A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....03-19-07....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.


                     

01-09-07 ~ Hall of Fame #18

THE WEEKEND THREAD 03-16-17-18--07 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]

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 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 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 Hoosiersailor...........active duty txradioguy..................active duty tongue-tied. .............active duty vigilante2.....son,& adopted soldier NavySEAL F-16................son Jaxter.....................son-in-law 2ndDivisionVet..........brotherinlaw 2ndDivVet.....former stepdaughter GrandEagle ............... friend-Tim DebWisconsin....................nephew

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 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 varina davis................ ...Grandson Rivendell.......................daughter W.W.Smith...........................son Gonzo........................Son-in-law USMCWife6869...........Husband AgThorn & Lily4Jesus......son jackv...............................Son Anne of DC.......niece's husband GulfWar1Vet...........two cousins TINA KIRBY...................Son

[JarhedAirmanPatriot]

I myself, I was active duty for 8yrs with the USMC, I am now in the Active USAFR, but I wanted to ask you to add my little brother Shane who is active duty with the Army, he is a forward observer who is going to be going to Iraq in the next few months.

thank you and God Bless

[USMCWife6869]

Hello everyone. I'm early this week. I know I have mentioned it before, but my husband deployed this past Thursday.

He and my younger daughters were in the paper. I can't post the pic here, but here is the link. I think it's a great pic.

http://photos.yumasun.com/gallery/1754547#136447826-M-LB

[The Mayor]

What a sweet picture! Tears welling up in my eyes.
You all are in my Prayers and at my Church every week.

[LUV W]

[click on picture]
~~~~~~~~~
"LESS IS MORE"
by Jeff Russell
aka Texas Songwriter

[The Mayor]

Consider it done, Thank you for serving and Thanks also to your brother Shane!

[The Mayor]

Thank you Luv W!

[DollyCali]

what a wonderful pix and I know there are ways to snag these pix (maybe a screen cap?) but I don't know how.

How are you holding up? Know it must be difficult. Being brave for the daughters but crying inside.

WE are here for you dear FRiend!

[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~

[pillut48]

God bless you and your husband and your children for the sacrifices you are making for America! :*)

We will keep him in our prayers, that God will return him home safe and sound, as well as all our other brave heroes.

{{{{{{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[LUV W]

You're welcome!

My favorite thread, ya know! :D

[DollyCali]

Thank you Rus for Military Monday!

Here is a kitty (no not one of mine) showing support for our country & our troops

[LUV W]

(((((Connie)))))

Howdy, girl!

Thanks for your Tribute..it's so beautiful!

[The Mayor]

Thank you Ma'am..

[AlaskaErik]

I still need to be removed from the active duty roster. My activation has been over for almost three weeks now.

[The Mayor]

OH MY!
What a dye job that is.... That is a Patriotic cat...

[The Mayor]

OK, I will alert the others.
I almost hate to take anyone off the Prayer list.
We all need Prayers. Thank you for all you do for US!

[La Enchiladita]

I'm just starting to read this report from the Gathering of Eagles:

Defending the Wall

[USMCWife6869]

It has been a tough one this time. My daughters are really taking this one hard. It's also the only deployment where i have worked full time and have no avaiability to parents or family. This one is a struggle. But pish posh, what he gives up is more than I can imagine. I will give him a family to be proud of, with the help of awesome FReepers.

[LUV W]

Thanks for that. Just can't read enough about how great it all was.

[La Enchiladita]

I am the same way, LUV, reading every word of it and lookin' at all the pictures. Haven't gotten to MS. B's thread yet, but I will....:)

[LUV W]

You will enjoy it, too!

[MEG33]

Blurry screen thank you for the link..I tried to download it but they won't allow it. My prayers and gratitude are with him..amd with your family..and his unit.(((HUGS)))

[MEG33]

*****
A Gathering Of Eagles

A Miracle In Washington

"When history is written, March 17th, 2007 will at long last eclipse March 17, 1967, as the day when soldiers in faraway Iraq and Afghanistan knew for certain, no matter what real time saw them doing, love and respect await their safe return. The day when it was proven to a watching world that Washington war memorials stand for what they always stood for, time immemorial, the day when the graves of fallen American soldiers the world were warmer.

God Blessed The Gathering of Eagles. They did it!"

[Soaring Feather]

Military Monday bump.

[The Mayor]

March 19, 2007

Heart For Others

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | Download

READ: 2 Corinthians 11:22-30

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. —John 15:13

As the young people set up for a concert in the town square in Montego Bay, Jamaica, the worst problem we anticipated was sunburn.

The chorale from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was in Jamaica to encourage Christians and to spread the gospel through music. They had been looking forward to this outreach event.

Midway through the concert, a woman who didn’t like the message of the music began shouting angrily at the chorale. Apparently, the God-honoring songs were more than she could stand. After several tense minutes, a bystander tried to quiet her. A fight ensued, and we began to fear for the safety of the young people. Finally, she ran away, and the chorale finished the concert.

Later, I said to one of the girls, “Well, we won’t do that again,” indicating that our priority was to protect her and her friends. She responded, “If one person came to know Jesus, it was worthwhile, even if we were in danger.”

What a response! Sounds like Paul, who was willing to suffer so that people would come to know Jesus (2 Cor. 11:22-30). This girl was concerned for people she didn’t even know. That’s true love for Jesus—caring for people while moving personal needs to the background.

Lord, let me to live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way
That even when I kneel to pray
My prayer will be for others.  —Meigs

God’s love in our heart gives us a heart for the lost.

Bible in One Year:   Joshua 1-3; Mark 16

[DollyCali]

Jamaica like Haiti has its share of voodoo & the what I call possessed. When we were on the mission field we saw many situations where this acting out occurred. By the look in the peoples faces up close it was possession in my opinion. The demons within react very poorly to God's message.

I experienced that on a couple occasions when I was a chaplain at a hospital. I would be called by family to bedside of comatose etc person. I would talk with family & often had the family all hold hands w/me & the patient's hands. On several occasions the patient would mini convulse or go into overt bodyily actions during prayer.

Afterward finding out the person was an atheist or involved in the dark arts.

Thanks Rus, your faithful sharing of these daily messages is a blessing. Most do not react but as the young girl said after the concert.. If just one person is touched....

[beachn4fun]

I'll add Shane to my morning prayers.

Thank you both and God Bless you for your service.

[beachn4fun]

[DaBearOne]

Praying for you and family daily. We are with your Marine always.

[GodBlessUSA]

Thank You For Military Monday, The Mayor :)

Thank you JarhedAirmanPatriot for your Service. I will be saying prayers for your little brother Shane.




Heroes!

[MEG33]

~Thank You For Serving Our Country!~
Godspeed to your brother Shane.

[Lady Jag]

[Jen]

Salute to our military bump! Hi FRiends! Happy Monday.

Gotta show off my beautiful little granddaughter Hannah. She is home from the hospital and doing well! Many thanks to you all who prayed for her. {{{{{hugs}}}}}

[Lady Jag]

Hannah wins the beautiful bay of the day prize.

What a gorgeous baby. You must all be so proud!

[Lady Jag]

Hannah wins the beautiful bay of the day prize.

What a gorgeous baby. You must all be so proud!

[Lady Jag]

I did not post it twice and, honestly, I have no idea where that other "b" went.

My facade of alertness has been shattered!

[jaycee]

She certainly is a little sweet doll.......God Bless Her!

[DollyCali]

Well, the cutest little dumpling I have seen in a LONG time.. Grandma???? I have met you. Were you 4 when you gave birth?

good grief you have good genes lady!

hugs

[DollyCali]

Isn't she beautiful.. my two grandkids were.... well, let's see.. UGLY~

they made up for it eventually, but as little babes were not that hot.

[Lady Jag]

Do you have photographic proof your two grandkids were not that hot?

[stopem]

Amen! God Bless our Troops and God Bless America!!

Sending warm and loving thoughts to all who are serving this great Country!!

God Speed!

[DollyCali]

I do of summer..will see if I can locate the photographs(pre-digital) & scan. I recall seeing the pix of Jayce (the 3 year 0ld) when I visited them, but never did get any from them. The first pix I have of him at about 3 months old, he is really cute..and these are pix I took.

[MEG33]

How beautiful Hannah is! May
Angels watch over her.

[The Mayor]

Dad of Chris Mason sent me this link to this website, what a beautiful tribute to his son. Please go check out this wonderful dedication website to this Hero Chris Mason....

The Last Firebase Deer Camp
These are the last days of my son Chris (Ed) Mason's life.

He was killed in "The War on Terrorism" in a small town "Siniyah, Iraq." Chris was ambushed and killed by terrorist forces while he was moving into position to provide fire support for his fellow paratroopers. They had come under heavy small arms fire from terrorist forces and could not disengage. He died soon after being hit by an IED, but DOD has him being killed by small arms fire, during a firefight at the same location. Bottom line is he was doing what needed to be done for his country.

The President of the United States, George W. Bush, authorized on Feb 1, 2007 that the following quote be placed on Chris's headstone.... "We Will Not Tire, We Will Not Falter, And We Will Not Fail" with the president's signature affixed there after.

There are few men who will pick up a weapon and fight for this country, and my son was one of the few. He died standing toe to toe with the terrorist.

Strength and Honor son, I stand proud for you. Airborne.

[Diver Dave]

I'm humbled and honored to render a salute to Chris Mason.

Salute! ...two

[The Mayor]

TAPS


Welcome Home

[Dubya]

Great web page.

[Jen]

Hee! I'll never tell. ;-) Hannah is such a sweet child in addition to being a cutie pie. I'm going over to spoil her some more this weekend. :D