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

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: 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

                     

Past or Present, We Salute You!

Thank you for your service to our Country!

TOP: dakine's wife, MeeknMing's dad, Auntbee's nephew, MilitiaMan7,
AlasBabylon.
BOTTOM:  Joe Brower, Temple Owl, Temple Owl's wife, dutchess' dad,
Aomagrat

dakine's wife:  White House Communications Agency (WHCA) 7 years, retired 05-02;  MeeknMing's dad:  USAF;  Auntbee's nephew:  USNavy since '89, USS George Washington;  MilitiaMan7:  USAF 07-73, Lackland AFB, Tech School at Goodfellow AFB, printer systems operator. first duty station Karamursel, CDI Turkey; then Iraklion AS, Crete, Greece; Other assignments included Alaska, Maryland (NSA), Japan, Michigan, Ohio, Japan again, 7 months in the USAF Regional Hospital at Travis AFB, Calif, and final assignment at McDill AFB, Florida. Retired 08-93, after 20 years.  AlasBabylon:  USAF 1976, retired in 1998 with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant (E-8) after 22 years as a communications and computer specialist. Some of his awards include Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal (Bosnia/Herzogivina), and the National Defense Service Medal.  Joe Brower:   US Marines, Navy Corpsman with the Fleet Marine Force (HM3) in 1981 when photo was taken; deployed USS Tarawa with 5th Marine Amphib Brigade to Iran during the hostage crisis.  Temple Owl:  US Army. Photo taken in 1948 in Ruhpolding Germany, served 7 years in the Army Security Agency, leaving as a staff sgt. in 1954.  Temple Owl's wife:  Nurse with the 11th Evacuation Hospital in Korea circa 1951. She was a first lieutenant. Her unit received 5 battle stars.  dutchess' dad:  US Marines;  aomagrat:  US Navy, retired (former MMFN, GMT3 & WT2) Photo taken onboard USS Ranger (CV-61) in the Gulf during the war. 1982-83 - boot camp Great Lakes Illinois; 1983 Nuclear Weapons Training Group Pacific, NAS North Island GMT "A" School; 83-86 USS Enterprise (CVN-65) W Div. Homeport: NA Alameda CA; 86-90 NAS Island CA, Security Dept; 90 Nuclear Weapons Training Group Pacific, NAS North Island WT "C" School; 90-93 USS Ranger (CV-61) W Division. Homeport: NAS No Island CA; 93-94 Naval Recruiting Station, Huntsville, AL; 94-99 USS Wasp (LHD-1) Ordinance Control. Homeport: N Norfolk, VA; 99-02 Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, NAS Fallon NV.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS

08-12-02 backhoe
08-13-02 MeeknMing

[MeekOneGOP]

Dinner is somewhat overdone tonight.

Bummer. Here, I'm willing to share!......

[JustAmy]

Letter From Grandma

Got a letter from Grandma the other day. She told this story of her exciting day.

She wrote: "The other day I went to a local Christian bookstore and saw a "honk if you love Jesus" bumper sticker.

I was feeling sassy that day because I had just come from a thrilling choir performance, followed by a thunderous prayer meeting, so I bought the sticker and put it on my bumper. Boy, I'm glad I did! What an uplifting experience followed!

I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection, lost in thought about the Lord and how good He is. I didn't notice that the light had turned green.

It is a good thing someone loves Jesus because if he hadn't honked, I'd never have noticed! I found that LOTS of people love Jesus. Why, while I was sitting there, the guy behind started honking like crazy, and he leaned out of his window and screamed, "For the love of GOD! GO! GO! Jesus Christ, GO."

What an exuberant cheerleader he was for Jesus! I just leaned out my window and started waving and smiling at all these loving people. I even honked my horn a few times to share in the love. There must have been a man right back there because I heard him yelling something about a sunny beach. I saw another guy waving in a funny way with only his middle finger stuck up in the air. I asked my grandson in the back seat what that meant, and he said it was probably a Hawaiian good luck sign or something.

Well, I've never met anyone from Hawaii, so I leaned out the window and gave him the good luck sign back. My grandson burst out laughing ....Why, even he was enjoying this religious experience! A couple of people were so caught up in the joy of the moment that they got out of their cars and started walking towards me.

I bet they wanted to pray or ask what church I attended, but this was when I noticed the light had changed. So, I waved to all my sisters and brothers, grinning, and drove on through the intersection. I noticed I was the only car that got through the intersection before the light turned red again and I felt kind of sad that I had to leave them after all the love we had shared.

I slowed down and leaned out the window and gave them all the Hawaiian good luck sign one last time as I drove away.

Praise the Lord for such wonderful folks!

Love, Grandma

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[JustAmy]

Sound like anyone you know?

[MeekOneGOP]

LOL! I've seen that one before, a classic. Thanks........

[daisyscarlett]

What a beautiful photo, your early post #7. Thank you for posting it.

[daisyscarlett]

What a great photo and midi, Off we go into the wild blue yonder.....I had not seen that graphic before and I like it...

[Pippin]

HOWDY Y'ALL!

Thanks for the logo, Billie!

Pippin!

[daisyscarlett]

"My older sister is retired Army,

Give your sis a hug for serving our country from me and send her picture to Billie so we can see her in Group #11.....

[daisyscarlett]

I love that song "Wind Beneath My Wings" so much. I often cry when I hear depending who is doing it.

[daisyscarlett]

Oh Logan Dave is just adorable with the flag. I hope Billie combines the pledge with the photo and sends it to me; I will use it regularly when I post...Just too sweet...Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing....

[lodwick]

Yep. Grannie9's husband Al failed to periodically check the progress of their yard walkers on the grill.

Tragic.

If I go away this evening without saying good night, it's because I've been up since 3am and I'm fading fast. ;-)

[Pippin]

in case you fade completely out, I hope you have a good night.

[daisyscarlett]

Good afternoon, Billie. Or is it evening already in Texas? I am glad you like the calendar and even gladder that you have sisters....

[daisyscarlett]

Pippin ate ALL those pies I baked for you. CS I hope you enjoyed them but remember "A moment on the lips, forever on the hips"...lol...

Louie, we must find an old fashioned pie safe for you before I bake anymore for you.

[backhoe]

Hi- I'm amazed I got to #227- this old PC & software often freeze on large pages with graphics.

[daisyscarlett]

Thanks for your correction. You are a proud Navy Vet not a Marine. Congratulations and thanks and a hug anyway for serving our Country....

[Aquamarine]

I'm glad you enjoyed both of those songs today. I always enjoy the wonderful spreads that you lay out for us here. Did you see what Lod served us tonight?!? LOL!

Good night Lodwick!

[daisyscarlett]

Thank you both for sharing your sister stories.

[daisyscarlett]

Oh I am so happy you like your bear graphic. I just love the colors in the graphic and of course the daisies make it special too.

Reading ahead, I see you also like birds...Well guess what I have been saving for a couple of weeks...

[Aquamarine]

LOL! That is so funny. I have an Aunt in Florida in her 80's that was riding in the car with my Mom one day when she got mad at another driver and told my Mom to "give em the thumb"! We still laugh about that...I guess that was the worse thing that she knew how to do.