VA first time patients is 10,000 a month!

VCS Advocacy in Action -

Last week VCS presented a shocking new statistic to students and faculty at Boston University's .

Pike Conference

According to VA documents obtained exclusively by Veterans for Common Sense under the Freedom of Information Act, VA has treated one million new veteran patients who deployed to the Gulf War - the period of war that began August 2, 1990 and continues through the present in Iraq and Afghanistan.

297,000 deployed Gulf War veteran patients, 1990 - 1991
108,000 deployed Gulf War veteran patients, 1992 - 2002
594,000 deployed Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran patients, 2001 - present

The number of new, first-time patients from these two wars treated by VA rises 10,000 per month. Only VCS seeks this critical information and provides it free to our members.

Sen. Bond: Troops with combat stress discharged, not treated

This just goes to show that some Republicans in office do care about the troops and our veterans.



Sen. Bond: Troops with combat stress discharged, not treated


By David Goldstein | McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON — The military has been discharging troops who are suffering from combat stress, instead of providing treatment, according to Missouri Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond and several veterans advocates.

That would mean that many who could be afflicted with mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, have left the service without official medical diagnoses and no chance for medical benefits.

"If somebody comes back with battle-related stress and invisible injuries, we owe them a tremendous amount," said Bond, a Republican. "We need to determine what their problem is, not kick them out and let them fend for themselves."

The disputed discharges are for "adjustment disorders," which can occur when a person has trouble handling a stressful event. In the military, service members who've seen combat or undergone other types of stress might be discharged as a result of sleepwalking, airsickness or severe nightmares.

The procedure bypasses the lengthier medical discharge process, but critics say that many troops are discharged erroneously and lose out on medical benefits.
Sen Christopher "Kit" Bond

link from Veterans For Common Sense

Don't let veterans be betrayed again

For the last 4 years there has been so much hope in this country for veterans because of Congressman Filner's leadership in the House Veterans Affairs Committee. He's a Democrat so they controlled the committees for the last 4 years. Reading what has been wrong with the way we treat veterans was no longer just a matter of what was wrong but what they were doing about it. The Dems in the House wrote some outstanding bills and most of them were brought to a passing vote in the Senate but even more were blocked by GOP filibusters. (You've read about them on this blog for a long time.) Veterans were no longer treated like second class citizens far below funding for defense contractors. They were not considered to be seeking "welfare" from the VA instead of what was owed to them. All in all, there were many years of neglect committed against them the Democrats tried to make right. They managed to do that with the GI Bill (the GOP were against) along with just about everything else concerning the men and women in the military and veterans.

The hope of finally getting it right for them is now gone. We're about to head right back into the hands of a GOP House wanting to cut the budget off their backs. Kiss all the advances that could have happened because you won't see them for a very long time now.

The GOP blocked the COLA (Cost of Living) last year and they did it again this year, but maybe the list of wrongs committed by them will matter enough for the Republicans in this country to force them to do the right thing for the sake of our veterans. This is unlikely considering the people we just elected were part of the problem to begin with, but were elected anyway. The people in this country do still have power to make them do the right thing for our veterans and we need to make sure the media reports on it instead of ignoring it. Veterans Day will be bitter sweet in this nation this year and by all accounts, for the next two years at least.

Republicans take more than 60 House seats, CNN projects
By Mariano Castillo, CNN
November 3, 2010 5:34 a.m. EDT

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW: The GOP picks up more than 60 seats, CNN projects
Republicans gain a majority in the House
About 100 of 435 House seats were competitive
Pelosi urges "common ground"
Watch CNN live on TV, online and on your iPhone tonight from 7 p.m. ET to get all the news and results from the hotly contested 2010 midterm elections. And share your election experiences with CNN iReport.
(CNN) -- There is a new speaker in town.
Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, will be the new Speaker of the House, replacing Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-California, as the GOP rolled in Tuesday's midterm elections, gaining a majority for the first time in four years.
The Republican Party will pick up more than 60 seats in the legislature, a statistical analysis of exit polls by CNN projects. That's a comfortable margin over the 39 seats needed to wrest control from the Democrats.
read more here

Republicans take more than 60 House seats

Pundits Wrong on Slashing Military Benefits

Turning the VA over to private companies is wrong on so many levels but you would first have to be able to think beyond a few words that sound good.

Here's an example of what can happen with doing something like what the GOP proudly say they want to do.


Hospitals That Have Closed In New York City

Look at the long list of hospitals in New York alone. Then think back to the reports out of your own state when hospitals had to close. Turn the VA over to private hands and that is exactly what could happen to them and then, then where would they go? As it is there are not enough VA hospitals and clinics to take care of all of them. Many have to travel to different states just to get the treatment they need.

Here in central Florida, we have the VA clinic in Winter Park, a hospital in Tampa and a few small clinics but the Lake Nona hospital is finally coming in two years. All these years it's been a battle to be able to get to the VA doctors and as it is, they are cutting back appointments for mental health care older veterans who use the VA like a lifeline. Why? Not enough doctors to go around and take care of all the PTSD cases.

The Lake Nona Hospital ground breaking ceremony was two years ago right before the election. Why? Political gain and that's just about it. Drive by the massive building now being built off of 417 and you'll have to scratch your head for a long time to understand two years ago, they all stood in front of a crowd, spread of food, made speeches knowing full well it would take 4 years to be finished from that point on.

$656 million dollar hosptial will do what if the GOP turn it over to private companies? There are more hospitals and clinics built on tax payer dime, just as tax-payers pay for the care of our veterans who took care of us in the first place. It is a debt we owe to them and not the other way around but if you listen to some talk about how it would be a good thing for the goverment to get out of the business of taking care of veterans, they better start off by saying the govermnet should get out of the defense business first, then security and then maybe, stop making more veterans needing the services of the VA.

If you look at the VA and what is not working, some want to limit their thoughts to what is right in front of them. Instead of doing what it takes to master what the VA got right so far and fixing what is still wrong,they want to just cut it all but never once explain what happens after that.

Seems to me that it will be too late to explain anything to our veterans when we have broken the primary promise to care for those who took care of us first.

When it is said the GOP support the military, they never say that they are talking about contractors and not the men and women we send. Here's one more thing you have to read.

Pundits Wrong on Slashing Military Benefits
November 1, 2010 posted by Michael Leon


On Monday, CNBC interviewed two defense analysts asking “What if?” the military trimmed its health care budget during these lean economic times. -

From the American Veteran:

What followed was a misleading dialogue over how the military currently cares for those in uniform and what our military men and women rely upon once they leave the service.

Mackenzie Eaglen of the Heritage Foundation never served in the military and Todd Harrison of CSBA Budget Studies served a brief stint in the Air Force Reserve. Both pundits have made a career of analyzing military decision-making and military budget processes, often generating sound discussion on where the military should invest its resources. Unfortunately, both have recently set their sights on slashing benefits for the brave men and women tasked with fighting our nation’s wars.

read more here
Pundits Wrong on Slashing Military Benefits

Vietnam veteran Kevin Burns thankful for life-changing help

Vietnam veteran Kevin Burns survived conflicts at home and abroad, thankful for 'life-changing' help
Denis Hamill

Tuesday, November 2nd 2010, 4:00 AM



Next week, on Veterans Day, I'll think about my pal Kevin Burns.

Kevin's whole life has been a battle. From the tough streets of Brooklyn, to the jungles of Vietnam, to postwar homelessness in Oakland, to a running battle with Hepatitis C and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and finally to amazing success in the real estate wars of California, Kevin has fought every day.

He also lost a sister at Cantor Fitzgerald on 9/11.

A skinny, street-smart character with a lazy right eye, Kevin was my class clown partner at Holy Family School in Park Slope.

Somehow, we graduated, and Kevin went to Grady High and I went to John Jay High, and we grooved together through the '60s.

Then I went to CUNY, and in 1969, Kevin got drafted. He failed the eye test.

"The right eye was rated 20-200," he says. "Legally blind."

But it was 1969, and Kevin had a heartbeat, and the Selective Service would've taken him if he had one leg.



Read more:
Vietnam veteran Kevin Burns

Police say shots fired at Coast Guard recruiting station in Virginia

Police: Shots fired at CG office in Va.

The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Nov 2, 2010 11:14:57 EDT

WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Police in northern Virginia say shots were fired overnight at a Coast Guard recruiting station, the latest case of someone shooting at military-related buildings in the Washington area.

Prince William County police say they're investigating multiple bullet holes at the building.

read more here
Shots fired at CG office in Va

Record 14 foot 3 and 1/2 inch alligator trapped

Orlando man caputers and kills a record gator!

Use my work but don't just take it as your's

Note to anyone wanting to use my work:

Everything I do is out there for free. My research and my videos are there to share so that we can help as many veterans as possible along with their families. The least you can do since I work so hard is to credit that work back to me if you use it!!

The below are from one of my videos Wounded and Waiting.

This is not to say that a few, VERY FEW, Veterans do not scam the VA. However, their numbers are so insignificant to make Breed, Hefling, and the Associate Press appear to be more FOOLISH than Journalists.

Lastly, both AP reporters not only appear to be in violation of the Associated Press Statement of Principles and Journalistic Integrity, but AP owes America’s Veterans an apology for publishing such an opinionated piece based on lame to little evidence. The article needs to be retracted of published as an opinion piece NOT NEWS.

We at Veterans Today News believe that such opinions held by representatives of the Associated Press reflects an instigation and spreading of rumors that betrays our troops in the field by belittling PTSD, and harms the reputation of AP as being a reliable source for NEWS.

Veterans for Common Sense (VCS) has asked AP to retract the article, and we ask that other Veterans Service Organizations join VCS and Veterans Today News Network in condemning this story as news and asking AP to better educate and monitor their journalists on the difference between writing opinion pieces and reporting NEWS.

read more here

http://www.veteranstoday.com/2010/05/07/the-associated-press-spreading-fear-among-military-veterans/#respond

UPDATE:

I emailed Veterans Today and fast work was done there on this. I received an email back letting me know that my work was credited. BRAVO Veterans Today John Allen, General Manager.

RESOURCES and CREDITS


■Nam Guardian Angel

■A Special Thanks to Chaplain Kathie, Senior IFOC Chaplain at DAV Auxiliary Chapter 16 Chaplain. Chaplain Kathie is PTSD Consultant and noted blogger for Veteran causes at Wounded Times

Will voters let John Boehner and the GOP kill off veterans?

John Boehner had his chance for years when our troops were coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan but he lead the attack against them. The GI Bill, raises for the troops, cost of living raises for disabled veterans along with the elderly, PTSD research and help with getting claims approved, were all efforts the GOP under Boehner fought against. It took the Democrats to do it!

Why didn't Boehner? Why didn't the GOP who keep saying they are pro-military but never seem to let that translate into taking care of the men and women serving equal to the defense contractors they do in fact adore?

Boehner wants you to hate the Democrats but they are the ones who fought for you to increase funding and make all the changes in the VA that you deserved. They have a long way to go but considering it was the GOP ignoring the problems you face, then getting in the way of getting you what you need, letting them take back control is the worst thing that can happen to you.

Why? Because people have a habit of blind support or hatred. I talk to veterans all the time and often I ask them why they support Republicans. I use John McCain as an example of it all the time. They use "he's a veteran" or "he was a POW" but none of them ever checked his voting record. People have a habit of being lazy when it comes to knowing who they are voting for and what they are voting against. It really is a shame the very people who proved where their hearts are by taking care of veterans can end up out of jobs because someone just assumed wrong.

Before you vote today, look up their record and know who has been fighting for you and who has been trying to get in the way. By the way, the Democrats did another bill this year to raise your cost of living but the GOP are blocking it again with a filibuster just like they did last year but you assumed the Democrats didn't do one. You are already paying for votes for the wrong people like Boehner. Has that man ever pushed a bill for your sake? Has he ever really showed he cared more about you than he does about defeating Democrats?

Who voted against veterans again

Santorum votes against broad protections for veterans and reservists in bankruptcy bill
http://mysite.verizon.net/lardil/id109.html
 (great info on this site)

The Senate rejected the stronger of two approaches for softening the impact of new bankruptcy rules (S 256) on military personnel, surviving spouses and some destitute veterans. Sponsored by Democrats, the measure sought to exempt military families from the bill's new means test on bankruptcy filers. It proposed a $75,000 minimum exemption for homes in bankruptcy courts in the 50 states. Also, the amendment sought to deny predatory "payday" lenders any claim on assets and to exempt debt incurred after military service begins from the reach of creditors during bankruptcy. A yes vote backed the Democratic amendment.
For: 38 / Against: 58 [Santorum voted against Democratic amendment]


The Senate approved the milder of two pending measures for easing the impact of S 256 (above) on bankrupt military families and destitute veterans with high medical costs. Republicans said their approach would protect people incapable of repaying debt because of military service or poor health. They noted that federal law already shields active-duty personnel from most civil actions regarding their finances. A yes vote backed the GOP plan.
For: 63 / Against: 32 [Santorum voted for GOP plan]
Washington Post, Mar 6, 2005 [vote Mar 2, 2005]

GOP against the GI Bill

Graham claimed today, “If we just leave the generals alone and support the troops, they will win this war.” But the nation’s most respected veterans organizations are joining average veterans to clamor for this bill. Just yesterday, the national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars joined the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and the American Legion in support of the bill.




As Webb said last Sunday, “The Republican party is on the block here, to clearly demonstrate that they value military service or suffer the consequences of losing the support of people who’ve served.” Citing Orwellian “support” for the troops, Graham appears willing to sell them out for partisan gain.



Update Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), who frequently touts his devotion to his fellow veterans, skipped the vote today to hold a swanky fundraiser in California. By contrast, both Sens. Barack Obama (D-IL) and Hillary Clinton (D-NY) spoke on the floor in favor of the bill before voting for it.

Update Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), who withdrew his name from the list of co-sponsors for the Webb bill in April, ended up voting in favor of it today.

Update Nine out of the 15 Republican senators facing reelection in November voted for the bill
read more of this here
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/22/graham-reward/

Against Homeless veterans

Republicans Object To Bill For Homeless Veterans (VIDEO)
Arthur Delaney Huffington Post

Jun 29, 2010 ... You can't be a member of the Party of Corporate Welfare, unless you vote against veterans' issues bills

VA Begins Paying Benefits for New Agent Orange Claims

More Vietnam War vets eligible for Agent Orange benefits
By the CNN Wire Staff
November 1, 2010 7:57 p.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Three additional diseases now qualify veterans for benefits
200,000 veterans could qualify under the liberalized disability program
Washington (CNN) -- The government has started distributing additional benefits for Agent Orange exposure to Vietnam War veterans who qualify under liberalized rules, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced Monday.

Up to 200,000 Vietnam veterans could be eligible for the disability compensation for diseases now associated with Agent Orange, including hairy cell leukemia, Parkinson's disease and ischemic heart disease, the department said in a news release.

Agent Orange was a chemical used to destroy the jungle canopy in the Vietnam War in an effort to expose the enemy.

read more of this here

More Vietnam War vets eligible

VA Begins Paying Benefits for New Agent Orange Claims

VA Encourages Affected Vietnam Veterans to File Claims



WASHINGTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has begun
distributing disability benefits to Vietnam Veterans who qualify for
compensation under recently liberalized rules for Agent Orange exposure.



"The joint efforts of Congress and VA demonstrate a commitment to
provide Vietnam Veterans with treatment and compensation for the
long-term health effects of herbicide exposure," said Secretary of
Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.



Up to 200,000 Vietnam Veterans are potentially eligible to receive VA
disability compensation for medical conditions recently associated with
Agent Orange. The expansion of coverage involves B-cell (or hairy-cell)
leukemia, Parkinson's disease and ischemic heart disease.



Shinseki said VA has launched a variety of initiatives - both
technological and involving better business practices - to tackle an
anticipated upsurge in Agent Orange-related claims.



"These initiatives show VA's ongoing resolve to modernize its processes
for handling claims through automation and improvements in doing
business, providing Veterans with faster and more accurate decisions on
their applications for benefits," Shinseki said.



Providing initial payments - or increases to existing payments - to the
200,000 Veterans who now qualify for disability compensation for these
three conditions is expected to take several months, but VA officials
encourage all Vietnam Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange and
suffer from one of the three diseases to make sure their applications
have been submitted.



VA has offered Veterans exposed to Agent Orange special access to health
care since 1978, and priority medical care since 1981. VA has been
providing disability compensation to Veterans with medical problems
related to Agent Orange since 1985.



In practical terms, Veterans who served in Vietnam during the war and
who have a "presumed" illness do not have to prove an association
between their illnesses and their military service. This "presumption"
simplifies and speeds up the application process for benefits.



The three new illnesses - B-cell (or hairy-cell) leukemia, Parkinson's
disease and ischemic heart disease - are added to the list of presumed
illnesses previously recognized by VA.



Other recognized illnesses under VA's "presumption" rule for Agent
Orange are:

* Acute and Subacute Transient Peripheral Neuropathy

* Chloracne

* Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

* Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2)

* Hodgkin's Disease

* Multiple Myeloma

* Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

* Porphyria Cutanea Tarda

* Prostate Cancer

* Respiratory Cancers

* Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma,
Kaposi's sarcoma, or Mesothelioma)

* AL Amyloidosis



Veterans interested in applying for disability compensation under one of
the three new Agent Orange presumptives should go to
http://www.fasttrack.va.gov/ or call
1-800-827-1000.

Bipolar, substance abuse linked to suicide risk in vets

I have a huge problem with this report. If you look up symptoms of PTSD, a psychologist can find bipolar along with a lot of other mental illnesses including addiction itself when it very well could be self-medicating instead of addiction. It all depends on what they are looking for based on what they have studied. They need to be a trauma expert before they even think of diagnosing a PTSD-trauma survivor. Average citizens with no exposure to trauma have bipolar but there is only one way to get PTSD and is from a traumatic event.

Bipolar, substance abuse linked to suicide risk in vets

Bipolar disorder and substance abuse are the most common psychiatric disorders linked to suicide in veterans, according to a new study.

The study looked at the medical records of more than 7,000 vets who took their own lives, and found that male veterans with bipolar disorder were about 3-times more likely to commit suicide; while female bipolar vets had a sixfold increase.

"Approximately 25 percent of veterans are diagnosed with at least one psychiatric condition," said Mark Ilger, a psychologist at the VA Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the lead study author. "We wanted to see who might be at the greatest risk of committing suicide."

Substance abuse, which includes both drug and alcohol use, correlated with a twofold increase in suicide risk for men, and a sixfold increase in women.

read more here

http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/01/bipolar-substance-abuse-linked-to-suicide-risk-in-soldiers/

A Chico Soldier's PTSD Claim is Denied

A Chico Soldier's PTSD Claim is Denied
Reported by: Lauren Hallacher
Email: lhallacher@khsltv.com

Sgt. Francisco Carrillo Jr. says, "I feel hurt. They call me a liar." Sgt. Francisco Carrillo Jr. has served in the National Guard for 18 years. As part of his duty, he was deployed in 2004 to Iraq for an 11 month tour. When he returned in 2005, he says he began suffering from nightmares, flashbacks, and anxiety attacks. He began drinking heavily to ease his pain. He chose not to disclose that he was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, for fear of what the military response would be.

Francisco says, "as soon as I mentioned the symptoms that I had, that's when the national guard slapped me with discharge papers." Not only would he be discharged but also forced to pay all medical expenses affiliated with his PTSD.

read more here
A Chico Soldier's PTSD Claim is Denied

CHEST: Apnea Elevated in Vets With PTSD

CHEST: Apnea Elevated in Vets With PTSD
By Crystal Phend, Senior Staff Writer, MedPage Today
Published: October 31, 2010
Reviewed by Robert Jasmer, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco.

VANCOUVER -- Combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) almost universally suffer sleep problems -- with more cases of sleep apnea than might otherwise be expected -- U.S. Army researchers found.

In a group of 135 young, otherwise healthy combat veterans with PTSD, 98.5% reported sleep complaints, Nick Orr, MD, and colleagues at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., reported here at the annual international scientific meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST).

Despite their relatively young age (around 35) and slightly overweight physique, 54% of the PTSD patients who underwent polysomnography at Walter Reed were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) -- whereas, in the general population, the rate of OSA is only 20%.

It can be all too easy to dismiss daytime sleepiness and other symptoms as part of depression and PTSD, Orr explained. But these results argue for screening all military PTSD patients for sleep apnea, Orr said in an interview.

"You'll be darned if you just keep treating it with medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, and all the other modalities you use for PTSD, when you haven't addressed possible sleep apnea, which could get restorative sleep and kind of break the cycle for the PTSD symptoms," he told MedPage Today.
read more here
Apnea Elevated in Vets With PTSD

Soldier's remains repatriated after 66 years

Soldier's remains repatriated after 66 years
Oct 26, 2010

By J.D. Leipold

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Oct. 26, 2010) -- Just 10 days after the sand and blood of Normandy's beaches, on the heels of D-Day, 2nd Infantry Division Ranger Staff Sgt. John R. Simonetti lay prone in the hedgerows on the outskirts of the sleepy, deserted town of St. Germain d'Elle, zeroing in with his grenade launcher on a German machine-gun nest.

As the New Yorker sighted in on his target, a German sniper hidden in the town's church bell tower was squinting through his scope's cross-hairs on the 26-year old. Before the GI could pull off his round, the German squeezed off his.

Zzzzip... the bullet tore through Simonetti's throat, tumbling down, taking out a rib, lodging in his lower abdomen, killing him instantly. On the day Simonetti lost his life -- June 16, 1944 - more than a third of the remaining 300 men in his company would go down, and before the war ended, the 2nd Infantry Division would spend 337 days in action in five campaigns and loose 2,999 Soldiers.

The fighting was nothing short of brutal. Back and forth went the momentum, but eventually the American troops prevailed. Following what become known as the Battle of the Hedgerows and the capture of St. Germain d'Elle, the townspeople returned to what was left of their buildings and homes, the little church with the bell tower destroyed, the milk factory leveled.

Worse than the destruction of the village was the countless dead American and German Soldiers, lying in grotesque positions where they'd fallen, sometimes next to each other, victims of each other's weapons.

read more here

Soldier's remains repatriated after 66 years

Veterans get perks for serving they don't know about

There are a lot of perks I didn't even know about.

..VETERANS..........ATTENTION ON DECK............YA'ALL............!!!
Applebee's Restaurant; FREE dinners to veterans throughout Veterans Day November 11; selections will be from a new Veteran's Day menu.

Outback Steakhouse; FREE Blooming Onion and beverage

Golden Corral; FREE buffet dinner from.....5:00-9:00pm Monday, November 15th..... to anyone who has served in the U.S. Military

Subway; In celebration of Veterans Day, November 11th, Subway is showing it's thanks with FREE 6 inch subs to all veterans and Active Duty members.

McCormick and Schmick's restaurants will offer a FREE entree, Sunday November 7, 2010, to military veterans for it's 12th annual Veteran's Appreciation Event. Menu picks include such seafood items as parmesan crusted tilapia, roasted cedar plank salmon, and almond crusted rainbow trout. "Our Veterans Appreciation Event has become a tradition that our restaurants look forward to each year" said Bill Freeman, CEO of McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants, in a statement. For more information log onto:
www.mccormickandschmicks.com

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 militay.

MarketPlace Grill and Express; Veterans and active duty military recieve FREE entrees.

Masala Wok; The Northern Virginian restaurant is offering a FREE entree to veterans.

Hy-Vee Supermarkets; The mid-wetern supermarket chain is offering a FREE breakfast to veterans.

Abuelo's Mexican Food Restaurants; All veterans and active duty military recieve a FREE entree.

Carolina Burgers and BBQ; In Matthews, NC is offering a FREE meal to all service members and veterans.

Brides Across America; Provides FREE wedding gowns to qualified Military brides.

Lowe's and 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 mobilty 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 Enembles 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 November 11-12. Discounts vary from 5% to 50%, depending on the item.

Build-a-Bear Workshop; Members of the armed forces including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Reserve Officer Training Corps will recieve 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, the 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.

National parks, forests and monuments; Admission 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 personnel , and their families.

Historic Jamestown; FREE admission to veterans, current Armed Forces members

Battleship Cove; FREE admission and special ceremony for veterans, active-duty and reservists.

Vicksburg National Military Park; FREE admission for all.

Birmingham Museum of Art; FRRE admission to the ticketed event "Life and Liberty" on November 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 families.

Central Florida Zoo; FREE admission to the Sanford Florida Zoo with proper identification.

Strategic Air; Space Museum; FREE admission for veterans Nov 1-14 to the Ashland Nebraska museum.

National Cowboy Western Heritage Museum; In Oklahoma City offers FREE admission to veterans and five guests from 9:00am-5:00pm on Veterans Day Nov 11.

Natural Elements Spa and Salon in Chesapeake Virginia will provide FREE services from 10:00am till 3:00pm to both active and retired military.

Military Discounts Update: All these businesses offer military discounts and all you have to do is ask...... Restaurants;

Arby's, A "&", C2, Backyard Burgers, Burger King, Captain D's, Chick-Fil-A, Cotton Hatch, Denny's, Dunkin' Donuts, Farmers Boy, IHOP (20% discount with military ID), Java Cafe, KFC, Long John Silver, Pancho's Mexican Buffet, Pizza Hut, Quizno's, Sizzler, Sonic, Taco Bell, Whataburger.............


ATT, California Cryobank, Gieco, Jiffy Lube, Meineke, Sears Portrait Studio. Blockbuster, Movie theaters, Ripley's attraction and museum, Professional Sports Teams. Apple Computers, Auto Zone, Barnhill's, Bass Pro Shop, Bath and Body Works, Big 10 Tires, The Buckle, Champs Sports, Copeland's Sports, The Discovery Channel Store, Dress Barn, The Finish Line, Foot Action, Footlocker, Gadzooks, GNC, Goody's, Happy Harry's, Home Depot, Hot Topic, Jocky, Lowe's, Michael's, NAPA Auto Parts, New York & Co. Payless Shoes, Play It Again Sports, Pure Beauty, Sally Beauty Supply, Spencer's Gifts, Suncoast, Timberland Outlets, Wilson's Leather

All Federal employees are able to get a 15% discount on their persoanl cell phones by calling their carrier and mentioning the "Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996. Discount to Federal Employees past and present. You will need to know the military member's supervisor's name, phone number, and full address, so that his/her military status can be verified.

Use the following contact numbers:

Singular-800-319-6393

Sprint-877-812-1223

T-Mobile-866-646-4688

Nextel-800-639-6111

Verzion-800-865-1825

SPECIAL THANKS To Comrade Jim Nelson U.S. Army Vietnam War HERO for sharing this info with your nationally acclaimed reporter of important Veterans issues..... Lyle Schmeiser,Chaplain DAV Central Florida Chapter 16