70 chain restaurants offer free,discounted meals to thank those who defend our freedom

Freedom is not free. But in tribute to veterans and active service members who serve to protect that freedom, dinner will be free or discounted at  70 restaurants throughout the nation on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11, 2013. Such popular eateries as Applebee's, Cheeseburger in Paradise, and Chili's are included in the list that can be found here. It's their way of thanking those who defend our freedom.

11.11.11: Veterans Day ... freedom is not free

"For those who have fought for it,

Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know."

On this day we want to pause and give thanks to our military veterans for their service to our country and for helping to keep us free.

That includes my World War II dad who served on the USS Wisconsin in the Pacific, my World War II step-dad who served on the USS Denver, my Vietnam era husband who served in the Air Force, my brother-in-law who served in the US Army, and home school graduate Sgt. Nate Salatin, USMC, who served two tours of duty in Iraq during Operation Iraq Freedom. It also includes my friend Kurt Michael.

It includes 93-year-old Mr. Hite who served in three wars, a neighbor who survived the Battle of the Bulge, another neighbor who survived being MIA in Korea, yet another neighbor who was in Vietnam, and even our own Governor Bob McDonnell. May we never forget the sacrifices they and their families have endured to protect our country.

Here's a salute to all the military, active and veterans, who are in and around the Staunton area and beyond. That includes you, Jim Hoeft, Bearing Drift's own head correspondent. Thank you, thank you, thank you ... and may God bless America.

Cross-posted at Bearing Drift

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

Commander-in-Chief golfs on Memorial Day while military families mourn

Twenty-eight-year-old Chief Warrant Officer Christopher R. Thibodeau was killed during combat operations in Afghanistan last Thursday.

The New Hampshire native was a decorated AH-64D helicopter pilot with the 1st Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade out of Fort Hood, Texas.  He had just discovered a few days earlier that his wife was pregnant, a fact that hit The Other McCain blogger Smitty particularly hard considering he is currently serving in Afghanistan with the U.S. Navy and his wife is at home expecting their first child.

Across the country on Monday, millions bowed their heads at memorial services held on a day set aside to honor those who have died while serving this country, protecting the lives and freedoms of Americans. At 3:00 p.m., Americans paused for a National Moment of Remembrance.

Where was President Obama? He reportedly hosted a breakfast for Gold Star families and laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, then hit the links, golfing with staffers on Memorial Day,  an activity that some found disgraceful on such a solemn day.

White House reporter Keith Koffler reported the President’s activities on his blog and it was picked up by the British and conservative blogs while the usual mainstream media outlets have remained silent. What’s that you ask? What if President George W. Bush had done that?

Koffler pointed out that President Bush changed his lifestyle while in the White House:

The decision to golf on Memorial Day invites comparison with President George W. Bush, who gave up the game early in his presidency and said he did it out of respect for the families of those killed in Iraq.

“Respect for the families of those killed in Iraq” … it’s the perception that is left with the public on a day when American military families are mourning the loss of their loved ones.

To forgo such a public carefree activity on such a solemn day is to offer the comforting perception of … caring.

Cross-posted at Bearing Drift