A Few of FR's Finest....06-04-05-07....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, The Mayor, and all The Finest ~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.

FR FINEST HALL OF FAME #19 THE WEEKEND THREAD 06-01,02,03-07.... T.G.I.F. at the Finest

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

[Billie]

A Soldier's Story
by Cpl. Shaun Sanders, USMC

In July of 2005, I was shipped home from Al Asad, Iraq. Along the way, we had layovers in Kuwait, ireland, and Dallas. There were only about 20 of us on the flight home. When we arrived in Dallas, we were tired and weary from being overseas for seven months (this time), flying literally across the globe (again), and then having to go through the long and tedious line and inspection that is U.S. Customs.

We were irritated and exhausted, and wanted nothing to do with one another or another or anyone else. Mostly, all we really wanted was a hot shower and a decent bed. Upon completion of customs, we began walking to our next gate through a tunnel that opened up into a larger walkway, and that's when we saw them.

There were people everywhere, dressed in patriotic red, white and blue, holding signs, cheering and clapping. We were absolutely overwhelmed. There were other veterans from previous wars, as well, and one of them I will never forget. He was wearing a "Vietnam Veteran" baseball cap with the dates he'd served. I walked directly up to him and we shook hands and hugged one another.

He said, "Thank you, Marine", and I said the same. I then whispered into his ear, "Sir, I want you to know that our generation understands that you guys didn't get this kind of treatment when you came home from Vietnam. Thank you for being the better man." He cried, and I moved on through the rest of the people wanting to say thank you.

That's what it feels to be a veteran: when two complete strangers from two very different generations can shake one another's hand with a connection of experience and understanding.

Needless to say, all of the weariness and fatigue we'd been feeling had subsided. Hundreds of people had organized a welcome home ceremony in an airport for 20 Marines none of them even knew. Nowhere else in the world can you find people so supportive and caring. That's what it feels like, to me, to be a veteran. Semper Fidelis. "To those who've fought for it, Freedom has a taste that the rest will never know."

[Billie]

Oopsie on #60 and #61. I goofed. :(

[MEG33]

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
*Mr and Mrs. Diver Dave*

[Diver Dave]

Thank you Meg from both of us. Very beautiful.
Linda’s word... “Aw, that’s so nice.”

[MEG33]

(((HUGS))) to both of you.

[MEG33]

Thank you, jw..That picture says so much..I am so grateful to our troops..and to the families who support them.

[The Mayor]

My God, a Miracle in the making.
God Bless and Prayers for his recovery.

Thanks Dubya.

[The Mayor]

Thruway Accused Of Squelching Anti-Toll Billboards
Monday, June 4, 2007 06:46 AM - WBEN Newsroom

Listen To Audio http://eod.liquidviewer.com/wben-od/wben/20070604_puckettbillboard-1.wma

Tom Puckett reports
Exclusive WBEN Windows Media Audio

Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - An activist fighting against the continued collection of tolls on the Grand Island bridges says his efforts to secure an anti-toll billboard along the Thruway are being thwarted by the Thruway itself.

Rus Thompson, the founder of the anti-toll campaign, says he’s talked with several billboard companies and only one returned his calls.

“He was very supportive of all we are doing, but he said I just cannot put that sign up,” Thompson says.

Thompson claims that the Thruway Authority controls signage rights along the roadway, and that billboard companies are rejecting his message for fear of reprisals.

The Thruway Authority would not return calls from Thompson or WBEN.

To hear more on this story, click the audio link above.

[Mama_Bear]

Oh, man, Rus....looks like you’ve come up against the proverbial “city hall” road block. I don’t know what the solution is, but I hope it helps for you to know that I admire you so much for your tireless efforts towards correcting the problems in your area. Keep up the good work, cuzzin, and may God bless you in your efforts.

[MEG33]

Oh, gee..Good luck on this!

[The Mayor]

June 5, 2007

Something For The Soul

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | Download

READ: Psalm 119:9-16

Your Word I have hidden in my heart. —Psalm 119:11

Filled to the brim with inspiring anecdotes and stories, the books in the series, Chicken Soup for the Soul, quickly became bestsellers. It’s no wonder. A title that includes “chicken soup” brings back memories of childhood, stuffed-up noses, and scratchy throats—a time when only a warm blanket and Mom’s steaming chicken and rice soup will bring about relief.

Scientific evidence now indicates that Mom was pretty smart. Chicken soup is beneficial for fighting colds. It’s also one of the foods that people describe as “comfort food.”

When it’s not my body but my heart that is aching, I long for the comfort of God’s Word: soothing words like “[Cast] all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7); assuring words that nothing can “separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38-39).

The Bible—the world’s all-time bestseller—is filled with promises, reminders, challenges, and knowledge of God. When you’re feeling discouraged, try ladling up a big serving of God’s Word. Having a Bible within reach (or better yet, Scripture hidden in your heart) infinitely trumps a bowl of Mom’s chicken soup. It will warm your heart and begin your healing.

God’s Word is the healer, the comfort, the strength,
To fill your heart’s need, giving food for your soul;
Instead of exhausting all sources you find,
O taste the Lord’s goodness for making you whole. —Hess

If you fill your heart with God’s Word, He’ll bring spiritual health to your soul.

Bible in One Year:   2 Chronicles 23-24; John 15

[The Mayor]

Actually this shows just how much we live in a communist state. This could all work out for the good on NY. We will expose the ugly under belly of this socialist state.

[MEG33]

Good Morning To The Finest
*****
The U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon performs at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., May 21, 2007. The platoon is based at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., and a 24-man rifle platoon that performs precision drill exhibition for hundreds of thousands of spectators annually. Their performance at the Naval Academy was part of events...

*Thank You To All Who Serve Our Country*

[ConorMacNessa]

Great pic, MEG!

[Mama_Bear]

We will expose the ugly under belly of this socialist state.

I have no doubt about that! :-)

[Aquamarine]

Awesome post MEG, love the tables.

[luvie]

I found your link!!

The authorities are looking more foolish and more on the
wrong side of this issue all the time. This is good for
YOU!!!

Keep pickin’ at them!

[The Mayor]

Yes they are.. We will win it’s just when...

[luvie]

I guess when you are in the minority, patience is hard to come by. I know how badly you want your state and your area reformed. I know you have the passion for it or you wouldn’t have stuck it out.