New Flag

From the BBC:
"New Zealand flag referendum under way"

Voting began on Friday in New Zealand's referendum on a potential replacement for their national flag.  New Zealanders have just under a month to send in a postal ballot on which of five potential new flags they prefer. A second vote in 2016 will ask whether they want to replace the existing flag, which features the UK's Union Jack, with the new design. Prime Minister John Key has said the current flag is not representative of modern New Zealand. He also believes it is too similar to Australia's, but has admitted that polling indicates most New Zealanders would rather keep it.  The Flag Consideration Panel received 10,292 entrants to its nationwide design competition.  Not all were entirely serious, though some of the rejected designs - including Laser Kiwi - gained something of a cult following.  The official longlist reduced the number of potential flags to 40. Four designs were then on the shortlist announced in September, but there was criticism that they were too similar or uncreative.  Three featured a fern design and the fourth the curving koru Maori symbol. After a social media lobbying campaign, the government passed a bill through parliament so that a fifth design - called Red Peak - could also make the final cut.  To help people make a decision, the five flags are being put on display across the country.   Sets of flags are being given out free to communities who have five suitable flagpoles to display them from, so the public can see them in "real-life situations".

^ I don't really care for any of the flag proposals, but of course I'm not from New Zealand. It does seem odd to have the vote to decide if they should replace their current flag after the vote to decide the new flag. It should be the other way around. ^

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34876354

Franco At 40

From the BBC:

"Spain feels Franco's legacy 40 years after his death"

 

Spain's Gen Francisco Franco fought a brutal war against democracy with the aid of Hitler and Mussolini and thereafter presided over a regime of state terror and national brainwashing through the controlled media and the state education system.   His investment in terror imbued the collective Spanish psyche with a determination never again to undergo such civil conflict or to suffer another dictatorship.  That remains the case to this day, exactly 40 years after his death. However, unlike Hitler's Germany or Mussolini's Italy, where external defeat led to denazification processes, there was no equivalent in Spain - and the shadow of his regime still bedevils politics.  Franco's vengeful triumphalism had been fostered in the military academies, where officer cadets were trained to regard democracy as signifying disorder and regional separatism.  As the dictatorship was rapidly dismantled, some of its senior military defenders did not share the massive political consensus in favour of democratisation and so endeavoured to turn back the clock at several moments in the late 1970s and, most dramatically, in the attempted coup of Colonel Antonio Tejero on 23 February 1981.   After the defeat of the coup in 1981, the attitudes of the armed forces were changed by Spain's entry into Nato in 1982, which shifted their focus outwards from their previous obsession with the internal enemy. Scarred by the horrors of the civil war and the post-war repression, during the transition to democracy Spaniards rejected both political violence and Franco's idea that, by right of conquest, one half of the country could rule over the other.  However, what was impossible in a democracy was a counter-brainwashing.   Moreover, especially in his later years, Franco did not rule by repression alone: he enjoyed a considerable popular support. There were those who, for reasons of wealth, religious belief or ideological commitment, actively sympathised with his military rebels during the civil war.  Then, from the late 1950s onwards, there was the support of those who were simply grateful for rising living standards.  Although in the many national, regional and municipal elections that have been held in Spain since 1977, openly Francoist parties have never gained more than 2% of the vote, a residual acceptance of the values of the Franco dictatorship can be found in the ruling conservative Popular Party and its electorate.  Accordingly, no government has ever declared the Franco regime to be illegitimate. It was not until 2007 that the Law of Historical Memory made tentative efforts to recognise the sufferings of the victims of Francoism.  Equally slow has been the process of removing the symbols of the dictatorship, the Falangist equivalent of the swastika - its emblem of the yoke and arrows - on church walls, street names commemorating Franco's generals and, above all, the huge basilica and towering cross of the Valley of the Fallen where the dictator is buried.

Franco's rule

• 1936: After coup, right-wing military leaders capture part of Spain leading to three-year civil war
• 1939: Gen Franco leads Nationalists to power, remains neutral in World War Two
• First decade of rule sees continued oppression and killing of political opponents
• 20 November 1975: Franco dies; Franco-era crimes pardoned in 1977 under amnesty law
• 2007: Historical Memory law passed on removing symbols of Franco's rule
• 2008: Judge Baltasar Garzon investigates disappearance of tens of thousands of people during Franco era

 

Today, along with the still open wounds of the civil war and the repression, two other shadows of the dictatorship hang over Spain - corruption and regional division. The Caudillo's rigid centralism and its brutal application to the Basque Country and Catalonia had left more powerful nationalist movements there than had ever existed before 1936.   The democratic constitution of 1978 enshrined rights of regional autonomy for Catalonia and the Basque Country with which the right has never been comfortable.  Mass pressure in Catalonia for increased autonomy met with an intransigence that has fuelled a campaign for independence.  Drawing on a residual Francoist centralism, the Popular Party has fomented hostility to Catalonia in particular for electoral gain. The consequent divisiveness, at times bordering on mutual hatred, is one of the most damaging legacies of Francoism.   The other is the corruption that permeates all levels of Spanish politics. Needless to say, there was corruption before Franco and corruption is not confined to Spain. Nevertheless, it is true that the Caudillo used corruption both to reward and control his collaborators.  Recent research has uncovered proof of how he used his power to enrich himself and his family. In general, the idea that public service exists for private benefit is one of the principal legacies of his regime.   It will thus be many years before Spain is free of Franco's legacy.

 

 

^ Countries like Spain and Russia need to fully distance themselves from their totalitarian past  once and for all. The Russians with the Communist Soviet Union and the Spanish with Franco. I have relatives (those that survived Franco's reign and those that fled) and the methods that Franco and his minions used to gain and then keep their power were often repressive. It has been 40 years since Franco died and Spain became democratic and yet not much has been addressed of his decades-long reign of terror. The Spanish (like the Russians) simply put their heads in the sand and tried to forget the bad years as though they never happened. The only thing that accomplishes is tarnishing the memory of the victims. ^

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34844939

Down TV

From Disability Scoop:
"New TV Series Features Young Adults With Down Syndrome"

 

The production company behind “Keeping up with the Kardashians” and other reality television staples will debut a new documentary series following young adults with Down syndrome. The six-episode series “Born This Way” will air on A&E Network starting Dec. 8 at 10 p.m. ET. For the show, cameras followed seven Southern California young adults with Down syndrome and their families as they navigate jobs and relationships and look to gain greater independence.  Among those featured is Steven, who works two jobs and knows the title and year of every Oscar-winning film, John who is pursuing a career in rap music and Cristina who works at a middle school and has a boyfriend of four years who she plans to marry. “We are proud to be airing this important and extraordinary series and hope it will inspire meaningful conversations about people with differences,” said Elaine Frontain Bryant, head of programming for A&E Network. “‘Born This Way’ is a show with honesty, humor and heart that celebrates and embraces diversity.” The series is produced by Bunim/Murray Productions whose other credits include “The Real World,” “Project Runway” and multiple shows starring members of the Kardashian family.

 

^ I am interested to see if this show will have any real substance or will it be just like the "Kardashians." I really hope it portrays the reality of what these adults with Down Syndrome go through - the good and the bad. If the show does it right it could teach millions about DS. ^

https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/11/16/new-tv-series-down-syndrome/20963/

Refugee States

From the BBC:

"Paris attacks: US states halt taking Syrian refugees"

 

More than a dozen US states say Syrian refugees are no longer welcome due to security fears after the Paris attacks. Governor Rick Snyder of Michigan said he was suspending the acceptance of new arrivals until after a review. Alabama, Texas and several other states issued similar statements but a State Department spokesman said the legality of this action was still unclear. President Barack Obama has urged the US to "step up and do its part" to help those fleeing the civil war. "Our nations can welcome refugees who are desperately seeking safety and ensure our own security. We can and must do both." The governors' decisions come in the wake of the attacks in Paris which killed 129 people on Friday evening. Seven of the perpetrators died in the attacks, and one of them is thought to have been a Syrian who entered Europe via Greece with migrants. Millions of Syrians have fled to neighbouring countries and to Europe, and the US has promised to take about 10,000 Syrian refugees in the next 12 months.

---

States saying no

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Louisiana
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Texas
• Wisconsin

---

While the state of Alabama has not accepted any Syrian refugees so far, the southern state's governor has said that he "will not place Alabamians at even the slightest possible risk of an attack on our people". In Michigan, where it has been reported that 200 Syrians have been resettled in the past year, Governor Snyder has said he will suspend the acceptance of new refugees until the US Department of Homeland Security "completes a full review of security clearances and procedures".  US State Department lawyers are investigating whether governors can legally block Syrian refugees from being settled in their states.  While the final ruling has not been made, officials say it appears they can't actually block refugees who come into the country through the resettlement program, but they can make it difficult for the non-profit organisations doing the legwork.  A state can tell an NGO handling a file that they don't want to work with them and the NGO would simply go elsewhere. But uneasiness about the vetting process and fear of a similar attack in the US is growing, especially on Capitol Hill.

---

But several Republican presidential candidates have said it would be wrong to accept any more. Business mogul Donald Trump described it as "insane".  The three top Democratic candidates have said they want the US to take more than 10,000 Syrian refugees but only after extensive vetting. On Monday it was reported that a new video released by the so-called Islamic State celebrates the attacks and threatens Washington, DC. Flags on many public buildings across the US are flying at half-mast as an expression of solidarity with France.

^ Only a completely insane person would think you can just let in anyone  - especially "refugees" without first holding them someplace so you can vet them out and make sure they are who they say they are. After World War 2 many Nazis fled arrest for the crimes against humanity among the thousands of displaced persons (which the Germans created when they invaded, occupied and deported people from all over Europe.) The world can't afford to let IS terrorists into their countries disguised as refugees. The attacks in Paris shows what will happen without any checks. Even women and children can be used (through force or not) to help bring in weapons to be used in attacks. For IS life (even Muslim life) is cheap. They only care about destroying the world. ^

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34835353

Paris Clause

From USA Today:

"France demands EU invoke mutual-defense clause"

 

France became the first European Union country to request the 28-nation political bloc's mutual-defense clause be invoked to secure it in the wake of the Paris attacks that killed at least 129 people.

Jean-Yves Le Drian, France's defense minister, made the demand in Brussels on Tuesday. He said that other EU member nations should help the security situation by "either by taking part in France's operations in Syria or Iraq, or by easing the load or providing support for France in other operations."

The clause — article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union — says that "if a member state is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other member states shall have toward it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power." The article has never before been used. The demand received unanimous support.  However the implications and timing of any EU-wide effort to act on the clause were not immediately clear. Ursula von der Leyen, Germany's defense minister, said in Brussels that Germany would do "all in our power to offer help and support" but that Tuesday was "not a day of concrete actions" but a "day of listening." Earlier Tuesday, France launched additional airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria on as police conducted dozens of new raids overnight and the government said it was still trying to determine how militants planned and carried out the attacks in Paris. The French military said the new airstrikes targeted an Islamic State — also known as ISIL or ISIS — command post and training camp in Raqqa, Syria. The operation came after an earlier retaliatory strike by France in Raqqa on Sunday. Following a meeting with French President Francois Hollande, Secretary of State John Kerry said efforts must be stepped up to hit militants "at the core" when they are planning attacks. "We’ve agreed even to exchange more information, and I’m convinced that over the course of the next weeks, (ISIL) will feel even greater pressure," he said.

Meanwhile, the manhunt intensified for Belgian-born Salah Abdeslam, thought to be the only surviving suspect out of the three groups of suicide bombers and gunmen who carried out Friday's attacks on popular restaurants, a music hall and a soccer stadium.  France's Prime Minister Manuel Valls told French TV on Tuesday that his country's intelligence services have identified at least 10,000 radicalized people in France. "We will have to live with this threat for a long time. We are faced with determined terrorists willing to die. We must all be aware we can be attacked again," he said. Valls told France Inter radio that some victims have yet to be identified, and said that authorities still did not know enough about the attacks outside the national stadium. In another interview with French TV, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said that 115,000 police officers and military personnel were mobilized across France. He said that nearly 130 raids and searches across France took place from Monday night to Tuesday morning. He said “the majority of those who were involved in this attack were unknown to our services.” A few dozen people have so far been detained by police in Belgium, France and Germany in connection with the attacks, suspected of having been masterminded by Abdelhamid Abaaoud, 27, from Belgium. His whereabouts are unknown. He may be in Syria. Secretary of State John Kerry held talks with President Francois Hollande. Kerry said that ISIL was under pressure and losing territory. Hollande will travel to Washington next week to discuss the unfolding security situation with President Obama.

 

 

^ I wonder just what the EU member-states will do now. They tend to be very torn on every mundane issue and now are faced with a major one. ^

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/11/17/paris-attacks-islamic-state-hollande/75913054/

Plane Terror

From the BBC:

"Russia plane crash: 'Terror act' downed A321 over Egypt's Sinai"

 

 

 

Russia's security chief says an act of terror brought down the Russian A321 airliner in Egypt last month, killing all 224 people on board. Traces of foreign explosives" were found on debris from the Airbus plane, FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov told Russian President Vladimir Putin.  Mr Putin vowed to "find and punish" those behind the attack over the Sinai peninsula. A branch of so-called Islamic State said it downed the plane. Nearly all the dead were Russians. Mr Bortnikov said a bomb had been planted on board the Metrojet plane, equivalent to up to 1kg of TNT. The Kremlin website carried a transcript of the meeting.  The bomb shattered the plane mid-air on 31 October, he said, "which explains the wide dispersal of fuselage pieces". Mr Putin said that Russia must hunt those responsible "indefinitely, find out who the individuals were". "We'll look for them everywhere, wherever they are hiding. We'll find them in any corner of the planet and punish them."  Russia has offered a $50m (£33m) reward for information on the Sinai plane attackers. Sinai Province, a branch of Islamic State (IS), said in a statement on 31 October that it had destroyed the plane because of Russian air strikes in Syria. Mr Putin said that Russia's air strikes in Syria "must not only be continued - they must be intensified so that the criminals understand that retribution is inevitable". Russian warplanes are supporting Syrian government forces against various rebel groups, including IS and other Islamists. Russia's military commanders were also at the meeting with Mr Putin and the Federal Security Service (FSB) chief. Mr Putin was speaking after separate meetings at the G20 summit in Turkey, with US President Barack Obama on Sunday, and UK Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday.  The Syrian conflict was the focus of their talks. Mr Cameron pressed Mr Putin to direct air strikes against IS, and not at moderate rebel groups fighting President Bashar al-Assad's troops.

 

 

Bloodiest attacks in 2015 linked to 'Islamic State'

 

13 Nov - Paris, France Gunmen and suicide bombers kill at least 129 people.
12 Nov - Beirut, Lebanon Suicide bombers kill at least 43 people.
31 Oct - Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt Plane crashes killing all 224 on board. Russia says a bomb caused the crash and an IS affiliate says it was responsible.
10 Oct - Ankara, Turkey Suicide bombers kill 102 people at peace rally. Turkey blames IS, but no group claims the attack.
18 Jul - Khan Bani Saad, Iraq Car bomb kills 120 people.
26 Jun - Sousse, Tunisia Gunman kills 38 people, mostly British tourists.
26 Jun - Kuwait City, Kuwait Suicide attack kills at least 27 people.
22 May - Qatif, Saudi Arabia Two suicide bombs kill at least 21 people.
21 Mar - Sanaa, Yemen Suicide bombings kill at least 137 people.
18 Mar - Tunis, Tunisia Gunmen kill 19 people, mostly foreign tourists.

 

 

^ It always takes some kind of violence against innocent people (in this case Russians) for countries to stop complaining with each other and to work together to get the terrorists. That is a sad fact. ^

 

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34840943

New York

I'm back from my short trip to New York. It didn't quite go how I had thought it would. First, I tried to get-to-gather with some friends from high school (I even started planning this back last August with updates last October and early November.) What started as a nice, small meeting at a restaurant became too overblown. People were inviting other people, then they wanted to bring their kids and boy/girl friends, It had to be within a short window on one day because some had to work, then it couldn't be held at a restaurant because of the kids and in the end I read online that they finally wanted to meet at an outdoor field with packed lunches. I bowed-out before then. Everyone (except for me) lives within 50 miles of each other. I'm the only one living out-of-state. In the end no one met -up. What really got me was getting a message on Facebook making a joke about this screw-up and how "I guess we can't plan." I'm a great planner and have planned events around the country and the world with more complex dates, times and locations. This time it was simple people who couldn't even do a simple thing. Oh well. I guess maybe I'll try again in a few years (even though I go back to New York fairly often.)

 

I did get to see my Grandmother and Great-Aunt during my trip. It was the first time I couldn't stay at their house, but was able to stay in the guest house at my Great Aunt's new place.

 

The best part of the trip was being able to go the local food places I love. My part of New York has the best Greek-run diners where you get a large portion for a low price and the food is great. Where I now live the diners are small, close at 2 pm and you get a small portion for a high price. Needless to say I ate at three different diners during my trip.

 

 

 

 

On The Go

Going out of town for a little bit so I'll write more when I come back.

NoTo "The"

From Newsweek:
"Why Ukrainians Hate When You Say 'The Ukraine'"

On Tuesday evening, two Republican presidential candidate hopefuls accidentally enraged Ukrainian Americans with a single word: "the." John Kasich and Donald Trump referred to Ukraine as "the Ukraine," a common but unfortunate mistake. Lindsey Graham made the same blunder at the third GOP debate.  Adding "the" before Ukraine is actually a throwback to Communism. Prior to the fall of the USSR, Ukraine was known as "The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic." In 1991, the USSR fell, splitting Ukraine from Russia and permanently cutting off that pesky "the." Because of the article's association with the Soviet Union, Ukrainians are particularly sensitive about it. "After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukrainians probably decided that the article denigrated their country [by identifying it as a part of Russia] and abolished 'the' while speaking English, so now it is simply Ukraine," explained Oksana Kyzyma, press secretary for the Ukrainian Embassy in the United Kingdom. "That's why 'the' Ukraine suddenly lost its article in the last 20 years, it's a sort of linguistic independence in Europe, it's hugely symbolic."  If the emotional history of "the" Ukraine is not enough, take it from the CIA World Factbook, which identifies Ukraine as such, article-free. Had the Republican candidates realized their accidental association with Communism, they likely would have corrected themselves to say "Ukraine." 

 

^ I don't really understand what the issue is with the word "the" when referring to Ukraine. I use it all the time for Ukraine and Crimea. The Russian and Ukrainian languages do not have a word for "the" so they (the Soviets)  couldn't use it to refer to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. The word "the" was only used by English speakers and even then most officials and media outlets simply referred everything as Russians or Russia whether they were talking about the Soviet people or the Soviet Union as a whole. Not using the word "the" when referring to Ukraine or Crimea is British-English and not American-English. The Brits don't like to use the word "the" for many things. You can even hear them take a pause right where the word "the" should be as though they know they should use it, but are trying hard not to. I have British friends and have travelled around England, Scotland and Northern Ireland and always hear them and that "fake" pause. They should just say "going to the hospital" and not "going to hospital" or "going to the university" and not "going to university", etc. The Ukrainians should start using American-English and then the word "the" would be fine and has no communist relation. It would be weird to write that last sentence like this: Ukrainians should start using American-English......... Americans use "the" because it is grammatically correct and just sounds better. ^

http://www.newsweek.com/why-ukrainians-hate-when-you-say-ukraine-392903

Accessible Water

From Disability Scoop:
"Water Park In The Works For Those With Special Needs"

Five years after establishing the world’s first fully-accessible theme park, construction is underway on a water park where every attraction promises to be disability-friendly. Morgan’s Wonderland, located in San Antonio, said this week that it is expanding with a water park. The new offering called Morgan’s Inspiration Island is expected to open in the spring of 2017. It will include five water attractions, all of which will be fully wheelchair accessible, officials said. “In many ways, creating Morgan’s Inspiration Island feels a lot like it did when our team designed and built Morgan’s Wonderland with special-needs individuals in mind — it’s never been done before,” said Gordon Hartman, the philanthropist behind the parks. Hartman opened Morgan’s Wonderland in 2010, inspired by his daughter, Morgan, 22, who has cognitive and physical challenges. The existing 25-acre park includes more than two-dozen wheelchair-accessible offerings ranging from rides to playgrounds and gardens. To design the new tropical-themed paradise, Hartman said his team consulted with water park experts across multiple states as well as doctors and therapists. The park plans to offer waterproof wheelchairs for guests and some areas will include heated water for individuals sensitive to cold. Waterproof wristbands with tracking technology will also be available so that parents can locate their children at the facility. Attractions will include a boat ride through a jungle setting complete with animal sounds as well as rain trees, waterfalls, pools, geysers, jets, water cannons and tipping buckets. Construction costs for the four-acre water park are estimated at $12 million. Since its opening, Morgan’s Wonderland has attracted over 500,000 visitors from across the United States and around the globe, park officials said.

^ I have never heard of the amusement park before and have family in San Antonio that I have visited. It sounds like a good place and now they will have a water park that is accessible.  While every water and amusement park should be accessible to the disabled a park that is specifically built for the disabled is a good idea. No one will have to worry about whether they can have fun or not. ^

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/11/11/water-park-in-the-works/20950/

Passed Ukraine

From the BBC:
"Ukraine passes anti-discrimination law"

 

Ukraine's parliament has passed a law banning discrimination in the workplace, including that based on sexual orientation.  It is the last of a package of ten laws that had to be approved for the European Union to consider visa-free travel for Ukrainians. Several previous attempts to get the bill through parliament failed over fears it would lead to the introduction of same-sex marriage in Ukraine. The decision was supported by 234 MPs. The speaker of parliament assured deputies that the law would not threaten "family values", saying: "I hear some fake information which says that there may be same-sex marriages in Ukraine. God forbid, this will ever happen. We will never support this." In response to the vote, Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko tweeted: "Ukraine is breaking free from the shackles of discrimination from the Soviet past. Meanwhile, family values remain inviolable." EU officials will meet in two weeks to decide whether the conditions for extending visa-free status to Ukrainian nationals have been met.

^ While it's good that Ukraine finally passed the anti-discrimination law it shouldn't have been so hard to do. I will never understand how people can jump from giving equal rights to everyone and the belief that by doing so all of civilization will collapse. I  guess in this instance Ukraine cared more for visa-free travel to the EU then they did about any moral objections to protecting homosexuals. ^

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34796835

Remembrance Day!

Debt Of Honor

From the Stars and Stripes:
"PBS documentary follows the history of disabled veterans"

When Ric Burns set out to tell the story of wounded veterans in his documentary, Debt of Honor, he found their journey was part of a much bigger narrative. “The history of America can be seen through this very specific lens,” the acclaimed documentary director said in a phone interview with Stars and Stripes ahead of Debt of Honor’s PBS premiere Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET. The documentary follows the lives of several disabled veterans, including former Sen. Max Cleland, D-Ga., a veteran who lost both legs and an arm in Vietnam, and Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., an Army veteran who lost both legs after her helicopter was shot down in Iraq. It also tracks the changing experience of disabled American veterans through the history of U.S. wars, from the Revolutionary War to today. Advances in medicine mean more troops survive injuries now, which creates a greater need for care that often lasts a lifetime. During America’s most recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the signature wounds have been psychological injuries, such as post traumatic stress disorder, and unseen traumatic brain injuries, which the military and Department of Veterans Affairs were slow to recognize and have struggled to treat adequately. “It is immoral not to be able to take care of the men and women who suffer with this,” Burns said, noting “debt” in the program’s title is one that the government, in this time of scandal at the VA, is failing to pay. Cleland, who was injured by a grenade and went on to a long political career, said he hopes the film increases understanding between civilians and wounded veterans and reduces the stigma that disabled veterans face, especially from unseen injuries such as post traumatic stress disor-der. “The real story is that wars are not over when the shooting stops,” he said. “They live on in the lives of the people who fight them.” Burns said civilians too often see disabled veterans as people to fear or pity, and he hopes the film shows they should instead be seen as national assets. “These are our leaders, these are the people who are going to show us what true north is,” he said. “They really know what matters and what doesn’t matter.”

 

 

^ Disabled veterans are an important part of the US Military and as such it is important to make their struggles and sacrifices known to the American people - especially on Veterans' Day. Soldiers who are wounded while serving their country need and deserve more then the US Government, the US Military or the American people have given them throughout the years. Their fight doesn't end when they are wounded and discharged and should never be forgotten no matter how many years pass. ^

 

 

http://www.stripes.com/news/pbs-documentary-follows-the-history-of-disabled-veterans-1.378010

Veterans' Day!

Bloody Soldier

From the BBC:

"Bloody Sunday: Ex-soldier arrested over Londonderry shootings"

 

A former soldier has been arrested by detectives investigating the events of Bloody Sunday in Londonderry. Thirteen people were killed when British paratroopers opened fire on a civil rights march through the city in January 1972. A fourteenth died later. The 66-year-old is a former member of the Parachute Regiment.  It is understood he is being questioned over the deaths of William Nash, Michael McDaid and John Young. The man is the first person to be arrested as part of the Bloody Sunday investigation. He is being interviewed at a police station in Belfast after being detained in County Antrim on Tuesday morning. He is soldier J, who was one of the soldiers who appeared before the Saville Inquiry. Kate Nash, whose 19-year-old brother, William, was killed on Bloody Sunday, said she welcomed the news. "I had a call this morning from the police liaison officer that deals with our family," said Ms Nash.  "She said that they had arrested a soldier and that he was being questioned. She said she wanted the family to know first before it went out on the news.  "She said he was being questioned in relation to the death of my brother, William and two others: Michael McDaid, John Young and the attempted murder of my father.  "I started to shake. I couldn't believe it. I became very emotional. "To see a soldier even being questioned has truly shocked me. I never thought it would get to this.  "There is a flicker of hope. It's a very positive step." The officer leading the investigation, Det Ch Insp Ian Harrison, said the arrest "marked a new phase in the overall investigation which would continue for some time". In a statement, Peter Madden of Madden & Finucane Solicitors, the firm that represents most of the Bloody Sunday families, said the arrest was "a very welcome development".   A Ministry of Defence (MOD) spokesperson said: "We are aware an ex-soldier has been arrested by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in connection with their investigation into the events of Bloody Sunday. Former Northern Ireland Secretary Lord Mandelson told Channel 4 News: "There are perils in going back so far into history. Bloody Sunday was one of the most controversial days in Northern Ireland's history. In 2010, Prime Minister David Cameron apologised to the Bloody Sunday victims on behalf of the state, after a long-running public inquiry unequivocally blamed the Army for the civilian deaths.  The inquiry, led by Lord Saville, took 12 years to complete and exonerated those who died. It concluded that soldiers fired the first shot and gave no warning before opening fire on the civilian marchers. The Saville Report also found that some of those killed or injured were clearly fleeing or going to help the injured and dying. Accepting the findings of the 2010 inquiry, Mr Cameron described the killings as "unjustified and unjustifiable" and said he was "deeply sorry".  The arrest was made by the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Legacy Investigation Branch. The specialist police team was set up to re-investigate unsolved murder cases, dating from the beginning of the Troubles in the late 1960s, up to 2004. The Legacy Investigation Branch replaced the Historical Enquiries Team (HET), shortly after an inspection report criticised the HET for treating state killings with "less rigour" than others. The branch began work in January this year, taking over the Bloody Sunday investigation along with other HET cases.

 

^ It's important to bring criminal charges on every soldier involved in the Bloody Sunday massacre in 1972 and those in the British Military and Government that helped to cover it up. You can not have the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (David Cameron at the time) apologize for the innocent murders and then still let the British soldiers involved to go free and even keep the awards and decorations they received (even from Queen Elizabeth II.) It sends a very bad message to the people of Northern Ireland: that yes we (the British) finally admit (after 40 years) that we massacred innocent people, but no we aren't going to do a thing to correct the mistakes we knew we were making back in 1972 with the massacre and cover-up because Catholic lives don't matter. I was in Northern Ireland, Ireland and England in June 2010 when the report came out and you could feel the extra tension especially in Northern Ireland. We force the Germans to punish the Nazis who massacred innocent people during World War 2 even 70 years after the war ended yet for some reason the Brits think they don't need to come to terms with their own massacres 42 years after they happened. A massacre is a massacre. The British Military went into Northern Ireland in 1969 not to keep the peace between the Irish Protestants and the Irish Catholics (as they should have),  but to keep the majority Pro-British Irish Protestants in power and to help them keep the minority Irish Catholics submissive as they had been since 1922. It is as though the US Federal Government sent the US Military into the American South to help keep the  Southern White Segregationists in power and the Black Civil Rights activists submissive in the 1960s. The Irish Catholics in Northern Ireland merely wanted to be treated as equals in: housing, job opportunities, etc but the Irish Protestants and the British didn't want to allow that. What followed was decades of war, violence and massacres. Had the Irish Protestants and the British treated the Irish Catholics as equal citizens in their own land back in the 1960 and 1970s the Troubles wouldn't have been as deadly as it became. The Irish Catholics only received equal rights in 1998 - the same rights the Irish Protestants and the British in Northern Ireland had since Ireland was divided in the 1920s. Because of their actions in the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and the 1960s the British Military, the British Government and the Northern Irish Protestants are guilty of starting the Troubles in 1969. The Bloody Sunday massacre in 1972 was viewed, at the time and for decades later,  by the British media, the British Military, the British Government, the British Monarchy and the British people as the result of Catholics causing trouble and getting what they deserved when in reality those Catholics murdered by the British Parachute Regiment are heroes who were butchered for their religion and their beliefs in a free and equal society. The fourteen innocent people are the Northern Irish version of Civil Rights martyrs and should be given memorials and places named after them throughout: Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England to remind everyone what happens when you discriminate and murder the innocent. ^

 

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-34775466

Border Barriers

People believe that the world is more open and a much smaller place especially since the US won the Cold War in 1991 and the old Communist barriers (ie the Berlin Wall, the Inner Germany barrier, etc) came down. The truth is that more countries today have built barriers along their borders since 1991. Some are to combat illegal immigration, some to combat terrorism, some to combat smuggling and some to stop foreign militaries from invading.

 

Some of the barriers that are currently in-place include:

 

1. Botswana and Zimbabwe have a barrier (since 2003) on the 500 km Botswana/Zimbabwe border for anti-illegal immigration reasons

 

2. Brunei and Malaysia have a barrier (since 2005) on the 20 km Brunei/Malaysia border for ant-illegal immigration reasons

 

3. Bulgaria has a barrier (since 2014) on the 30 km Bulgaria/Turkey border for anti-illegal immigration reasons

 

4. Spain has a barrier (since 2001) on the 8 km Ceuta/Morocco border for anti-illegal immigration reasons

 

5. Egypt has a barrier (since 1979) on the 3.1 km Egypt/Gaza border for anti-illegal immigration and anti-terrorism reasons

 

6. Spain has a barrier (since 1998) on the 11 km Melilla/Morocco border for anti-illegal immigration reasons

 

7. Hungary has a barrier (since 2015) on the 175 km Hungary/Serbia border for anti-illegal immigration reasons

 

8. Hungary has a barrier (since 2015) on the 41 km Hungary/Croatia border for anti-illegal immigration reasons

 

9. India has a barrier (since 2004) on the 550 km India/Kashmir border for a disputed territory and anti-terrorism reasons

 

10. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have a barrier (since 2006) on the 45 km Kazakhstan/Uzbekistan border for anti-smuggling reasons

 

11. North Korea and South Korea have a barrier (since 1953) on the 248 km North Korea/South Korea border because it's a conflict zone

 

12. South Africa and Mozambique have a barrier (since 1975) on the 120 km South Africa/Mozambique border for anti-illegal immigration reasons

 

13. South Africa has a barrier (since the 2000s) on the 2,900 km South Africa/Zimbabwe border for anti-illegal immigration, anti-drug smuggling and anti weapon smuggling reasons

 

14. Kuwait has a barrier (since 1991) on the 193 km Kuwait/Iraq border because it's a conflict zone

 

15. Saudi Arabia and Yemen have a barrier (since 2004) on the 75 km Saudi Arabia/Yemen border for anti-illegal immigration reasons

 

16. Saudi Arabia has a barrier (since 2006) on the 900 km Saudi Arabia/Iraq border for anti-illegal immigration reasons and because it's a conflict zone

 

17. Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have a barrier (since 2001) on the 1,700 km Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan border for anti-illegal immigration reasons

 

18. Uzbekistan has a barrier (since 2001) on the 209 km Uzbekistan/Afghanistan border because it's a conflict zone

 

19. Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have a barrier (since 1999) on the 870 km Uzbekistan/Kyrgyzstan border for anti-illegal immigration reasons

 

20. Austria has a barrier (since 2015) on the 15 km Austria/Slovenia border for anti-illegal immigration reasons

 

21. Greece has a barrier (since 2011) on part of the Greece/Turkey border for anti-illegal immigration reasons

 

22. Iran has a barrier on the 700 km Iran/Pakistan border for anti-illegal immigration, anti-terrorism and anti-smuggling reasons

 

23. Israel has a barrier on the Israel/Lebanon border because it's a conflict zone

 

24. Israel has a barrier on the Israel/Syria border because it's a conflict zone

 

25. Israel has a barrier (since 1994) on the Israel/Gaza border for anti-illegal immigration, anti-terrorism and anti-smuggling reasons and because it's a conflict zone

 

26. Israel has a barrier (since 2000) on the 700 km Israel/West Bank border for anti-illegal immigration, anti-terrorism and anti-smuggling reasons

 

27. Morocco has a barrier (since 1981) on the 2,700 km Morocco/Western Sahara border for anti-illegal immigration and anti-terrorism reasons

 

28. Northern Ireland has numerous barriers inside Londonderry/Derry, Belfast and other major cities (since 1969) because it's a conflict zone

 

Some of the barriers being constructed include:

 

1. China and North Korea are building a barrier on the 1,416 km China/North Korea border for anti-immigration reason.

 

2. India is building a barrier on the 3,268 km India/Bangladesh border for anti-immigration reasons

 

3. India is building a barrier on the 1,624 km India/Burma border for anti-drug smuggling and anti-terrorism reasoms

 

4. United Arab Emirates and Oman are building a barrier on the 410 km United Arab Emirates/Oman border for anti-illegal immigration reasons

 

5. The United States is building a barrier on the 3,360 km United States/Mexico border for anti-illegal immigration and drug smuggling reasons

 

6. Ukraine is building a barrier on the 2,000 km Ukraine/Russia border for anti-weapon smuggling and because it's a conflict zone

 

7. Bulgaria is building a barrier on the 130 km Bulgaria/Turkey border for anti-illegal immigration reasons

 

 

 Some of the proposed barriers include:

 

1. Belize wants to build a barrier on the Belize-Guatemala border due to disputed territory and for anti-illegal immigration reasons

 

2. Costa Rica wants to build a barrier on the Costa Rica/Nicaragua border for anti-illegal immigration reasons

 

3. Thailand and Malaysia want to build a barrier on the 650 km Malaysia/Thailand border for anti-terrorism reasons

 

4. Pakistan wants to build a barrier on the 2,400 km Pakistan/Afghanistan border for anti-terrorism reasons

 

5. Estonia wants to build a barrier on the 108 km Estonia/Russia border for anti-Russian intrusion, anti-illegal trade and anti-illegal immigration reasons

 

 

 

^ As you can see the world is more divided now than ever before. During the Cold War it was "easy" to know who your enemy was. If you were a Communist your enemy was a Capitalist and if you were a Capitalist your enemy was a Communist (ie the USA and their Allies vs. the USSR and their Allies.) In the 21st Century it is a lot more difficult to know who your enemy is because the threat of terrorism is much greater. Also with the recent world economic crisis countries don't have the resources for their own citizens much less refugees fleeing poverty or war. It's a sad state that more and more countries around the world have to build these barriers, but that is the reality we now face. Unlike the Communist barriers/walls of the Cold War which were built only to keep their own people from escaping to a better life the current barriers seem to be built to keep others (ie terrorists, smugglers and illegal immigrants) from entering the respected countries and not from keeping their own citizens from leaving. ^

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_barrier#Austria

Soviet Shopping

From the BBC:
"Belarus: Soviet-themed shopping centre opens in Minsk"

The Belarusian capital, Minsk, has marked the anniversary of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution by opening a Soviet-themed shopping centre. The Leningrad Mall sells modern goods from foodstuffs to furniture, but in surroundings adorned with tongue-in-cheek Communist-style exhortations to "Give us Sales!", local Capital TV reports. The opening saw the four-storey glass building decked out with Soviet flags and paraphernalia, while shoppers were greeted by an army cadet marching band and staff clad in 1970s uniforms, led by an actor dressed as Lenin. Pictures of the interior taken by the Svaboda website show Stalin-era posters in stairwells, and sale signs featuring Lenin's face. Appropriately, the shopping centre's address is 27 Lenin Street, in Minsk's Lenin District, not far from the Proletarian metro station, the Onliner property news site notes. Authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power for 21 years, encourages Soviet nostalgia, and the anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution is often used for the festive opening of shops and leisure centres.  Shoppers tell the TV channel that they're pleased with the Leningrad centre's convenient location and reasonable prices, but not everyone is impressed. One Belarusian designer has mocked up a poster advertising a "Stalin Bowling Alley", and a comment on the Onliner site notes the irony that in the real Soviet Union, running such private enterprises could have led to people being "thrown in jail".

 

^ Of course this isn't a real Soviet shopping mall since they didn't have shopping malls in the Western sense and because then there would need to be bare shelves and huge lines. ^


http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-34768381

Holodomor Memorial

From Yahoo:

"Ukraine famine memorial unveiled in US capital"

 

A monument commemorating the millions of Ukrainians who died during a Soviet-era famine was unveiled in the US capital, in a ceremony that brought back horrific memories for survivors. "It's terrible, I will never forget," 90-year-old Alla Gromow, in a wheelchair, said as she recalled how neighbors engaged in cannibalism in a desperate bid to stay alive. Ukrainians refer to the 1932-33 famine as Holodomor -- or "death by hunger" -- and blame the regime of dictator Joseph Stalin for the deliberate starvation of men, women and children. The memorial -- a bronze sculpture on a stone wall depicting stalks of wheat symbolizing the seizure of grain by the Soviets -- is located just steps from the grounds of the US Capitol and Washington's bustling Union Station. Ukraine's first lady, Maryna Poroshenko, was among a throng of people of all ages who packed nearby Columbus Circle for the ceremony, many wrapped in or waving Ukrainian flags and wearing traditional attire. "The famine was an attempt to force the Ukrainian people to their knees, to deprive us of our dignity, to destroy our national identity and to kill our hope for the right to create our own destiny in our own land," Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko told the crowd in a taped video address.  "This memorial is proof that neither hard times nor the criminal intent of our enemies will conquer our nation as it seeks truth, freedom, democracy and peace on its own soil and in its own country," he added, according to an English translation provided by organizers. Exactly how many people perished is unclear. The US Committee for Ukrainian Holodomor-Genocide Awareness 1932-1933, citing scholars, puts the number in the three million to five million range while noting that some journalists who were in Ukraine during the 1930s gave higher figures. The ceremony comes amid a conflict between Kiev and Moscow that erupted in the aftermath of 2014's pro-democracy revolt and has killed thousands. "The Kremlin, once again, as in times of Holodomor, is trying to erase Ukraine from the map. Once again the threat of death is coming from the east," Poroshenko said.  The White House issued a statement in remembrance of the Holodomor, saying that despite decades under totalitarian rule, Ukrainians "refused to abandon their drive for freedom and independence." "And as the Ukrainian people face new threats to their territory and well-being, they have once again demonstrated their resolute commitment to human dignity," it said. Legislation adopted by Congress and signed into law in 2006 authorized the establishment of the memorial on federal land.

 

^ It's important to remember these kind of horrible episodes in history - especially since it was created by man. Stalin could have helped the people of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist republic, but instead he took their food to feed Moscow and Leningrad. He allowed the famine to happen so that the Ukrainians would loose their resistance to Soviet rule (starving people tend to do that just to get some food.) The fact that the Soviets tried to hide what they were doing both during the famine and until 1991 shows that the Communists knew what they were doing was murder. ^

http://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-famine-memorial-unveiled-us-capital-005835026.html

Baltic Money

From US News and World Report:
"Baltic countries to calculate damage of Soviet occupation, seek compensation from Russia"

 

The three Baltic countries will "scientifically" calculate the losses caused by nearly five decades of Soviet occupation so that they can seek compensation from Russia. Estonian Justice Minister Urmas Reinsalu said Friday that the claim by his country, Latvia and Lithuania would be legally justified as Russia has declared itself to be the successor of the Soviet Union after its fall in 1991. The Baltic countries have talked about compensation before but never presented a sum. Reinsalu stressed in a statement that the three nations would not back down on their demands from Russia.

Reinsalu and his colleagues from Latvia and Lithuania on Thursday signed a joint declaration, saying they would assess the damage "in a scientifically justified manner." "It is time to arrange the relationship with the past," the declaration said. "During the years of (Soviet) occupation the three Baltic states were exploited for political and economic needs of the occupying regime. As a result they have suffered enormous demographic and socio-economic losses." The Baltic countries were forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1940 by dictator Josef Stalin. After three years under Nazi occupation, they were retaken by the Soviets in 1944, remaining under Moscow's rule until independence in 1991. Russia has repeatedly rejected all calls by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania for damage compensation for the Soviet rule. Mikhail Fedotov, the chairman of Russia's Human Rights Council — an advisory panel assisting President Vladimir Putin — told news agency Interfax that the claim has "no international legal prospects" as Russia can also be considered a victim of the totalitarian Soviet regime.

 

^ Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have every legal basis to request compression from the Soviet Union (which Russia declared themselves to be the successor state to in December 1991.) Most of the international world never recognized the annexation (just like they don't the Russian annexation of the Crimea now) and there were Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian governments-in-exile from 1939-1991. Russia can not be considered a victim of the USSR because the Russian Government officially acknowledged that they were the successor-state and sent that message to the UN, etc. By doing that Russia accepted the good and the bad of what the Soviet Union was the same way that Germany has had to accept their role during Nazi times.  I am curious to learn the amount the three countries come up with for the 50+ years of Soviet rule. ^

http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2015/11/06/baltic-countries-to-calculate-damage-of-soviet-occupation

Free Veterans

From the Military Wallet:

"2015 Veterans Day Free Meals and Discounts"

 

Veterans Day is soon approaching and there are many restaurants and companies who want to thank our veterans by providing them with discounts or a free meal. To those companies offering veterans a free meal or discount, the military community gives a collective thanks

 

Two notes before jumping in:

• Proof of Military Service. Most companies require some form of military ID. These include: a Military ID Card (active/reserve/retired), VA ID card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), Drivers License with Veterans Designation, Photograph in uniform, wearing your uniform (if your service permits), Veterans Organization Card (e.g., American Legion and VFW), DD214, discharge paperwork, or other form of identification. Note, there is a New Federal Veterans ID Card coming soon. Other restaurants and companies may go by the honor system.
• Participation. Second, always call ahead to verify locations, times, and participation. Many of the listed companies are franchises and may have different policies. We will do our best to keep this page updated as we find new info.

 

Applebee’s – free meal, Nov. 11, 2015: Last year, Applebee’s served over one 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 Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015. There will be 7 entrées to choose from, beverage and gratuity not included. Military ID or proof of service required.

Bar Louie, Free meal on Nov. 10th and 11th, 2015. From open to close November 10th and 11th every Bar Louie location across the country will offer veterans and military personnel a free meal up to a $12 value. Available at participating locations, military ID or proof of service is required.

Bob Evans, Nov. 11, 2015. Free All you can eat hotcakes. For active duty military and veterans with ID or proof of service.

Bonanza Steakhouse, Nov. 11, 2015. Free Veterans Day buffet at participating locations.

Brann’s Steakhouse and Grille. Free 6 oz Sirloin and two sides.

Buehler’s Grocery, Nov. 11, 2015. Free breakfast menu meal for veterans and active duty military. From 7:00 am until 11:00 am at participating locations.

Buffalo’s Cafe, Nov. 11, 2015. Free meal at participating locations.

Calhoun’s Restaurant, Nov. 11, 2015. Free meal, choice of Hickory Smoked Bar-B-Que Half Slab of Ribs, Hickory Smoked Bar-B-Que Pork Plate, “Ale” Steak, Fresh Chicken Calhoun, and Southern Fried Catfish. Proof of Service required.

California Pizza Kitchen, Nov. 11, 2015. Choose a pizza, full size salad, or pasta from the special Veterans Day Menu. Dine-in only. Please come in uniform or bring your military I.D. or other proof of service.

Carraba’s, Monday Nov. 9 – Sunday Nov. 15, 2015. Free appetizer of your choice for active duty servicemembers and veterans. Military ID or proof of service required.

Cattlemens Steakhouse, Nov. 11, 2015. Free 8 oz Sirloin Steak Dinner on Veterans Day. Includes all-you-can-eat salad, sourdough bread, baked potato, and ranch style beans. Proof of service required.

CentraArchy Restaurants, Nov. 11, 2015. Free meal for veterans and 25% off meals for accompanying guests at Fiesta del Burro Loco, all California Dreaming restaurants, Carolina Roadhouse, all Chophouse 47 restaurants, Gulfstream Cafe, Joey D’s Oakroom all New York Prime restaurants, and The Tavern at Phipps.

Cheeseburger in Paradise, Nov. 11 2015. Free All-American Burger with fries with purchase of beverage and military ID or proof of service. Available to active military or veterans. Beverages and gratuity not included, dine-in only, and participating locations only.

Chili’s – Free meal, Nov. 11 2015. Chili’s is offering all military veterans past and present their choice of any lunch combo, or your choice of a dinner meal from a select menu, including any full-size flatbread. Offer only available 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.

City Barbeque, Nov. 11, 2015. Free sandwich platter at participating locations. Proof of service required.

Claim Jumper, Nov. 9, 2015. Free entrée from select menu, with official proof of service. Dine-in only.

Cotton Patch Café, Nov. 11, 2015. Free meal for current and former military members. Choices include full-size chicken fried steak, or chicken fried chicken. Proof of service required.

Country Cookin, Nov. 10, 2015. Free meal for current and former military. Proof of service required. Please note the date – this is valid the day before Veterans Day!

Denny’s, Nov. 11, 2015. Free Build Your Own Grand Slam® on Nov. 11, from 5 a.m. to noon for all active, inactive, and retired military personnel. Participating locations only. Please call ahead.

Fatz Eatz & Drinkz, Nov. 11, 2015. Free World Famous Calabash Chicken® meal for current and former military members, 11am until close. Proof of service required.

Fox & Hound and Bailey’s Sports Grille, Nov. 11, 2015. Free Sandwich or Entree (up to $10) for active duty military and veterans with ID or proof of service. Dine-in only and at only at participating locations.

Friendly’s, Nov. 11, 2015. Free breakfast, lunch, or dinner with ID. Dine-in only. Limited to one per person. Offer available for active military and veterans with ID or discharge papers. Participating locations only.

Glory Days, Nov. 11, 2015. Free appetizer or an order or boneless wings. Dine-in only and at only at participating locations.

Golden Corral – Free meal, Nov. 11, 2015 (5pm – 9pm): The 15th annual Golden Corral Military Appreciation dinner will 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 dinner. For more information visit http://www.goldencorral.com/military/.

Green Mill, Nov. 11, 2015. Free menu item for lunch or dinner. Offer includes any single item from our menu. Pizza restricted to a small one-topping Deep Dish. Proof of military service required.

Grub Burger Bar, Nov. 11, 2015. 50% off of meal, and a free Caramel Apple shake. Proof of military service required.

Hoss’s Family Steak & Sea House, Nov. 11, 2015. Free meal form the American Values Menu, Nov. 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Dine-in only, valid ID or proof of service required. Valid at participating restaurants only.

Hurricane Grill & Wings, Nov. 11, 2015. Free meal from special menu at participating locations. Proof of service required.

Little Caesars® Pizza, Nov. 11, 2015. Free pizza or $5 HOT-N-READY Lunch Combo to all US Armed Forces veterans and active military members between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. With proof of military service, at participating stores nationwide. Call ahead to verify participation.

LongHorn Steakhouse, Nov. 11, 2015. Complimentary Texas Tonion and non-alcoholic beverage. Offer good for Veterans and active-duty military members. Proof of service required. Visit their site

Max & Erma’s, November 11, 2015. Participating Max & Erma’s locations are offering military members and veterans a free Best Cheeseburger in America Combo, which includes tortilla soup or side Caesar salad, seasoned fries, and chocolate chip cookies. Dine-in only. Call ahead to verify participation. ID or proof of service required.

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants – free lunch or dinner, Sunday Nov 8, 2015: McCormick & Schmick’s is celebrating their 17th annual Veteran’s Appreciation Event on Sunday, November 8th. Veterans will be able to choose a complimentary lunch or dinner entrée from a special menu. Veterans must provide proof of military service. Be sure to contact your local McCormick & Schmick’s as this is valid at participating restaurants only. Also, space is limited and reservations are highly recommended.

Menchie’s, Nov. 11, 2015. All veterans and current servicemembers will receive a free 6 oz. frozen yogurt on Veterans Day.

Misison BBQ, Nov. 11, 2015. Free sandwiches to active duty military members and veterans at participating locations.

MOD Pizza, Nov. 11, 2015. free pizza or salad to for active duty military and veterans with ID or proof of service. Dine-in only and at only at participating locations.

O’Charley’s, Nov. 9, 2015. Free entree from the $9.99’er menu for all active military and veterans with proof of service.

Olive Garden, Free entrée, Nov. 11, 2015. Offer good for veterans and active duty military; proof of service required. Guests that dine with a Veteran also receive 10% off of their bill as well!

On The Border, Nov. 11, 2015. Veterans and current servicemembers will receive a free choose 2 or choose 3 “Create Your Own Combo”. Dine-in only, proof of service required.

Orange Leaf, Nov. 11, 2015. Free frozen yogurt (up to 11 0z.). Proof of service required..

Outback Steakhouse, Nov. 11, 2015. Outback Steakhouse is honoring America’s military veterans by offering active duty military and veterans a free Bloomin’ Onion and a non-alcoholic beverage. This offer is available to Military Personnel and veterans with ID. Also receive 15% off your purchase from Nov. 12-Dec 31, 2015.

PDQ Tenders, Nov. 11, 2015. PDQ Free 3 piece Tenders or Sandwich with a military ID or uniform. PDQ also offers 50% off the entire order for all active/retired military personnel on the first Monday every month.

Pinnacle Entertainment (Casino Chain), Nov. 11, 2015. Select locations are offering a free buffet meal for current military members and veterans. Some locations include Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk, Colorado, L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles, Louisiana, Cactus Petes Resort Casino, Jackpot, Nevada, and Retama Park, Selma, Texas. Please call ahead to verify times and participation. ID or proof of service required.

Ponderosa Steakhouse, Nov. 11, 2015. Free Veterans Day buffet at participating locations only.

Primanti Bros, Nov. 11, 2015.. Free Sandwich for veterans and active duty military. From 4pm to close at participating locations.

Red Lobster – Monday, November 9 through Thursday, November 12, 2015. Free Appetizer or Dessert during the week of Veterans Day with military ID or proof of service. Vets may choose from a select list of appetizers and desserts.

Red Robin, Nov. 11, 2015. Free Red’s Tavern Double and Bottomless Steak Fries for all Red Robin guests with a military ID or proof of service.

Rock & Brews, Nov. 11, 2015. Complimentary pulled pork sandwich with a side choice of natural fries, house potato salad, pasta salad or coleslaw. Proof of military service required.

Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill, Nov. 11, 2015. Free garlic cheese bread or hummus with grilled herb flatbread for active duty military and veterans with ID or proof of service. Dine-in only and at only at participating locations.

Sheetz, Nov. 11, 2015. Free lunch at participating locations. Free car wash also available at participating locations, Proof of service required.

Shoney’s, Nov. 11, 2015. Free All-American Burger to veterans and active duty servicemembers. Dine-in only, Proof of Service required. Shoney’s also offers a 15% everyday hometown heroes discount (military, fire, Police, EMT).

Sizzler Restaurants, Nov. 11, 2015. Free lunch served until 4pm. Choice of 3 entrees, and a free coffee, tea, or fountain drink. Not valid for salad bar or gratuity. Valid with proof of military service. Dine-in only

Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill, Nov. 11, 2015. Free meal from special Veterans Day menu at participating locations only.

Spaghetti Warehouse, Mon Nov. 9th through Wed Nov. 11th, 2015. Buy one entrée, get one free. Coupon Required (available on their website and FaceBook page on Nov. 3). Choose any of 11 Original Recipe Spaghetti entrées and receive a second entrée free. Friends and relatives are encouraged to treat a veteran to a meal.

Tap House Grill, Nov. 11, 2015. Free meal for servicemembers and veterans with proof of service. Dine-in only.

Texas Roadhouse, Nov. 11, 2015. Free lunch event to honor the men and women of our armed forces. Choose from one of 10 free meals, plus sides and a soft drink, coffee, or tea. Offer good for All veterans – including all active, retired or former U.S. military. ID Required. Dine-in only. Call ahead to verify times and locations.

T.G.I. Friday’s, Nov. 11, 2015. Free lunch for all current military members and veterans from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Valid ID or proof of service required. Dine-on only at participating locations. Be sure to contact your local T.G.I Friday’s for details.

Tijuana Flats, Nov. 11, 2015. Free lunch at participating locations.

Tony Roma’s, Nov. 11, 2015. Free half rack Baby Back Ribs at select Florida locations. For current and former military members with valid proof of service. Valid at select locations only. Please call ahead to verify participation.

Tubby’s Sub Shops, Nov. 11, 2015. Free small Grilled Steak N’ Cheese or Tubby’s Famous Sub at participating Tubby’s locations. Take out only.

Twin Peaks, Nov. 11, 2015. Free menu item at participating locations. Please call ahead to verify participation.

Village Inn, Nov. 11, 2015. Free breakfast any time of day (choice of buttermilk pancakes, French toast, or a Belgian waffle). Wednesday is also Free Pie day, and veterans will be able to receive a free slice of pie. Veterans who visit on Veterans Day will also receive a “Thank You for Your Service Card” valid for 20% off their total bill on their next visit. Participating locations only. Please call ahead.

Wienerschnitzel, Nov. 11, 2015. Free hot dog and small soft drink at participating locations.

54th Street Grill, Nov. 11, 2015. Free meal, up to $12 value, valid for current and former service members. Proof of service required.

 

^ We should all remember what the men and women in our military did and continue to do everyday, but especially on Veterans' Day. It's great that restaurants and businesses around the country are showing their support. I'm sure this list will continue to grow as we get closer to November 11th so check out the link before for updates. ^

http://themilitarywallet.com/veterans-day-free-meals-and-discounts/