A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....09-15,16,17-06....T.G.I.F. at the Finest

September 15, 2006 | Billie

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Dutchess, Dolly Cali, GodBlessUSA, JustAmy ~

Welcome to TGIF at the Finest!   We hope you've been having as much fun as we have with our essays and/or spotlight on various FReepers. From the beginning, we've been kicking back on Saturdays and Sundays and simply reviewing the features of the week; our weekend threads now start on Friday and continue through Sunday. If you missed seeing any of this week's threads and want to say hello there now, just click on the link for that particular day. If you'd like to drop in and out of this thread today through Sunday, please feel free to do that also. One of us will try to be around to see the welcome mat is still out, put the coffee pot on, and maybe even bring fresh flowers for the table. : )

~ Billie, Dutchess, Dolly Cali, GodBlessUSA, JustAmy ~



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"Getting to Know You"

THIS WEEK'S THREADS


09-11-06 ~ Military Monday ~ September 11th, 2006
By Billie
Presented by The Mayor

09-12-06 ~Celebrate Living
ByDutchess

09-13-06 ~ Warm Fuzzy Wednesday
By Billie

09-14-06 ~The Face of Heroes (Reprise - 1st Anniversary)
By JohnHuang2
Presented by DollyCali

Have a wonderful weekend!

07-01-06 ~ Hall of Fame #16

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

"Wear Red" Friday

You will soon see a lot of people wearing Red on Fridays. Here's why..... The Americans, who support our troops, are the silent majority. We are not "organized" to reflect who we are, or to reflect what our opinions are. Many Americans, like yourself, and all their friends, simply want to recognize that Americans support our troops. Our idea of showing our solidarity and support for our troops is starting Friday and continuing on each and every Friday, until this is over, that every red-blooded American who supports our young men and women, WEAR SOMETHING RED.

Word of mouth, press, TV -- let's see if we can make the United States, on any given Friday, a sea of red much like a home football game at a University. If every one of our memberships share this with other acquaintances, fellow workers, friends, and neighbors, I guarantee that it will not be long before the USA will be covered in RED - and make our troops know there are many people thinking of their well-being. You will feel better all day Friday when you wear Red! So let's get the word out and lead by example; wear RED on Fridays.

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE. FOR US, THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED!! GOD BLESS AMERICA.

received this in my email June 10th, the author is unknown.
I am wearing red today and every Friday ~ Billie

[Billie]

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

060910-N-1087H-073 Virginia Beach, Va. (Sept. 9, 2006) - Four F-14 Tomcats fly in formation at the 2006 Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana Air show. This is the last Air show for the F-14 Tomcat at NAS Oceana. The 2006 NAS Oceana Air Show themed "Salute to the Blue Angels; 60 Years of Aerial Excellence", showcased civilian and military aircraft from the Nation's armed forces, providing lots of flight demonstrations and static displays. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brandon E. Holmes (RELEASED)

060910-N-1087H-053 Virginia Beach, Va. (Sept. 9, 2006) - F/A-18F Super Hornets, F-14 Tomcats, and F/A-18C Hornets fly in formation during the Fleet Air Power Demonstration at the 2006 Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana Air show. The 2006 NAS Oceana Air Show themed "Salute to the Blue Angels; 60 Years of Aerial Excellence", showcased civilian and military aircraft from the Nation's armed forces, providing lots of flight demonstrations and static displays. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brandon E. Holmes (RELEASED)

060912-N-0490C-003 Atlantic Ocean (Sept. 12, 2006) - E-2C Hawkeyes assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron One Two Zero (VAW-120), the "Greyhawks," are tied down to the flight deck prior to carrier qualifications starting for the day aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Eisenhower is underway conducting carrier qualifications. U. S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Miguel Angel Contreras (RELEASED)

060911-N-0490C-011 Atlantic Ocean (Sept. 11, 2006) — An SH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Five (HS-5), the “Nightdippers,” stands by on alert aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Eisenhower is underway conducting carrier qualifications. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Miguel Angel Contreras (RELEASED)

060909-N-9946J-010 Virginia Beach, Va. (Sept. 9, 2006) - Members of the British Army parachute demonstration team, the "Red Devils" make their way down to the flight-line at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana as one of the many attractions at the 2006 Naval Air Station Oceana Air Show. This year's show is themed "Salute to the Blue Angels; 60 Years of Aerial Excellence", which showcased civilian and military aircraft from the Nation's armed forces, providing lots of flight demonstrations and static displays. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jason Johnston (RELEASED)

[Billie]

AND WEAR RED WHILE YOU DO IT!

[Billie]

Hi there, EMB! Now THERE'S a pledge graphic (bottom photo) if I ever saw one! Love all of these, but the BEST one to me is the third pic! Thank you for bringing all these wonderful military photos and news bits to the Finest. Miss you when you're not here!

[Billie]

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 Inspectorette.......................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave........niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin............niece's husband sneakers..........................son weldgophardline.................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater.......cousin WaterDragon............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law BeforeISleep.....................son kimmie7......................brother LadyX (RIP)..............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 TheMayor...............friends'son Doug from Upland.......soninlaw homeschoolmama........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin Consort.................2 daughters Consort...................son-in-law gonzo...................friend's son visualops......................cousin auboy..........................cousin painter........................nephew jrushing.............................son 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 thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................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 tongue-tied ..............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 Armymarinemom................3 sons american_ranger.....................son cookcounty.............................son Himyar....................................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin boxerblues........................2 sons the piper..............................son Tiffee4Bob......................boyfriend TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother 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 SilentServiceCPOWife........husband 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 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 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 JulieRNR21.........friend's grandson SuzyQue...mom,2 sons,3 brothers weeder1...........................nephew IndyPendance..daughter,soninlaw fatima.....................granddaughter Lori from Long Island....soninlaw monkeyface...................grandson redhead...................grandnephew gonzo............................soninlaw

[JustAmy]

T G I F

Good morning, Ms Billie!
Thank you for opening the Finest Doors this morning.

Tonight is back to school to meet the teacher.
I decided I should wear something other than blue jeans. :)

[Aeronaut]

Good morning. I have a RED polo shirt on. I have already been to the (largly lefty leaning) Farmer's Market this AM.

[onedoug]

Wearing red today. Thanks.

[Aquamarine]

Good Morning Billie. Hope you got your problem with AOL straightened out.

[Billie]

Good morning, Amy! I LOVE your new picture! WhooHoo!!!

[Billie]

Hey, Aeronaut! What a nice surprise to see you! Day off?

[Billie]

Great! Thanks, doug! We wear red every Friday here!

[Billie]

Good Morning Billie. Hope you got your problem with AOL straightened out.

Seems to be, at least for now. :) How are you doing?

[Aeronaut]

Day off?

Yup.

[onedoug]

ping

[Billie]

Hope all is well up there 'round Aeronaut's way. :)

[Aeronaut]

Hope all is well up there 'round Aeronaut's way. :)

Things are good here. I'm watching the President's news conference. Anyone who thinks that man is stupid is living on another planet.

[stopem]

Happy wear red Friday!!

I have red houseslippers on today. :)

Working at home today.

[Diver Dave]

Mornin' Billie.

It wasn't Friday, but Mrd&Mrsd were wearing red at the FResno FReeper picnic last Saturday.

[LUV W]

*WEAR RED*
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!

[Aquamarine]

I'm doing fairly well. Am glad the temperature is starting to cool off, think I had about 4 heat strokes this summer. :(

Hope you're doing well.

[Kitty Mittens]

That is One of the Most Awesome Pledge Graphics I've Ever Seen, Dear (((((Billie)))))! Thank you for Everything you Do!

Have a Blessed and Restful Weekend, Freepers Finest!

[Majie Purple]

Have been wanting to post this since finding it months ago...Today I'm going for daring...Hey it is red!...in support now and always of Our US Troops & Allies!

[Majie Purple]

Always great to see all your pics but my faves today are the gnarly propellers shot and the flag floating/toting parachuter's!!

[Majie Purple]

Love a dub "Dubya" the P O A graphic!
(P O A = Pledge Of Allegiance)

[MEG33]

Disco Delight

Happy TGIF To The Finest

*Wear Red On Friday To Support our Troops*

[MEG33]

Novorossiysk, Russia (Sept. 7, 2006) - The Sailors aboard the guided missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG 55) man the rails as the ship pulls in to Novorossiysk, Russia. Elrod is the first United States Navy vessel to pull into the Black Sea port since 2001. Elrod is an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate named for Marine Major Henry T. Elrod, a World War II Aviator, posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in defense of Wake Island. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Lavender (RELEASED)
~~~
*Thank You To All Who Serve Our Country*
~~~

[Majie Purple]

Wow such vivid detail in that rose, Meg!
Thanks for the ping to such a lovely pic!

[La Enchiladita]

Wearing red here, Meg. I have such precious little time to be online these days, but what a treat to sign back on and see all the beautiful pings from The Finest.

Anyway, I have an announcement: My dear kitty Brigid is 15 YEARS OLD TODAY. We're having a great time of it. She got rainbow roses and I think I'll bake a cake.

I don't have picture-posting ability on this computer but someday when I do I will show a picture of Brigid, who is of course, adorable.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

[MEG33]

Good to see you!..
*Happy Birthday to Brigid*

[MEG33]

You are welcome, Maj.

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Sorry, it was busy here today, time to go, hope you all enjoy your weekend!

[MEG33]

I am way late today! Have a good weekend,PAL.

[La Enchiladita]

AWWWWW..... She nearly looks like that... fur a little shorter. She's torti/tabby. That's so sweet, THANK YOU!!

[MEG33]

I love kitties!

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi Maj
Neat photo :)

[GodBlessUSA]

I have my red on today. :)

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

[GodBlessUSA]

Dita! :) Hello How are you?

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Afternoon Meg :)

[MEG33]

Good afternoon! I am SO late today..

[La Enchiladita]

Hugs!!! Nice to see you as I am "speed-FReeping" through my limited 'net time. Can't wait 'til I get reconnected at home, but for now it's the library.

I'm doing great, Gracie, and you...?

[GodBlessUSA]

I'm fine. Just listening to songs and reading. Very rainy day today. :) Perfect excuse to relax. :)
Have a wonderful weekend Dita!

[GodBlessUSA]

Me too. I did all my chores early. I'm just going to relax the rest of the evening now. It's potluck for dinner here tonight. :)

[GodBlessUSA]

I wish my garden had all the flowers you post in it. What a sight that would be. Soon it will be cold and I'll live through your photos anticipating next year's garden. :)

[MEG33]

I wish mine did,too!

I started posting flowers in January last year..It chases away winter gloom for me..Of course I like to post flowers any time of year.;)

[Majie Purple]

((((Thanks much for your replies today Ladies!))))

[MEG33]

You are welcome..Cute lips pic.

[Majie Purple]

[Lady Jag]

[Majie Purple]

Teeheehee!