**Official Veterans Day Appreciation Thread**

[BigRedChief]

Yeah, its a little early but its never a bad time or too early to show appreciation to our veterans and the current soldiers who are putting themselfs in harms way to help defend our freedoms.

Also let's not forget the families that have to be without their soldiers. They are sacrificing too.

I've started a project to send care packages to the troops of Planet members. We already have a lot of planet members on board with this idea. If you would like to show your appreciation to the troops in that way its located here and is a sticky at the top of the forum. Or if you know of a unit that would need a care package let me know.
http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=217140

But, you don't have to give them anything of value or more of your time than just A simple thank you and a handshake when you see a serviceman out in the street, the grocery store etc.or even more simply....jsut say thanks in this thread.

Please keep the politics out of this thread. This is about the soldiers on a personal level and nothing to do with politics.

Veterans, here are the free stuff that I know you can get:

- 11/11 – Sam’s Club is giving away 25,000 free walking canes. No Sam’s Club membership required.

-11/11 - Free pizza or meal for veterans when another entree is ordered at Uno Chicago Grill locations.
- 11/8 – Free lunch or dinner for Veterans at McCormick & Schmick’s seafood restaurant.
- 11/11 – Veterans can choose from a special menu of free meals on Veterans Day at Applebees.
- 11/6-11/12 -Veterans can enjoy a 10% discount on all purchases up to $2000 at Home Depot.
- 11/11 – Free Bloomin Onion appetizer & drink for veterans and active military at Outback Steakhouse.
- 11/11 – Krispy Kreme will give away 1 free doughnut of any variety to any U.S. military person.

If you’re a veteran with proper military ID or an active serviceman, then you can get a free Applebee’s meal today during regular business hours at over 160 locations. Luckily, their site has a list of all the places who are participating, so you can just check there instead of calling your local joint.

Golden Corral is also giving away a free meal to veterans, however they’re holding the promotion on Monday, November 17, 2008 from 5-9pm instead of today.

Hy-Vee stores throughout the Midwest will honor America’s veterans on Veterans Day with a free breakfast in appreciation of their service to the country.
What: Veterans Day Breakfast

When: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009

Time: 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Place: All Hy-Vee supermarkets with in-store dining
The buffet is complimentary for veterans and open to others at a small cost. Some stores have planned programs, displays, entertainment or other activities to go along with the breakfast; check with local stores for details.

Links to Free Stuff for the Troops

http://www.operationhomelink.org/ - Free computers for spouses or parents of deployed soldier in ranks E1 - E5.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/2/prweb106818.htm - free mail/gifts sent to children of deployed soldiers.
https://www.operationuplink.org/ - Free phone cards.
http://www.appreciateourtroops.org/forourtroops.shtml - To have commander sign up for mugs for unit troops.
http://www.operationshoebox.com/ - free shoebox care package.
http://www.treatthetroops.org/ - free cookies.
http://bluestarmoms.org/airfare.html - lowest airfare available.
http://66.241.249.83/ - free air conditioners/heaters.
http://www.heromiles.org/ - free air travel for Emergency Leave, and for the family members of injured soldiers to travel to Medical facility.
http://www.bluestarmothers.org/airlinespecials.php - Airline discounts for R & R.
http://www.booksforsoldiers.com/forum/index.php - free books, DVD's, CD's.
http://prayercentral.net/engage/militaryprayer/daily.php - daily prayer and scriptures.
http://www.soldiersangels.org/heroes/submit_a_soldier.php - get adopted to receive stuff.
https://www.treatsfortroops.com/registration/index.php - free gifts and care packages.
Free bible, Christian video, and book for spouse/family members of deployed troops.
Free shipping/packing materials for shipping to troops.

[PhillyChiefFan]

Thanks to all who serve.

Everyone, enjoy their day off but keep in mind why you are.

[Boiled Chicken]

Thank you to all the veterans...even Private Pease (everyone thats been in the service has one...you know the guy that the whole platoon had to adopt and square away). Thanks BRC for all the freebies stuff.

[ziggysocki]

I just hatched a plan, I am gonna go around today to all the American Legion and VFW posts and buy all the vets in each bar a round... as a thank you to all my brothers who served, and to honor the ones that didn't make it back. I might even have one or two myself.

[OmahaChief]

To the men and women of the armed forces. Thank you so much for your service and commitment to the greatest country on the face of this earth. Your sacrifices for the greater good are appreciated. You have served our country well and my family and I applaud you have support you in every way we can. Thank you so much. Stay safe to those of you that are still active duty. Know that we pray for your safe return each night.

[MOhillbilly]

a thank you seems like ash in a mouth. I cant truely convey the feelings of my soul in words about the respect i have for our fighting men and women. you can use every cliche in the book and it would still fall short.
Maybe its because i understand when the cordite clears a warriors nostrils the lingering of forgoten bros who dies in bloodshed of war carries a mark that never truely heals.

God bless you all who carried the banner,faced the fire, and kept what we love true.

[ziggysocki]

I also want to make a special thanks to the 'Nam era guys. A mission as difficult and unpopular as the one they were given---and then to be treated like dogs when they came home--- that is a wrong that can never be righted... to you men, an extra large thank you.

[MOhillbilly]

Originally Posted by ziggysocki

I also want to make a special thanks to the 'Nam era guys. A mission as difficult and unpopular as the one they were given---and then to be treated like dogs when they came home--- that is a wrong that can never be righted... to you men, an extra large thank you.

Seems like alot of Vietnam guys keep there service in silence. My dad did, my mothers husband does.
IMO they got shit on so long they pretty much said **** you & **** it all.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by MOhillbilly

Seems like alot of Vietnam guys keep there service in silence. My dad did, my mothers husband does.
IMO they got shit on so long they pretty much said **** you & **** it all.

Somewhere in the middle might be appropriate. We were hated then, and now it is just the opposite.

I cashed every check uncle sam gave me, he trained me in a technical profession that has served me well for 36 years since.
He also took a 18 year old punk, and turned him into a man, and taught me how to drink and smoke.
I thank the taxpayers that footed that bill.

[Mizzou_8541]

Originally Posted by Boiled Chicken

Thank you to all the veterans...even Private Pease (everyone thats been in the service has one...you know the guy that the whole platoon had to adopt and square away). Thanks BRC for all the freebies stuff.

Yep...thank you Pvt. YEE!

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by MOhillbilly

Seems like alot of Vietnam guys keep there service in silence. My dad did, my mothers husband does.
IMO they got shit on so long they pretty much said **** you & **** it all.

Yep that will be one of the ever lasting mistakes of the American public, blaming soldiers for the politics that they had no control over. But since then in Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Iraq and so on the Americans have seen their mistake and have not repeated it. Supporting our soldiers in war and when they return to us after their service and sacrifice is our duty as Americans and has nothing whatsoever to do with politics.

I was in grade school but as Americans we still must deal with that legacy. So a special shout out to the Vietnam era veterans. Thank for your service and sacrifice!

[MOhillbilly]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

Somewhere in the middle might be appropriate. We were hated then, and now it is just the opposite.

I cashed every check uncle sam gave me, he trained me in a technical profession that has served me well for 36 years since.
He also took a 18 year old punk, and turned him into a man, and taught me how to drink and smoke.
I thank the taxpayers that footed that bill.

made my old man a deadeye. air assault and humpin a m-60 for a year will do that.
A memory from my childhood.
He had an old singleshot breach action slug shotgun. it was spring and calves were hittin the ground. he come runnin(walkin fast) into the house grabs the shotgun heads out towards the barn, cuts north to the top of the ridge and down below in the draw theres a pack of dogs running a baby calf.
These dogs are at a dead run. Rolls the 1st dog, reloads and rolls the second one, the third dog cuts to run off and he rolls it. this happened in under 30 seconds from 100+ yards away. He killed em last to first.
Deadeye.

[MOhillbilly]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Yep that will be one of the ever lasting mistakes of the American public, blaming soldiers for the politics that they had no control over. But since then in Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Iraq and so on the Americans have seen their mistake and have not repeated it. Supporting our soldiers in war and when they return to us after their service and sacrifice is our duty as Americans and has nothing whatsoever to do with politics.

I was in grade school but as Americans we still must deal with that legacy. So a special shout out to the Vietnam era veterans. Thank for your service and sacrifice!

you could hear the resentment in his voice when he said ' we didnt get any parade'.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by MOhillbilly

you could hear the resentment in his voice when he said ' we didnt get any parade'.

And well earned resentment. It was a disgrace.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by MOhillbilly

made my old man a deadeye. air assault and humpin a m-60 for a year will do that.
A memory from my childhood.
He had an old singleshot breach action slug shotgun. it was spring and calves were hittin the ground. he come runnin(walkin fast) into the house grabs the shotgun heads out towards the barn, cuts north to the top of the ridge and down below in the draw theres a pack of dogs running a baby calf.
These dogs are at a dead run. Rolls the 1st dog, reloads and rolls the second one, the third dog cuts to run off and he rolls it. this happened in under 30 seconds from 100+ yards away. He killed em last to first.
Deadeye.

Damn, that is a cool story, thanks for sharing it. He sounds like he was a true marksman.

Most of my actual shooting experience was almost laughable, since I was in the Search and Rescue end of it.

I was an E-5, and they sent a bunch of us out to shoot this big ass machine gun, M-50 IIRC. They assumed, since I was senior, that I knew how to shoot the thing, so I figured it out. We really tore some shit up, and it is probably why I am hard of hearing to this day.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by ziggysocki

I just hatched a plan, I am gonna go around today to all the American Legion and VFW posts and buy all the vets in each bar a round... as a thank you to all my brothers who served, and to honor the ones that didn't make it back. I might even have one or two myself.

Very cool idea. Heading down to the local VFW today , great idea.