A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day...... Apr 28 & 29 -08....Military Tribute

Billie, The Mayor

[The Mayor]

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 have been including them here as I receive enough to make another collage.

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.

We have featured 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!

Every Monday we 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: ConorMacNessa's dad & ConorMacNessa, SoldiersPrayingMom's son jmpmstr4u2,
Indy Pendance's daughter, Agthorn's dad.
BOTTOM: Tupac, GulfWar1Vet, SandRat, JRios1968.

TOP: Jaxter, MozartLover's son, mystery-ak's son, mystery-ak's husband.
MIDDLE: skimask's son, silent_jonny's dad, dwhole2th's son, jackv's son.
BOTTOM: Jen's Mom's father, txradioguy.

FR FINEST HALL OF FAME #19 THE WEEKEND THREAD 4-25,26,27-08.... 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.......................... 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...............2 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 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.................Son, 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 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 JarhedAirmanPatriot.........brother athelass.......two sons and two nephews DCBryan1................Active Duty oneolcop.....................son ItsForTheChildren........2 nephews SoldierDad....son, nephew, neice, cousin OhioWfan................................son marsh2............nephew lilycicero.......husband DCBryan1........Active Duty

ladtx..................................2 sons 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 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..........two grandsons 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 dwhole2th ......................Son TADSLOS......................Son Katydidnt...................son Trooprally .................. son Edgewood Pilot...son, 2 nephews Diver Dave............cousin 007girl...................nephew arbee4bush .............daughter PERKY2004..........husband NotJustAnotherPrettyFace---nephew o_zarkman44..son,stepson,nephew USAFSecurityForces.....ActiveDuty Bushman2...........Son GodBlessUSA......son DeLaine....daughter in law Kalee....brother,son-in-law Enough_Deceit........son xJones..............son

[La Enchiladita]

Thank you, Rus, THE Mayor. Here’s the story, I just found it. Happy homecoming for local CA National Guard troops.

**********************************************************

National Guard soldiers return from year-long deployment in Iraq.

More than 60 soldiers of the 160th Long Range Surveillance Detachment celebrated their return from a 12-month combat tour in Iraq at a homecoming ceremony at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos on Sunday.

During their deployment, the soldiers conducted security missions and supported humanitarian drops — care packages with school supplies and soccer balls.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/soldiers-2028230

************************************************************

Thank you, one and all of the 160th, for all you do. WELCOME HOME!!!

[The Mayor]

Thank you, one and all of the 160th, for all you do. WELCOME HOME!!!

AMEN!! Thank you.

[LUV W]

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

[click on picture]

Run to the Sounds of the Guns
~~~by Texas Songwriter~~~
aka Jeff Russell

[The Mayor]

Thank you LUV W!

[LUV W]

....Soldiers of the
160th Long Range Surveillance Det.
CA NATIONAL GUARD

[LUV W]

My honor to do anything to honor our brave troops!

[The Mayor]

[LUV W]

Love that post! Go Armed Forces!

[Mama_Bear]

I needed something to smile about today and this did the trick. Thanks for the ping, dita.

Welcome home to the
106th Long Range Surveillance Detachment!
This grateful American
thanks you for a job well done!

[DollyCali]

Crowd gathers for soldier's(Matt Maupin) funeral

Army Staff Sgt. Keith M. Maupin

CINCINNATI — Older men in Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion caps stood side-by-side with soldiers young enough to be their grandchildren Sunday at the Cincinnati Reds' Great American Ball Park for the funeral of Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin.

The 3,502 people who came through the turnstiles, and the small group of family and friends who buried him with full military honors in a private ceremony later, witnessed the final chapter of a story that touched people around the country for four years.

Maupin, a 20-year-old Army Reservist, was assigned to guard a convoy near the Baghdad airport in April 2004 when a brutal attack by Iraqi insurgents left two of his fellow soldiers dead and him a captive.

He had been missing longer than any soldier in Iraq, and next to nothing was known of his fate until his body was found last month by U.S. soldiers northwest of Baghdad, about 12 miles from where the convoy was ambushed

Many of the men and women in attendance Sunday have sons and daughters in Iraq and Afghanistan and knew full well it could have been them sitting in front of that casket Sunday afternoon



USA Today

[MEG33]

Capt. Jonathon Knoedler, a squadron chaplain from Portland, Ore., leads
Soldiers in prayer April 26, 2008, before a logistics mission to downtown Baghdad.

~~~
Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families in their service to this nation.~~~

May God Keep Safe All Who Serve Our Country

Picture originally posted by SandRat

[La Enchiladita]

It's hard to believe, Dolly, it took 4 years to find him, but they did and now he is home. Prayers for the Maupin family.

We still have four missing in Iraq: Navy pilot Scott Speicher from Desert Storm; soldiers Alex Jimenez and Byron Fouty and Army translator Ahmed K. Altaie.

[ConorMacNessa]

Good Military Monday to Finest FRiends!

---

---

The Soldier’s Code

1) I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

2) I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender my men while they still have the means to resist.

3) If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

4) If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me, and will back them up in every way.

5) When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am bound to give only name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies, or harmful to their cause.

6) I will never forget that I am an American fighting man, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, August, 1955.

[The Mayor]

April 28, 2008

The Greatest Gift

ODB RADIO: Listen Now |  Download
READ: Job 2

They sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him. —Job 2:13

We rightly disparage Job's three friends for their insensitive response to his suffering. Yet when they came, they sat in silence beside Job for 7 days before speaking. As it turned out, those were the most eloquent moments they spent with him.

Instinctively, I shrink back from people who are in pain. Who can know whether they want to talk about their predicament or not? Do they want to be consoled, or cheered up? What good can my presence possibly do?

Tony Campolo tells of going to a funeral. By mistake he ended up in the wrong parlor. It held the body of an elderly man, and his widow was the only mourner present. She seemed so lonely that Campolo decided to stay for the funeral. He even drove with her to the cemetery.

At the conclusion of the graveside service, Campolo finally confessed that he had not known her husband. "I thought as much," said the widow. "But it doesn't really matter. You'll never, ever, know what this means to me."

Most often those who suffer remember the quiet, unassuming person. Someone who was there when needed, who listened, who didn't keep glancing at a watch, who hugged, touched, and cried. In short, someone who was available and came on the sufferer's terms, not their own.

In our shattered times, anguish relents
Not at mere idle words spoken in vain,
But rather from the silent eloquence
Bestowed by those rare souls who share our pain. —Evans

Often, the best comfort is just being there.

Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 13–15; Proverbs 10:12-21

[GodBlessUSA]

Thank you the Mayor!

[The Mayor]

Good Morning, Thank you.

[MEG33]

Just being there is more important than we realize.

[MEG33]

~America~
Land Of The Free Because Of The Brave
Thank You To All Who Serve Our Country

[jaycee]

Beautiful picture Meg, and our wonderful flag waves proudly. I have computer problems and am having a hard time even getting pictures to show up. I can't get my computer worked on for a while as my son is so tied up at present! Its not fun....and I miss getting on the threads!

God Bless Our Military!

[MEG33]

Thank you!
Delete all cookies, temporary files..run a virus scan. turn off completely and start again..If you have wireless..unplug the router and let it sit a few minutes before reconnecting..(it takes awhile) That’s all I know to do.
It’s frustrating, I know!

[jaycee]

Thanks Meg....I did some things last week but I will try your suggestions! If I get it to work better, I will send you a note. Hope you are feeling a little better since you lost your niece. So sad, Meg...been thinking of you.

[DollyCali]

For the Troops

Between the fields where the flag is planted, there are 9+ miles of flower fields that go all the way to the ocean. The flowers are grown by seed companies. It's a beautiful place, close to Vandenberg AFB.! Check out the dimensions of the flag

The Floral Flag is 740 feet long and 390 feet wide and maintains the proper Flag dimensions, as described in Executive Order #10834.

This Flag is 6.65 acres and is the first Floral Flag to be planted with 5 pointed Stars, comprised of White Larkspur. Each Star is 24 feet in diameter; each Stripe is 30 feet wide.

This Flag is estimated to contain more than 400,000 Larkspur plants, with 4 -5 flower stems each, for a total of more than 2 million flowers.

How cool would it be to fly over this one?

[GodBlessUSA]

[jaycee]

Good Morning, GeeBee!

God Bless Our Military Every Day!

[jaycee]

Dolly, isn’t there a picture of that from the air? Seems I may have seen it before but can’t remember where?

Hope you are having a good day today! I’m in a rush...dr’s. appt. 10:30....ugh!

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning Jaycee
How are you today? Just waiting for the sun to make an appearance today. ;) A lot of needed rain here. Everything is growing like crazy. Finally looking like spring time.

[The Mayor]

April 29, 2008

The Lamb Is My Shepherd

ODB RADIO: Listen Now |  Download
READ: Psalm 23

The Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them. —Revelation 7:17

The writers of the Old and New Testaments used many different metaphors for the Lord Jesus Christ. These word pictures vividly describe the marvelous aspects of Jesus' life and ministry.

While visiting a friend, hymnwriter Albert Simpson Reitz saw the following motto hanging on a wall: "The Lamb Is My Shepherd." How foolish, he thought. Then he realized that a smudge on his glasses had distorted the second word of the motto. Actually it read: "The Lord Is My Shepherd."

His mistake started him thinking. He remembered that the Scriptures present Jesus both as the Good Shepherd and as the Lamb of God. Reitz said to his friend, "I've just seen the glorious gospel of our Lord in a new light. I'm reminded that the apostle John on the island of Patmos saw a vision, assuring him that the resurrected 'Lamb who is in the midst of the throne' will guide His people even when they get to heaven. Misreading that motto on your wall has given me a rich blessing. It could actually read, 'The Lamb Is My Shepherd.'"

It's reassuring to know that our Shepherd will guide us safely through this life, and that He will continue to feed and lead us throughout eternity.

The Lord of hosts my Shepherd is—
O sweet these words to me;
And Thou, dear Lamb, will be my Guide
Throughout eternity. —Kendrie

The Lamb who died to save us is the Shepherd who lives to lead us.

Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 16–18; Proverbs 10:22-32

[jaycee]

GeeBee, we’ve had some beautiful days in the high 70’s but it started chilling down yesterday and we were at 32 this morning. We get so anxious in this part of the country and we always have weather like this in the spring but want it to warm up and stay that way! It will happen! Grass is beautiful and we’ve been mowing for about a month now! I’ll be back later in the day!

[GodBlessUSA]

We cooled down but not as drastic. Have a great day! I have to go for now too. See you soon :)

[MEG33]

To Our Veterans, Our Military And Their
Families


~Thank You For Serving Our Country~

I am so grateful for our heroes.

[MEG33]

We have warmed up to 57 now.I rather thought the switch on the thermostat would stay on A/C but I forgot it is spring and one never knows when a cool spell will hit.

Hope your computer/cable problems clears up soon, jaycee.
I am having a blackout on some graphics this morning, too.

[jaycee]

Thank you Meg.....I can sure agree with those sentiments.

[The Mayor]

April 30, 2008

A Personal Gospel

ODB RADIO: Listen Now |  Download
READ: Romans 10:13-17

Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. —Mark 16:15

In John 3:16 we read, "For God so loved the world." But what about His love for individuals? The rest of the verse reveals the central purpose behind God's sacrifice of His Son: "That whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Therefore, without exception, every person may interpret John 3:16 like this: "For God so loved me!"

A. B. Simpson, a great missionary of the past, often hugged a globe to his chest and wept over the world's lostness. Yet his global vision was marked by compassion for individuals. You and I also must feel the responsibility to take the gospel to our world—by sharing the good news with one person at a time.

Unfortunately, we often think of the Great Commission in terms of "foreign missions" only. "World missions" is perhaps a better term, for that includes our nearest neighbors, who are part of the world to which God has called us. And we are already there!

Like A. B. Simpson, embrace your smaller world through earnest prayer as you consider lost individuals in your family, neighborhood, and workplace. Then, as you seek to live and give the good news, expect God to open doors of opportunity.

Jesus died to bring salvation
For the rich and for the poor;
Those of every tribe and nation—
He includes the ones next door. —Anon.

The light that shines farthest, shines brightest at home.

Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 19–21; Proverbs 11:1-11

[Billie]

Warm Fuzzy Wednesday