Veterans Day 2011 Specials

Every Veterans Day, some American businesses offer special deals as a show of appreciation for the Military:

Veterans Day FREE from A to Z!

Posted on 11/07/2011 by vfwlady

The following establishments are offering FREE or discounted MEALS for veterans on or around Veterans Day 2011:

Applebee’s – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11: Last year, Applebee’s served 1,024,000 million free meals to military veterans and active servicemembers. Applebee’s is again offering a free meal to military veterans and active-duty service members on Veteran’s Day, Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. There will be 7 entrées to choose from. Military ID or proof of service required. Find locations at http://applebees.com/.

Chili’s – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11. Chili’s is offering all military veterans past and present their choice of one of 6 meals. This offer is available from 11am – 5pm on November 11, 2011 at participating Chili’s in the U.S. only. Dine-in from limited menu only; beverages and gratuity not included. Veterans and active duty military simply show proof of military service. Visit their website to find locations.

Denny’s Veterans Day Appreciation Event, Nov. 11. 2011. Free Grand Slam breakfast to any veteran from 6:00am – 10:00pm. Only valid in Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo areas. Call ahead to verify, and check with your local Denny’s if you live in another area. Source.

Golden Corral – Free meal, Monday Nov. 14: The 10th annual Golden Corral Military Appreciation dinner will be held on Monday, November 14, 2011 from 5 pm to 9 pm in all Golden Corral Restaurants nationwide. The free “thank you” dinner is available to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, in the National Guard or Reserves, you are invited to participate in Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Monday dinner. For more information visit http://www.goldencorral.com/military/.

Go HERE for many more deals, and links to other sites that have deals listed.

To all our American Military: THANK YOU!

Wednesday Hero

Senior Airmen Kristian Robles Cruz (Far Left) and Amber Boyd (Right)


Senior Airmen Kristian Robles Cruz and Amber Boyd from the 633rd Security Forces Squadron, which is at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., are greeted at the Newport News, Va., airport by family and coworkers Nov. 2, 2011 . The two were part of a group of Airmen that deployed to Joint Base Balad, Iraq, in June, but returned a couple of months early after President Obama announced the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of the year.

Photo Courtesy United States Air Force Taken By Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.
Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Media Matters: Journalist's ego can cost lives

Who does it serve? That question has been the underpinning of my philosophy - the question I ask myself - before I share ANY story, or information I have heard.

My regular readers know how furious I get when I see the msm sharing details of military missions either ahead of time, or as they are happening. Drives me nuts. In times of war, what journalists share with their readers/viewers, can sometimes influence future events, and yes, cost lives.

I have often written about media hacks who rush to share all they know with the public. One such column was back in January 2009 called "Start Spreading the News." What? You expect originality here?

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Start Spreading the News...

I think most of you have heard me ranting about how the msm has aided and abetted enemies of our countries. Time and again, I have lamented the sorry state of the media as they share - often on their front pages, or top of their newscasts - information that should NOT be shared. Too many times they have rushed to print - or on air - with the latest 'scoop', never mind that their blabbing could, and, indeed, may have, endangered not only national security, but the lives of our men and women.

I didn't think anything the msm did could surprise me anymore, but I was wrong. This past week I heard something so bizarre, I thought I had heard it wrongly. I couldn't believe my ears. Then I found this:...

To read what I found back in January 2009, go here. Yep, been a long time peeve of mine, and it seems the more things change, the more they remain the same.

From Israel National News:

Veteran Journalist: I'd Do the Same Today

Veteran journalist Yaakov Achimeir knew about the Israeli attack in Iraq in 1981 and said nothing. "I'd do the same today."

By Elad Benari

11/7/2011

Yaakov Achimeir

Israel news photo: Shomron Regional Council

In the wake of the media storm about the possibility of an Israeli military strike in Iran, a veteran journalist recalled on Sunday another Israeli military operation: the 1981 strike on Iraq’s nuclear reactor.

On June 7, 1981, during the term of Prime Minister Menachem Begin, Israel carried out Operation Opera, a surprise air strike that destroyed a nuclear reactor under construction 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) southeast of Baghdad.

Yaakov Achimeir, veteran broadcaster on Channel One and Kol Yisrael radio, received firsthand information about Israel’s intention to bomb the Iraqi nuclear reactor, but kept silent and resisted the temptation to share the information with his viewers and journalist friends.

“About three or four weeks before the bombing, I received the information about the bombing,” Achimeir recalled in a conversation with Arutz Sheva. “A senior official told me about it and described the training the air force was doing in preparation for the operation. I listened with great interest.”

He added, “That official told me about it inadvertently because we were friends. He took a great risk because he had no idea I wouldn’t say anything about it. He spoke casually and revealed to me one of the greatest secrets of the State of Israel.”

Achimeir recalled that while he kept the details of the attack a secret from his colleagues, “at one point I told some people that something big is about to happen. I guess I had to share something with somebody.”

The easy part, he said, was not saying a word to the viewers when he was on camera....

This really IS a must read - maybe as part of journalism ethics classes? What? Go here.

The truth is, that ethics in journalism can be part of any curriculum in any school, but when push comes to shove, ethics are a personal matter. You either got 'em, or you don't, and no amount of 'learning' will change that.

4 PARA Private Pegasus leads the parade

The B*N*S*N desk is trying to find pictures of Private Pegasus for this story, but in the meantime, here's another great 'welcome home' story:

Crowds cheer Parachute Regiment in Bradford

7 Nov 11

Crowds gathered to cheer over 100 Territorial Army (TA) soldiers of 4th Battalion The Parachute Regiment (4 PARA) who marched through the streets of Bradford this weekend to exercise their new Freedom of the City.

Territorial Army soldiers of 4th Battalion The Parachute Regiment march through the streets of Bradford [Picture: Corporal Mike O'Neill, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

Led by the Parachute Regiment's mascot, Shetland Pony Private Pegasus, and the Band of The Parachute Regiment, the TA soldiers marched into Centenary Square.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Naveeda Ikram, addressed the troops, headed up by their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel John Boyd.

Councillor Ikram said that 4 PARA has provided more soldiers than any other TA infantry battalion for operations in the last decade; an average of 45 a year since the deployment to Iraq began in 2003, and the majority of the unit has at least one recent tour to their name:

"The life of a reservist is far from easy, juggling civilian work, military and family commitments," she added.

"But I know the civilian skills you bring from your civilian occupations play a valuable role in your military lives. It is when we stop and remember all this that we truly appreciate the debt of thanks we owe to you.

"In exercising your right to parade today, the people of this district recognise the enormous contribution you have made and the great pride we have in you as holders of the Freedom of the City."

Read more here. Thank you, and WELCOME HOME, 4 PARA!!!

Military wives and girlfriends join 'The Choir'

From MoD:

Military wives and girlfriends sing out for TV show

7 Nov 11

For the new series of his BAFTA-winning programme 'The Choir', musical maestro Gareth Malone has embarked on his most ambitious and emotional challenge to date - teaching wives and girlfriends of Armed Forces personnel serving in Afghanistan to sing. Interview by Lorraine McBride.

Gareth Malone with the wives and girlfriends of Armed Forces personnel at RMB Chivenor
[Picture: Courtesy of the BBC]

The three-part BBC2 series, which starts tonight, is called 'The Choir: Military Wives'. It sees Gareth working with the families of tri-Service personnel based at Royal Marines Base Chivenor in North Devon from just before the troops deploy on operations to their homecoming parades several months later. Gareth describes this period as 'an emotional roller coaster' for the women:

"I think a tour to Afghanistan is always difficult for military wives," says the presenter during a rare break from filming.

Over eight months, Gareth threw himself into life on base with the fearless and funny military wives:

"It was very interesting because we hear a lot about troops which is positive but we never hear about the women," explains Gareth. "To my mind, we only ever see military wives when something tragic happens. I wanted to show what they are doing and literally give them a voice."

Gareth describes choral singing as harder than people think and teaching novices is a challenge:

"It is vocally and emotionally demanding," he continues. "And at times, it's like doing a crossword, you have to really concentrate and use your brain."

But, he adds, it is also very rewarding to sing in a choir:

"There is something special about singing in harmony and being part of a pack. It gives great benefits to people."

Gareth, a born diplomat, describes the standard amongst his troupe as surprisingly high:

"There are some great singers, some not so great…"

And he debunks any ideas that all that military discipline somehow rubs off on the wives:

"Sometimes they were a bit shambolic and ambled in late, clutching their cappuccinos," he says, arching an eyebrow. "It is never going to be a military choir but it definitely has a flavour.

"Trying to teach these women and get them to work as a team like the military meant I had to break them down a bit. And at times I felt like a sergeant major whipping them into shape!" he chuckles....

Go read the rest of this here.

Yon as War Pornographer

I have been rendered almost speechless by Yon's latest blatant efforts to pad his PayPal, so thank goodness one of our military experts has found the words to express what I cannot. Read on:

War Porn: How Mike Yon seeks to profit on the bodies of dying Soldiers

Sunday, November 06, 2011

I've generally divorced myself from any business having to do with Mike Yon, because I personally believe he is a douchebag, and worse, someone who holds himself up as a master of all things military, although he was only in the Army briefly, and since then has spent lots of time floating between Iraq, Afghanistan, and Bangkok. He wears his time spent in combat zones, often being protected by the very troops whose leaders he openly mocks and scorns, as some weird badge--as if his proximity to combat has any meaning. I used to live next door to an ice cream parlor, but that doesn't make me Ben and Jerry's. I've spent months in and out of hospitals had (at last count 39, or was it 40?) but I'm no surgeon. Mike is to military knowledge what the Oklahoma Earthquake is to geoscience--a curiosity.

So now, after being none too welcome in Afghanistan--seems word of his being a diva (more ostentatious than Kim Zolciak) is spreading--he's fucked off back to the land of sex tourism, ladyboys, and cheap heroin--I wonder if he'll now claim to be an expert on those matters (as I am sure he has more experience with them than most.)

But just being told to go away wasn't enough for Mike, I guess his tip jar didn't get as many hits after he started trying to lance the windmill dragons, claiming he was afraid for his life because a Master Sergeant wrote something mean about him, and then claimed that this Master Sergeant sent a Captain and another NCO to threaten and assault him... which I must admit, makes that Master Sergeant powerful indeed, to order a higher ranking officer to commit a felony. It doesn't pass the smell test, and neither does Mikey.

Mikey found a new ox to gore--the Medevac process and whether or not we (the US) should arm our medevac helicopters. Mikey believes we should. He believes that would mean helicopters can magically fly faster if they are armed, and that the HH-60, the Army's flying ambulance, could fight its way to the casualties it is picking up. Mikey even thinks that displaying the red cross on medical helicopters is stupid, because it gives the enemy an aiming point. Points that are as DOA as Cory Smoot at a border crossing. Get off the bus with Flattus Maximus Mike, your career is dead....

Chuck Z has much more, and as usual this is a MUST READ here.


I could add my opinion here, (after all, we ALL have one) but I have learned a valuable lesson that apparently Yon still has not:

"Better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt"?

As usual, Yon has failed on so many levels, the first of which is the most egregious: naming and re-naming (and filming) details of a Fallen Hero's last moments, to make a political point - all couched in his *cough* concern for our troops.

Waxing not so eloquent on issues re Geneva Conventions and hanging his obvious ignorance right out there for all to see. His 'fans' continue swallowing the kool-aid..

Again, sharing his glaringly obvious ignorance about the topic at hand, but having his *team* take far too long to 'edit' the incriminating video, which only Yon is qualified to release and speak on.

Full disclosure: The logo on the top of the column is my badge of 'infamy.'. I was banned from commenting on Yon's FB page a long time ago, because according to HIM, I was ignorant, and other not so positive things.

Bratdog was also banned from Yon's FB page. Really! Yon was afraid of a DOG's truths. How far the mighty have fallen...



Anyhow, when more than a few active duty - and veterans - servicemembers, take less than two minutes to point out the many reasons it is wrong for ANYone to be posting war porn, Yon would do well to pay attention.

If his past history is any indication, the only attention he is paying is to his PayPal. Too bad - for him.

As I have written elsewhere, Yon always trumpets how he dares to go where others will not (and hit the PayPal, pal!) He HAS published war porn before, February 2011 the most recent. As we have seen, there is apparently no depths Yon will not plumb in order to bolster his "credibility" as the only trustworthy 'on the ground' reporter, EVEN when he is no longer anywhere near Afganistan and our troops. Michael Yon is in Thailand - NOT Afghanistan..But his regular readers haven't seemed to notice that. For them, he is the only voice of truth and courage from the sandbox.... no matter the pesky fact that Yon is not IN any sandbox, and not likely to be near any of our deployed troops again anytime soon.

Hit the PayPal, pal!



Primary background reading on Yon's spiral into irrelevance:

Overview of the Saga of Michael Yon

Every Day Hero

Two brothers cross paths in Afghanistan

















3 November 2011

Two brothers from Hull have met up while serving in Afghanistan.

Lance Corporal Lee Gorbutt, of 35 Royal Engineers is embarking on his third operational tour while younger brother Lance Corporal Shane Gorbutt has just finished his first.

The two met up as brother Shane was leaving Helmand Province, having spent the summer with his regiment 9/12th Lancers partnering the Afghan National Army on operations.

Lee works as part of the Royal Engineer Talisman group, which clears routes.

The 33-year-old, who has previously served in Bosnia and Iraq, said: "My main job is as a welder, but for this tour I will be working as a member of the Talisman route proving and clearing team. It trains you to be nosy which I enjoy!

"I have found it really interesting so far, and I'm really excited about the tour ahead."

Lee served with his older brother Terry (36) for two years in the 22 Engineer Regiment but the pair never deployed together - so meeting a family member on tour is a first.

"I served with Terry and did not even go on exercise with him, so it was a bit of a laugh to end up in Afghanistan with Shane. It was definitely a surprise when we found out we were going to be here at the same time," he said.

Shane (21) followed in his brothers' footsteps and joined the Army in September 2008 and joined 9/12th Lancers.

During his tour, Shane has patrolled alongside the Afghan National Army and helped to provide protection and over watch during missions.

He said: "I have really seen the difference in the ANA capability over the six months. They have learnt a lot and you can definitely see the improvement.

"I have really enjoyed the Army so far - but I'm really looking forward to getting home now, seeing my family, my girlfriend, and having a beer!"

Another first

The tour holds another first for middle brother Lee as it is the first time he will be away from his wife, Sara, and two children, Kaylee and Kian, for Christmas.

He added: "I have been quite lucky so far, but this is going to be my first Christmas away from my family. I miss my children, but we have decided as a family we are going to have Christmas in April."

(c) MoD

Thank you for your service.