Free Food, Services and More for U.S. Veterans
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
All across the country people are thanking U.S. veterans in many different ways — and that includes retailers.
Here are some businesses that are expressing their gratitude with free goods and services this Veterans Day:
FREE ARBY'S: The owner and operator of 19 Arby's in the Richmond area, will offer free roast beef sandwiches to all veterans and active duty military men and women on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11. Current and former members of the military can present a valid military ID at any local Richmond Arby's to receive the free Regular Roast Beef Sandwich.
FREE APPLEBEES: Applebees restaurants across the country are offering free meals to Veterans and active Military on November 11th. Just show proof of military service.
FREE KRISPY KREME: Krispy Kreme is honoring America's service men and women on Veterans Day by giving away free doughnuts to all veterans and active military personnel. Veterans and active military personnel who visit any participating U.S. Krispy Kreme store on Veterans Day will receive one free doughnut of any variety.
FREE OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE: At Outback Steakhouse, all veterans and active duty military will receive a free Bloomin' Onion and beverage on Veteran's Day 2009. Just show proof of military service.
FREE GLADSTONE’S: Gladstone's 4 Fish in Los Angeles giving free meals to all active duty and retired military.
FREE SAM'S CLUB CANES: On Veterans Day, November 11, 2009, Sam's Club is giving away 25,000 Hugo canes free of charge to United States Military Veterans in need of mobility assistance. Limited quantities per club, available only while supplies last. Sam's Club Membership is not required but, proof of military service is.
FREE ADMISSION TO COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG: Colonial Williamsburg is offering free admission to Veterans November 6-11 as part of its Veterans Day tribute. The free "Honoring Service to America" pass will also be available to active duty military, National Guard and reservists, retirees and Veteran's dependents. Colonial Williamsburg will hold a military parade and ceremony on Veteran's Day.
FREE ADMISSION TO SHIRLEY PLANTATION: In appreciation for service to the the U.S., Shirley Plantation in Charles City is offering free admission for all Vets on Veteran's Day, November 11th. Bring your U. S. military identification. The historic site is on Route Five.
FREE ADMISSION TO NATIONAL PARKS: U.S. Department of the Interior Honors Veterans with A "Fee Free Day" at National Parks, Refuges, and Other Interior Lands for everyone on Wednesday, November 11. Visitors to public recreation lands managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation, and the Department of Agriculture are invited to take a day to honor and reflect on what our service men and women have done to maintain our freedom and keep peace around the world.
FREE GOLDEN CORRAL: Golden Corral's 9th annual Military Appreciation Monday dinner is Monday, November 16, 2009, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, in the National Guard or Reserves, you are invited. The free dinner meal is a special "thank you tribute" to anyone who has ever served in the United States Military.
Golden Corral Offers Free Meal For Veterans, Military Personnel on Nov. 16, 2009
A complimentary dinner buffet and beverage will be given to all U.S. military veterans, retired personnel, or those currently serving who attend the event.
Golden Corral notes that no identification is required for the service member and while family is welcome to join, the free meal deal is limited to military personnel and veterans. find golden coral near you after read more
Veteran Day: Quotes, Free Meals, Parade and many more
The only living legend of World War I is Frank Buckles aged 108. He had joined the army at a tender age of 16.
Free Stuff, Meals for Veterans on Today’s Veterans Day
On Sunday, McCormick & Schmick’s celebrated Veterans Day early with free meals for U.S. military veterans and currently serving personnel. But, today, many other restaurants and retailers are giving out free meals, free stuff, and discounts to our great former and current American soldiers.
Applebee’s is offering a free entree on Wednesday to veterans and all active-duty military from 11 a.m. to midnight at all 1,900 locations. Although Applebee’s requests some kind of military ID, “We’re not going to argue with folks who might forget to bring it,” says Sam Rothschild, senior vice president of operations.Find your local Applebee’s here.
Outback Steakhouse offers a free Bloomin’ Onion appetizer and beverage to past and present military members on Wednesday, and Krispy Kreme has free doughnuts. Home Depot and Lowe’s are offering 10% discounts to military and vets.Find the closest Krispy Kreme here.
On Monday, Golden Corral is offering free dinner buffet meals to veterans and current military personnel. I’ll post the details then. Stay tuned.
Veterans Day schedule
Veterans Day will be observed Wednesday. The following public services will be affected:
Schools: Many schools will be closed; check with local school offices.
Government offices: Most government buildings will be closed.
Postal service: Post office branches will be closed. There will be no mail delivery, except for Express Mail.
Courts: All courts will be closed, except for Cook County Holiday Bond Court.
Banks: Major banks will be closed.
Transit: CTA, Metra and Pace will be running on normal weekday schedules.
Post office closed on veterans day and Are banks open on Veterans Day
November 11: Post office closed on veterans day and Are banks open on Veterans Day. Veterans Day is celebrated throughout the USA with great fervor. It is the day to remember the sacrifices made by the forefathers of the young nation who laid their lives to keep the nation’s flag fly high.
It is a federal holiday and so most of the offices and shopping plazas will remain close for the day.
Veterans Day is an annual American holiday honoring military veterans. A federal holiday, it is usually observed on November 11.
However, if it occurs on a Sunday then the following Monday is designated for holiday leave, and if it occurs Saturday then either Saturday or Friday may be so designated.
Golden Corral Offering Free Meals To Veterans And Active Duty On November 16th
The Golden Corral is set to hold their 9th annual Military Appreciation day on Monday, November 16th 2009 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the companies restaurants nationwide.
The complimentary dinner buffet is available for all active U.S. military veterans, retired personnel and all other active duty members of the armed forces.
No identification is necessary to attend the event, however family members of qualifying individuals are still required to pay for their meals.
Your request is being processed... Golden Corral Offers Free Meal For Veterans, Military Personnel on Nov. 16, 2009
Golden Corral will be holding its 9th annual Military Appreciation Monday dinner on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in all Golden Corral restaurants nationwide.
A complimentary dinner buffet and beverage will be given to all U.S. military veterans, retired personnel, or those currently serving who attend the event.
Golden Corral notes that no identification is required for the service member and while family is welcome to join, the free meal deal is limited to military personnel and veterans.
Free Applebees Meals for the Military on November 11th
All Veterans and Active Military can receive a free entree at Applebee’s on Veterans Day, November 11th. Just bring one of the following forms of valid veteran and active duty identification:
- U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card
- U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card
- Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
- Veterans Organization Card (i.e., American Legion and VFW)
- Photograph in uniform
- Wearing uniform
- DD214
- Citation or Commendation
- Three Cheese Chicken Penne
- Fire Pit Bacon Burger
- Fiesta Lime Chicken
- Chicken Tenders Platter
- 7 oz. House Sirloin
- Oriental Chicken Salad
Veterans Day Free Meals List; Applebee's Menu, Outback, Famous Daves BBQ
Here are some places:
Applebee's - is making an effort to feed the US military veterans and active duty soldiers by offering meals for free. On the menu you can have for free:
-Three-Cheese Chicken Penne
-Fire Pit Bacon Burger
-Fiesta Lime Chicken(r)
-Chicken Tender Platter
-7 oz. House Sirloin
-Oriental Chicken Salad
Outback Steakhouse - is giving away free blooming onions and a beverage of your choice.
Famous Dave's BBQ - is also offering a free meal to all veterans and military personnel.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts - is offering free doughnuts to all veterans and active military personnel.
Golden Corral - On Monday it's the Golden Corral's 9th annual Military Appreciation Monday dinner. On November 16, 2009 from 5pm to 9pm they are offering all veterans and active military personnel a free all you can eat dinner.
If you wish to receive free food make sure you bring proof of service. Such as Uniform Services Retired ID card, DD214, Active duty ID card, US Uniform Services ID card, Veterans Organization ID card, or in special cases like Applebee's you can bring a photo of you in uniform.
Today on Veterans Day, Applebee invites US soldiers in for a free hot meal to honor their efforts, sacrifice, duty, patriotism, and the protection they have given us us.
Enjoy your free meals! (c) tPC
Is there Mail on Veterans Day?
Are Post Offices open today? Is there Mail on Veterans Day? Veterans Day is a federal holiday. There are only three remaining federal holidays including today. Can you name them?For 2009, the last three federal holidays are Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day (November 2), and Christmas Day (December 25). On any federal holiday, post offices are closed, nomail is serviced.
So while there is no mail on Veterans Day, malls, mass transit, and grocery stores are all open. And banks? Some banks are open, some are closed, it just depends. So the good news – you can’t get anymore bills in themail today. The bad news is – banks are open, you can still pay your bills.taken from : http://news.lalate.com/2009/11/11/is-there-mail-on-veterans-day/
Is there Mail on Veterans Day?
Are Post Offices open today? Is there Mail on Veterans Day? Veterans Day is a federal holiday. There are only three remaining federal holidays including today. Can you name them?
For 2009, the last three federal holidays are Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day (November 2), and Christmas Day (December 25). On any federal holiday, post offices are closed, no mail is serviced
So while there is no mail on Veterans Day, malls, mass transit, and grocery stores are all open. And banks? Some banks are open, some are closed, it just depends. So the good news - you can’t get anymore bills in the mail today. The bad news is - banks are open, you can still pay your bills
Veterans Day 2009 free meals locations
New York, Nov 11 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Veterans Day is a special day to honor all those people who served in the defense of our democracy. It is marked by parades and even free meals to the veterans, which bring together New Yorkers and Americans in a bid to salute all those selfless people who guard the country so that the citizens can live a peace life.
Veterans day free meals are available at a few places mentioned below:
Outback Steakhouse: They are offering a free blooming onion and beverage of choice. This isn’t a complete meal, but this is what Outback is famous for.
Applebee’s: Applebee’s is offering six free entrees for free Veterans Day meals. The Applebee’s Veterans Day free meal choices include a 7 oz sirloin, 3 cheese chicken penne, and bacon cheeseburger.
Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que: From 11 a.m. to 10 pm all active-duty and Veterans will get a free meal at Famous Dave’s. This is the perfect Veterans Day free meal for the military people who want to enjoy a wonderful, scrumptious barbeque.
Krispy Kremes: All Veterans and military personnel will receive a free Krispy Kreme donut on this Veterans Day.
Golden Corral has already given free buffet meals to all active duty military personnel and Veterans on Monday.
Veterans Day events
Applebee's, all locations. Veterans eat for free. Show proof of service and choose from a six-item menu. (An item that the Star Tribune published on page B7 Sunday erroneously reported that guests should call local Applebee's restaurants to make reservations for this offer. Applebee's restaurants don't take reservations.)
Sergeant Audie Murphy Club Inductees Honored in Iraq
Sergeant Audie Murphy Club Inductees Honored in Iraq
MOSUL, Iraq— Eight Soldiers with the 130th Engineer Brigade, out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, were inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club at Contingency Operating Site Marez, Mosul, Iraq, Oct. 24.
Sergeant Audie Murphy Club inductees were:
Staff Sgt. Zachary Cianciosi, HHC, 130th Eng. Bde.
Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Pimental, HHC, 130th Eng. Bde.
Staff Sgt. Donald S. Collier, II, 523rd Eng. Co., 84th Eng. Bn., 130th Eng. Bde.
Sgt. Kerrilee B. Fowler, Forward Support Company, 84th Eng. Bn., 130th Eng. Bde.
Staff Sgt Roderick J. Hodges, 643rd Eng. Co, 84th Eng. Bn., 130th Eng. Bde.
Sgt. 1st Class Pete T. Leao, FSC, 84th Eng. Bn., 130th Eng. Bde.
Staff Sgt. Brad A. Reigel, HHC, 84th Eng. Bn., 130th Eng. Bde.
Staff Sgt. Jeffrey A. Nicholas, FSC, 65th Eng. Bn., 130th Eng. Bde.
Staff Sereangt Cianciosi, a senior medical non-commissioned officer, said he was honored to be inducted into the highly regarded organization. Like many others, he felt compelled to answer the call of his nation following, Sept.11. Signing up for active duty in 2002, he said he is proud to be part of something bigger than himself and does not regret his decision to join the Army. His induction into the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club reinforced his commitment to his country and his community.
The Endicott, N.Y., native, will return to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, when the brigade redeploys home next summer. Staff Sgt. Cianciosi said he will actively participate in the SAMC Hawaii Chapter and volunteer for fundraisers and other events to help the civilian and military communities there.
"This award will make my Soldiers that much more confident in me as a leader," he added. "I look forward to many more years in the Army and I cannot wait to see what lies ahead for me."
Like Staff Sgt. Cianciosi, Sgt. 1st Class Pimental, a San Antonio, Texas, native, said he welcomes the chance for volunteer work the SAMC will provide. Mentoring Soldiers and helping the Army community are essential to him as an Army leader.
The Sgt. Audie Murphy Club members' commitment to community service is important to other inductees as well. These individuals recognize that they can make a difference, not only to their Soldiers, but to their country as well.
"I am amazed by what the club represents in the community. One of the greatest assets as a club member is assisting young folks to become future leaders and working around the community to make it better," Sgt. 1st Class Leoa said.
Induction into the Sgt. Audie Murphy club is a competitive process. Sgt. 1st Class Pimental credits his success, not only to past NCOs whose leadership and mentoring helped make him the leader he is today, but also, to his current Soldiers. Without them, he said, he would not have been able to achieve his goals or accomplish what he has in his career.
"Being inducted into the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club has been a goal of mine since I was a young NCO," he said. "I was more happy than I was surprised about being selected."
Possible inductees must be recommended by a senior NCO, pass a performance test and go before a selection board. If they make it that far, they appear before a final selection board.
"It's unlike any other board that I have been to" Staff Sgt. Cianciosi said. "Instead of set questions from a study guide, the questions are all situational based. The answers are given based on the knowledge and experience of that particular NCO."
His advice to other NCOs who want to become members of the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club, is to not only be an expert on Sgt. Audie Murphy and the club's history, but to rely on past leadership experiences during the board process.
The club's newest members all studied extensively to get ready for the board. Some had gone through the process before but were not selected. The personal and professional accomplishment they felt for being selected was worth the countless hours preparing for the board.
Comparing it to studying for college finals, Sgt. 1st Class Leao said, "It took a lot of personal time and group study sessions to prepare extensively for the board. Although I had missions to attend to on a daily basis, I still made a lot of personal sacrifice to study and be mentally prepared no matter what the time was."
WWII hero, Sgt. Audie Murphy, was the most highly decorated Soldier in American history. Joining the Army in 1942, he fought in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany with the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. He received a battlefield commission for his leadership and courage on the battlefield. Like Sgt. Audie Murphy, the newest inductees were recognized for their outstanding leadership skills and service to their country.
Ceremony guest speaker and Sergeant Audie Murphy Club member, Command Sgt. Major Dale A. Moran, 130th Engineer Brigade, described the "Call to Duty" that Soldiers like the eight newest Sgt. Audie Murphy Club members have answered since the Army's conception, June 14, 1775.
"They answer the Call to Duty because they believe in the adage 'freedom isn't free' and that the freedoms that we so often take for granted are worth fighting for.
"Today we recognize eight NCOs who portray those same qualities of Sgt. Audie Murphy with their induction to the Audie Murphy Association. On behalf of the over one million Soldiers of the United States Army, thank you for being that selected few to serve our nation," he said.
Audie Murphy, a Hero to Never Forget
Nothing could be more appropriate this Veterans Day than to remember America’s most decorated WW II veteran, Major Audie L. Murphy. Perhaps you have never heard of Major Audie L. Murphy? Maybe you have seen a film with a star named Audie Murphy, or perhaps your parents mentioned his name? Audie Murphy, soldier or film star, came to exemplify the spirit once known as being an American. Being decorated, as Murphy would have said, does not make the brave special, the honor and integrity within them does.
Audie Murphy was a slight man in physical stature, only a little over 5 feet 5 inches tall – and thin, in fact he was turned down by most branches of the service when he tried to serve at the start of WW II. Even the US Army, after finally taking him, wanted to make a cook out of him. Later on, those who suggested such a thing would surely be convinced never to judge character by appearances. Murphy was not only one of the most highly decorated soldiers who ever lived (from any nation), but a man who’s country somehow recognized and loved. His grave at Arlington National Cemetery is the second most visited grave site to this day, right behind that of President John F. Kennedy.
The Last Full Measure
So many have offered themselves up, exemplifying what Abraham Lincoln termed; “The last full measure of devotion.” To be honest, today it seems like so many do not even know what devotion is, let alone sacrificing themselves for a greater good. Of course, this is not the case, as we see tens of thousands in removed parts of the globe, doing something called duty. This is how Lietenant Audie Murphy looked at his deeds, as his duty and nothing more. An article here is does not offer enough space to reveal more than a fragment about this extraordinary human being. I will instead quote a portion of the citation Murphy received when he accepted the Congressional Medal of Honor, the most notable of his 33 awards for valor from the United States and other Allied countries. In encourage all the readers to visit the Wikipedia reference pages for Audie Murphy. Honor him and his comrades as they did you.“Citation: Second Lt. Murphy commanded Company B, which was attacked by six tanks and waves of infantry. 2d Lt. Murphy ordered his men to withdraw to a prepared position in a woods, while he remained forward at his command post and continued to give fire directions to the artillery by telephone. Behind him, to his right, one of our tank destroyers received a direct hit and began to burn. Its crew withdrew to the woods. 2d Lt. Murphy continued to direct artillery fire, which killed large numbers of the advancing enemy infantry. With the enemy tanks abreast of his position, 2d Lt. Murphy climbed on the burning tank destroyer, which was in danger of blowing up at any moment, and employed its .50 caliber machine gun against the enemy. He was alone and exposed to German fire from three sides, but his deadly fire killed dozens of Germans and caused their infantry attack to waver. The enemy tanks, losing infantry support, began to fall back…..He received a leg wound, but ignored it and continued his single-handed fight until his ammunition was exhausted. He then made his way back to his company, refused medical attention, and organized the company in a counterattack, which forced the Germans to withdraw.”This was not the first time Murphy was honored, and during his lifetime he championed the cause of his comrades even as an actor in Hollywood. Murphy became one of the most popular western stars of his era, one of his films, To Hell and Back, being Universal Studios’ highest grossing film until Jaws in 1975. In all Murphy made 44 films, and has a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. But fame and fortune were not goals for Audie Murphy, they were the results of the integrity and undeniable courage and character he exhibited in his lifetime.
Not many know this, but Audie Murphy suffered from post traumatic stress disorder after the war (PTSD). At the time PTSD, or shell shock as it was called in WW I, was a very taboo subject. No one wanted to even recognize its existence, In true form, Murphy rebelled against such idiocy and supported veterans needs and causes until his death. Also, when the Korean War broke out, Murphy inlisted again – eventually attaining the rank of Major. Audie Murphy died tragically in 1971 when his private plane crashed killing he, his pilot, and four other passengers.As a final indicator of Audie Murphy’s character, the reader should know that it is customary for Medal of Honor recipients buried at Arlington to have their grave markers adorned with 24 carat gold leaf. Murphy had requested that his remain simple and plain, just like the ordinary soldier. An unknown person still maintains a small American flag which adorns Murphy’s inconspicuous stone. I leave the reader with a list of Murphy’s most notable awards for courage and valor, followed by a 2006 tribute to those who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington – you should go there – you will never forget it.
WW II Citations for Lieutenant Audie Murphy
- The Congressional Medal of Honor
- The Distinguished Service Cross
- Two Silver Stars – with oak leaf clusters
- The Legion of Merit
- Two Bronze Stars
- Three Purple Hearts – for separate engagments
- The Legion of Honor – France’s highest award
- Two Croix de Guerre awards from France
- The Croix de Guerre from Belgium
Tesla Wireless and the Tunguska Explosion
Nikola Tesla's writings have many references to the use of his wireless power transmission technology as a directed energy weapon.
These references are examined in their relationship to the Tunguska explosion of 1908 which may have been a test firing of Tesla's energy weapon.
This article was first published in a different form in 1990.
The idea of a Tesla directed energy weapon causing the Tunguska explosion was incorporated in a fictional biography (1994), by another writer, and was the subject of a Sightings television program segment.
Tesla Wireless and the Tunguska Explosion
" The present is theirs; the future, for which I really work, is mine. "
— Nikola Tesla
" If Edison had a needle to find in a haystack, he would proceed at once with the diligence of a bee to examine straw after straw until he found the object of his search. I was a sorry witness of such doings, knowing that a little theory and calculation would have saved him ninety per cent of his labor. "
Did Nikola Tesla Cause The Tunguska Explosion
Applebees Veterans Day free meal offer
In honor of Veteran’s Day today November 11, 2009 Applebees Restaurants are offering military a free meal. You may hear the saying that there are no free lunches, but today that doesn’t count at Applebees!
Free meal at Applebee’s honor of Veteran’s Day
UPPER PENINSULA — Wednesday is Veteran’s Day. And there is is good news for veterans and active duty military, there is a free meal at applebee’s for them. Enjoy, congrats, and respect. All of you deserve it.
In addition to many ceremonies across the area, a special thanks awaits veterans who are near an Applebee’s.
The restaurant chain will give vets with a proof of service a free meal Wednesday.
This is both for veterans and active duty military.
Why wont my parakeet eat my diarrhea
Try it on Google. Go to Google search and start typing "Why won't..." and what does Google suggest? It gives this "Why wont my parakeet eat my diarrhea?" as the first match. LOL.
This is crazy. Why would someone feed a parakeet his diarrhea? Why on earth would you feed your pet that?
Others tried searching and are not successful. What about you? I got it myself. See the screen shot below.
Why won't my parakeet eat my diarrhea?
Google screen shot
There's something of a new feature in Google. When you put in part of a question or a search request then it offers you a number of alternatives. You can of course still go on to complete your own query, but these suggestions are there for you if you wish to use them.
Like almost everything Google does this is a self-learning feature of the software. It looks at what other people have gone on to ask as the full question after they've put in the same beginning as you have. So, you have put in "why won't" and Google says that a sufficient number of people have gone on to ask "Why won't my parakeet eat my diarrhea" for that to be the number one query which starts with "Why won't..."
Which I think you'll agree, is really quite worrying, that there is a large enough portion of the human race asking such a question that the software has been trained in this manner. Even if it has been deliberately trained, as a joke, that's still a fairly odd if not bizarre insight into the human psyche.
Similar funnies turn up with other variations: "Why can..." brings up "Why can't I own a Canadian" to which the answer is of course you can but you have to marry one first.
"Why" on its own brings up "Why is my poop green" which argues for a number of people out there having had a bad experience at the Taco drive through. "Why is" gives us "Why is there a dead Pakistani on my couch" which sounds like a punchline. "What is" gives us "What is love" which is indeed an interesting question which the sages have been trying to answer for millenia. It might be a bit much to ask Google to answer it though.
This actually all looks like a variation on "googlewhacking". That's the attempt to get your page as the only entry in the entire Google index for some phrase or another. You do have to be pretty inventive to manage it now, given the size of the index. My assumption is that this is a variation: a game being played to see who can get the most outrageous suggestions out of Google by asking the question a few times and seeing if it comes up as one of those suggestions. And I would think that whoever came up with "Why won't my parakeet eat my diarrhea?" has managed to win a very large number of points.
What fun, eh? Anyone coined a word for the game yet?
Carrie Prejean Sex Tape: Yours for a Bargain-Bin Price?
AP Photo/Denis Poroy E! News has confirmed the existence of Ms. Christian Values' X-rated sex tape—which reportedly prompted her abrupt settlement with Miss California Organization officials—but while the contents may be controversial, the peddlers behind the salacious video have had trouble finding any takers.
The tape actually began making the rounds several months ago and was offered as an exclusive to various websites for the bargain-basement price of $10,000.
But even blogger Nik Richie of the porn-purveying TheDirty.com didn't want anything to do with the video of Prejean pleasuring herself.
"It was very graphic," Richie tells E! News, "and our lawyers wouldn't let us put it on the site."
No other site picked up the raunchfest, apparently made for an ex-boyfriend and which Richie describes as far more explicit than the topless photos of Prejean that surfaced earlier.
Which explains why the tape's reemergence this week reportedly took Prejean by surprise.
The fallen beauty queen had sued Miss Cali officials in August for libel, slander and religious discrimination two months after they fired her over missed appearances. Prejean was MIA from the pageant-sanctioned events as she traveled the country as a newly minted conservative activist espousing her views against gay marriage.
Pageant officials hit back with a countersuit, seeking reimbursement for her $5,200 breast implants and claiming the bombshell failed to live up to her contractual obligations.
Just as we were preparing for a long, bitter court fight, there was a joint announcement out of the blue on Tuesday declaring a settlement. The following day, TMZ reported that the sex tape was the pageant's trump card, and Prejean wound up with no money in the settlement (though the pageant was said to have paid $100,000 in fees to her lawyers and publicist).
Citing the settlement's confidentiality agreement, pageant spokesman Roger Neal declined to comment on whether officials used the sex tape as leverage, except to say "the lawsuits have been dropped, we wish Carrie the best, and Carrie wishes us the best."
Prejean's attorney, Charles LiMandri, echoed those sentiments.
"Since it was a confidential settlement, he will not be able to discuss it," his assistant said.
While LiMandri would not comment on the tape—or whether Prejean would sue to block its release—he told RadarOnline that if the Miss Cali camp did use the sex tape to procure a settlement, he was ready to nullify the deal.
"In my 26 years of practice I have never dealt with a situation like this," the legal eagle said. "It seems as if someone has acted in an unethical and unlawful manner by even raising this issue. We are weighing our options and if this is a breach of contract we are considering suing for punitive damages."
Note to Team Prejean: just don't punish us by releasing the tape. We've had enough.
Carrie Prejean sex tape: 'Nothing is private anymore' (video)
Defrocked Miss USA pageant runner-up and sex-tape-of-the-month bombshell Carrie Prejean visited The View on Tuesday morning to defend her masturbatory honor and promote her newly released book: 'Still Standing'.
Katt Williams arrest update
So Katt Williams has been released after posting bond yesterday afternoon. Reportedly, his bond was about a little over $41,000. He is still facing the criminal charges for burglary and trespassing however. A few details have leaked and a man named Daniel Broach is behind Katt's arrest. He is claiming that Katt broke into his home on Sunday night with a crow bar and stole about $3,600 worth of jewelry and collectable coins.
Katt's lawyer is still maintaining his client's innocence though. His lawyer says that Katt is leasing the property and has every right to be there. The problem lies in the contract for the property and the communication between the involved parties. Katt's lawyer believes this will all be cleared up soon without too much more drama for Katt. Another spin on the situation is that the property belongs to an associate of Katt's and that Katt is being allowed to stay there while working on a film in the Atlanta area. He got into it with Broach and so Broach got angry and called the police on Katt with a fake burglary charge. Either way it goes, it seems like Katt will come out on top of this one in the end.
No further info about the situation or word from the comedian himself is available at this time. I will continue to follow it though and keep readers updated. But the 911 call has leaked, and if your interested you may listen to it below.
If you missed some details on Katt's situation, catch up here. Also, be sure to support the comedian by visiting his website and grabbing some of his stand up projects. And get more Hip-Hop news
Veterans Day Printables
Honor your heroes on Veteran’s Day with one of our Veteran’s Day printables! Print, color and share the Veteran’s Day coloring page and word scramble as a way of showing your thanks to someone who has sacrificed and helped to defend our freedoms!
ANSWERS TO WORD SCRAMBLE:
1. brave 2. honor 3. sacrifice 4. silence 5. armistice day 6. poppy 7. peace 8. veteran 9. defend 10. remember
Veterans Day 2009: Veterans Day 2009 Celebrations and Deals
Next Wednesday, several students will be off from school as various school systems close for Veteran’s Day. In addition, mail will not be delivered and several banks will be closed as well. Many Americans will still have to work on Veteran’s Day, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t take part and honor our Veteran’s.
Dollar General has an amazing Veterans Day deal. All those on active duty in the military and their families will all receive a 10% off coupon to spend at Dollar General Stores. It’s great to see a company such as Dollar General giving back to those that fight for our freedom on Veteran’s Day 2009.
MidWest Airlines is offering a special sale on flights from November 11, 2009 to May 26, 2010. You must purchase your tickets before November 10, 2009 to qualify for the savings, so if you need to be somewhere this Veteran’s Day make sure you book early to take advantage of this sale.
Veterans Day began shortly after WWI and continues today. If you wish to teach your children about this holiday, there are many printable coloring pages that will help you do so. It would be so special for your child to color a Veterans Day 2009 picture and give it to someone that serviced our country.
Want to read some inspirational Veterans Day Quotes and learn how you can say “Thank You” This Veterans Day?
A 'Natural' Playmate? Sara Jean Underwood
All Natural? A Playboy Plamate? Say it aint so :) Ok, so Sara was the 2007 playmate of the year, I am behind, but wow, what a stunning girl. Just stumbled across this pic, and well, had to share. Apparently a 'claim to fame' of hers is that she got the honor and was all natural. Good for her :)
Does seem though that most girls gracing the magazine these days have been augmented, I could be wrong, have not had a subscription since the university days!
Anyways, Sara is obviously pretty amazing. Here is another pic, and well obviously there are lots of naked pics of her floating around, here is one I like (NSFW).
eBay Find: Playboy Playmate Sara Jean Underwood selling her Mini Cooper S
Being the Playboy Playmate of the Year has its perks. Besides being on the cover of one of the best-selling magazines, total celebrity status, you can get a brand new 2007 Mini Cooper S Convertible. But when the year is over and the glamour and fame are no more, you may want to get rid of your Cooper and trade it in for a luxury performance convertible.
We’re guessing that’s exactly what happened to Sara Jean Underwood, the 2007 Playmate of the Year. Underwood is selling her fully-loaded red 2007 Mini Cooper S Convertible on eBay with a “Buy It Now” price of $34,999.99.
Underwoord’s Mini Cooper S Convertible has an automatic transmission and less than 13,000 miles. Features include heated seats, power seats/windows/steering, parking sensors, traction control, leather and alloy wheels
Veterans Day Events & Freebies
- The annual Las Vegas Veterans Day Parade will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday. It will run from the corner of Fourth and Gass streets, down Fourth Street and end at about 12 p.m. at Stewart Avenue. it's called the biggest Veterans Day Parade west of the Mississippi.
- Station Casinos is offering a free buffet to active, inactive or retired military members with proof of service.
- Applebee’s in Las Vegas and Henderson is offering a free entree and regular side dishes to active, inactive or retired military members with proof of service.
- Horses4Heroes, a Las Vegas-based, nonprofit horseback riding program for families of military personnel, police officers and firefighters will be holding a Veterans Day Open House from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Diamond K Ranch at 4837 No. Monte Cristo Way. Activities will include guided horseback riding and a petting zoo. Refreshments will be served and prizes will be raffled. The Diamond K Ranch is located off Lone Mountain, just two blocks west of the Santa Fe Hotel in the northwest area of Las Vegas.
- Terribles Car Wash is giving free basic service or basic exterior car washes to vets and active military. All 17 manned Terribles Car Wash locations in the Valley are participating. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday. Military service personnel and veterans need to show their military ID to receive their complimentary wash; one wash per military ID.
- Clark-Hunt Construction joint venture, Evergreen Recycling and the VA will be the first in Southern Nevada to promote and publicly report the volume of materials being recycled on a regular basis with the installation of two large signs to be placed on the VA medical campus construction site in celebration of Veterans Day on Wednesday and in recognition of America Recycles Day coming on Nov. 15.The sign will be unveiled with a ribbon cutting by Mayor Sheri Buck of North Las Vegas at 1:30 p.m. at 3380 E. Dear Springs, off Pecos and the 215.
- Disabled American Veterans Chapter 12 and Auxiliary will host a Veterans Day Ceremony at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery (SNVMC) in Boulder City. The ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m. at the Boulder City cemetery, located at 1900 Buchanan Blvd., and recognizes all who have served with the presentation of colors, singing of the national anthem, and musical tributes performed by the Nevada Opera Theatre Chorus, the Myron Heaton Chorale and pipers from Scottish American Military Society Post 777, concluding with the playing of the Taps bugle call. Scheduled keynote speakers include Sens. Harry Reid and John Ensign, representatives Shelley Berkley, Dina Titus, and Dean Heller, Gov. Jim Gibbons, Boulder City Mayor Roger Tobler, and NOVS Deputy Executive Director Carole Turner.
- The prototype for a bronze Veterans Memorial will be on display within the Veterans area of Woodlawn Cemetery in N. Las Vegas, from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. Wednesday. A Ceremony will be conducted at 2 p.m. honoring all who have served and are currently serving in our United States military.
- American Airlines, Blue Man Group, Sands Foundation and ThanksUSA are hosting the Tribute to the Troops --- Wounded Warriors Charter Flight on Wednesday at the Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. In a distinctive salute to U.S. armed forces during a special Veterans Day observance in 2008, American Airlines unveiled two aircraft featuring a yellow-ribbon decal on the tails along with the slogan, ‘In support of all who serve.’ American now has three aircraft that fly with the yellow-ribbon decal, The 757 Flagship Freedom, a 737 Flagship Liberty and an American Eagle ATR. The Flagship Freedom will transport wounded heroes to McCarran. When the troops arrive at The Venetian, the wounded warriors will receive a red carpet welcome featuring singing gondoliers and cheering team members. In addition, there will be a special performance including the Honor Guard, Nellis Troops and Americas Tenor, Steve Amerson. Blue Man Group honors America’s heroes and military families with proceeds from its 7 p.m. performance on Nov. 12 going to ThanksUSA, which provides education scholarships for the spouses and children of military members. All tickets to the special performance begin at $100 and can be purchased by calling The Venetian Box Office at 866-641-SHOW (7469) or 702-414-9000 and mentioning the code: ThanksUSA.
Veterans Day 2009: Activities for children
Want to teach your kids about Veterans Day, but don’t know how to get them interested? The Veterans Day Teachers Resource Guide will enable your children to experience it in a whole new way, with crafts, worksheets, instructions how to fold the US flag, how to respect the flag, and the pledge of allegiance.
In the guide, you will be taught what the difference between Veterans Day, and Memorial Day is, including pictures and text explaining the great wars of the recent history from World War I, up until present day War on Terrorism. The craft section will have an array activities for children that comes in a packet full of colouring pages, Battleship maze, worksheets, and a thought provoking play with the title “Who is a Veteran?” But that’s not it, it also comes with a host of activity suggestions from library activities, to football games and written assignments.
If you are planning on educating someone, whether it be a class, your child, or even yourself, this fantastic pack has hours and hours of activities to get you in the Veteran Day spirit, and make learning about it a fun experience.
To find out more information about The Veterans Day Teachers Resource Guide, please visit the link below in the next paragraph.
The Veterans Day Teachers Resource Guide is published in honor of U.S. Veterans by the Veterans Day National Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of National Programs and Special Events (002C), 810 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20420
Perfect Pullup PL7101U by Perfect Fitness
Perfect Pullup PL7101U by Perfect Fitness helps you build your upper body strength with better and faster results, great for any fitness level from beginner to advanced.
Perfect Pullup’s adjustable swing arms provide three exercise positions for Standing Rows, Australian Pullups and Rotational Pullups never before possible from a single pullup bar. Rotating handles move with the natural rotation of your arms (360 degrees) to engage more muscles in the arms, shoulders and back, while minimizing joint strain. Includes Navy SEAL inspired fitness routines, and support users up to 300 lbs. Price, woot currently offers the Perfect Pullup PL7101U for $14.99 with $5 shipping
Perfect Pullup PL7101U Review: Get into shape like a Navy SEAL Veteran with perfect pullups
Get into shape today!
A major concern with the Perfect Pullup by Perfect Fitness is how it performs when an overweight person uses it. However, according to today's discussion on Woot.com, cdltrance says, "My roommate is 320 lbs and he uses my perfect pull up and my door is still intact".
The features of the Perfect Pullup include:
- Adjustable swing arms for 3 exercise positions, including Standing Rows, Australian Pullups, and Rotational Pullups
- Fits a door frame from 27" to 36" wide (don't worry--your door can still be used)
- US Navy SEAL inspired workouts
- Simple, easy to follow installation
Tennessee shuts part of Interstate 40 detour route in Greene County for bridge repairs
The Tennessee Department of Transportation will close part of the Interstate 40 rock slide detour to make repairs to north and southbound bridges carrying Interstate 81 in Greene County.
Work on the two bridges 33 miles south of the intersection of interstates 26 and 81 will be done at night and over two weekends, which makes it unlikely to cause problems in the Asheville area, N.C. Highway Patrol trooper Gene Williamson said.
Crews will work on steel support beams between 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday starting with the southbound bridge. The same shift will be repeated starting Nov. 21 on the northbound bridge. Traffic will be detoured using U.S. 11E.
Crews rehabilitating the overpasses this summer found the cracks.
The rock slide three miles east of the Tennessee line has forced a detour sending westbound traffic on I-40 to future Interstate 26 west toward Johnson City and then I-81 south.
Rain at the slide Tuesday kept crews from continuing to clear boulders piled 150 feet high, a job expected to take at least four months just to get two lanes open on the eastbound side.
An additional 20,000 cars that had used I-40 near the slide area are now using I-81.
The Tennessee highway department said Tuesday that it believes the cracks developed sometime after the last bridge inspection in 2008.
More rock slides
Two more rock slides Tuesday will frustrate North Carolina motorists trying to get to the Chattanooga area.The slides on U.S. 64 in Polk County, Tenn., happened near the Ocoee 2 Dam, according to the Tennessee highway department. The road could be closed for more than a week.
Travelers from North Carolina should take U.S. 74 to SR 68 north at Ducktown through McMinn County then on to Interstate 75 at Sweetwater in Monroe County. Residents in WNC could see more motorists trying to avoid the I-81 area completely by taking U.S. 25-70 to Hot Springs and on to I-40 in Newport, Tenn
Rock slide shuts down U.S. 64 through Polk County river gorge
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- U.S. Highway 64 through the Ocoee Gorge will be closed for a week, maybe more, after a series of rock slides crashed across the highway Tuesday.
Julie Oaks, Tennessee Department of Transportation spokeswoman, said geologists haven't yet been able to assess conditions in the slide area, which is just across U.S. 64 from the westernmost rafting put-in and just east of TVA's Ocoee No. 2 dam.
"The problem is it is still raining and there is concern about the stability of the slope," she said. "We will have to wait until the rain subsides before we can get in there to make an assessment."
Discussion of a possible rock slide on U.S. 64 came up two weeks ago during a meeting of the Citizens Resource Team, created to make recommendations on Corridor K -- a safer, four-lane route that would replace the current two-lane road.
"We are one rock slide away from being isolated," Keith Dilbeck, a member of the Citizens Resource Team, said then.
On Tuesday, Mr. Dilbeck, of Ducktown, was among the commuters whose trips to Cleveland, Chattanooga and beyond were rerouted before dawn by the Polk County Emergency Management Agency.
TDOT's recommended detour route from Chattanooga and Cleveland toward the Copper Basin or McCaysville, Ga., is north on I-75 to Exit 60 at Sweetwater, then south on State Route 68 to Ducktown. From North Carolina, take U.S. 74 to Ducktown and go north on SR 68.
A motorist discovered the first slide about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, said Don Longworth, operations chief for West Polk Fire and Rescue.
"It's pretty common to get rocks coming down, but it's the size and magnitude of this one," Mr. Longworth said. "We had one three or four years ago that shut it down for, I guess, about a month."
About 1 p.m., when only a couple of rocks were left, the mountain rumbled and slipped again, re-covering the highway and pushing full-sized pine trees over the side of the Ocoee gorge.
Steve Jones, Polk County maintenance supervisor, said all local workers can do for now is wait.
"We are just waiting to see what the ones with the right words can say; the ones with more geology knowledge than I have," he said.
Ms. Oaks said the assessment and subsequent cleanup could take a week or more. She said TDOT works each year to mitigate rock slides on U.S. 64.
"Unfortunately, that is not always foolproof and Mother Nature has a mind of her own," she said.
Biggest Loser Shay Sorrells Update, Jay Leno VIDEO
Shay had a milestone week with a 17 pound loss, which brought her 9 week total to an amazing 100 pounds. By doing so she set a record for women, smashing the old one set by Kristin Steede, who achieved her 100 pound loss in 12 weeks.
Below the yellow line with Shay was Amanda, who lost 5 pounds. The votes were split but in the end it was Shay who was sent packing – thus eliminating both members of the original Orange Team in the same evening.
Daniel and Shay appeared live last night on The Jay Leno Show. Shay told Jay that she has lost 150 pounds – a third of that at home since leaving the show. She reports that she has six different trainers, and works out every day after work and 6-7 hours on the weekends. Daniel reported to Leno that he has lost 230 pounds total – 33 of them since leaving The Biggest Loser campus.
With just four weeks remaining until the finale, the remaining six Biggest Loser contestants are headed to New York City for the popular makeover show, with a big reveal for their family members after they have been fluffed and buffed and outfitted in body flattering attire.
The Biggest Loser: Shay is the biggest surprise
Last night saw another episode of the reality TV series “The Biggest Loser” and this week, the show hit the road and ended up in the nation’s capital. And in last night’s episode, Tracey learned a big lesson; what goes around, comes around.
Rebecca and Amanda got their own back on Tracey for all her earlier game playing, by voting to eliminate her. But the biggest surprise of last night’s episode had to be Shay, who voted to keep Tracey and eliminate Liz instead.
According to latimes.com, the reason that Shay gave to eliminate Liz, was that she wasn’t fighting to stay. But that’s not what possibly comes across to the viewers. Could the real reason be that Shay sees Liz as a bit of a threat?
Other highlights of last night’s episode have to be the fact that Danny keeps losing his weight in double digits, while Daniel is very close to losing 200 pounds, since he first stepped foot on the “Biggest Loser” ranch. Well done to him!
N.C. community colleges grapple with big rise in enrollment
Many of the schools are reporting double-digit enrollment increases. But the statewide budget crunch is making it tough for the colleges to accommodate the rapidly rising influx of students.
“We’ve had to send money back to the state at a time when we needed it more than ever,” says Rhonda Wood, director of student registration and records at Gaston College. “We don’t really have the funds to do what we want to do.”
Gaston College had planned for a 1% to 2% rise in its student population this year, she says. But enrollment jumped 25% for the fall semester, rising to 6,500 students, many of whom attend part time.
The number of full-time equivalent students is 2,740, up 27% from a year ago.
In Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College estimates it turned away about 5,000 students last year, citing a lack of funding for scholarships and space constraints, says Jessica Graham, assistant to president, community relations and marketing services.
“I would anticipate that number to be similar, if not a little bigger, this year.”
The school estimates its full-time enrollment at 7,144 this fall. That’s an 11% increase from last year, Graham says. And enrollment is up 35.4% since 2006, she adds.
North Carolina’s funding for community colleges is based on the previous year’s enrollment. Because the schools have so many more students this fall, that approach is proving inadequate.
Plus, North Carolina lawmakers cut funding for community colleges last summer as they balanced the state budget.
CPCC, the state’s largest community college, has been dealt budget cuts of more than $7.6 million for fiscal 2009 at the county and state level.
A tuition increase of $8 per credit hour to $50 is helping the N.C. Community College System weather the storm, says Kennon Briggs, system executive vice president and chief of staff.
But there’s no money to hire additional faculty members or provide student-support personnel such as counselors, he says.
Meanwhile, schools statewide are seeing fuller classrooms.
An estimated 15,000 more students are enrolled in the system this year without additional funds to support them, Briggs says.
“We really are going to be facing a huge space concern in the near term because of demand,” he says.
A displaced-worker program that starts early next year at CPCC should further boost its enrollment. The program will train the unemployed to re-enter the workplace in six to 12 months.
School officials say such offerings are crucial to an economic recovery.
“We are the answer in many cases to what’s going on,” CPCC’s Graham says.
At Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, enrollment in welding, automotive and air-conditioning classes has doubled, says Carol Spalding, president.
Central Piedmont Community College: Safe For Bambi and Friends
All six of the Central Piedmont Community Colleges (NC) campuses were certified this March 2009 as spaces with Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Widlife Federation. While the National Wildlife Federation has certified thousands of locales, this is the first time any school has gotten all of its campuses in the club.
With loud, raucous co-eds tromping all over campus, how exactly is that calming and inviting for wildlife? Initially it might not be, but some college campuses have sprawling acreage with minimal development and this perfect to create safe space. According to the National Wildlife Federation, for a campus to qualify (and not just a college campus) a facility or area must meet four criteria: offer food, water, cover and places to raise young.
Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) gave each campus $2,000 to help create and maintain wildlife habitat. Students, staff and faculty at each campus were involved in each step of the process from design to installation to maintenance. Landscape design instructor Randy Sigg, from the Cato Campus, actually designed each of the habitats and students in the Horticulture Program ensured that native species were used so that indigenous wildlife would be attracted to the site. The projects gave students a chance to actually apply what they are learning in class and see what is inviting to wildlife out in nature.
Creating wildlife habitat on campus also means increasing greenspace, which no only cools off a campus, but also tends to add other valuable attributes like offering space for students to relax as well as quiet the campus down. CPCC plans to continue building on the native habitat by adding outdoor classrooms and fountains at each campus. They are also hoping the wildlife areas will create further opportunities for learning and that students and staff will take these lessons home and make their own wildlife spaces.
If you're interested in getting your campus qualified, or want to find out more about how to create wildlife habitat, cruise over to the National Wildlife Federation.:Central Piedmont Community College
Veterans Day's good Samaritan
CAROL DAVIDSON runs a tight ship - so much so, that even combat veterans refer to her as "Top Sergeant."
But to many of the more than 100 vets at Samaritan Village, a group of substance abuse treatment centers, she's just "Ma."
Davidson is director of veteran services at centers in Richmond Hill and Manhattan.
She was tapped as Grand Marshal of tomorrow's 90th New York City Veterans Day parade in honor of the 10 years she has spent serving veterans.
"I was a teenage substance abuser. I'm from the Vietnam era, and my dad is a World War II veteran," said Davidson, 56, a career social worker. "It makes sense that I ended up here."
The two residential treatment centers she runs offer what Davidson calls "therapeutic community treatment" to veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and end up turning to drugs or alcohol to cope.
Each houses about 50 veterans, many of whom were sent there by a court mandate. Most vets entering the program have fought in Iraq or Afghanistan, but several recent graduates served in Vietnam.
"The older guys get a pride and sense of meaning and the younger guys look up to them," Davidson said. "We're a big family."
Guy Smith, 62, served in Vietnam for a year in 1968. The guilt he felt about returning home when many of his fellow soldiers died led him to a life of "self-medication," he said.
"I sold drugs, went to jail and carried a gun," said Smith. "I didn't think anything was wrong with me."
It took Smith more than 30 years to realize that he suffered from PTSD - a diagnosis that didn't exist when he returned from Vietnam.
"I'm so glad for the young guys," Smith said. "They don't have to wait for help. Help is here."
Davidson calls the treatment centers "sanctuaries" - places veterans can talk about the things that they saw in combat.
"War heroes don't want to tell you about their experiences because they don't want to put those pictures in your mind," she said. "They feel it's their burden to carry."
Shawn G., of Cambria Heights, is currently enrolled in the veteran's program. He joined the Marines in 2003 and served two tours of duty in Iraq, where he began drinking heavily.
When he returned to Queens in 2007, he had nightmares he felt no one would understand and rarely went out without a pistol. Last year, he was arrested for carrying a loaded shotgun into a cab.
In May, the Queens district attorney ordered that Shawn get treatment at Samaritan Village.
"It didn't seem real coming from jail to a place where people understand me," he said.
At both centers, there is a bond between Vietnam veterans and those returning from war today. Davidson calls the older men "role models for recovery."
"Never again will a generation of veterans leave another behind," she said.
Famed Navajo Code Talkers to be in NYC Veterans Parade
NEW YORK – The famed Navajo Code Talkers, the elite Marine unit whose unbreakable code stymied the Japanese in World War II, fear their legacy will die with them.
Only about 50 of the 400 Code Talkers are believed to be still alive, most living in the Navajo Nation reservation that spans Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. Many are frail or ill, with little time left to tell the world about their wartime contribution.
But on Wednesday, 13 of the Code Talkers are coming to New York City to participate for the first time in the nation's largest Veterans Day parade.
The young Navajo Marines, using secret Navajo language-encrypted military terms, helped the U.S. prevail at Iwo Jima and other World War II Pacific battles, serving in every Marine assault in the South Pacific between 1942-1945. Military commanders said the code, transmitted verbally by radio, helped save countless American lives and bring a speedier end to the war in the Pacific theater.
They were sworn to secrecy about their code, so complex that even other Navajo Marines couldn't decipher it. Used to transmit secret tactical messages via radio or telephone, the code remained unbroken and classified for decades because of its potential postwar use.
"We were never told that our code was never decoded" or given identities of the original 29 Navajos who created it, said Keith Little, 85, who joined the Marines at 17 and remembers crouching in a bomb crater amid heavy fire on Iwo Jima.
"It was all covered by secrecy. We were constantly told not to talk about it," said Little. The Code Talkers felt compelled to honor their secrecy orders, even after the code was declassified in 1968.
Little plans to go to New York with the other Code Talkers, many of whom were young farmers and sheepherders and had never been away from home before the war.
"The code did a lot of damage to the enemy," said Samuel Tom Holiday, 85, of Kayenta, Ariz., who also is joining the parade. He was a 20-year-old Code Talker when he and two other Marines went behind enemy lines on Iwo Jima to locate a Japanese artillery unit advancing on American forces.
Once the unit was located, Holiday transmitted a coded message to Marine artillery, which fired a big shell at the Japanese. After the Marine rifleman proclaimed it "right on target," Holiday messaged "Right on Target" to a Najavo Code Talker in Marine artillery.
Though the Code Talkers transmitted information on tactics and troop movements, orders and other vital battlefield communications, they did not know at the time how those messages figured in the greater battle strategy.
Today "there's a certain elation about" knowing how much their work affected the outcome of the war, said Little, who runs a family ranch in Crystal, N.M., on the Navajo Nation.
Before the code, the Japanese intercepted and sabotaged U.S. military communications at an alarming rate because they had expert English translators. American forces then devised ever more complicated codes, but that increased the time — sometimes hours — for sending and decoding them.
The code, based on the ancient Navajo language, changed that. In the first 48 hours of the battle of Iwo Jima, six Code Talkers worked nonstop, transmitting and receiving more than 800 messages about troop movement and enemy fire — none deciphered by the Japanese. What confounded the enemy most was that Code Talkers could use distinctly different words for exactly the same message.
Recognition from the U.S. government and awareness of the Code Talkers — even within the Navajo community — has been slow to come. It wasn't until 2000 that the Congressional Gold Medal was bestowed on the survivors of the original 29 Code Talkers and silver medals on the rest.
At least five of the Code Talkers died just this year, creating an urgency for the Navajo Code Talkers Foundation to create a museum in their honor in New Mexico, near the Navajo capital of Window Rock, Ariz. It is slated to open sometime in 2012.
Yvonne Murphy, a foundation board member and daughter of Code Talker Raymond R. Smith Sr., who died seven years ago, did not hear of the Code Talkers until she was 16.
"I saw this outfit lying on the bed ... a Marine gold-colored shirt," she said, the uniform of the Code Talkers, laid out with some Navajo jewelry. But it wasn't until she was in her 30s, "that I was able to grasp the whole concept," added Murphy, 45.
The Code Talkers coming to New York this week hope to highlight their efforts and funding needs for the museum, slated to open sometime in 2012.
On Tuesday, they will visit ground zero and the World War II aircraft carrier the USS Intrepid, where they will give a proclamation on behalf of the Navajo Nation to Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
"A lot more Marines would be dead right now," if not for the Code Talkers, said parade chairman Patrick Gualtieri.
"Our language was used to help win the war," said Holiday.
"After we're all gone, there will be no one to tell the story."
Geisy Arruda Fotos
Someone please tell me if Brazil is located in some dungeon down the Pharaohs Pyramid? At least watching and reading about the Geisy Arruda, I am sure that the event has occurred in pre civilization era. Geisy Arruda is a student in Tourism and Travel department of the La Universidad Bandeirante. On October 22, Geisy went to University as usual to attend classes. Everything was normal except that the student suddenly started taking notice of her legs. She was wearing a red colored mini skirt. Watching the photos there seems nothing wrong with the mini skirt.
The most important thing is to get the eyes of the students checked who criticized Geisy Arruda for not wearing the appropriate dress. There is a high possibility that we discover a new phenomenon in which the eyes suddenly become able to capture X-Rayed photos. Anyways as female students started calling her by names, a riot like scenario erupted. Male students got involved in a fight with Geisy Arruda and her friend. They barely made it to the girl’s rest room. Even then male students climbed to the windows and started filming her. Some of the male students even tried to insert mobile phone between her legs and yes Brazil is a civilized country.
The matter did not stop here, University authorities published a piece in the newspapers saying that Geisy Arruda’s dress was not appropriate and no such thing could be allowed in campuses. They failed to applaud male student’s action and the medals they have reserved for them. University authorities say that Geisy has been expelled for her dress and now onwards each and every student is free to rip apart any female student’s legs – Bravo Psychos!
Geisy Arruda Fotos: Geisy Arruda Back in School, see Geisy Arruda Pics, Fotos, Pictures
Geisy Arruda fotos are hot. Geisy Arruda pics, photos, and pictures are also hot. Days after the Geisy Arruda video was leaked, people want Geisy Arruda “fotos” that show the beautiful Brazilian that was suspended because of wearing provocative clothing.
Geisy Arruda’s pink minidress made one Brazilian university very unhappy. After the world demanded answers for the Geisy Arruda mess, officials have let her back in class. According to LA Late, Geisy just wants to go back to the classroom, sit down, study and take tests.
Personally, I would transfer universities if I were Geisy Arruda. The reaction of the school was strange, considering that Brazil is a place where the most scantily clad people go to vacation and play. However, a laywer for the university issued a statement that Geisy Arruda “always liked to provoke boys, the problem was not with her clothes, but the way she talks, acts, crosses her legs, and walks.”
When Geisy Arruda went to the restroom in her minidress, male students broke in to the rest room, trying to put cell phone cameras between Geisy’s legs. Perhaps it’s not the minidress that’s the problem – perhaps it’s immature Brazilian male students?
Almost 700 students started rioting about Geisy Arruda’s attire. She had to be escorted out of the school wearing a lab coat over her pink mini-dress.
Are Banks Open On Veterans Day..Is Veterans Day A Bank Holiday
re Banks Open On Veterans Day..Is Veterans Day A Bank Holiday:Belleville will hold its 11th annual Veterans Day Celebration at 11 a.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial Monument on the Public Square.
Col. Gary P. Goldstone, commander of the 375th Air Mobility Wing at Scott Air Force Base, will be the featured speaker.
A World War II Navy Scout Bomber will fly over at 11:11 a.m., signifying the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, which marked the end of World War I in 1918. There will be a 21-gun salute and are church bells will ring. Other highlights are patriotic music, bagpipes and a color guard.
• Belleville — At 6 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 3 from St. Mary Parish in Belleville will hold a flag retirement and veteran recognition ceremony at St. Mary Parish at the corner of 18th and West Main streets in Belleville. The Polish American Veterans will hold a 21-gun salute and a bugler will play taps during the ceremony. The final flag to be retired will be St. Mary’s and upon completion of the ceremony a new flag will be flown. The event is open to the public.
• Belleville — Belleville West High School is inviting veterans and the public to participate in its fourth annual Veterans Day Assembly at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the gymnasium.
Veterans are asked to arrive between 2:30 and 2:45.
Retired Air Force Col. Michael H. Wieland will be the speaker. Wieland flew missions in Vietnam and is a former military airlift command liaison officer for the United Nations and a former commander of the 60th Air Base Group at Travis AFB, Calif. He has flown congressmen, secretaries of State and Defense and vice presidents around the world.
• Fairview Heights — A Veterans Day celebration will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at VFW Hall Post 8677, 5325 N. Illinois St. in Fairview Heights.
An honors ceremony is scheduled for 8 to 9 a.m. A health fair with screenings will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free breakfast and lunch will be
Are Banks Open on Veterans Day?
Are banks open on Veterans Day? Veterans Day is a federal holiday. But that doesn’t mean banks are closed. Malls, mass transit, and grocery stores are all open. But how about banks?
The answer is - some are, most are not.
In Minneapolis for example, Wells Fargo is closed while US Bank is open. In Iowa, 89% of all banks are closed. In Idaho, it just depends.While today is a federal holiday, banks have a discretion to be open or not. That decision is generally not branch by branch. If you are a customer of one banking institution, chances are all of its retail locations are open or closed today.
How and Why We Honor Veterans Day
Veteran's Day is a day designated to honor the men and women who have fought and died for our country. Discover six ways to celebrate Veterans Day including flying your American Flag.
LAKE ELMO, MN, November 11, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Veteran's Day is a day designated to honor the men and women who have fought and died for our country. The freedom that you have today is hard won by these soldiers who paid the ultimate price. They are the reason that you are free today. You can live where you want, work where you want, worship however you want, travel wherever you want, wear whatever you want, say whatever you want. Freedom isn't always free. It comes at a steep price. This is a day that is intended for giving thanks and reflecting on what has been sacrificed for our freedom.
In 1918, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month, the world rejoiced and celebrated. After four years of bitter war, an armistice was signed. The "war to end all wars" was over. November 11th was set aside as Armistice Day in the United States, to remember the sacrifices that men and women made during World War I in order to ensure a lasting peace. On Armistice Day, soldiers who survived the war marched in a parade through their home towns. Politicians gave speeches and held ceremonies of thanks for the peace they had won. Congress voted Armistice Day a federal holiday in 1938, 20 years after the war had ended. In 1953 townspeople in Kansas called the holiday Veterans' Day in gratitude to the veterans of their hometown. Soon after President Nixon declared it a federal holiday.
Americans still give thanks for peace on Veterans' Day. There are ceremonies and speeches and at 11:00 in the morning most Americans observe a moment of silence, remembering those who fought for peace.
Veterans of military service have organized support groups such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. On Veterans' Day and Memorial Day, these groups raise funds for their charitable activities by selling paper poppies made by disable veterans. A Poppy is a red flower which is worn to show others that you are remembering those who died for their country. The Poppy was chosen because it reminds us of a place called Flanders Field in Belgium where many soldiers from the first World War died in a bloody battle in a field of poppies. The poppies grow there between the crosses that mark their graves.
How to celebrate Veterans' Day:
-Fly an American Flag from your flag pole at your home or business.
-Observe a moment of silence. Concentrate on remembering those who have died defending the cause of freedom.
-Wear a poppy.
-Go to a cemetery and pay respect to a fallen soldier.
-Locate an American Legion near you and listen to the stories of men who have served for our country.
-Write a letter to a soldier who is currently serving our country and give thanks to them