Live July 4th Thread: Share Your Celebrations with FR!!!

July 4, 2002

[Howlin]

Share your 4th of July experiences and thoughts with the rest of us!

[Tennessee_Bob]

Dang! What kind of bait did you use to catch that?

I mean the fish....

[RIGHT IN SEATTLE]

Lightly tapping on the wall with a hammer will "Sound the stud", or popping off the base moulding will show it for sure but you might break some of the plaster.

I'm a plastering contractor for over 20 years.

The only stud finders that work correctly are for metal stud.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

I wonder if he used that special stuff on his worm that makes a scent to attract the fish.

[Howlin]

Well, in case you've missed it, plenty do around here!

[3catsanadog]

Just got home from the 3-11 shift at the nursing home I work at. So no celebrations but the home did give the staff free hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans and potato salad.

[Tennessee_Bob]

You mean like this??

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Hey, thats the stuff I use, and am using it tomorrow!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

I just had the best 4th of July ever!
As you know for months I studied to be a fully qualified radio watchstander at the local Coast Guard base.
In May I passed the Coast Guard test and oral review board
It's the same exact course and test(s) the regular Coast Guard do.
Well I've stood watches, by myself, since then.
But today was the 1st time I was a key element in a rescue of an elderly couple
who's boat had engine failure a few miles out in the ocean.
My duty as radio watchstander includes getting the 1st information (the distress call) correct
so the Coast Guard boat and crew can perform the rescue.
I also handle and log all the radio traffic.
I keep the OOD at the base (Officer of the Deck) informed of all movements.
He then determines if he wants any changes.
If he does I then radio his orders to the Coast Guard boat on scene.
I'm like an "assistant coach" during a big game.
Only it's no game, lives are at stake, of those in distress and those on the rescue boat.
There is no room for error, everything must be done per policy.
It was the 1st time I again served in uniform on the 4th of July while our country is at war.
As a Coast Guard Auxiliary member and Coast Guard trained and qualified for my duties I legally represent the Coast Guard while I am on watch.
In fact during my watch I am also subject to the provisions of the Unifomed Code of Military Justice.

I also had the chance to stand by for my regular relief (regular Coast Guard) for several hours.
His mom paid a suprise visit to see her son on the 4th.
They had not seen each other for months.

I did nothing extrodinary today.
I just did what I was trained to do.
But it did help me repay my country for my FReedom.

[vikingchick]

[Dianna]

They are Freepers, and the Robinsons, and all the "faithful". We're all little stitches that hold together the pieces of cloth that make up our nation. When we see it, we feel safe, and we walk home, unafraid.

That was beautiful. Thank you.

[LowOiL]

Me and the Boys discovered a Mulberry tree and boy does it stain. Our shoes are ruined....

Low OiL

[kristinn]

Many good memories, indeed. The first time I saw the fireworks at the Mall was the Bicentennial.

In the early '80s, the Beach Boys' rock shows at the Washington Monument were alot of fun (until James Watt intervened, LOL.)

Over the years I've been there with friends and family and have many fond remembrances of those days spent with them celebrating our freedom.

[shaggy eel]

,,, love that graphic!

[Tennessee_Bob]

Well, Marissa and I went to a flag dedication ceremony this morning, and then sat around and drank sodas and ate hot dogs for a while.

Then we came home out of the heat.

Had dinner with my folks and some Vietnamese friends of ours. NY strip steaks grilled outside, twice baked potatoes (my specialty, thanks).

Then at 9:30, we went downtown to watch fireworks, and came home, and went to bed - well, ok, I'm on the way to bed.

[CARDINALRULES]

Watched the parade, had a BBQ/birthday party, listened to the Cardinals game, tried to keep the 6-pack in line (yeah right! -the heathens were running all over the place!).

I'm exhausted after having to go shopping, baking a 3 layer lopsided red, white and blue cake with runny frosting, walking 3 blocks to buy a bag of ice, and trying to keep track of the 6 PITA's wore me out --not to mention the heat! (taken 3 showers today plus having a spray bottle and misty mate).

Forgot to have the birthday girl open her presents. LOL

[Endeavor]

Yea Tonk, my hero! Congrats on a great save. -E

[Tony in Hawaii]

"But it did help me repay my country for my FReedom."



You just made a grown man go misty-eyed.


Thank you.

[LowOiL]

My youngest couldn't wait, all that good food and he had to sample it early. He just pulled the berries down and started chomping.... LOL

Low OiL

[kristinn]

Thanks for standing watch today. Our country depends on the service and dedication you've given.

[retrokitten]

I just got back from Ribfest in Naperville, IL. We had a great time! Hubby and I sampled some Famous Dave's ribs and chicken and thier corn bread was just wonderful! Moist and almost cakey. They had a great band out there, too. For thier last song they played The Beatles, "In My Life" while showing on a large video monitor images from Sept. 11th. It was very touching.

I don't know the why's or how's, but they had several firefighters from engine 55 in NYC there, too. They lost 5 firefighters in the WTC collapse and were selling t-shirts and hats for a fundraiser for the fallens family. I got an awseome hat and my husband got a really cool t-shirt (but secretly he knows my hat is cooler).

For the fireworks they had music and between songs they had bits of President Bush's speech on Sept 18th. They were fantastic! Everyone seemed to love them. More then a few people seemed visibly moved. It was a really great time.