Health & Fitness
Veterans' Day 2013
What is a Veteran? I like the following definition by an unknown author:
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his/her life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America," for an amount of "up to and including my life."
World War I officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919 outside the town of Versailles, France. Fighting had formally ceased some seven months earlier when an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
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The following year, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11th as the first remembrance of Armistice Day. Wilson saw it as a day filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the service of their country and with gratitude for the victory.
The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 AM on November 11th.
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On June 1, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation changing the name of the legal holiday from Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day.
The observance of Armistice Day was changed to the 4th Monday in October by a Congressional Declaration in 1968. Many states had changed their observances, but, it soon became evident that November 11th was a date of historic significance to many Americans. So, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date of November 11th.
Veterans Day gives us all the opportunity to celebrate the bravery, service, heroism, gallantry and sacrifice of all U.S. veterans.
In the Doylestown area, Veterans observe the day in many ways. In past years, Veterans from all local groups --- Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, American Legion and the Marine Corps League -- have visited many area schools and participated in events from assemblies to class room discussions with students. I had the honor, along with several other Veterans from various Doylestown groups, of participating in several classroom sessions at Buckingham Elementary last year. Each Veteran was assigned a group of four or five students and we answered questions ranging from “Where did we serve?”, “Did you miss your family?” to “How was the food?” It is great to see that the students are genuinely interested in talking with and learning from Veterans.
Plumstead Christian School observes the day this year on Saturday, November 9th with their Annual Veterans Day Program. It begins with the raising of the colors and is followed by a patriotic production and a home cooked buffet breakfast served to Veterans by the boy scouts.
November 11th is important to the over 26 million Veterans in the United States. According to the 2000 Census, about six percent of these veterans are women. Over 35 % of all Veterans are over 65. Approximately six million are WWII Veterans; four million are Korean, eight million served during the Vietnam War era and three million served in the Persian Gulf War.
Veterans Day may no longer be a holiday for many of us, but it can still be observed with a short moment of silence at 11:00 AM. As the War in Afghanistan continues, we will continue to add to the ranks of Veterans in the U.S. November 11th will always be important to all of them. Please remember to “Thank a Vet” on Veterans Day and every day.
Many businesses honor Veterans on or around Veterans Day each year.
These offer may not apply to all business locations
Applebee’s -- All veterans and active-duty military eat free from a limited menu on Veterans Day.
Chili's -- Veterans and service members can dine for free from a special six-item menu on Veterans Day.
Golden Corral -- Military Appreciation Monday includes a free dinner, Nov. 11, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for military retirees, veterans, and current service members.
Famous Dave's -- Offers for free or discounted meals on Veterans Day vary by location.
Hooters -- All veterans and service members get 10 free wings with the purchase of a drink.
Krispy Kreme -- A free donut is available for all service members, retirees and veterans.
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants -- participating McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants are offering a complimentary entree to vets from a special menu on a space-available basis. Online reservations are highly recommended.
Outback Steakhouse -- Outback will offer veterans and military a free Bloomin' Onion and beverage
Subway Restaurants -- Free six-inch sub or flatbread available to military vets on Veterans Day.
Texas Roadhouse -- Free meals available to veterans from opening until 4 p.m. on Veterans Day.
T.G.I. Friday's -- Veterans and service members can buy one meal and get another free.
UNO Chicago Grill -- UNO is offering a 19.43 percent discount on food and non-alcoholic beverage beverages to vets and military. The chain explains that 1943 was the year UNO invented the deep dish pizza.
Abuelo's Mexican Food -- Offers vary by region.
Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurants -- Special offers for vets on Veterans Day.
RETAIL DEALS
Amazon.com -- A free downloadable MP3 album includes 12 songs performed by military bands and ensembles from now through Veterans Day.
The Dollar General -- Veterans, service members and their immediate families can receive a 10-percent discount with a Veterans Day coupon.
Home Depot -- Offers a 10 percent discount to all veterans on Veterans Day. Home Depot offers a 10 percent discount year-round to active duty military and retirees.
Lowe's -- All veterans receive the 10 percent discount for purchases of up to $5,000. A 10 percent discount is available year-round to active-duty military and retirees.
Sam's Club -- Sam's Club will give away collapsible Hugo Canes on Veterans Day to military veterans who need them.
Seven-Eleven -- On Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., veterans can get a free small Slurpee.
Cabela's Outdoor Store -- Employee discounts are being offered to all veterans, active-duty military and reserve-component troops, along with law-enforcement, fire and emergency-management personnel. Discounts vary from 5 percent to 50 percent, depending on item.
Build-a-Bear Workshop -- Members of the armed services, including the Coast Guard and ROTC, receive a 20 percent discount on any one transaction at the workshop.
Fashion Bug -- Offering 20 percent off all plus-size and misses clothing purchases with a copy of military ID or spouse's military ID.
Sports Clips Haircuts -- Offering free haircuts to active-military and veterans.
An internet search may be the easiest way to explore these offers. http://themilitarywallet.com/veterans-day-free-meals-and-discounts/
The following poem is by Linda Ellis, who graciously gave me the permission to reprint it.
Mommy, What is a Veteran?”
by Linda Ellis, © 1998
“Mommy, what is a veteran?”
My child asked in an innocent way.
“And could you please explain to me
Why we have a Veteran’s Day?”
My mind searched for the adjectives
that might help me clarify
those people, who for their country,
have looked death in the eye.
I quickly grabbed the dictionary
to see what Webster may have used,
but “one who served in the armed forces,”
were not the words that I would choose.
But, how do you describe a veteran —
heroes you have never met,
those you’ll never know the names of
and yet … never will forget?
How do you describe a veteran?
How do you convey a definition
for those who brought this country’s dreams
to their ultimate fruition?
How do you describe a veteran?
Strangers who fought for you.
Men and women who risked their lives
for people they never knew?
How do you describe a veteran
and the sacrifices they made
so that you and your children’s children
could live free … and unafraid?
How do you describe a veteran
for a child’s sake?
You say “A veteran is a person to whom
we owe every breath we take.”
On Nov. 11 at 11 a.m., please take two minutes to honor all of our Veterans.
Also, take a look at this song ( press ctrl and right click to view) by a Canadian - Terry Kelly.
