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]

I pledge allegiance 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.

[lodwick]

Me?

[Aquamarine]

Good morning Billie! I see that Roscoe is ready for the Holidays. I'll be sending you a new picture of lil Daisy Mae soon.:)

[lodwick]

New Mexico sunrise for Nan & Jack & Beep

Thank you G*d for all your wonders.

A blessed day to all visiting here.

[SpookBrat]

What a sweet picture. I love kids. I'll be looking around for good holiday stuff to send you.

Thanks for the thread.

[SpookBrat]

To your health with much love....LOL

[WVNan]

Hi Folks (Nan's husband here) Thanks to the prayers of so many people like you, and the infinite mercy and grace of God, He has spared me once again. What you did is greatly appreciated and as I commented to Nancy, "The Lord wouldn't dare let me die with all the people who are praying for me..." Just think of the 'unanswered' prayers He would have had to contend with.

Update on Uncle John: (93 years old)Uncle is now home from the hospital (much to the delight of the hospital staff). They sent him home last Sunday. He misbehaved terribly while in the hospital and really gave them a hard time. His first expierience receiving an MRI left him with some feelings he had not experienced. He thought (called) it a casket. They left him in it for an hour(he claims) and finally removed him when he threatened to 'tear the thing apart'! He told them on several occasions, "I am going home, and you are not going to stop me!" They had an IV placed in his arm; an oxygen tube in his nose; and, when they installed a cathater,..that did the trick. They did not leave it in very long. A doctor walked by his door and Uncle told his wife, "You run and catch that man and tell him "I'm going home!" Of course, by the time she got to the hallway the doctor was out of sight so that gave him another excuse to complain. He told the staff, "I'm going home. I can't afford to stay in your damned expensive hotel..!" When the neurologist finally came to examine him, he told Aunt Kathleen, "At his age, I'm not going to try and do anything for him. I'll just let him go home.." (Success through perseverence.) Uncle is now at home. I talked with Aunt Kathleen this morning and he is doing pretty well. He won't use that damned walker. He moves it aside and goes for his cane. Uncle John is a 'classic'. He is a very basic man,.. very independent,.. and proud. He will be sorely missed when he does pass away, but when that happens, he will have done it HIS way. Thanks again, Jack.

[Pippin]

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!!!

Got some good news!

I was approved for the apartment and I go tomorrow to put in the security deposit ( only 150.00)

YIPPIE!

YEEEEEEEEEEE!! HAAAAAAAAAAA!!

[ladtx]

In memory of my fellow Vietnam helicopter pilots who were killed in that war the following were lost on NOV 19. God bless them all.

1965 CW2 David L. Varvell -- US Army, Age 33, Malden, Missouri
1967 WO1 Terry R. Clark -- C/1/9 CAV 1 CAV, Age 21, Richmond, Indiana
1967 CW3 Curtis W. Hutto -- A/1/9 CAV 1 CAV, Age 34, Savannah, Georgia
1969 WO1 Don L. Rock -- 57 MED DET, Age 22, Spokane, Washington
1970 CW2 John R. Grisard -- C/7/17 CAV, Age 23, Long Branch, New Jersey
1970 CW2 Franklin A. Hamm -- C/2/17 CAV 101 ABN, Age 26, Little Rock, Arkansas
1970 WO1 Stanley D. Struble -- C/7/17 CAV, Age 21, Castana, Iowa

A tribute to WO1 Don L. Rock from Howard Lusk, San Antonio,TX--
Don was the smartest and funniest man I ever knew. He was my roomate in flight school and he helped make those days some of the best of our young lives. He is still missed.

Unit patch of the 57th MED DET

IN THE SHADOW OF THE BLADE

SCOUTS OUT!

[Pippin]

To, WVnan's husband,

I'm happy to hear that you are now home and doing well!

Happy to also hear about your Uncle, John. I see he might be 93, but he's still feitsy and alert! That's great!

In case I for got to I wish you a happy Veterans Day (A week late) and (((HUGS))) to you for your service and ((HUGS))) for Nan for being the beautiful lady she is!

May God bless you both! :^)

[ofMagog]

Glad to hear you are off the streets.

[Pippin]

Thanks!

[SpookBrat]

Congratulations.

[Pippin]

Thank you, Spooky!

[SpookBrat]

Jack and Nan, it's so good to see you. God love you both. I've been worried and I've been praying.

[dutchess]

Jack - Enjoyed reading your post and glad to hear that you're on the road to recovery. Continued prayers being sent your way.

Your Uncle John sound like a hoot. Any chance you inherited a little of his "spunk"????? You have a wonderful wife who adores you so you better take that rehab seriously...otherwise a lot of angry freepers will be pounding on your door!

[Billie]

Good morning, All. Since today's thread is talking about Holiday Scheduling, etc. this one seemed fitting to start the thread. :)

[dutchess]

Morning finest hostesses. What a great idea for the holidays. Sigh...we're heading for Key West Sunday for Thanksgiving...which on the surface "ain't so bad" BUT....once again I'll be freep impaired. I guess my first task will be to check out the Key West Public Library...Now is that the sign of a freeper addict or what LOL!

[lodwick]

What a great report on your Uncle - from what Nan's told us, you're two peas in a pod. Try to follow orders, as best you can, and don't be a stranger here.

G*d bless and keep you and all yours.

[JustAmy]

Oh my God ...... chocolate ice cream before breakfast? How can I refuse? Thanks for the thoughts.

[lodwick]

Way to go Pips! Are you all packed? ;-)

[mhking]

G'mornin' y'all!

[lodwick]

Good morning GA! Nice to see y'all here today.

[daisyscarlett]

Oh that lucky Roscoe, to have his very own personal artist in-house...Did he approve of his Christmas portrait?...Is that a "doggie" cookie recipe?..LOL..and Good Morning to you and Roscoe. Hope he does not get a big head when he reads the Finest thread today...

[lodwick]

Salute in remembrance. RIP

[meandog]

On this day 1967, over at the airbase in Da Nang watching big airliners leaving, wishin' I was on them...listening to Janice and Jimmie on the transistor...lookin' at our AF light up Monkey Mountain at night...tradin' jokes and items we got from the Womens Clubs around Armerica (one town in Iowa I can't remember but will never forget the items sent: popcorn, corn cakes, hams and bunches of small gifts, like cigarette lighters wrapped in knitted casings. We traded a lot with the "Johnny Jarheads" who were our security force...they kept us "squids" safe. I never saw Harm's Way, just heard a lot about it...I left in early Dec. never to return...anybody else remember '67?

[JustAmy]

Nan and Mr. WV
Thanks for the update. Mr WV .... your story about your 93 year old uncle is precious. Having lost my 89 year old mother this past year, I can definetly relate. LOL
You are both still in my prayers. As is your uncle.

[daisyscarlett]

Goodmorning JL. As you surf the net today, if you come across a graphic with the "----days till Christmas" message on it, will you share? Thanks.

[g'nad]

Mrnin' Miss Billie! Sorry I had to run off yesterday... gotta leave today too... great gif BTW...

[ladtx]

Looks like the Organ Mountains outside of Las Cruces where I went to school for a year (NMSU).

[daisyscarlett]

To Jack: Thank you so much for a very uplifting post this a.m. Really started our day off great here on the Finest Thread. Can see why you and Nan are such a good match. Best wishes to you and Uncle John for a complete recovery..

[WVNan]

Yayyyyyy Pip!!! You have new digs. Now comes the hard part...packing and moving. I hope you will be happy in your new place. Thank you for the prayers and good wishes. Yeah, it's great to have him home.

[WVNan]

Thank you for the prayers and good wishes.

[Billie]

Me?

I guess so! First, maybe? LOL!

[WVNan]

You bet he inherited the spunk. All the men in his family were, shall we say, colorful? I guess you could call them "real" mean. No nonsense tolerated. Thank you for the prayers dutchess. Hey, I was looking as I came through Columbus to see where there might be a fancy restaurant where we girls can meet (after Christmas). Maybe some place in the City Center.

[FreeTheHostages]

This is a *great* idea! I could do an article like John Huang2's, only instead of being about important national affairs, it would be about the domestic ecology of my home (a cat that opens my refrigerator without asking), my neighborhood (a boyfriend that opens my refrigerator without asking), and my workplace (where a host a Christmas feast from my refrigerator each year). Then there are the *8* gingerbreadhouse making parties between now and December 25th that I'll do.

Ok, it wouldn't be at all like John Huangs2's!! Scratch that idea.

OK, here's my new idea: what if we all had a gingerbread house contest? Everyone put up their favorite idea of a gingerbreadhouse, with words and also if they wished pictures. Have an actual contest with judges for the best Freeper gingerbread house? I would be happy to run the contest and judge.

[daisyscarlett]

Good morning Pip...CONGRATULATIONS on getting your new digs. Now hurry on and get packed and moved so you can join us for all our holiday threads etc...

[WVNan]

Thank you for the prayers Amy. All the prayers have kept us both going. You guys are precious to me.

[Joe Brower]

Good morning! I've got the stereo on, drinkin' some coffee, getting some work done... !

[daisyscarlett]

We lost these seven men from years 1965-1970; ages 21-34; seven different states. May they RIP...

[WVNan]

correction; real mean=real men (sheesh)

[EternalVigilance]

It's great to hear what the Lord has been doing for you. my friend...God is good!

FReeper pray-ers are powerful! :-)

[WVNan]

Hi Tom. Hey, you never did tell me if you are back home yet.

[PhiKapMom]

That picture of the cats is so cute. Is that a regular cross stitch pattern as I have two cats that look just like those!

[lodwick]

Great eyes there Lad. I didn't have the heart to lay an organ out there this fine morning. Good job. ;-)

[EternalVigilance]

Yes, I'm home...I miss all the wonderful folks in WV alot...but I'm very much enjoying the fellowship of my family and the much-needed downtime.

[daisyscarlett]

Why Billie, your Post #17 just reminded me...I absolutely positively cannot do the thread next Weds...Got pies to bake, doncha know. You guys will just have to do your baking etc on Mon and Tues to accommodate me, cauz I need to be off Weds....Lol...(Just kidding folks, honest, we really do work well together and strive to accommodate each other)

[daisyscarlett]

Thanksgiving in Key West...hmm...that sounds interesting...I think it is about time you asked Santa for a laptop...so you can keep in touch on your many travels...

[lodwick]

Here's a countdown to Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve

[JustAmy]

Good Morning and that is great news!!!!
Congratulations!