Weekly Report 🗞️
🐕 K9's for Warriors Benefit Fundraiser | Veteran Discounts | POW/MIA Ceremonies
EVENTS
Howl at The Moon for K9s | to benefit K9s For Warriors
The internationally known Australian artist, Maria Zoe Smirlis, created two paintings of Warriors and their Battle Buddies to benefit K9s For Warriors. These paintings now reside in Florida and are being made available for auction through this benefit fundraiser, Howl at The Moon for K9s .The purpose of this event is to honor active and retired Military Service Members and First Responders, as well as raise funds to benefit K9s For Warriors. It is scheduled for October 9, 2024, between 5PM-7PM at The Moon, 1105 East Lafayette Street, Tallahassee, Florida. If you are interested in bidding on these paintings, please attend the event or contact the local event organizer, Mary Helena Allen, via messenger or email at akainfo@aol.com
YOU CAN ALSO VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE TO FOLLOW EVENT UPDATES
These Veteran Discounts brought to you by Veteran Tv.
HelloFresh - Sick of staring into your fridge like it's a black hole? HelloFresh offers veterans a 15% discount on meal subscriptions. Verify your military status via ID.me, and boom - great recipes (and all the ingredients you need to make them) show up at your door. It's like magic, but edible
Blue Apron - For when you want to flex on Instagram without lying about cooking from scratch. Blue Apron hooks veterans up with exclusive discounts throughout the year. Now you can name-drop your recipe for braised short ribs at parties and actually know what you're talking about.
Outback Steakhouse - Because sometimes you need a steak that isn't cooked on a radiator. Outback Steakhouse gives veterans a 10% year-round discount on their entire check. Just show your military ID and enjoy a discounted bloomin’ onion (more than the usual once per year).
Applebee’s - This one’s for the folks that have cracked the morse code message we’ve been including in the newsletter. For when the drive-thru line is too long but you still don't want to cook, Applebee's offers veterans a free meal on Veterans Day (run that bill up!) and a 10% discount at select locations year-round. It's like having a personal chef, if that chef really loved Dollaritas
Bonefish Grill - For those nights when you're feeling too fancy for fish sticks. Bonefish Grill gives veterans a 10% discount on their entire check year-round. Time to enjoy seafood that doesn't come in a can
Disneyland and Disney World - Veterans can access specially priced tickets at both Disney parks. Just show your military ID and you and your family can experience the magic without decimating your savings account. Just don't blame us when you're humming "It's a Small World" for weeks
Six Flags - Veterans can snag discounted tickets and season passes. Experience G-forces that rival a fighter jet, but with less paperwork and more funnel cakes. Just remember: screaming is encouraged, but loudly swearing might upset your fellow riders
KOA Campgrounds - KOA Campgrounds offer veterans up to 20% off stays, because sometimes you miss sleeping outside (at least this time, it’s by choice). Enjoy nature with actual amenities, proving that "roughing it" can include Wi-Fi and hot showers
Great Wolf Lodge - Need a getaway the whole family will love? Veterans get discounts of up to 30% at Great Wolf Lodge. Swap your combat boots for flip-flops and enjoy indoor water parks that make your old base pool look like a puddle. Perfect for when you want to splash around without worrying about the seaweed or sharks
Thousand Trails - Ready to see America without having to ruck march across it? Veterans get 20% off nightly rates (up to six nights) at Thousand Trails campgrounds. Perfect for when you want to go on a road trip but also remember what a bed feels like
Sky Zone - Gravity keeping you down? Sky Zone offers military discounts for veterans and dependents on all trampoline park admissions. Bounce away the memories of all those mandatory fun days
Ford Military Recognition - Ford's honoring veterans and active-duty members with a $500 bonus on models like the F-150 and Bronco. Get the truck that tackles tough jobs or the SUV built for adventure. Perfect for hauling your dreams and that questionable yard sale antique your spouse "had to have"
GM Military Appreciation - GM's giving veterans $500 - $1,000 off on premium models from Buick, GMC, and Cadillac. Whether you're enjoying the comfort of a Buick, the power of a GMC truck, or the luxury of a Cadillac, there's something for every style. Finally, a vehicle that can handle your collection of "it'll fit, trust me" Costco purchases
Jeep Military Incentive - Jeep's offering a $500 bonus to veterans on models like the iconic Wrangler and Grand Cherokee. These are built for serious adventure, whether it's the trails or city streets. Now you can pretend those trips to Walmart are actually daring expeditions
Toyota Military Rebate - Toyota's giving veterans an extra $500 off on trusted models like the Camry and the rugged 4Runner. With legendary reliability and long-lasting performance, you're ready for the commute or the great outdoors. It'll probably outlast your New Year's resolutions
Nissan Military Discount - Nissan's serving up $500 - $1,000 off for veterans on models like the sporty Altima and tough Frontier. Comfortable, stylish, and built for the long haul, your next adventure starts now
BONUS DISCOUNTS
But we’re not stopping there…
GNC offers veterans a 10% discount on vitamins, supplements, and wellness products.
Omaha Steaks serves up a $10 military discount for active duty, retirees, veterans, military spouses, and dependents.
Thrive Market provides veterans with a free one-year membership and exclusive discounts on healthy and organic groceries.
Colonial Williamsburg (Virginia) provides a 25% discount on single-day admission tickets and annual passes.
The National Corvette Museum (Kentucky) offers veterans free admission to explore Corvette history.
Mount Vernon (Virginia) offers a $4 veterans discount on admission, making it easy to explore George Washington’s estate with the kids.
Veterans get 5% off services at every Pep Boys Service Center in the U.S. (nearly 1k locations).
Valvoline Instant Oil Change honors vets with 15% off their total invoice.
Advance Auto Parts offers veterans 10% off regularly priced items.
Use code VETWINS for a 25% subscription discount and watch Veteran TV today.
IMPORTANT DATES
US Air Force Birthday (USAF) - September 18
Friday, September 20, 2024 12:00PM is the FLHSMV POW/MIA Recognition Ceremony – Tallahassee, Kirkman Building At the Flagpole – front parking lot
Friday, September 20 at 8 pm is the annual POW/MIA Ceremony at the Tallahassee National Cemetery at the Administration Building . Everyone is invited to attend this moving ceremony.
Wednesday, September 25 at 3 pm is the Final Salute service at the Tallahassee National Cemetery, at committal shelter number 1. Final Salute is military honors given to those veterans previously interred at the Tallahassee National Cemetery because when they passed away, they were unclaimed, they were unaccompanied at the time of interment, or were interred without military honors. Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to attend this military honors event.Gold Star Mother's Day - September 29, 2024 (Last Sunday in September)
10 things you didn't know about the US Air Force
(according to the American Legion)
10 things you didn't know about the Air Force | The American Legion)Sept. 18 is the birthday of the Air Force. Now the second-youngest of the service branches, the Air Force was officially founded as an independent service in 1947, although the U.S. military deployed aerial components even back in World War I.
Here are some things you might not know about the Air Force.1. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has maintained a tradition since 1955 of “tracking Santa” as he travels around the world on Christmas Eve. Today, you can even download apps to follow along on your smartphone. (via We Are The Mighty)
2. The Air Force shares its birthday with the CIA; the National Security Act of Sept. 18, 1947, created both entities. (via We Are The Mighty)
3. That same year, Capt. Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in his Bell X-1 rocket-powered aircraft. (via We Are The Mighty)
4. Celebrities who served in the Air Force include Jimmy Stewart, Morgan Freeman, Hunter S. Thompson, Chuck Norris and “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry. (via We Are The Mighty)
5. "Air Force One" isn't a plane, but the radio call name for any Air Force plane carrying the president of the United States. (via We Are The Mighty)
6. Two U.S. presidents – Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush – served as airmen. Reagan’s time was before 1947, when the branch was still the Army Air Forces. (via USO)
7. The Air Force was the first service branch to create a provisional Cyber Command, in 2006. Today USCYBERCOM is a unified DoD command.
8. The Air Force’s official song is titled, fittingly, “The U.S. Air Force,” and includes the familiar line, “Off we go Into the wild blue yonder.” (via Grantham.edu)
9. The Air Force’s colors are ultramarine blue and yellow – blue for the sky, and yellow for the sun and the excellence required of personnel. (via Grantham.edu)
10. Only 4 percent of all Air Force personnel are pilots. (via HowStuffWorks)
FLORIDA LEGISLATION HELPING VETERANS
Disabled veterans in Florida can soon celebrate their military branch on license plates instead of just their injury. https://floridapolitics.com/archives/682083-disabled-veterans-can-now-roll-with-military-license-plates-of-their-choice/
SEPTEMBER IS VETERAN SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH
Veterans Crisis Line
https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/Local VA Suicide Prevention Coordinators
https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/find-resources/local-resources/Veterans Crisis Line – 24 Hour
Toll Free at 988, Press 1
www.mentalhealth.va.govChange Direction: Give An Hour Campaign – Know the Five Signs!
https://giveanhour.org/military/Florida Veterans Support Line
1-844-MyFLVet (693-5838) or 211Hope for Healing Florida
https://www.hopeforhealingfl.com/
Special thanks to all members of the Commanders Coalition who send in news and events, keeping us all updated on what is affecting the Big Bend Veteran Community!
