Veterans Day 2011

On this Veterans Day, we should not only remember those who served and gave their all for this nation, but that we honor and remember the sacrifices made by those who continue serving today. It is through their blood, sweat, and tears, that this nation has survived bloody conflicts and become a beacon of freedom and liberty to all the world - a beacon that provokes hostility and resentment because we represent what people aspire to have.



Iwo Jima Memorial at night. Taken March 2005. 

Thank you to all who served!


When desperate times called for men and machine to do the impossible during World War II, the US Navy set about building a better battleship. It came up with the Iowa class, of which the USS New Jersey was one. She's now a museum in Camden, New Jersey. She really is a thing of beauty, and while the weather wasn't particularly great to visit the ship, I did take this photo.

 

UPDATE:
If you happen to be a veteran, many businesses around the region and country are providing discounts and freebies for you. Among them:

To start the day, veterans can pick up a free doughnut at Krispy Kreme or at Tim Horton’s, where the doughnuts will be decorated with star-shaped sprinkles.

For lunch or dinner, they can head to a variety of franchises across the city.

Grab-and-go options include Subway delis’ free six-inch sandwiches (though only some locations are participating) and Little Caesar’s Pizza’s free “crazy bread” bread sticks.

Veterans who are not bashful can grab 10 free chicken wings at Hooters — as long as they buy a beverage (it can be a nonalcoholic one, like “just pop,” said one local server, who is most likely not from here). Some Hooters locations nationwide are offering a free meal as well, but the New York branches are offering wings only.

Outback Steakhouse is giving away “bloomin’ onions” and nonalcoholic drinks, and Applebee’s is offering free entrees. Olive Garden offers a free entree, with options that include seafood alfredo and chicken parmigiana, along with salad and bread sticks to start.

Other restaurants are promoting “buy one get one free” meals, including T.G.I. Friday’s, Uno’s Chicago Grill for pizza and entrees, and Sizzler for six-ounce steaks — with any side dish included.