A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....07-24-06....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.

TOP: DollyCali, Wheelbarrow, DollyCali's dad, DollyCali's brother, Jen's Mom's daughter Jen.
MIDDLE: Warthogtjm dad & Warthogtjm, SoldiersPrayingMom's son jmpmstr4u2,
Indy Pendance's daughter, Agthorn's dad.
BOTTOM: Tupac, GulfWar1Vet, SandRat, JRios1968.


                     

07-01-06 ~ Hall of Fame #16

THE WEEKEND THREAD 07-21,22,23-06... 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]

July 24, 2006

Cupcake Self-Discipline

LISTEN TO ODB RADIO: Real | MP3 | WMA

READ: Titus 1:1-9

Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls. —Proverbs 25:28

An old adage says: “Next time you want a cupcake, eat a carrot.” The saying is good advice for dieters, but those who framed it may have had all of us in mind. By disciplining our desires when no moral principle is at stake, we prepare ourselves for those moments when we face a temptation to sin.

This kind of discipline is what Paul referred to when he used the term self-controlled in his list of qualifications for church leadership (Titus 1:8). We need this reminder today. Many people think they can live immorally now and suddenly stop when they want to. Because they do not consider the addictive power of sin, they find that living up to their good intentions is far more difficult than they had anticipated.

Proverbs 25:28 tells us that if we lack self-control we are as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls. Consistent self-discipline will build up our spiritual defense system against the forces of evil.

When we discipline ourselves to keep our ordinary desires under control, we make a habit of virtuous living and practice the reality of Paul’s words in Romans 6:18, “Having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” —Herbert Vander Lugt

For Further Study
Are you facing struggles in your walk with the Lord?
Read How Do You Live The Christian Life?

To gain self-control, give Christ control.

Bible in One Year: Bible in One Year:   Psalms 35-36; Acts 25

[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 AlaskaErik............Active duty JemiansTerror.........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 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 sageb1..........3 cousins Tarheel..........Cousin SuzyQue...mom,2 sons,3 brothers IndyPendance....daughter,soninlaw

[PGalt]

America's finest (bump!)

[The Mayor]

Thanks! Haven't seen your name in a while..

[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~

[Kate of Spice Island]

TY!

[The Mayor]

Thank you!

[DollyCali]

God Bless our Troops!!!!

but oh those "sneaky" marines! Look closely at these pix

Ya got to love the Marines!


It's all about morale!

[The Mayor]

Very good! Love the paint job.. : )

[DollyCali]

:-)

Why does that NOT surprise me?????

[The Mayor]

I love women! What can I say : )

[DollyCali]

I can "say" that is good! would be terribly embarrassing if you didn't like the gals & liked the "guys"..

heheehe.

I went to see Superman for second time with a friend who was chatty about Oprah's gay life.. I said...WHAT? since did some google/research.. but what a shame that women who have close, good female friends for decades have TO DEFEND THAT RELATIONSHIP... bet Stedman is laughing! well, who knows.. life is always full of surprises...

but bottom line is that I am GLAD you like the gals.. and I like the guys...

so there!!!!

:-)

[DollyCali]

Gee .. speaking of liking guys & gals..This pix is way overdue in being showcased.. and ( I haven't been sent to the corner recently....) *wink*

Please welcome the Navy Seals to
the Finest Military Monday

[DollyCali]

well since I am talking to myself here & at a few other theads, I think I will begin the "night/night" process..

Sweet dreams to all my dear FReeper FRiends!

[Wolfstar]

Those guys are yummy, Dolly. :)

Go Navy!!!

[DollyCali]

I agree (even if they are my son's age!).. drat!

[Kate of Spice Island]

Oh, yeah!

[STARWISE]

Yes ma'am!! I'll take the 3rd one in from the right .. ;)

[MEG33]

TO OUR VETERANS, THOSE IN
THE MILITARY AND THEIR FAMILIES

*THANK YOU*

[Majie Purple]

[.30Carbine]

To gain self-control, give Christ control.

Bump and many thanks!

[alwaysconservative]

I love, love, LOVE that pic! Thanks for posting pictures of MEN, not actors who are wannabe men. What terrific looking guys! And I'm not picky, they ALL look great. (They're welcome to be my scuba diving buddies ANY TIME hubby can't go.)

[stopem]

Good Morning Meg, All!

I second that, God Bless our Military, Veterans, and Commander In Chief, and a big hearty Thank you!!

[DollyCali]

Third from the right on order.. black tie or uniform?

[DollyCali]

yes, you are right, of course!

[MEG33]

GO NAVY!

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Good morning!

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Thank you Russ.

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

...you had to remind us...

[ConorMacNessa]

Good morning, Mayor.

[ConorMacNessa]

Good morning, Meg - great graphic!

[LUV W]

[click on picture]

Run to the Sounds of the Guns
~~~by Texas Songwriter~~~
aka Jeff Russell
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[LUV W]

*THUD*

[anonymoussierra]

How are you? be strong!!!!thank you

[DollyCali]

Hi Sarah! I have been busy & pretty overwhelmed with personal matters on the homefront.. BUT, God is Good & all things in life are relative.

I am hoping for a short trip in next few weeks to see a FReeper FRiend & then my son on way home.. so that also is good(haven't seen him for 2 years!!!)

[LUV W]

Good morning/afternoon to you Sara!

I am very good...hope you are doing well. You and your fellow countrymen stay strong too! We need our strong Polish allies.

Is it a hot summer over there?

[anonymoussierra]

Outstanding!!Hello good persons!thank you dear (((***DollyCali***)))

[anonymoussierra]

35 Celsius here and 38 and 40 in Espanola et Italia.

[LUV W]

Goodness! That's pretty warm for you there isn't it? Stay as cool as possible. Have a great week.

[anonymoussierra]

I am well. Izrael sisters and brothers are attack again. Pray!!!!

[LUV W]

Yes, Sara, I am...and all of America is praying that they prevail against these terrorist monsters. Do not worry...God is in charge.

God bless you for your concern for them in their hour of need.

[STARWISE]

Always .. uniform .. ;)

[stopem]

Good graphic,

Heard something imteresting thought I would share with you all.

Have you heard of the "Purple Heart Trail"?
It is in 20 states.

http://www.purpleheartaustin.org/Trail.htm

Background Information

The Purple Heart Trail was established in 1992 by the Military Order of the Purple Heart to be a symbolic trail throughout all 50 states to commemorate and honor all men and women who have been wounded or killed in combat while serving in the U.S. armed forces. The Purple Heart Trail originates in Mount Vernon, Va., and traverses the United States to California. More than 20 states have implemented the trail, including Hawaii. The trail has also been implemented in Puerto Rico and Guam.


Texas Trail

A ceremony establishing the portion of Interstate 35 in Texas as the Purple Heart Trail, the first Purple Heart Trail in the state, was conducted on Saturday, September 3, 2005 at 10 a.m. in Laredo, Texas. State Senator Leticia Van de Putte (District 26) sponsored the bill (SB678) to establish the Purple Heart Trail in Texas.


What's Next?

ACTION ITEM

The Military Order of the Purple Heart Department of Texas will fund the purchase of highway signs similar to those shown at the top of this page which should be placed every 100 miles on the entire length of I-35 in Texas. The Texas Department has suggested a $5 "donation" from each member to fund this project. Please help with this effort and send your contribution to Ray Diaz, MOPH 1919, 612 W. Annie St., Austin, TX 78704-4102. You can contact any of our officers about donating to this project.

[Dubya]

Marine Corps looking for MySpace buddies

AUDREY McAVOY
Associated Press

KANEOHE, Hawaii - Teens looking to hook up with a friend on the popular Web community MySpace may bump into an unexpected buddy: the U.S. Marine Corps.

So far, over 12,000 Web surfers have signed on as friends of the Corps in response to the latest military recruiting tactic. Other military branches may follow.

MySpace.Com, the Internet's most popular social networking site with over 94 million registered users, has helped redefine the way a generation communicates. Users, many in their teens and 20s, post personal profiles and accumulate lists of friends and contacts with common interests.

The Marine Corps MySpace profile - featuring streaming video of barking drill sergeants, fresh recruits enduring boot camp and Marines storming beaches - underscores the growing importance of the Internet to advertisers as a medium for reaching America's youth.

"That's definitely the new wave," said Gunnery Sgt. Brian Lancioni at a Hawaii recruiting event. "Everything's technical with these kids, and the Internet is a great way to show what the Marine Corps has to offer."

Patrick Baldwin, an 18-year-old recruit from Saratoga, N.Y., who linked his profile to the Marines' site after hearing about it from a friend, said MySpace was a good place for interested teens to start learning more about the Marines.

"The more information you have the better off you are," said Baldwin, who left for boot camp a few weeks ago.

The Army, which originally balked at advertising on MySpace because of well-publicized incidents of child predators using the site to meet kids, plans to soon set up its own profile page.

"It is where prospects are," said Louise Eaton, media and Web chief for the U.S. Army Accession Command. "We go to where they are to try to inform them of the opportunities we offer."

Recruiters say MySpace is good for advertising, but they would never sign someone up to join the Marines unless they've met him or her in an old-fashioned, face-to-face meeting.

Web surfers who open the Marines' MySpace page can click on a tab titled "Contact a Recruiter." This directs them to the Marines.com site where they are prompted to fill out a form with their name, address and phone number so recruiters can arrange to meet them.

So far over 430 people have asked to contact a Marine recruiter through the site in the five months since the page went up, including some 170 who are considered "leads" or prospective Marine recruits.

The Marine Corps isn't the first to use MySpace profiles to reach the Web community's core audience of teenagers and twentysomethings.

Toyota Motor Corp. has a page to promote the Yaris, its new subcompact car. Verizon Wireless sponsored a contest on MySpace for the best single by an unsigned band.

MySpace has rapidly become the online social forum of choice for many who like how easy it is to make and communicate with friends via the site. But MySpace - and News Corp., its parent company - have had problems.

In Maine, a 27-year-old man was sentenced to three years in prison for sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl he met on the site.

To boost the site's safety, MySpace recently imposed restrictions on how adults may contact younger users. Those who are 18 and over can no longer request to be on a 14- or 15-year-old's list of friends unless they already know either the youth's e-mail address or full name.

The Army initially posted ads on MySpace in January but withdrew them a month later when reports emerged about child predators approaching youths via the site. MySpace has since assured the Army it has better security protections in place.

As for other branches, the Air Force places regular advertisements on MySpace, but doesn't have a profile. The Navy hasn't used MySpace.

Steve Morse with the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors is critical of recruiters using MySpace profiles. But Morse said they don't surprise him because the Iraq war has forced the military to search "under every bush" for recruits.

"It's kind of obnoxious of them to be using something that's sort of like a youth domain, to kind of come in and really sucker youth into something they're not really explaining fully," Morse said.

[Majie Purple]

Thank you Ladies for pinging me to such wonderful
Troop Tributes!
((((Even when I haven't pinged you!))))

[LUV W]

Awesome. Glad my state has stepped up to the plate! God bless the ones who have been awarded this medal...they are heroes, every one!

[LUV W]

THE DEMOCRAT, THE REPUBLICAN AND THE SOUTHERNER

You're walking down a deserted street with your wife and two small children. Suddenly, an Islamic Terrorist with a huge knife comes around the corner, locks eyes with you, screams obscenities, praises Allah, raises the knife, and charges at you. You are carrying a Glock cal 40, and you are an expert shot. You have mere seconds before he reaches you and your family. What do you do?

....................................................................

Democrat's Answer:

Decide if I shot him in the legs to stop him or go straight for the heart!

...................................................................

Republican's Answer:

Without any thought, shoot him in the face!

..................................................................

Southerner's Answer:

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
Click..... (Sounds of reloading)

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! Click

Daughter: "Nice grouping, Daddy! Were those the Winchester Silver Tips or Hollow Points?

Son: Can I shoot the next one!

Wife: You ain't taking that to the Taxidermist!

[stopem]

About 20 states are involved. But yes our state (TX)has signs along hwy 35 indicating it is the "Purple Heart trail".

[Dr. Scarpetta]

God bless the military children.