**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 (http://www.freemania.net/blog/sams-club-giveaway-hugo-walking-canes/). No Sam’s Club membership required.

-11/11 - Free pizza or meal (http://www.freemania.net/blog/uno-chicago-grill-free-meal-pizza-veterans-day/) for veterans when another entree is ordered at Uno Chicago Grill locations.
- 11/8 – Free lunch or dinner (http://www.freemania.net/blog/mccormick-schmicks-free-meal-veterns-day/) for Veterans at McCormick & Schmick’s seafood restaurant.
- 11/11 – Veterans can choose from a special menu of free meals (http://www.freemania.net/blog/applebees-free-meal-veterans-day/) on Veterans Day at Applebees.
- 11/6-11/12 -Veterans can enjoy a 10% discount (http://www.buildingonline.com/news/viewnews.pl?id=7611&subcategory=8) on all purchases up to $2000 at Home Depot.
- 11/11 – Free Bloomin Onion appetizer (http://www.outback.com/companyinfo/veteransday2009.aspx) & drink for veterans and active military at Outback Steakhouse.
- 11/11 – Krispy Kreme will give away 1 free doughnut (http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS155889+05-Nov-2009+PRN20091105) 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 (http://www.applebees.com/) 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 (http://www.goldencorral.com/military/) 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/ (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 (http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/2/prweb106818.htm) - free mail/gifts sent to children of deployed soldiers.
https://www.operationuplink.org/ (https://www.operationuplink.org/) - Free phone cards.
http://www.appreciateourtroops.org/forourtroops.shtml (http://www.appreciateourtroops.org/forourtroops.shtml) - To have commander sign up for mugs for unit troops.
http://www.operationshoebox.com/ (http://www.operationshoebox.com/) - free shoebox care package.
http://www.treatthetroops.org/ (http://www.treatthetroops.org/) - free cookies.
http://bluestarmoms.org/airfare.html (http://bluestarmoms.org/airfare.html) - lowest airfare available.
http://66.241.249.83/ (http://66.241.249.83/) - free air conditioners/heaters.
http://www.heromiles.org/ (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 (http://www.bluestarmothers.org/airlinespecials.php) - Airline discounts for R & R.
http://www.booksforsoldiers.com/forum/index.php (http://www.booksforsoldiers.com/forum/index.php) - free books, DVD's, CD's.
http://prayercentral.net/engage/militaryprayer/daily.php (http://prayercentral.net/engage/militaryprayer/daily.php) - daily prayer and scriptures.
http://www.soldiersangels.org/heroes/submit_a_soldier.php (http://www.soldiersangels.org/heroes/submit_a_soldier.php) - get adopted to receive stuff.
https://www.treatsfortroops.com/registration/index.php (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. (http://www.emilitary.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=354&pid=664&st=0&#entry664)
Free shipping/packing materials for shipping to troops. (http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Nov2004/n11232004_2004112312.html)

[baitism]

Applebee's for lunch and Golden Corral for dinner it is. I am somehow amazed that Emporia has both. Thanks fellow vets.

[BigRedChief]

Applebee's for lunch and Golden Corral for dinner it is. I am somehow amazed that Emporia has both. Thanks fellow vets.If you know some planeteers that are serving in Iraq or Afganistan or they have family serving let me know. If you don't want to post in the thread PM me, I'll make sure they get something.

And lastly and most importantly a big Thank you for your service.
http://www.homegrownjigsaws.com/thanks%20vets.jpg

[The Franchise]

My wife and I will be going to Applebees on Wednesday. That's cool about Home Depot though....I didn't know about that one.

[Mr. Kotter]

Thank you, fellow vets.

[Demonpenz]

http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2009/09/10/ian-fisher-american-soldier/

pictures from enlistment on to basic and into iraq

[SPchief]

Hey BRC, the free meal on Veterans Day at Applebees is not limited to vetrans, It's for veterans and active duty.

[RNR]

I received an e-mail from a friend of mine. It told the story of how this guy was in a store and they were recognizing the two minutes of remembrance . A tradition in Canada out of respect for those who have served and for those that have fallen. A man became impatient and caused a scene. He was so stunned by this jerk he sat down and penned this song. It is very touching and everyone should at least be willing to spend a pittance of time to remember those who give great sacrifice and many times their own life for us~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8poZshcDj8g

[BigRedChief]

Hey BRC, the free meal on Veterans Day at Applebees is not limited to vetrans, It's for veterans and active duty.Thansk for the info. Opening post updated. You guys hear of anymore free stuff, let me know and I'll update the opering post

[SPchief]

Thansk for the info. Opening post updated. You guys hear of anymore free stuff, let me know and I'll update the opering post

Don't quote me on this but some of the stores around KC who are near bases might be opening at 10 instead of 1030 due to volume of people waiting at the door last year

[BigRedChief]

http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2009/09/10/ian-fisher-american-soldier/

pictures from enlistment on to basic and into iraq
Wow that is so cool. And the moral of the story? Vets get to have total babes as their wifes.

[bevischief]

I received an e-mail from a friend of mine. It told the story of how this guy was in a store and they were recognizing the two minutes of remembrance . A tradition in Canada out of respect for those who have served and for those that have fallen. A man became impatient and caused a scene. He was so stunned by this jerk he sat down and penned this song. It is very touching and everyone should at least be willing to spend a pittance of time to remember those who give great sacrifice and many times their own life for us~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8poZshcDj8g

:clap::clap:
Nice to see this.

["Bob" Dobbs]

Happy Veteran's day to all my fellow vets and active duty soldiers/sailors/airmen/marines. Hooah!

[CaliforniaChief]

Veterans are the backbone of our society. They have stood between our nation and our aggressors...serving with honor and representing the best of our country. I am so thankful to all of you for what you have done!!!

[bevischief]

All of this thanks a lot to those of us to have served and currently serving.

[BigRedChief]

Added in the free Hy-Vee breakfast.

[big nasty kcnut]

God bless all the troops who are willing to go to hell and back to protect us and our freedoms. Freedom never free.

[ziggysocki]

To all of my fellow veterans past, present and future... Thank you for making the sacrifices you have made.

[Easy 6]

God Bless all of ya...past, present & future.

AMERICA BABY!!!

[Demonpenz]

there was a good documentory although it was a anti war one on pbs this weekend called good soldier, had vets of different wars tell their stories.

[SPchief]

This shouldn't be on the 2nd page...Can we get a sticky?

[RNR]

I received an e-mail from a friend of mine. It told the story of how this guy was in a store and they were recognizing the two minutes of remembrance . A tradition in Canada out of respect for those who have served and for those that have fallen. A man became impatient and caused a scene. He was so stunned by this jerk he sat down and penned this song. It is very touching and everyone should at least be willing to spend a pittance of time to remember those who give great sacrifice and many times their own life for us~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8poZshcDj8g

Bump to keep this thread on the first page and for those who may not have seen this song~

[BigOlChiefsfan]

Happy Birthday to the USMC today!

[BigRedChief]

Bump to keep this thread on the first page and for those who may not have seen this song~
Yep, a cool clip.

[BigRedChief]

Bump

[DumbHillbillies]

Rep to the vets. Met a 86 year old vet today who was in WWII started in North Africa in 1943.

[seclark]

God Bless and thanks to all vets and actives.

my son is currently serving in the middle east. last weekend, mrs. sec and i drove down to spend the weekend w/his wife and our grandaughter(3yrs old). i noticed when i tucked her in to bed saturday night she took 1 m&m out of a half filled glass of them and popped it into her mouth.

i asked her why only one, and she explained that her and her dad counted them when they put them in the glass. she takes one out and eats it every night before bed. the night that she takes the last one out, her dad will come home the next day.

God Bless and thanks to the families of all vets and actives.

sec

[DumbHillbillies]

God Bless and thanks to all vets and actives.

my son is currently serving in the middle east. last weekend, mrs. sec and i drove down to spend the weekend w/his wife and our grandaughter(3yrs old). i noticed when i tucked her in to bed saturday night she took 1 m&m out of a half filled glass of them and popped it into her mouth.

i asked her why only one, and she explained that her and her dad counted them when they put them in the glass. she takes one out and eats it every night before bed. the night that she takes the last one out, her dad will come home the next day.

God Bless and thanks to the families of all vets and actives.

sec

Wow, the kid obviously loves her father and has great disclipine for 3 year old.

[seclark]

Wow, the kid obviously loves her father and has great disclipine for 3 year old.

she tells me i need to stop chewing cope, too.
i love her.
sec

[Dayze]

Bravo Zulu Vets. Thanks for your service/committment and sacrifices made for our country.

[raybec 4]

Every year at this time and around Memorial Day I get a little weepy. I lost some good friends in the Middle East, they deserve everyones thanks as do all of my fellow vets who made it back.....Scouts Out!

[38yrsfan]

http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2009/09/10/ian-fisher-american-soldier/

pictures from enlistment on to basic and into iraq

Man, that brought back memories ................

[raybec 4]

Man, that brought back memories ................

Boy to a man, it happened pretty close to that way for me too.

[Oregon chief]

Thanks for posting. The home depot one will be a big help for me right now. I just bought a house using the VA home loan and I need blinds. This country and our people really do a good job with helping out Vets.

Thanks again!

[MahiMike]

Question on this. Why is it in the middle of the week and not on a Monday? Is this something new?

[BigRedChief]

Question on this. Why is it in the middle of the week and not on a Monday? Is this something new?It's always on November 11th.

[Mr. Kotter]

It's always on November 11th.

It's absolutely assinine, though, that they insist on it being on the precise date....and not a Monday in conjunction with a long weekend, like other national holidays.

:shake:

[pr_capone]

It's absolutely assinine, though, that they insist on it being on the precise date....and not a Monday in conjunction with a long weekend, like other national holidays.

:shake:

I'm going to enjoy the hell out of it.

Its like getting 2 fridays for me this week.

Nice break mid week... my students were stressing me out a bit. lol

P.S. Thank you fellow Vets / Active Duty

[BigRedChief]

It's absolutely assinine, though, that they insist on it being on the precise date....and not a Monday in conjunction with a long weekend, like other national holidays.

:shake:
Novemember 11th is the day the armistice was signed that ended World War 1.

[Mr. Kotter]

Novemember 11th is the day the armistice was signed that ended World War 1.

:rolleyes:

Duh.....

It's still assinine.

[Mr. Kotter]

Question on this. Why is it in the middle of the week and not on a Monday? Is this something new?

Page 9 http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/Federal_Holidays.pdf

Congress designated Veterans Day to be one of five holidays that would henceforth be celebrated on a Monday and changed the date of the holiday from November 11 to the fourth Monday in October.25 Congress returned Veterans Day to its original November 11 date in 1975, after it became apparent that “veterans’ organizations opposed the change, and 46 states either never changed the original observation date or returned the official observance to November 11.”26

[joesomebody]

Happy Veteran's day guys. Mizzou is giving me and my fellow Veteran students a free meal with the football and basketball team at their student athlete facilities, with a tour of the facilities to follow. Pretty cool in my opinion, regardless of what you non Mizzou fans think :)

Probably going to Applebees for lunch. I'm a sucker for free food, what can I say. God bless all of you, and enjoy your day fellow vets.

[JohninGpt]

Happy Veterans day brothers and sisters.
I'm about to go a "Bring your veteran to breakfast" thing at my son's elementary school.

[DeezNutz]

Happy Veterans Day, all.

Thank you for your service.

[Saulbadguy]

I appreciate Veterans Day. I don't have to work. Why the hell am I up so early?

[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. :clap: I might even have one or two myself. :BLVD:

[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]

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 fuck you & fuck it all.

[HemiEd]

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]

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.

ROFL

Yep...thank you Pvt. YEE!

[BigRedChief]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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. :clap: I might even have one or two myself. :BLVD:Very cool idea. Heading down to the local VFW today , great idea. :clap:

[HemiEd]

And well earned resentment. It was a disgrace.

"Sailors and Dogs, keep off of the grass!"

[KcFanInGA]

Thank you to all the veterans! (And active military, of course).

[MOhillbilly]

Bullshit Cp! I CANT HEAR YOU!

FUCKIN 2ND PAGE!

SOUND OFF LIKE YOU GOT A PAIR!

[BigRedChief]

Bullshit Cp! I CANT HEAR YOU!

****IN 2ND PAGE!

SOUND OFF LIKE YOU GOT A PAIR!
http://slcmma.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/marines_do_pushups.jpg

[Radar Chief]

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.

I work with a purchasing agent that is a ‘Nam vet, Staff Sargent Infantry. Worked with him for over 6 years before I ever knew he was a vet. Then one day he drops a couple of stories on an old crusty engineer and myself that left us both slack jawed and stunned.
Great guy, haven’t heard much about his service since that day, and no one else around even knows he’s a vet.

[raybec 4]

I work with a purchasing agent that is a ‘Nam vet, Staff Sargent Infantry. Worked with him for over 6 years before I ever knew he was a vet. Then one day he drops a couple of stories on an old crusty engineer and myself that left us both slack jawed and stunned.
Great guy, haven’t heard much about his service since that day, and no one else around even knows he’s a vet.

My old man was there and you'll never hear a word about it, he tries to act like it never happened.

[BigRedChief]

My old man was there and you'll never hear a word about it, he tries to act like it never happened.Sadly that kind of story is the norm more than the exception.

[R&GHomer]

What exactly qualifies as proper id. DD214? Happy Veterans day!

[Radar Chief]

Sadly that kind of story is the norm more than the exception.

Sure makes spotting the fake ‘Nam combat vets easy.
They’re typically the ones running their mouths about what all they did over there.

[joesomebody]

Off to dinner with Mizzou's Basketball and Football teams. Pretty sweet tribute to the student Vet's in my opinion. Have a good rest of your Vet's day guys.

[chefsos]

Sure makes spotting the fake ‘Nam combat vets easy.
They’re typically the ones running their mouths about what all they did over there.

I work with a guy who was there. He doesn't say a lot about it but when he does, it's said just as matter-of -factly as it would be about anything else that happened in his life 35+ years ago. I get the impression that this guy's not fucked up about the experience at all.

And I thanked him for his service today, just as I now thank all the veterans here for theirs.

[BigRedChief]

One last bump for the Vets

[Rain Man]

I think that all soldiers should get Veteran's Day off, no matter where they are. Just take their guns and give them all a day off.

[BigRedChief]

I think that all soldiers should get Veteran's Day off, no matter where they are. Just take their guns and give them all a day off.:clap: That's a great idea.