A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-27-04....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, OneidaM, 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.




                     

T.G.I.F. WEEKEND THREAD 12-23,24,25,26-04...Let Us Rejoice (Our Christmas Thread)

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact dansangel or .45Man
at
danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

CLICK

[The Mayor]

[The Mayor]

December 27, 2004

The Place Of Going Forth

Read: Micah 5:1-4

Bethlehem . . . , out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel. —Micah 5:2

Bible In One Year: Zechariah 1-4; Revelation 18

---

A lot of attention was suddenly focused on the small town of Bethlehem. Jews from many parts of the world came to be counted in a census. Mary and Joseph traveled there from Nazareth. Shepherds came from the fields to see the Baby lying in a manger (Luke 2:15-16) after a multitude of angels had come to announce, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (vv.13-14).

Every Christmas, in our imagination, we go to Bethlehem to celebrate Jesus' birth. But we cannot stay there; we must leave. The angels returned to heaven. Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem, then sought safety in Egypt.

The shepherds' exit gives a clear message to us. They left the stable and told everyone about the holy Child. "And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds" (v.18).

It's appropriate for us to do the same. Micah prophesied that from Bethlehem would go forth a Ruler of Israel, the eternal Maker of the world, who had come to save mankind from sin (Micah 5:2). This season, let's join those who have gone forth from their visits to Bethlehem to proclaim the good news of Christ, who came to save us. —Dave Egner

Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere—
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born! —Traditional

The gospel is one gift you can keep and still pass on to others.

[Gabz]

A very Merry post Christmas good morning to you and the finest, from the snowed in Eastern Shore of Virginia!!!!

[The Mayor]

Snowed in?
I heard there was a storm heading your way.
We are freezing here, 10 degrees.

Stay warm Gabz!

[Gabz]

We're not that cold it's 30 right now and the sun is shining. We got socked pretty good, and we weren't expecting anywhere near as much as we got.....but we are in much better shape than they were in and around Norfolk, lots of people there lost power yesterday.

[Pippin]

Sometimes I hated having my birthday on the 26th of December!

I mean why couldn't they have treated my birthday and the birthdays of everyone else who were born in December as separate events instead of combining it with Christmas!

Not to put Christmas down, after all it was on a Christmas long time ago that we all recieved the GREATEST GIFT, but I still felt a bit slighted by the Holiday.

I hope that didn't sound too selfish because I do love CHRISTmas.

Hope everyone had a blessed and joyfilled Christmas!

That's all the complaining I'll do about my December birthday because look WHO I share it with! :o)

[Gabz]

Happy Birthday!!!!!!

While not as close to Christmas as yours, my brother's birthday is in December and my parents always made a point of keeping the 2 as seperate as possible. Nothing was done regarding Christmas until the weekend after his birthday. And now more than 20 years after I moved out of my parents' home, I still do the same thing.

[The Mayor]

MilitiaMan7 Obituary


Staff Sgt. David Scott Sublett, USAF, Retired, 54

[tuliptree76]

Good morning, Mayor. Thank you for the our daily bread posts. :-)

[The Mayor]

I know all to well about snow in Virginia.
Two years ago I was building a log cabin in Palmyra
They say it was the worst winter in 30 years.
The roads are not built or are they prepared for snow there.

Be careful Gabz if you have to drive.

[The Mayor]

PIPPIN!

[The Mayor]

Mornin Tulip!

[Dubya]

A Poem for All that love freedom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree, I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!"

"Put down your pack, brush the snow from you sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts,

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light,
The he sighed and he said, "It's really all right,
I'm out here by choice, I'm here every night."

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam,
And now it is my turn and so, Here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile."

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The Red, White and Blue..an American Flag.

"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother
who stand at the front against any and all,
to ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.

So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?"

It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from you wife and your son."

Then his eyes welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone.
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled
is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.


Friends, keep all Our military people around the world in your
prayers. They are risking their lives to protect what we take for granted, and we are losing
soldiers every day. They won't be home with their families this Christmas.

God bless them, and keep them safe. Happy Holidays to
all.

[dutchess]

I read yesterday about MiliaMan7's passing. Prayers for his family. Thanks for posting the link here Rus and, as always, thanks for posting Military Monday. God bless our military men and women.

P.S. How did your friend Russ and his family do this Christmas?

[Gabz]

I was still living in Delaware the winter you are talking about and it was bad there as well - but interestingly enough not bad in this part of Virginia.

I appreciate your concern for my safety, and I can assure you I will not be driving anywhere today. I have all the necessary staples in the house for such a situation. Food and beer!!!

Unfortunately hubby is not going to remain quite as lucky. he just got a call out and has to drive 100 miles north to Dover........but they didn't get even as much as a snow flurry up there.

[Gabz]

That is beautiful, thank you for sharing it.

[The Mayor]

I would like to introduce to the Finest bunch one of our newest Military members.


Lt. Tony G.
He is the son of Greg and Rose friends of ours from Church.
Tony just graduated and was commissioned a Lieutenant
Please give him a warm welcome!
Could we add him to the Prayer list and add his Pic!

[Dubya]

Now you know
World War I helped make toy trains a hit in the United States. Early toy trains were pulled or had windup motors and even tiny steam engines. German toymakers dominated the market. In 1891, Germany's Marklin introduced the first train set to which track and accessories could be added almost indefinitely. But when World War I cut off German exports and anti-German sentiments rose, US manufacturers stepped in with bigger, cheaper sets. Among them was Joshua Lionel Cowen, whose brightly painted and well-marketed trains became a hit in the 1920s. After weathering the Depression and World War II, Lionel kicked off a second toy-train boom with a "dads only" open house in New York in 1946.
Source: Train Collectors Society webpage; 'Panati's Parade of Fads, Follies, and Manias,' by Charles Panati.

[dutchess]

Happy Birthday Pippin!!!