Currently browsing: appreciation

Nothing says “Thank You” like free food

Last month I posted about Applebee’s plan to offer free entrees this upcoming Veteran’s Day. Posted today at SlashFood was an updated list of more places offering free eats to our military:

…to celebrate Veteran’s Day next Wednesday, several major casual-dining restaurants — including Applebee’s, McCormick & Schmick’s and Golden Corral — are offering free food to the nation’s military vets and active-duty personnel, USA Today reports.

Outback Steakhouse is offering a free Bloomin’ Onion appetizer and a drink to vets and current military personnel on Wednesday. Krispy Kreme is giving away donuts, and even Home Depot and Lowe’s are getting in on the action offering 10 percent discounts to military.

At Applebee’s restaurants around the country, vets and active-duty military can get a free entree on Wednesday from 11 a.m. til midnight. And while Applebee’s will ask for military ID, the company says it won’t be sticklers for proof.

“We’re not going to argue with folks who might forget to bring it,” Sam Rothschild, senior vice president of operations for Applebee’s told USA Today.

McCormick & Schmick’s will give vets a free entree on Sunday instead of on the holiday so that vets can bring their families, CEO Bill Freeman told USA Today. The restaurant will also ask for military ID and recommends reservations.

Buffet meals will be free for both veterans and active-duty military at Golden Corral restaurants on Monday, Nov. 16, from 5 to 9 p.m. The event — the restaurant chain’s ninth annual Military Appreciation Monday — is not on Veteran’s Day so that it doesn’t interfere with holiday activities, spokeswoman Dolly Mercer told USA Today.

Additionally, the Ark Restaurant Group, which includes Bryant Park Grill, Canyon Road, El Rio Grande, Gonzalez y Gonzalez, Sequoia, RED, The Grill at Two Trees, Gallagher’s and Gallagher’s Burger Bar wrote in a e-mail alert to customers, “As a thank you to the service men and women and the veterans of our armed forces, Ark Restaurants will not be charging our soldiers and veterans for their meal on Veterans Day at any of our restaurants on the East Coast.”

Patriot Guard holds Welcome Home celebration for Vietnam Vets

I received this email from Paul Reynolds, Alabama PGR State Captain:

Greetings my friends,

As you know a Welcome Home celebration is long overdue for all of our Vietnam Veterans. The heroes have always deserved this, and I am so proud to announce their day has finally come in the great state of Alabama. Last year I was selected to lead a committee for our State fair in Montgomery doing a kickoff for the fair honoring our World War II Veterans, and having a tribute to our men and women of our Armed Forces. The PGR proudly escorted these heroes to the Fair, and stood proudly as all of them were Honored. Shortly after this event I was asked how to follow up this wonderful event, and I simply stated it is time to do what should of been done over 30 years ago. So my friends the day has come to say Thank You for all they have done, to finally give them the Welcome Home they earned and deserved, and to ensure them “NEVER AGAIN. This was accepted and now we have began the motion to make their dreams come true.

On October 9th in Montgomery Alabama we will kick off the Alabama State Fair with a Welcome Home Celebration for our Vietnam Veterans. This will include a parade into the fair grounds, and a wonderful tribute inside the coliseum. We have secured General Hal Moore as our key note speaker. I have also secured a most fitting tribute, a fly over by a group of Huey Helicopters. The PGR will ride into the Parade staging, and then will continue onto the fair grounds. Let me say, only our Vietnam Vets will be riding in this parade, as it is their day, and it is the rest of our duties to stand and cheer for our Heroes. Our Vietnam Veterans that are members will be seated, and the rest of us will line the Coliseum with our most proud Flag Line ever. This will be open to all that served during this era, so please get the word out to your friends and community.

I will be updating this thread as we receive more details. We are also in the planning stages of having an event after the Fair, so please mark this day on your calendar, and making this a weekend event. We will contact Motels and try and receive a discounted rate for those of you who may want to attend.

Remember this day is very special, and all of us should be proud to attend. If you are a Vietnam Veteran, Thank You and Welcome Home, if you are not please join me on the side of the road, and help me cheer our true American heroes.

Again Thank You and excuse me if I sound a little proud, because I am, I am very proud of each and everyone of you. We have stood beside many of them as they Welcomed Home many of our Heroes, this time we will stand for them “Welcoming them home”.

Jim “Dinky Dau” Lorenzo has secured a great Hotel rate for this event, as many of his Vietnam Veterans will be staying here, this rate will also apply to everyone. Make sure when you reserve your room please advise them, you are either VFW of PGR to secure the quoted rate of 49.00.

Americas Best Inn and Suites
5135 Carmichael Road
Montgomery Alabama

334-270-9199

We will be updating staging times later through the PGR thread and another Statewide. Please get this word out to everyone, the streets of Montgomery need to be lined with Americans showing their appreciation to our Heroes. This will be late afternoon of the 9th.

That’s wonderful!!!

May is Military Appreciation Month

Courtesy of the Soldiers’ Angels blog:

As an all out effort to support National Military Appreciation Month, held in May, Soldiers’ Angels is asking Americans to show their appreciation for our military by adopting a deployed service member at www.SoldiersAngels.org.

This year more than any other, our service men and women need to know they are truly appreciated for their role in protecting and defending our nation’s freedom. It doesn’t take much time to become involved with Soldiers’ Angels.

To Adopt-A-Hero go to the website www.SoldiersAngels.org and click on the ADOPT button. Your commitment each month is simply a letter a week and a small package each month. Join our team. Our nation’s heroes need you. Soldiers’ Angels is the place to start to show your appreciation.

WHEREAS, The freedom and security that citizens of the United States enjoy today are direct results of the blood shed and continued vigilance given by the United States Armed Forces over the history of our great nation; and

WHEREAS, the sacrifices that such members of the United States Armed Forces and of the family members that support them, have preserved the liberties that have enriched this nation making it unique in the world community; and

WHEREAS, the United States Congress, in two thousand and four, passed a resolution proclaiming May as National Military Appreciation Month, calling all Americans to remember those who gave their lives in defense of freedom and to honor the men and women of all of our Armed Services who have served and are now serving our Country, together with their families; and

WHEREAS, the months of May and June were selected for this display of patriotism because during these months, we celebrate Victory in Europe (VE) Day, Military Spouse Day, Loyalty Day, Armed Forces Day/Week, National Day of Prayer, Memorial Day, Navy Day, Army Day and Flag Day;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Patti Patton-Bader, Founder of Soldiers’ Angels, do hereby proclaim the period May 1, through June 14, 2009 as a special time to show appreciation for our Military and proclaim it as NATIONAL MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH

Patti Patton-Bader
Founder, Soldiers’ Angels

The Sack Lunches

This was posted to Wingtip 2 Wingtip yesterday. Snopes has it listed as “undetermined” as to whether it’s a true story or not. However, I think that this story’s larger message about showing appreciation for members of the armed forces is a good one.

Feel free to copy and share!

The Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. ‘I’m glad I have a good book to read and perhaps I will get a short nap,’ I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. ‘Where are you headed?’ I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.

‘Petawawa. We’ll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we’re being deployed to Afghanistan .’

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time.

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. ‘No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn’t be worth five bucks. I’ll wait till we get to base ‘

His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. ‘Take a lunch to all those soldiers.’ She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. ‘My son was a soldier in Iraq ; it’s almost like you are doing it for him.’

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, ‘Which do you like best – beef or chicken?’

‘Chicken,’ I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. ‘This is yours with thanks.’

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. ‘I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.’ He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Aircraft Pilot coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, an said, ‘I want to shake your hand.’

Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain’s hand. With a booming voice he said, ‘I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.’ I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. ‘It will take you some time to reach the base.. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.’

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers… As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return.. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a co uple of meals. It seemed so little.

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to his country for an amount of ‘up to and including my life.’

That is Honor, and there are way too many people who no longer understand it.

SA member featured in the news this weekend

I was combing my news feeds and this article in The Clanton Advertiser caught my eye. It features a Bama Angel who also happens to be Alabama’s newest CTL:

Local mother joins group to help take care of soldiers

A mother’s love for her child is a bond that cannot be easily broken. No matter how many miles apart she is from her son or daughter she still cares for them and loves them. That is all fine and well for soldiers who still have loved ones at home to support them.

The truth is many soldiers feel alone. When a mail truck or plane comes in and they don’t have anything to show how much they are loved back home, some start to lose interest in what they are actually fighting for.

One local mother has taken steps to help soldiers who don’t have anyone back home to write or send him or her care packages.

Lisa Simpson recently joined a group called Soldiers’ Angels, and she hopes to encourage more people in Chilton County to become a member. The Soldiers’ Angels is a group of people who started taking care of soldiers by sending them letters and small tokens of appreciation such as blankets.

Read the full article here.

Way to go, Lisa!

In the news this weekend

The Madison County Record writes that the Redstone Arsenal is honoring military retirees with Military Retiree Appreciation Day going on September 5th and 6th. Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer and Madison Mayor Arthur “Sandy” Kirkindall will proclaim September 6th as Military Retiree Appreciation Day in their respective cities.

Me personally, I would greatly love to see that happen elsewhere in Alabama!

Event information:

September 5th: the event will be at the Redstone Officers and Civilians Club (ROCC) from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Throughout the day special MWR activities will be held at various locations across Redstone Arsenal with bus tours leaving from the ROCC.

September 6th: the event begins with a pay-as-you-go breakfast buffet at 7 a.m. in the ROCC. The event finishes out with dinner at The Soldatenstube ending at 10 p.m.

For more information, call: (256) 876-2022

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The Anniston Star had a flurry of happenings printed this morning:

Warrant Officer candidate Bill Braxton of Jacksonville, above, participated in a 10K road march on July 13. Braxton had to successfully complete the road march within two hours while carrying a weapon and a 35- to 40-pound rucksack. The road march is a requirement for the Warrant Officer Candidate School at the National Guard Training Center at Fort McClellan. Braxton currently works in the ROTC department at Jacksonville State University.

* * *

Warrant Officer candidate Matthew Otwell of Anniston, above, participated in a 10K road march on July 13. Otwell had to successfully complete the road march within two hours while carrying a weapon and a 35- to 40-pound rucksack. The road march is a requirement for the Warrant Officer Candidate School at the National Guard Training Center at Fort McClellan. Otwell is following in his father’s footsteps. Retired Chief Warrant Officer Randy Otwell, Matthew’s father, retired from the Alabama Army National Guard with more than 40 years of service.

* * *

Tabatha L. Burris recently joined the U.S. Army under the Delayed Entry Program. She also went for Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood in Waynesville, Mo. She is the daughter of Teresa Burris of Villa Rica, Ga., and John Burris of Anniston.

* * *

Army Reserve Pvt. Sonya Y. Smith has graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C. She is the daughter of Earline Penn of Anniston and is a 2003 graduate of Anniston High School.

* * *

Army Reserve Pvt. Haleem R. Santiago recently graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill in Lawton, Okla. He is the son of Hector R. and Belinda G. Santiago of Anniston and is a graduate of Saks High School.

* * *

Navy Seaman Landon M. Ford, son of Judy L. Davis of Jacksonville, recently completed U.S. Navy Basic Training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill.

* * *

Navy Ensign Nicholas F. Vilardi, whose wife, Cynthia, is the daughter of Sharon D. Downing of Salem and Jonathan C. Mattox of Ashland, recently completed the Navy Nuclear Power Training Unit course at Naval Nuclear Power Training Command at Goose Creek, S.C.

Congratulations, soldiers!!

Barons host Military Appreciation Night, July 12th

The Birmingham Barons will be celebrating Military Appreciation Night Saturday, July 12th, when they take on the Carolina Mudcats.

According to the Patriot Guard Riders site, “the Birmingham Barons will be honoring those veterans who have served our country and soldiers who are presently active duty with a discounted $3.00 General Admission ticket.”

Sounds good to me!

For more information, you can call the Birmingham Barons at (205) 988-3200 or visit their website at www.barons.com.

Anyone interested in joining the Patriot Guard Riders in the infield should contact them at their website, www.patriotguard.org.

Military Day today at the Montgomery Zoo

Per the Montgomery Advertiser, today is Enlisted Appreciation Day at the Montgomery Zoo. This event welcomes enlisted military personnel and their families and includes zoo tours, train rides and a cookout luncheon. Attendance is free to enlisted military personnel and their families with a valid military ID.

What Soldiers’ Angels means to me

When I’ve shared my experience with Soldiers’ Angels with people I’ve met and explained how much our efforts make a real difference with the troops, several times I’ve been asked, “But what has Soldiers’ Angels done for you?” I answer simply, “Everything and more.”

Looking back, I don’t even remember HOW I initially found Soldiers’ Angels. This would have been 2, maybe 3, years ago. Things were hectic in my life — but then again, things are always busy. After the wedding, I had some time off from everything to think about what I was doing with my life. I thought to myself, “I have a great family. I have a great job. We lead a pretty simple life, but … ”

Part of me felt as if I wasn’t doing enough — I was missing something. Sure, I did a little charity work here and there, but nothing that felt really meaningful to me. I never felt needed, or as if I truly belonged to a particular cause.

You know, you hear it all the time from various inspirational stories printed online or emailed around via chain letters and such — “one person can make a difference.” I can honestly say that I never FULLY believed that until I joined Soldiers’ Angels. I can honestly say that this is the most rewarding and humbling experience. I’m constantly wow’ed by the awesome men and women in our military that I’ve spoken to and corresponded with over the past year.

I’d like to share a few examples that I have run across only recently:

A thank you from my first adopted soldier:

“I just wanted to say thank you so much for mailing me the letters they mean a lot to us over here. We all look forward to the mail that any Soldiers Angel send us. It is always nice to receive a caring work from home.”

“Mail, believe it or not, is the biggest part of our day; at home we make no time to go look at the mail box, but here we make nothing but time to go and see what we got.”

Comments from another grateful soldier:

“I just want to thank you in your support. It means a lot to the Army and a lot to me as well to know that there are people who support what we do. I think the biggest request would have to be phone cards. Other than that, the simple things are the greatest things such as Hygiene products, snacks, and moral support. Again, I thank you.”

An email from Anthony:

“Hey this is Anthony, the soldier you once wrote. I just wanted to let you know I stumbled upon the letter you sent me and reading it over made me rethink why I enlisted. Again I just wanted to say thank you for taking your time to write.”

A quote from a soldier who received some TLC:

“This Soldiers’ Angel thing is crazy and cool at the same time. We just got mail today again and I got 26 Angels that sent me cards and packages. It was almost overwhelming, but it kept me busy most of the morning. One of my sergeants was trying to screen my letters for inappropriate stuff but I know he was just looking for the single females that live near his home town. He was cracking me up this morning … everyone wants to be my friend now because I have enough candy and hygiene products to make a small army really clean and have no teeth! LOL But it’s nice, I think my mouth was like four different colors yesterday from all the candy I was eating.”

Another hero tells us:

“Thank you for everything you do for us. It is so great to get something from the US, no matter what it is.”

Our heroes aren’t the only ones affected. When I received my first “thank you” from one of my adoptees, I cried. Nothing hits closer to home than true, honest appreciation. I have always admired the brave men and women in our military and wholly appreciate their efforts with all of my heart. It never once dawned on me that someone may appreciate my efforts (however small I thought they were!).

I know I am not the only one. Take this post from PeggyV just before Mother’s Day:

“One of my adoptees is a hero who has been silent since I adopted him in September 2007. Each letter is a struggle since I know nothing about him. Imagine my surprise this week when I received free mail from Iraq and it was Zach! The letter only contained the following, “Happy Mother’s Day. I know you don’t have kids, but you have been like a Mom to me this past year.”

“Wow, let’s all remember that the silence may be hard sometimes, but they really do need us. His few words are priceless to me.”

There are so many more stories like the ones I just posted. Perhaps you have one you’d like to share? Feel free to post to the Soldiers’ Angels forums, or if you’d prefer, the comments form below. I’d love to hear them.

(cross-posted to my blog)

Have you thanked a soldier lately?

Today is National Military Appreciation Day. Do you know a soldier’s email address? Send him or her a nice e-card thanking him/her for his/her service and support! American Greetings has a nice selection in their Celebrate the Date section.

Also, don’t forget that the Friday before Mother’s Day (tomorrow!!!) is Military Spouse Appreciation Day!

(x-posted to my blog)