Thursday, November 11, 2010

Veterans Day Twenty-Ten

Veterans Day is by far one of my favorite days of the year!

All of America is reminded of our Service members on this day...

yep, perhaps it is Sears sale on power tools or Kohl's half-price sale on sweaters...

But you turn on the TV, and there is the word V-E-T-E-R-A-N

love it.

A reminder.

Oh how I wish we had a monthly Veterans Day. One day a month set aside where the airwaves were filled with the word V-E-T-E-R-A-N. Call it brainwashing, I don't care. America needs constant reminders that men and women for generations have fought in battles (popular and unpopular) so that we can enjoy our everyday freedoms.

Perhaps subliminal messages should appear on every Cable Station that Freedom is not Free! Perhaps all Radio Stations should stop at noon to play our National Anthem.

Well, I'm a mom with a dream. A dream that our Country will always respect and honor those who serve. Past and present.

To my sons, B and John...My heart is overstuffed with pride. I love you both with every fiber of my being.

To my VirtuaSon, MudPuppy...I grew to know you through your words in a blog, I grew to love you more after one baseball game in Chicago.

To my Hubster...for six years you served as a Sailor and even today you work to protect the Sailors on Submarines...I am so very proud of all you do and I do love you!

To my Uncle John who did not survive the attack on the USS Emmons..we never met, but I have always loved you.

To my good blogging buddies, CoffeyPot and Sarge...My heart is filled with respect and gratitude for what you did and all you continue to do for our nation!

To Zach and Diann..you both are John's friends and I thank you for making the choice to be a member of the United States Military.

To Leslie and Jeremy...we have never met, but my prayers are constant for your protection during your deployments.

To Chief...thank you for serving our Country for thirty years!!! May your retirement bring you rest and enjoyment!

To Phil...my brother-in-law, a Vietnam Vet who is now suffering with so many health issues as a result of his service... love you.

To all the Soldiers I have sent packages to, we have never met but I have remained your prayer warrior... My hope is that the box, may have brightened one moment of one day.

To each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine...may Almighty God protect you, may God comfort your families in moments of anxiety and may you be reunited!

My sweet friend, M sent an E-mail containing a list of places who will be offering specials for our Veterans...if you are a Veteran, please take advantage of these specials...if you are not a Veteran, please patronize these establishments and tell them thank you for honoring our Troops!

Restaurant Freebies

Applebee's Restaurant - Free dinners to veterans throughout */Veterans Day November 11th/*; selections will be from a new Veterans Day menu.

Outback Steakhouse - Free Blooming Onion and beverage.

Golden Corral- Free buffet dinner from 5-9 p.m. on */Nov. 16 /*to anyone who has ever served in the U.S. military Staff. In celebration of Veterans Day /_11 Nov 2010_/, Subway is showing its thanks with free six inch subs to all Veterans or Active Duty members.

Krispy Kreme - One free doughnut of any variety.

UNO Chicago Grill- Free entree or individual pizza with an entree or pizza purchase of equal or greater value.

Coushatta Casino Resort - The Louisiana casino and resort is offering a free seven-clans lunch or dinner buffet to veterans or active military.

MarketPlace Grill & Express - Veterans and active-duty military receive free entrees.

Masala Wok - The Northern Virginian restaurant is offering a free entree to veterans.

Hy-Vee supermarkets - The mid-western supermarket chain is offering a free breakfast to veterans.

Abuelo's Mexican Food Restaurants - All veterans and active-duty military receive a free entree.

Carolina Burgers & BBQ - In Matthews, NC is offering a free meal to all service members and veterans.

Retail Freebies

Brides Across America - Provides free wedding gowns to qualified military brides.

Lowe's & Home Depot - Extra 10% off to active-duty military members, National Guard and reserve members, retirees, honorably discharged veterans and immediate family members.

Sam's Club - Over 25,000 Hugo canes will be given away to U.S. veterans in need of mobility assistance. Membership is not required, but supplies are limited, so check with your local store.

Amazon.com - Free "Veterans Day Honor" MP3 album download. The album includes 12 songs by The Bands and Ensembles of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Cabela's Outdoor Store - Offers their employee discount to all veterans, active-duty military and reserves, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel Nov. 11-12. Discounts vary from 5% to
50%, depending on the item.

Build-a-Bear Workshop - Members of the armed services including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Reserve Officer Training Corps, will receive a 20% discount Nov.
11-15 on any one transaction at Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Dollar General - 10% discount for all veterans, active-duty military, National Guard and reserve and their immediate families.

Fashion Bug - 20% off all plus-size and misses clothing purchases with a copy of military ID or spouse's military ID.

Entertainment Freebies

National parks, forests and monuments - Admission is free to everyone on Veterans Day.

Knott's Berry Farm - Free park admission to U.S. armed forces personnel and a guest during Veteran's Month, November 1-26.

Colonial Williamsburg - Free admission Nov. 6-11 for active-duty military, guard and reservists, retirees, veterans and their dependents.

San Jacinto Museum of History - Free visits to the Observation Deck, theatre, and special exhibit for veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families.

Historic Jamestown - Free admission to veterans, current Armed Forces members and their family members.

Battleship Cove - Free admission and a special ceremony for veterans, active, duty and reservists.

Vicksburg National Military Park - Free admission for all.

Birmingham Museum of Art - Free admission to the ticketed event "Life and Liberty" on Nov. 10-11 for veterans and active military.

Vulcan Park and Museum- In Birmingham, Alabama is offering discounted admission through November to the park and museum.

Greenbay (WI) New Zoo - Free admission to veterans and their families.

Central Florida Zoo - Free admission to the Sanford, Florida zoo with proper ID.

Strategic Air & Space Museum- Free admission for veterans Nov. 11-14 to the Ashland, Neb. museum.

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum - in Oklahoma City offers free admission to veterans and five guests from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Veterans Day.

Natural Elements Spa & Salon - In Chesapeake, Virginia, will provide free services from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to both active duty and retired military

7 comments:

Sarge Charlie said...

Thank you for what you do for us, you are a great American.

Debbie said...

Outstanding post!!!

Bag Blog said...

Thank you, all who serve and have served. Thank you Airman Mom for all you do.

Donna said...

God bless our troops and veterans for their sacrifices!

Coffeypot said...

Great post, AM and thank you for all you do for the guys. You are part of a proud military family and that has to make you swell with pride.

Mike Golch said...

A great posting,I feel humbled to be a member of out Armed Forces and those that have served,are serving and will serve in the future.

Debbie said...

I had to come back and make sure I did visit you. I was the first commenter today LOL