A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day 08-14-02

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: 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: spectr17, RightOnline, SERE_Doc, Tet68

MIDDLE: FutureSnakeEater, RightOnline's wife, CIApilot, Clamper1797
BOTTOM: usmcobra, onedoug, DiverDave, Joe6-pack

THIS WEEK'S THREADS

dakine: Lovely photo of your wife with our wonderful President.

I noticed that right away when I first saw the pic. My eyes went right to Prez Bush, then to her. What an honor for them both! (And what an honor for my Dad's picture to be next to that!)

MeeknMing: Congratulations and thanks to your Dad for his Air Force Service. Please tell us more about him today....

I am really happy to have Dad added to the Military photos! Thanks!

Dad retired in 1975 from the USAF, as a Master Sergeant. He worked on the flightline in what they called "Crash Control". That means "Fire Department". He was a Fireman for 26 years.

He went in the AF in 1949 and was first stationed in the Aleutian Islands - a Radar Site I believe. (Watchin' those Ruskies, I'm sure!). Mom & Dad married in 1951. They met because my Mom's family knew my Dad's Uncle and they happened to meet there at Uncle Elish's (sp?) house.

My younger brother and I were born in the mid-50s. One year after I was born in San Marcos, Tx (Gary AFB), we started moving around. First stop was Panama. My brother was born there.

We have lived in Texas, Panama, Idaho, Washington State and The Azores, Portugal. Dad did isolated tours in Goose Bay, Labrador, Thule, Greenland and MacTan Island, The Phillippines. As a family we have been to Germany (sans moi), Spain, and Athens, Greece. When we were in the Azores, my brother had braces. Mom and Dad alternated every 3 months flying to Germany to have him serviced for his braces. (I never got to go - Wah ! lol).

I wouldn't trade military life and all the moving we did for anything. When I was a kid, we knew a lot of military families. We were all in the same boat, so to speak. When a civilian kid would ask if I hated moving all the time, I remember thinking: "Huh, doesn't everyone do this?" LOL! (Oh, btw, how many people do you know that has the seal of the Department of Defense on their H.S. Diploma? hehehe).

Dad retired from the Air Force (Carlswell AFB, Ft. Worth, Tx) on a Friday, and started his civilian job on the following Monday. He was an inspector of fire protection water sprinkler systems for Grinnell.

They moved out to East Texas (Quitman) in 1978 and he worked for Tyler pipe for ~15 years and then retired from there. He lives about 10-15 miles from where he was born. They say that you can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy. That's my Dad!

Top, 2nd from the left is my Dad (John P. Meek), USAF Retired, 1975.

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