Bob Stuart: 'Vets hike trail to heal and help others'

The Warrior Hikers were in the area Sunday, and News-Virginian reporter Bob Stuart was there to talk with these military vets -- American heroes -- on their thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail.

Read about the Warrior Hikers at Virginia Politics On Demand (VPOD), and be sure to read Bob's article in the News-Virginian with thanks for his coverage.

Update: 'Walking Off the War' ... AT Warrior Hike military vets to be at Devil's Backbone Brewery near Wintergreen on Sunday

Along the Appalachian Trail, there's a group of military veterans "walking off the war," battling the memories of time deployed overseas but grateful to be physically able to hike, well aware that some of their fellow warriors came back with serious injuries. Others paid the ultimate price.

If you've ever wanted to thank a veteran, Sunday is your chance. Buy the Warrior Hikers a beer and make a toast of gratitude for their service to our country. They will gather at Devil's Backbone Brewing Company in Roseland (near Wintergreen) Sunday afternoon at 5:00. (This is a change from my earlier post.)

Reporter David Kaplan with KDBJ TV-7 caught up with the thru-hikers in Craig County earlier this week, and talked with several about their journey. Check out the website and meet the hikers who have been deployed overseas -- Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Army veterans who set out from Georgia in March to follow the Appalachian Trail north.

Father's Day provides a great opportunity to come out and show appreciation for these men and women who have served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, the Persian Gulf, and Southeast Asia, putting their lives on the line to preserve the freedoms we enjoy here at home.

The Warrior Hikers are our American heroes. The website tells how it began:

In 1948 Earl Shaffer told a friend he was going to “walk off the war” to work out the sights, sounds, and losses of World War II. Four months later, Earl Shaffer became the first person to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.

Recognizing the physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits of hiking the Appalachian Trail, Warrior Hike has partnered with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to create the Walk Off The War Program. The Walk Off The War Program is designed to support combat veterans transitioning from military service by thru hiking the Appalachian Trail.

I was alerted to the Warrior Hike by a reader of my SWAC Girl blog who writes a blog covering the Appalachian Trail from Rockfish Gap to Reeds Gap -- Rockfish to Reeds. She follows many of the hikers on the trail and has watched the Warrior Hikers since their March departure in Georgia.

Merlot describes her blog as, "Rockfish Gap to Reeds Gap ..... that little piece of  'AT heaven' we all love so much. This is a blog for the dedicated volunteers who maintain the 19.1 miles of white-blazed AT and some blue-blazed side trails as well."

So a tip of the hat to Merlot for the hard work that goes into upkeep for the AT, and for the heads-up about the Warrior Hikers. If you can, please join them at Devil's Backbone Brewing Company.

AT Warrior Hikers coming to Waynesboro Sunday

This Sunday at 5:00 at the VFW Post 2424 in Waynesboro, meet the Appalachian Trail Warrior Hikers as they make their way north on their thru-hike.

The Warrior Hikers are our military veterans:

In 1948 Earl Shaffer told a friend he was going to “walk off the war” to work out the sights, sounds, and losses of World War II. Four months later, Earl Shaffer became the first person to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.

Recognizing the physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits of hiking the Appalachian Trail, Warrior Hike has partnered with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to create the Walk Off The War Program. The Walk Off The War Program is designed to support combat veterans transitioning from military service by thru hiking the Appalachian Trail.

I was alerted to the Warrior Hike by a reader of my SWAC Girl blog who writes a blog covering the Appalachian Trail from Rockfish Gap to Reeds Gap -- Rockfish to Reeds. She follows many of the hikers on the trail and has watched the Warrior Hikers since their March departure in Georgia. Merlot describes her blogs as, "Rockfish Gap to Reeds Gap ..... that little piece of  'AT heaven' we all love so much. This is a blog for the dedicated volunteers who maintain the 19.1 miles of white-blazed AT and some blue-blazed side trails as well."

So a tip of the hat to her for her interest in the AT, and for the heads-up about the Warrior Hikers. Sunday offers an opportunity to thank these military veterans who put their lives on hold and on the line to preserve our freedoms. I'll update with more info as I find it but it's this Sunday, June 16, at 5:00 at the VFW in Waynesboro.

New veterans services measures take effect July 1

Effective July 1, 2010 -- highlights 24 pieces of legislation to make Virginia the most veteran friendly state in America ...

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell highlighted legislation taking effect July 1st that recognizes his commitment to make Virginia the most Veteran friendly state in America. Included in this is legislation establishing a Veterans Skills Database, fee waivers for Veterans seeking small business permits, protecting the right to display the American flag at their home, and designating the Honor and Remember Flag as the Commonwealth's emblem of service and sacrifice.

Speaking about the legislation becoming law on July 1st, Governor McDonnell remarked:

“Virginia is home to more than 830,000 veterans and almost 200,000 Virginians are serving in the military around the world. Our state government must continue to do more to better serve those who have voluntarily protected America for generations past and present.

During the 2010 legislative session we passed 24 pieces of legislation to make Virginia the most veteran-friendly state in America. I have tasked Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services Paul Galanti to develop a Veterans Bill of Rights to identify the needs of veterans and their families so we can make sure those needs are met.

I have also asked the Virginia Employment Commission, in cooperation with the Department of Veterans Services and the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, to establish a Veterans Skills Database to help market and promote workforce skills to veterans. We passed legislation protecting a Virginian’s right to fly the American flag on his or her property.

Further, we have designated the Honor and Remember Flag as the Commonwealth's emblem of service and sacrifice by the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces, who have given their lives in the line of duty. The community of veterans and active duty soldiers who call Virginia home deserve our support and recognition to ensure their success in the Commonwealth.”

Commissioner of Veterans Services Paul Galanti also noted, “We are working hard to implement the most affected policies to ensure our veterans and active duty soldiers have the tools they need to be successful at home and continue to choose Virginia as their place of retirement. The 24 pieces of legislation going into law on Thursday will better equip us with the tools needed to provide Virginia’s veterans with the services they need.”

Veterans Services Laws Taking Effect July 1st:

HB479 (Carrico) – Burial vaults at state-operated veterans cemeteries
Provides burial vaults at cost to eligible veterans and their family members interred at state-operated veterans cemeteries, based on available funding at the Department of Veterans Services.

HB128 (Cox) – Free fishing licenses to disabled, active duty military personnel
Authorizes the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to issue free fishing licenses to disabled, active duty military personnel who are receiving inpatient or outpatient medical treatment from a veterans or military hospital in Virginia, an adjoining state, or the District of Columbia.

SB243 (Watkins) Fishing license; exempts active duty military personnel who are residents
Exempts active duty military personnel who are residents and on leave from having to obtain a basic fishing license so long as they can show proof that they are on leave.

HB956 (Lingamfelter)/ SB151 (Stuart) – Condominium and Property Owners' Association Acts; display of U.S. flag
Provides that a unit owners' or property owner's association shall not prohibit or otherwise adopt or enforce any policy restricting a unit or lot owner from displaying upon property to which that owner has a separate ownership interest or a right to exclusive possession or use the flag of the United States whenever such display is in compliance with the federal Flag Code. The bill also provides that the unit owners' or property owners' association may establish reasonable restrictions as to the size, place, duration, and manner of placement or display of the flag provided the restrictions are necessary to protect a substantial interest of the unit owners' or property owners' association. Under the bill in an action brought to enforce a rule pertaining to display of the flag, the unit owners' or property owners' association has the burden of proof regarding whether the rule protects a substantial interest of the association.

HB1226 (Tyler) – Adds Global War on Terrorism, etc., to wars that are honored
Adds the Global War on Terror, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom to the wars that are recognized on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. The bill also adds the Global War on Terror and Operation Enduring Freedom to the wars or conflicts for which a locality may issue permits for the erection of monuments or memorials.

SB55 (Martin)/ HB1235 (Anderson) – Absentee ballots; procedure for various deadlines and ballot requirements
Requires that ballots be prepared and available for absentee voting not later than 45 days before any election rather than 45 days before the November election and 30 days before other elections. The bill also requires preparation of ballots 45 days in advance of special elections for federal office and allows, if necessary, preparation as soon after that deadline as possible for other special elections. Various deadlines for nominations and filings are adjusted in response to the ballot preparation change.

SB349 (Hanger) Reemployment rights of members of the Virginia National Guard, State Defense Force, or naval militia
Extends the period in which a member of the Virginia National Guard, Virginia State Defense Force, or naval militia is required to apply for reinstatement in his former job to 90 days following his release from duty or from hospitalization following release, if the length of the member's absence by reason of service in the uniformed services exceeds 180 days. If the duration of his absence does not exceed 180 days, such notice must be given within 14 days, which is the current period allowed in all instances regardless of the duration of the absence. This notice period is consistent with that provided under the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act for service members deployed for 181 days or longer.

HB1233 (Miller)/ SB613 (Paula/Wampler) – Insurance Coverage of Virginia National Guard Members if called to active duty by Governor
Allows a member of the Virginia National Guard called to state active duty by the Governor to continue his health care coverage, life insurance and long-term care insurance, at the member's expense.

HB262 (Sherwood/Greason)/ SB255 (Hurst/Stosch) – Exemption from handling fee for veterans opening small business
Exempts veterans from paying the Department of Business Assistance's handling fee when establishing a small business through the one-stop small business permitting program.

HJ127 (Cosgrove/Sherwood/Hurt) – Honor and Remember Flag; State's emblem of service and sacrifice by members of U.S. Armed Forces
Designates the Honor and Remember Flag as the Commonwealth's emblem of service and sacrifice by the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who have given their lives in the line of duty.

HB129 (O’Bannon)/ SB31 (Puller) – Constitutional amendment; property tax exemption for certain veterans
Provides for a referendum at the November 2, 2010, election to approve or reject an amendment requiring the General Assembly to provide a real property tax exemption for the principal residence of a veteran, or his or her surviving spouse, if the veteran has a 100 percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability.

HB1337 (Lingamfelter) – Veterans Bill of Rights
Requires the Commissioner, in conjunction with the Board of Veterans Services, to establish and implement a compact with Virginia's veterans, which shall have a goal of making Virginia America's most veteran-friendly state. The bill specifies the provisions to be contained in the compact, and requires the Commissioner to include the status and progress of the compact in his annual report.

SB299 (J. Miller) – Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
Requires the Department of Education to employ a military family education liaison to provide staff support for the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children and to assist military families and the state in facilitating the implementation of the Interstate Compact

HB419 (K. Cox) – Electronic processing of disability claims
Requires the Department of Veterans Services to replace its existing case management technology, which replacement is required to support highly sophisticated electronic claims preparation.

HB174 (K. Cox) – Eliminates requirement that Wounded Warrior Program cover only combat injuries
Eliminates the requirement that the Wounded Warrior Program cover only injuries sustained by military service personnel in combat areas.

HB1118 (Stolle)/ SB619 (Herring) – Virginia Military Family Relief Fund
Allows individuals who receive payments from the Virginia Military Family Relief Fund to subtract them from their federal adjustable gross income when calculating their Virginia taxable income, for taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2010.

HB760 (Stolle) – Veterans Skills Database
Requires the Virginia Employment Commission, in cooperation with the Department of Veterans Services and the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, to establish the Veterans Skills Database, an Internet-accessible database of veterans and their workforce skills, for the purpose of marketing and promoting the workforce skills of veterans to potential employers. The database will be free to both veterans and employers.

HB382 (Sherwood) – Burial power of attorney
Provides that when a person dies while on active military duty and has designated an individual to make arrangements for his funeral and disposition of his remains on a U.S. Department of Defense Record of Emergency Data, the designee shall be responsible for making such arrangements.

An American veteran honors the fallen

Memorial Day 2010
Staunton, Virginia

Photo by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
31 May 2010

Augusta County's "Speedy" Hite, U.S. Army veteran of 3 wars -- Happy Birthday!

Mr. Speedy Hite (second from left), a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Thank you for your service, Mr. Hite.
Happy Birthday!

D.E. Hite, affectionately known as "Speedy" and by me as Mr. Hite, is one year older today. He is well known in the area, meeting many mornings with his regular coffee group at Kathy's Restaurant in Staunton, attending monthly SWAC Conservative Breakfasts, standing at attention at Support the Troops rallies, and showing up just about anywhere at anytime.

Mr. Hite was career U.S. Army, serving in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam before retiring and returning home to Augusta County. He is my neighbor and friend, and we are fortunate to have men like him who were willing to sacrifice to protect the freedoms we enjoy.

Happy "90-something" Birthday, Mr. Hite ... and may you be blessed with many more.

Photo by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
March 2010

We the People want to thank our military

We the People who love our freedom
Want to thank our military who gave us that freedom.

This video will warm your heart.
At 2:28 watch the little girl and the Marine.

Group Hug
TROOP HUG!

To our servicemen ...
Your service and sacrifices are not made in vain!

For those who have fought for it,
Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.

H/T to FitzFam who said,
"Check this out, Lynn -- it is great!!!" I agree.

WW II hero finally received burial he deserved

A World War II hero and his wife ... their remains left in the trash ... years later, he was finally honored with a hero's burial:

At the edge of the trash mound, sticking out from beneath a box, Sturgell spied a worn green folder.

She pulled it out, brushed off the dust. Across the top, bold letters said "Department of Defense." Inside, she found retirement papers from the U.S. Army; a citation for a Purple Heart issued in 1945; and a certificate for a Bronze Star medal "for heroism in ground combat in the vicinity of Normandy, France... June 1944." In the center of the certificate there was a name: Delbert E. Hahn.

Why would anyone throw that away? Sturgell asked.

And who is that guy? Colt wanted to know. Must be old, a World War II vet. Looks like he served at D-Day!

That night, they took the paperwork back to Sturgell's house and searched Delbert E. Hahn on the computer. Nothing. They talked about who he might have been, the life he might have led.

The next morning, they went back to the trash heap and searched for more clues. They rummaged through boxes, overturned furniture, picked through piles of the past. Colt moved a ratty couch - and something fell out. A metal vase, or box, some kind of rectangular container about a foot tall. On the base was the name: Delbert E. Hahn.

"It's him," Colt told his girlfriend. "This must be him, in his urn."

Sturgell screamed. She didn't want to touch it. It was kind of freaky, she said, discovering the remains of some dead guy.

"He shouldn't be here," Colt said. "No one should be thrown away like that, just left in a parking lot."

Thanks to two teenagers who cared, this veteran received the honor due him, and everyday Americans paid their respects:

The teenagers sat on the front bench. Three officials from Veterans Affairs sat behind them. They had spent weeks searching for the Hahns' relatives, any distant kin or friend, someone who might want their ashes - or at least want to come to their burial.

They couldn't find anyone. ...

By the time the chaplain lifted his head from the Lord's Prayer, a long line of men had wrapped around the gazebo.

Wearing blue denim shirts and work boots, they clasped their caps in their hands and bowed their heads. Dozens of groundskeepers from the cemetery had left their Christmas party to come pay respects to the man who, in death, had been so disrespected.

A bugler played taps. The riflemen fired three shots. And 56 people watched the honor guard fold a flag over the urns of the man and woman they never knew.

May we never forget the sacrifice of our military men and women.

H/T to Mom

Randalls Food Store fires employee for apprehending purse snatcher

Scenario: Tuesday, July 21 ... woman shopper in Randalls Food Store in Austin has her purse snatched by a 15-year-old who runs out the door. Produce manager and Army veteran Troy Schafer is returning from lunch when he sees what is happening and gives chase, along with a customer. Suspect is chased into a nearby field ... police arrive and arrest him ... customer's purse is recovered.

Would you consider Mr. Schafer a hero? In today's "don't get involved America," he is a refreshing breath of fresh air.

The problem? His employer, Randalls Food Store, fired him because, according to customer service representative Connie Yates, it was "against company policy." To do what? Help a customer? Chase a robber? Help a fellow citizen?

The news has broken all over Austin and this morning Mr. Schafer, along with the customer whose purse was snatched, Ann Welch, appeared on Fox & Friends where they relayed the incident. An email, JobsForTroy@yahoo.com, has sprung up for those with jobs to offer this courageous American citizen.

Randalls has told him he could reapply for his job in six months. Mr. Schafer needs a job before then ... he has bills to pay.

He told the Austin American-Statesman:

"In a split-second decision, when someone is screaming for help, what do you do?" he asked. "I did what I thought was right. I still feel like I did the right thing. I couldn't look at myself in the mirror the next day if I didn't help that lady."

Customer Ann Welsh reacted when told Mr. Schafer had been fired:

Welch said she appreciated the help Schafer and the unnamed customer gave her. She offered them money as a reward, she said, but they both refused.

Schafer told her Saturday that he had been fired. Welch said Monday morning she asked the store manager to give Schafer his job back. But the manager told her his hands were tied.
Welch said she hopes Schafer finds work soon.

"He heard me needing help, and he helped me. And then you fire him in this economy? It's just wrong," she said. "It is absolutely wrong."

A few thoughts about this:

- Litigation in America is completely out of control. Many companies have initiated policies such as the one cited by Randalls because criminals have sued companies and won. Tort reform is badly needed and long overdue.
- Criminals now can prey on customers in Randalls because they know store employees cannot give chase.
- Military veterans, who have been trained to protect Americans, should be better appreciated by employers including Randalls Food Stores.
- Americans, who have been told they need to stand up to bullies, are now shown what happens when they become involved and actually do stand up to bullies.
- Americans, who for too long have had a "don't get involved" attitude, now have a reason to do just that.

Judging from the outrage in Austin, Randalls has been hearing from many customers including those who have vowed to boycott the store until Mr. Schafer is rehired. Want to contact Randalls?

Randalls Corporate Office
Brian Dowling, VP of Public Affairs
5918 Stoneridge Mall Road, Pleasanton, CA 94588
Tel: 925-467-3000 Fax: 925-467-3323

Randall's Food Market - Austin area
Gattis School Rd, Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 246-0390 2051

"Randalls is UnAmerican" on Facebook

On a personal note, I have shopped at Randalls while visiting my sister in Austin and they are nice grocery stores.

However, this incident is, in my opinion, a sad lack of understanding on behalf of management in taking an individual incident into consideration instead of hiding behind a blanket company policy.

What happens to Mr. Schafer remains to be seen. Unless there is something we are unaware of about his employment, I would hope Randalls would reconsider and rehire this military veteran ... and thank him profoundly for his service to this country ... while realizing how fortunate they are to find such a dedicated employee.

May we never forget our military veterans

Reveille.

H/T to Mom