week's festivities."

As most on The Finest know, my son, Steve, was with DMAT (Disaster Medical Assistance Team) and for 4 years has manned the medical tent at the Sea & Air Shows in Ft. Lauderdale.
The weekend crowd usually tops 2,000,000 visitors, and they treat as many as 70 patients per weekend.

Although he in September moved up the coast to the Port St. Lucie/Ft. Pierce/Stuart area, now with an Oncology Practice, he had the weekend off and volunteered to be down there again.
He said there were fewer patients this time, but did have a woman having a heart attack to handle.

Growing up as an Air Force Brat, he had seen the Blue Angels back in the 60's, and other military air shows.... they're definitely in his blood..:))

All the services participate, the Navy in the ocean itself, bombing demonstrations at sea, plus Marines landing on shore - and again, the Stealth Bombers wonderful precision flying to pass over at *precisely* the time on the Schedule, coming across the country!

I'm so very proud of his heart for volunteerism, manning the Emergency Tent (serving as the community's ER) in Punta Gorda, Florida as soon as Hurricane Charlie hit in 2004, for 11 days - another earlier one - Hurricane Lili - in Louisiana, etc.

[The Mayor]

Good Night everyone.. Thank you all for your contributions to todays thread! God Bless our Troops!