A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day 08-13-02

Billie

[Billie]

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.

                     

~~HOME~~
Of Two Of The Last Three Presidents
~~and~~

MeeknMing
FReeper since 06-02-01

Although Meek, a Dallas County resident, spends much of his time online posing articles from the Dallas Morning News, thus keeping a host of Texas issues before us, he still manages to drop in every day on two of his favorite daily threads:   this one and the USO Canteen.

Like many of us, he gets a lot of pings to other articles, but tries to answer and read as many as he can. With Meek's first post each day on FR's Finest, he always brings with him at least one excerpt from another thread that he recommends reading, as well as the link to that thread. He may or may not have been the one who posted it; he just likes to give us a heads-up on some of FR's most interesting threads for the day.

However, that may be where he leaves 'serious stuff' behind him, as he begins his friendly greetings and banter with the others on the thread. Most of his posts will have "Mr. Winky" or "Mr. Smiley" added at the end. Lately, he's added a new one as well....do you know what it is?  I do. :)

Mr. Winky    Mr. Smiley    Mr. NewOne 

Meek's father is retired U.S. Air Force, who worked "Crash Control" on the flight line (a Firefighter), and so growing up, he said their family lived in a lot of different places. You'll see Meek's dad's photo on tomorrow's thread as we post the latest group of FR's Finest Military.

Yesterday Meek asked if I would like to include a photo of Ming, the other half of his FR screenname. Silly question! Of course I wanted to! And here she is....here they BOTH are! Isn't she pretty? I want to thank you, Ming, for sharing him with us! He is such an asset to FR, and know you must be very proud of him, too. :)

Meek and Ming



Have a Super day, Meekie! You are
~~One of FR's (AND Texas') Finest!~~

THIS WEEK'S THREADS

08-12-02 backhoe

[Billie]

I pledge allegience to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic
for which it stands
One Nation Under God
Indivisible
With Liberty and Justice for All

[Billie]

It's TEXAS day at FR's Finest! Thank you, Louie, for this new logo.....
Ya'll Come, Now!

[The Mayor]

Mornin Billie..

[Joe Brower]

[bluesagewoman]

Thank you for posting about MeeknMing. He is a wonderful asset and deserves this thread.

[stainlessbanner]

Well good morn'n!

Billie, I love the picture of the little pariotic girl with her hand over her heart - beautiful.

MeeknMing - Congrats on the spotlight. Stand Tall, proud Texan!

[The Mayor]

I still haven't figured out what that newone is??

Congratulations Meek

[Luis Gonzalez]

EL BUMPO!!!!!

(a little spanish for my friends in the great State of Tejas!!!!)

[Billie]

Morning, R
Saw your post a few minutes ago on yesterday's thread, so I hoped you'd bring me some coffee this morning. :)

I love that animation. That is the sweetest little girl on her daddy's shoulders. Some time I plan to use that for the pledge. Like to change up the photos. :)

[Billie]

Morning, Joe - thanks for posting your John Wayne Pledge again. I still use it sometimes, too.

Tomorrow I'll post the new group of vets, military, so be sure you come back. :)

[The Mayor]

That is the sweetest little girl on her daddy's shoulders.

So do I, I have had that pic in my site since right after 9/11. I forget who made the gif but I love it.

Have a great day, I have to go get up on a roof. see ya tonight..

[glock rocks]

Mr. New One...

[Severa]

Good morning from VA Beach!

Things are going well here. Hubby will be home from short underway later this week. Working on getting things in order for when our son JJ starts school next month. Also next month on the 2nd is our youngest son Robbie's 3rd birthday.

Sweltering heat again this week. Ugh. We need RAIN. LOTS of it. Don't see any in sight, unfortunately.

Have a great day everyone!

[Billie]

Morning, bluesage

I agree - Meekie's a favorite of many - always seems in such a good mood! :)

[Billie]

Hi, stainless - how are things in your corner of the world today? That little girl is a cutie, isn't she?

[michigander]

[Billie]

Ok - Here's how you can cheat and see the graphic for what it is - save it to your hard drive. It should save as the regular size. Then you can view it.

But don't tell Meek I gave away the secret. :)

[Billie]

Hello, Senor' Gonzalez! Thanks for the bumpo!

[Billie]

Be careful and don't fall off the roof, and I see that glock rocks has just posted the 'newone'!

[Billie]

Good morning to you, Severa! So will your hubby still be home for Robbie's birthday party? Hope so!

[Billie]

Aw, shoot! You guys! It's funny, though, because Meek had been posting this graphic, and then all of a sudden he started adding that teensy form to his posts - I RECOGNIZED the silly thing! LOL

[GailA]

Morning ALL...congrats MeeknMing for being chosen for one of FR's finest.

>

[michigander]

Aw, shoot! You guys!

No, please don't shoot us guys! :-)

[humblegunner]

Big ol' Texas bump!

[Billie]

Hi, Gail! I love your little magic wand fairy! So cute!

[Billie]

LOL! Not even with a water pistol? :)

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin' ! Thank you !
And, Miss Billie - thank you so much!
I gotta pick your brain and learn the nice graphics. Good job!

[stainlessbanner]

Things are fine - the baby is doing just fine. She is actually a great child, very calm, content and doesn't cry that much! We just love her so much. Strangely, it's already hard to imagine our lives without her = )

Things are a little rainy down here in FL, but no complaints from me!

[Billie]

LOL! That's pretty cute, isn't it?! And it made a perfect background, I thought!

[Billie]

Ah! The guest of honor has arrived! Meek, just use them from my server - haven't planned to delete the graphics I use on this thread - not for a long while anyway!

[MeekOneGOP]

LOL ! Excellent! I was born in San Marcos (Gary AFB).
That's not too far down the road from here:

I was there earlier this week
(Posted by ValerieUSA - August 10, 2002)

[Billie]

That's wonderful! Your pride in being a new daddy REALLY SHOWS!

Wish we had some of your rain!

[basil]

I, too, enjoy Meek's posts--especially since I moved away from Dallas going on two years ago. He keeps me up with what's going on there. I have to admit, though, that some of his posts make me really thankful that I left Big D for the hill country in the heart of Texas.

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin' ! Thanks!

[COB1]

HEEEEEEE  YAAAAAAHHHHHH !!

IT'S YOUR DAY, MEEK, OLD BUDDY!

I'm right proud to call you friend!

[Mudboy Slim]

A very well-deserved recognition for a dedicated FReeper and legitimately funny dude!! Keep fightin' the good fight, MnM...we're making converts each and every day!!

FReegards...MUD

[MeekOneGOP]

Aw, shoot! You guys! It's funny, though, because Meek had been posting this graphic, and then all of a sudden he started adding that teensy form to his posts - I RECOGNIZED the silly thing! LOL

You sure did! In fact you were the very first one to notice it in a comment back to me.
Thank you, ValerieUSA for this:

Prairie Chapel School on a foggy spring morning -
the President's ranch is up the road and to the right
(Posted by ValerieUSA August 10, 2002)

[lowbridge]

A congratulations bump! :-)

[Pippin]

HOWDY, MEEKIE!

YEEEE! HAAAA!

you is IT today!

I glad I know such a fun person and Ming is beautiful too!

Say Hi to Winky, Smiley and the New one! <p. HAH! I recognize that one!

[COB1]

Meek, let's start this Texas day by telling everyone, once and for all, how this state got it's name:

Coronado’s famous search for the Seven Cities of Cibola and the riches thereof, ended on July 7, 1540, outside the sun-bleached rock pueblos of the Zuni Indians on the upper Rio Grande.
Misled by his well traveled priest, Fray Marcos and disillusioned in his quest for gold, he was determined not to return to Spain empty handed. If gold could not be acquired, he was was sure the surrounding country could contribute a wealth of slaves to take back.
The Spaniards fanned out across the countryside searching for people now instead of gold.
One of Coronado’ lieutenants journeyed far to the east, across the Panhandle of what is now Texas, and contacted a party of Caddoan Indians.
These Indians were of the Hasinai tribe, but the Spaniards called them Tejas from the Caddoan word Teychas, meaning “allies” or “friends”. This word came to be spelled "Texas" in old Spanish in which the “x” is substituted for a “j” sound.
From this mistaken tribal name the land derived it’s name.

“Lone Star” – T.R. Fehrenbach [para]

So when people say that "Texas" came from the Indian word for "friends" that's only partially right.
It's really of Spanish derivation.

[MeekOneGOP]

So kind, thanks!

[HiJinx]

Gotta LOL at the Texas Boast Card!

We took a trip from DeKalb to our home in Phoenix (That's in Arizona...) once, and decided to visit the caverns in Carlsbad (New Mexico)...

We stopped for the evening in Big Spring (I figure y'all know the Texas towns!), then got up the next morning and drove to the caverns. We spent 2 or 3 hours there, then got back on the road for Arizona. When we got into El Paso, poor Mrs. HJ cried "I thought we were going home! Why'd you take me back to Texas!?!?!?"

Oh well...sometimes you just can't win!

[Pippin]

HOWDY, Cobby!

I guess this Texas day today!

Meekie and Billie and you and all Y'alls make my day everyday!

[MeekOneGOP]

Thank you. Miss Billie is so nice.

[Pippin]

Howdy, Billie!

[Severa]

He should be home for Robbie's birthday, if the current schedule holds and they get the boat into the drydock as planned. He was out to sea on deployment this year for JJ's birthday, who turned 5 on Jan. 27th, and for my 25th birthday this past Nov. 24th.

[Mudboy Slim]

Congrats on the new daughter, sb...this is the first I'd heard about her!! How old is she now?! I've got a 7-year-old daughter's who's got me wrapped around her li'l finger...LOL!!

FReegards...MUD

[backhoe]

A Tip O' the Hat:

[HiJinx]

Congrats, Meek!!
This is definitely your day, FRiend!
How's your jaw after yesterday's adventure?

[Carolina]

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
-Marcel Proust

To Meek, thanks for all the smiles!