Next Wednesday is Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day when it was first established in 1926. Veterans Day honors persons who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who were honorably discharged or released.
Based on statistics from the Defense Manpower Data Center, a body of the Department of Defense, there are nearly 22 million military veterans in the United States, which is about 7 percent of the U.S. population. More than 50 percent of all veterans are over 60 years. 16.5 million served during wartime, of these wartime veterans just 1.2 million of the WWII veterans remain today. The Vietnam and Gulf War vets encompass the largest numbers today at 7.25 million and 7.03 million respectively.
Although it was not always the case, on Veterans Day, in gratitude, many restaurants, stores and other establishments throughout the US offer special discounts, free meals or free admission to veterans and members of the military on Veterans Day. I thought it might be helpful to list some of these businesses. Be aware that most businesses require proof of military service, which could include a membership card to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, etc. Starting with the restaurants:
Applebee’s: Offer a free meal from a limited menu.
Bob Evans: Free all you can eat hotcakes.
Chilis: Offer a free lunch combo or a dinner meal from a selected menu.
Denny’s: Free Build Your Own Grand Slam from 5 a.m. – noon.
Friendly’s: Free breakfast, lunch or dinner from a limited menu.
Golden Corral: Free dinner from 5-9 p.m.
IHOP: Free red, white and blue pancakes from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Little Caesars Pizza: Free pizza or $5 Hot-N-Ready Lunch Combo between 11 a.m. and 2 pm.
Max & Erma’s: Free best cheeseburger in America combo meal.
Olive Garden: Free entrée for veterans and 10 percent off for guests of the veteran.
Outback Steakhouse: Free bloomin’ onion and a non-alcoholic beverage on Veterans Day. From Nov. 12 – Dec. 31 receive 15 percent off your purchase for providing proof of military service.
Red Lobster: Free appetizer or dessert during Veterans Day week (Nov. 9 – 12).
Spaghetti Warehouse: Buy one entrée get one entrée free coupon for their ‘Original Recipe Spaghetti’ from Nov. 9 – 11.
Texas Roadhouse: Free lunch from a special menu.
T.G.I. Friday’s: Free lunch from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
TravelCenters of America: Complimentary meal (up to $15) at participating TA and Petro sit down restaurants for a truck driving veterans.
It is recommended to call the specific locations to make sure they are taking part in these promotions. Now for some of the shopping and service businesses:
Bed, Bath and Beyond: 20 percent off any purchases from Nov. 7 – 11.
CJ Banks: 10 percent discount (all year long)
Great Clips: Free haircut or ask for a free haircut card which can be redeemed until Dec. 31.
JC Penney: 5 percent in-store discount.
Lowes: 10 percent discount (all year long)
To learn of more military discounts, coupons, and benefits for Veterans Day and every day check out themilitarywallet.com or search “Veterans freebies 2015,” Discounts exist for travel, lodging, cellular phone service, computers, golf apparel, professional services and still more. Thank you from a grateful nation and personally I’m thankful and proud of all the veterans; especially to my father, uncles, husband and all the local men and women of Darke and Shelby Counties who have been and will forever remain our friends and neighbors. May God always watch over his people and our country.
Upcoming events:
Saturday is Scaryoke (Scary Karaoke) at the Versailles Vet’s Bunker and Sunday is a Chicken Fry at the Vets Club from 4-6 p.m.
Sunday, Webster United Methodist Church will recognize both military and emergency services veterans during their worship service.
Sunday, the Versailles Lion Clubs will be serving their pancake breakfast in the St. Denis Catholic Church basement from 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Nov. 12, a weekly (open to the public) Bid Euchre tournament is held at the Vets Club “Bunker” (downstairs) beginning at 7 p.m.
Nov. 12-14: Versailles’ Hometown Christmas Celebration
Nov. 15, Phyllis Shively will be celebrating her birthday with an open house from 2:30-5 p.m. at the St. James Episcopal Church in Piqua.
Congratulations to Joe Spitzer for placing 12th at the cross country regional meet, which qualifies him for the state meet. Congratulations to the girls golf team finished eighth at state and to the volleyball team who finished with their season Wednesday evening.
Congratulations to Katerri Schmitmeyer who was recently named the winner of the National FFA Dairy Production Placement Award.
Happy 98th birthday to Beulah Fine, as well as birthday wishes to Phyllis Shively (80), Larry Overholser, Chris Jones, Brian Holzapfel, Arthur Curtis, Don Yagle, Rob Noggle, Dan Buxton, Paul Luft, Kay Camacho, Tom Magoto, Raquel Bulcher, Lori Cordonnier, Kim Constantinides, Krissy Platfoot, Kalyn Justice, Tim Magoto, Griffin Riegel, Kaylynne Minnich, Emily Phlipot (5), Carly Graves, Darlene Wiford, Oliviah Smith, Donna Subler, Marlene Schmitmeyer, Joy Morris, Mary Miller, Sundra Bey, Marge Harman, Diane Elsas, Jennifer Ward, Karen Oldiges, Mary Francis, Danielle Keiser, Sharon Henry, Melissa Stewart, Jerry Pequignot, Ron Schulze, A.J. Bey, George Stuck, Jim Trittschuh, Randy Monnin, Stacy Weymer, Amy Schoen, Marcy Roll, Kristy Earick, Christy Hunt, Judy Magoto, Susie Keihl, Marcy Roll, Cindy Shadoan, and Kent Monnin. Wedding wishes to Traci and Jesse Doubelaere (8), Angel and Shane Borchers (15), Dawn and Tom Petitjean (22), Stephanie and Ken Swallow, Carol and Phil Borchers (53), Diane and Jim Grillot (44), Bonnie and Jerry Bey, Elaine and Jerry Singer (50).
Healing prayers and get well wishes to Dorothy Richard (hip), Dave Magoto, Alan Barga (bypass surgery) Maggie Dabbelt (breast cancer), Bob Homan (cancer), Janet Pitsenbarger, Kelly Bruns (stroke), Steven Youngker (shoulder surgery), Nicole Smith (appendicitis), Dave Francis, Marge Langenkamp, Iris Nickol, Joann Ingle, Eileen Rahm, Michelle McClure, Judy Yoder, Dan Trostel, Dave Gibson, Boots Breaden, Robert Longenecker, Karen Coverstone (cancer), Rita Wuebker, Shirley Davis, Yvonne Ridenour, Cyril Frantz, Wayne Pittsenbarger, Michelle Ullom, Thelma Schultz, James Youngker, Glenn Monnin, Isabella Yakos, Brian Voisard Barb and Jon Agne, Samantha Smith and all those dealing with cancer or any one of life’s many challenges, as well the hospitalized or homebound in need of our prayers but not mentioned by name.
Sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Daryl Plessinger (64), Luther “Squeek” Strobel (75), Catherine Studabaker (84), Luke Jutte (89), Marjorie Lyme (89), and Adaline Knapke (94), also remembering the lives of Margery Browder, Thelma Clark, Bud Treon, Lucy Monnier, Red Kremer, Ernie Monnin, Helen Frantz, Don Canan Bill Graves, Janet Helsel, Flora Neargarder, Merv Schulze, Leo Schieltz, Evelyn Gump, Marilyn Bulcher and all those who are in our hearts but not mentioned by name at the anniversary of their passing.
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” -John Fitzgerald Kennedy
“May we never forget that freedom isn’t free.” ~Unknown
“Our veterans accepted the responsibility to defend America and uphold our values when duty called.” ~Bill Shuster