A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day 08-08-02

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.

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 can no longer add the photos to the body of the thread, I've been including them in additional posts as I received enough to make another collage.

Still that doesn'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, in addition to seeing FR's Finest Military Personnel every day, I thought it might be fun to feature a different FReeper (or FReepers) each day. If you would like to be pictured, or know someone who would, please FReepmail me and we'll turn the spotlight - on YOU - for the day!

And do let me know if you'd like your picture added to the groups of Veterans/Active Military below. I will keep this page updated, and continue to add them to the comment section of the original Veteran's Day thread as well.

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: 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.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS

On cloudy gray days, when not a ray of sun is shining,
I go to the closet of my mind and retrieve the box of
memories.

Stored in this box of memories are sights and sounds and smells of sunny days and childhood memories reminding me of where I've been and where I'm going.

I pull them out one by one, handling with care like fragile photographs edged in brown. To share these is the ultimate gift - 'cause it is of oneself.

So to my child and later I hope to grandchild or two, I'l say "Come, let me share with you a story or two of who we've been and who we are and who we will be."

And afterwards I'll plant a kiss on each chubby cheek and say that is my gift to you today to start your magic memory box. But remember that the magic's to be shared and not horded, for only them does the magic grow as do the memories stored there.

A gift for all of you, with my love.

Dixie Sass
7/7/02

Billie.

What a wonderful job you have done here, but then again, that's what everyone has come to expect from you, and you never disappoint.

I have a story to tell you.

A long time ago (longer than I care to remember, or admit to) I was traveling northbound on a chartered Greyhound bus (a caravan of buses) along with the rest of my College Symphonic band. We were headed for Virginia, to play a concert under the stars in Williamsburg and one in Jamestown, it was the bicentennial.

Along the way, we stopped on New Orleans, and performed there as well. Then we partied with all the rowdiness and crazy energy you can expect from college students spending one night in the Big Easy. We attacked that towns with a fury not seen since the War Between The States, except we were much, much friendlier.

As you may imagine, I was exhausted from the experience, and on the third day ( and a bit behind schedule) we picked up some extra drivers and decided to drive all day and through the night into Greenville.

We played cards and carried on until the wee hours of the morning in that bus, but eventually, I fell sleep in the seat behind the driver.

When I woke up sometime later, there was magic in the air all around me. I can only describe it as that magic that exists when the remains of the night reluctantly give way to the warm kiss of the day. And the earth wakes up from its slumber.

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, and used the sleeve of my shirt to wipe away the condensation on the inside of my window.

What a sight Billie!

Like a dream, or a postcard, or the memory of home someone who hasn't been there in a long, long time holds in their mind.

There was a mist, and there were hills in the distance that seemed to rise up from under the wheels of our bus, and gently lift themselves up to the heavens.

There were trees, their leaves sparkling with drops of dew, and a big, beautiful sky with a hint of cotton-candy clouds.

For a moment, I thought I was alone in the world...just me and this picture perfect piece of God's creation on the other side of my small window.

Then I guess the driver heard me moving behind him, or maybe he saw me staring, and said "good morning"

"Where are we?"--I whispered to him.

"Son, we're deep in the heart of dixie. South Carolina is saying her good mornings to you."

I thought I would never see anything as beautiful, or graceful as that dawn in the Upcountry, but I was wrong.

I met someone as beautiful and graceful one evening in Ft. Lauderdale. I was there to meet some intimate strangers, friends whom I had never met. I was there to meet FReepers.

There was a lot of "good to meet you's",backslapping and hearty handshaking going on in that room.

That's the night I met dixiesass, and I have to tell you, a South Carolina dawn, viewed from somewhere along the banks of a river, framed by God's bluest sky didn't hold a match to her.

No way to convey to others the special qualities of Charleston men, is there?!
Something one has to experience for themselves...:))

Sister/Sistah, it has been a delightful day spent with you, and I envy you going to Las Vegas to be with so many Freepers!

Will you be staying in Summerville?
I have a niece there, who works at MUSC as a neonatal intensive care nurse.

At any rate, God be with you wherever you go, and in whatever you do.

Good night, all ~ ~ ~

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