A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....11-19-02

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:  spectr17, RightOnline, SERE_Doc, Tet68.
MIDDLE:  FutureSnakeEater, RightOnline's wife, CIApilot, Clamper1797
BOTTOM:  usmcobra, onedoug, DiverDave, Joe6-pack

We now have eleven groups of veterans/active military; we will post each group of three or four twice a week, with thumbnail/links of the remaining seven or eight groups on each thread. Click on any of the thumbnails below to see the group full-size.

         

GROUP 1A: TOP: Logos, SwedeGirl's hubby, Neil E Wright, FallGuy, 1John, Sneakypete MIDDLE:  T'wit, COB1, LadyX, Dick Bachert, 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub BOTTOM:  YankeeinSC, Delta21, JoeSixPack1

GROUP 2A: TOP:  Bosniajmc, AFVetGal, Archy, A Navy Vet MIDDLE:  4TheFlag, Aeronaut, 68Grunt, Xinga BOTTOM:  Codger, AAABest, Clinton's A Liar, Duke809, dcwusmc

GROUP 3A: TOP:  mc5cents, Norb2569, LBGA's son, VanJenerette MIDDLE:  Jim Robinson, KJenerette, davidosborne, KG9Kid BOTTOM:  gwmoore, Equality7-2521, SAMWolf

GROUP 4A: TOP:  porgygirl, Phil V., MudPuppy, NorCoGOP MIDDLE:  RaceBannon, OneidaM, rdb3, jwTexian BOTTOM:  USMC Vet, TheMayor, Vineyard, rhododogma

      

GROUP 9A: 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.

GROUP 10A: TOP: dakine's wife, MeeknMing's dad, Auntbee's nephew, MilitiaMan7, AlasBabylon. BOTTOM:  Joe Brower, Temple Owl, Temple Owl's wife, dutchess' dad, Aomagrat.

GROUP 11A: TOP: ladtx #2 son; DiverDave's twin Don; petuniasevan and husband poorman; Mustard; ladtx #1 son. BOTTOM: AlamoGirl's brother Floyd; AG's dad; AG's brother Jim (inset); WVNan's husband; ladtx' Aunt Eva.

                     

Announcements



The Holidays Are Coming

This will be pretty short. As your hostesses, we wanted to say a few things about the upcoming holidays and some of the things you might expect to see on the Finest between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Expect some reruns of earlier tributes, for those who might not have seen them from the summer.

We know that Christmas shopping, and decorating, and baking, and families, and Open Houses, and other things will be occupying more of everyone's time from Thanksgiving all the way through New Year's Eve.

With that in mind, realize that Daisy and Lori and Dansangel and I will also be doing all these things, and while we'll still be inviting you here every day with a fresh thread, during this busy season we will be cutting back on extensive new profiles and ask for your participation in keeping it fun and interesting for all who still come by every day.

Will You Help Us?

We want to ask you for help in putting a thread together .... would someone like to share their favorite holiday crafts, recipes, a special holiday memory, collectables, photos of your home decorated, inside and out?

Please share your ideas and thoughts with any one of us by FReepmail, and let's have a joyous, frazzle-free holiday season. That's not to say we don't still have several New Profiles up our sleeve .... it's not ALL reruns! (But of course you will have to visit the thread to see!) LOL

And Finally..A Couple of Things...

Just a reminder: we DO have some great new profiles for this week AND next, already in the works .... and next Thursday, look for a beautiful special Holiday thread by Mama_Bear, which will run from Thanksgiving Day through Sunday.

Do start getting those pictures of your special fur friends to us for our Pet Christmas thread later in December. We will announce the deadline very soon for you to get them to us!

Billie    DaisyScarlett    Dansangel    Mama_Bear

THIS WEEK'S THREADs
11-18-02 Outrageous Outtakes from FR

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

     1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
     2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
     3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
     4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
     5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[Billie]

What a nice post! But why not? You're nice Vets. :)

[Billie]

Good afternoon, BIS - thank you for the morning bump. Come back, you hear? ;)

[Billie]

Afternoon, Mz Kayak - thank you for your nice FReepmail.

[Billie]

Oh, good! I look forward to seeing your Jasper. We are foolish about our animals, aren't we? What loving little friends they are!

[Billie]

Oh, thank you, Molly. I was hoping I could count on you for some Christmas help. (You want to come do my baking?) :)

[Billie]

LOL! I love Uncle John! He is something!

[Aquamarine]

I'm going to go cook a Coffee Cake. I'll send you the recipe for your special thread if you want me to Billie.

Click on the pic

[EternalVigilance]

It is always my pleasure, Billie!

There are great folks here...FR's Finest! :-)

[Diver Dave]

Someone sent me an article that said the way to achieve inner peace is to finish things you have started. I am now making a point of always finishing what I start and I think I am well on my way toward finding inner peace.

Because I care for you, I am passing this wisdom on to you.

Here are the things that I have finished today: Two bags of potato chips, a strawberry cheesecake, a package of Oreo's, and a small box of chocolates.

I think this really works because I feel better already.

Pass this along to anyone you know who may need inner peace.

[FreeTheHostages]

"Can we put you in charge of organizing a thread?"

Deal! December 10 (of that's unavailable, December 11) is good for me. Mine will be a gingerbread house contest thread. I think I'll even have a real first prize, something Christmas-y, for the winner!

[Molly Pitcher]

(You want to come do my baking?) :)

Oh girl....you don't know what you're asking!!!!;^)

[FreeTheHostages]

"Can we put you in charge of organizing a thread - you do the gathering, collecting info - whatever Christmasy thing you want to do - and pick a DAY in December that you would like to have it ready?"

Muddy, I've already told them "yes" to this question from Billie. They're asking for substitute thread hosts for December. That makes me think of you, since you're so hospitable and obiquitous. Howsa about you doing a thread like a Top Ten List contest? Like "The Top Ten Things You Want to Give the DNC for Christmas" or "Top Ten Reasons Osama Bin Laden is Not Going to Have a Nice Christmas." If you created/ran the thread, I'd provide the gift & handling the mailing-out part. You'd just have to pick a day you'd be around to moderate and judge. What do you think?

[lodwick]

LOL - to your inner peace!

If I don't get some chores completed, I'll be finished. bbl

[Diver Dave]

Who's Your Daddy?

A seminary professor was vacationing with his wife in Gatlinburg, TN.
One morning, they were eating breakfast at little restaurant, hoping to enjoy a quiet, family meal. While they were waiting for their food, they noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to table, visiting with the guests. The professor leaned over and whispered to his wife, "I hope he doesn't come over here." But sure enough, the man did come over to their table. "Where are you folks from?" he asked in a friendly voice.

"Oklahoma," they answered.

"Great to have you here in Tennessee." the stranger said. "What do you do for a living?"

"I teach at a seminary," he replied.

"Oh, so you teach preachers how to preach, do you? Well, I've got a really great story for you." And with that, the gentleman pulled up a chair and sat down at the table with the couple. The professor groaned and thought to himself, "Great... Just what I need another preacher story!"

The man started, "See that mountain over there pointing out the restaurant window". Not far from the base of that mountain, there was a boy born to an unwed mother. He had a hard time growing up, because every place he went, he was always asked the same question, 'Hey boy, Who's your daddy?' "Whether he was at school, in the grocery store or drug store, people would ask the same question, 'Who's your daddy?'

He would hide at recess and lunch time from other students. He would avoid going in to stores because that question hurt him so bad. "When he was about 12 years old, a new preacher came to his church. He would always go in late and slip out early to avoid hearing the question, 'Who's your daddy?'. But one day, the new preacher said the benediction so fast he got caught and had to walk out with the crowd. "Just about the time he got to the back door, the new preacher, not knowing anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him, 'Son, who's your daddy?' "

The whole church got deathly quiet. He could feel every eye in the church looking at him. Now everyone would finally know the answer to the question, 'Who's your daddy'. This new preacher, though, sensed the situation around him and using discernment that only the Holy Spirit could give, said the following to that scared little boy "'Wait a minute!' he said. 'I know who you are. I see the family resemblance now. You are a child of God. With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said, 'Boy, you've got a great inheritance. Go and claim it.'

With that, the boy smiled for the first time in a long time and walked out the door a changed person. He was never the same again.

Whenever anybody asked him, 'Who's your Daddy?' he'd just tell them, 'I'm a Child of God'." The distinguished gentleman got up from the table and said, "Isn't that a great story?"

The professor responded that it really was a great story!

As the man turned to leave, he said, "You know, if that new preacher hadn't told me that I was one of God's children, I probably never would have amounted to anything!" And he walked away.

The seminary professor and his wife were stunned. He called the waitress over and asked her, "Do you know who that man was who just left that was sitting at our table?"

The waitress grinned and said, "Of course. Everybody here knows him.
That's Ben Hooper. He's the former governor of Tennessee!"

Someone in your life today needs a reminder that they're one of God's children!

[Mudboy Slim]

"yes"

[Mudboy Slim]

"yes"

[knighthawk]

Evening here now. Hello!

[Mudboy Slim]

"yes"

[Mudboy Slim]

"yes"

[Billie]

Good afternoon to one of my favorite Finests. (Yes, I have a lot of them - but you certainly are one of 'em!)