A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day 07-15-02

Billie and Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

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. I
can remember lurking when there were only a few regulars who posted, and now there are over 60,000 who have registered for posting privileges. The forum is read daily by tens of thousands
of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

At Billie's request, today I am spotlighting the FreeRepublic Tailgate Party which was held Saturday in Fresno, hosted by the Fresno/Central Valley Chapter.

Before we get to the photographs, I want to say what a pleasure it was to work with JustAmy on this get-together. She organized and put this entire event together almost single-handedly. My hat is off to her for all the long hours and hard work she put in making sure that this party came off without a hitch. Because of JustAmy and Jim Robinson, FReepers who have long communicated with each other and become FRiends on "the threads" were finally able to meet face to face. It was truly like a family reunion.

I won't go into a lot of detail about the Tailgate Party because mntgrl@vrwc has done an excellent job with her write-up of the highlights of the barbecue. I couldn't say it better than she did HERE. Be sure to visit her thread to see more photographs posted by mtngrl, JustAmy and others. But, I do want to say thank you to everyone who made this such a wonderful event, especially those who traveled long distances to join us. It would not have been half the party it was without you. In fact, this was such fun, we might just have to do it again next year .... (but, probably NOT in July!)

As you may have heard it was HOT!!! 105 degrees HOT to be exact!!

...but everyone was having such a great time, visiting, eating, playing Cool Guy's
"water games" and generally enjoying each others company, I don't think anyone noticed.

To everyone who came to the party, thank you! To all of the FReepers that I got to meet for the first time, it was a pleasure. To everyone who wanted to come but couldn't, we missed you! We hope that you will be able to join us for our next event.

The photographs that follow were taken by my wonderful and talented husband, FReeper jkphoto, aka: the "Barbecuer 'n Chief". A big 'thank you' to him for all the time he put into creating the photo albums.

This is the place ....



and, this is the man who makes it all possible - Jim Robinson.



John and Tami - the team responsible for keeping FR on the internet.



Jim receiving a California State Assembly Resolution from Saundra Duffy.
Congratulations Jim!



COB1 receiving an autographed portrait of Jim Robinson
FOR COMING ALL THE WAY FROM TEXAS!



The food!



The famous "Cool Guy Shuffle".



The fun! Mtngrl taking aim.



Cool Guy cooling off chadsworth.



Dousing diotima.



COB1 gets a cool California welcome.



The group photo.


Want to see more? Click on the albums!

ALBUM #1
ALBUM #2
ALBUM #3

WEEKEND THREAD

07-13,14-02 Last Week in Review

[Mama_Bear]

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning everyone! Come on in and enjoy the photos of the tailgate party.

If you want off or on my "FR's Finest" ping list, FReepMail me....it will be done. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

At the time that I am posting this the photos in the albums aren't identified. jkphoto is in the process of doing that and should have them completed sometime this morning. We ran out of time!

I won't be around much this morning. Sorry to post and run, but it can't be helped. I will be back later this afternoon.

Have a wonderful Monday!

[Temple Owl]

You Californians really know how to have a good time. God Bless You!

[Militiaman7]

Good Morning, Everyone Nice party! Great Pictures.

[BlessedAmerican]

Thanks for posting these! From a semi-lurker and deeply appreciative Freeper!!

[ohioWfan]

Good morning all!!

Since it's been a couple of weeks since I gave an update on Eric, and some of you have been asking how he's doing, I thought I'd fill you in on some of the things he's been up to.

First of all, he is still loving boot camp! He called us last night, and was so excited because they had done their final PT evaluation, and he scored 2nd in his entire Platoon, so was chosen as a Squad Leader!! He will have 15 men under him in his squad. He was also given a medal for Bayonet marksmanship last week.........I can just picture him running through the woods thrusting a bayonetted rifle at targets! He must have had a blast doing that!

On Friday they were put in a gas chamber with masks on, told to take them off, which he said was horrible (no surprise there), and then answer a question before they were allowed to leave the room. I won't give details, but he said he was coughing like crazy, and that there was something flowing out of every orifice in his head when he got outside! Then he said it was 'fun.' ............here's where I insert the basic fact of life that boys are different from girls. :o)

He's really looking forward to the next two weeks which will be spent entirely on the firing range. He'll fire live ammo for the first time and learn to use a hand grenade (extra prayers for that, please!!)

He's missing home and freedom quite a bit, and told his older sister in a letter that he would be more than happy to 'run any errand Mom and Dad asked him to' right now.......and I'd love to have him home to do just that! But in spite of his being a bit homesick, he said that he knows he 'is where God wants him to be'

He also told us on the phone that one of the young men he's been witnessing to bought a Bible at the PX, and wants Eric to start a Bible study with him!
Praise the Lord!

I'd like to thank all of you for praying for Eric, for the young men he's sharing the Gospel with, and for us! I had a good long cry after we talked with him last night, and I miss him so badly it hurts, but it is so thrilling to know that he is so happy being where he is, and to be so very proud that he is willingly serving this fabulous country of ours!!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thank You for posting the pics from the Fresno party!
I saw the other ones and these additional ones are great!
God Bless Free Republic!

[stainlessbanner]

Mama_Bear - Looks like ya'll had a fantastic time at the cookout! I know us Southron FReepers would have fired up the smoker the day before and had plenty of sweet tea on hand. I'm sure your food was great and the FRiendship even better!

Now where can I get an autographed picture of JimRob - they must be collector's items!

[Clovis_Skeptic]

Thanks for the great pics!

I missed the "baptisim" service, we had to leave about 7:05 to pick up our other daughter. So the action shots are appreciated!!!!!!!

CoolGuy..aka..the baptist

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin' everybody!

[CounterCounterCulture]

Gotta watch out for those FreeperBaptisms, courtesy of Cool Guy

[Mo1]

WOW ... What Kewl Party

[daisyscarlett]

What an awesome way to start off our week...Great photos, great presentation of a great FReeper event....Thank you....

The calendar pick of the day sure is appropriate. As in Billie and Mama_Bear working away on this and fuure threads...

[Diver Dave]

Real hugs are much better than cyber hugs, Louie.

[daisyscarlett]

Thanks so much for the news from Eric. He sounds like he is doing very well-no surprise there-a squad leader is a prestigious assignment.

For those who may not know, Eric is that strapping young man in the upper left corner....

[daisyscarlett]

Wow, you look like you are truly enjoying yourself in that photo with JustAmy and MamaBear....Louie is going to be green with envy.....

[HiJinx]

Thanks for the report.
Oh, yes....the infamous gas chamber!

He's right, it is fun...well, I suppose the fact that we discovered we could survive it is what made it fun...!!

We'll all be praying for his safety on the range...be secure in the knowledge that his instructors are pounding 'SAFETY' into each recruit's skull on a constant basis. They have spouses and kids to go home to, and respect that each of their recruits has a mom like you who is worried. They aren't going to take chances on a recruit messing that up!

It sounds like Eric is having the time of his life...thanks again for sharing this with us!!

HJ

[Mo1]

I like this picture .. True Freepers .. Have computer .. will Travel .. LoL

[jwfiv]

Thanks, Mama_Bear...way awesome...whatta wonderful time for all you Freepers.