The outdoor Concert will be free, taking place on Vermont Avenue Northwest with streets between H and I closed for the duration of the event.  Festivities will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 10.  Performances will include the famous rhythm and blues (R&B) group the Chi-Lites, as well as the popular R&B and pop-funk band Kool & the Gang, whose hit song “Celebration” was number one for two straight weeks in February, 1981.

Other attending guests will be daytime soap-opera personality James Reynolds, the pop band Tucker and country music star and the Animal Planet TV channel host Lucas Hoge. The Concert is hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with support from national nonprofit organization Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV) as well as several other veterans service organizations and sponsors. 

“HHV invites the community to join us in this exciting celebration,” said Mike Lynch, HHV president and CEO.  “The Concert is free because we feel that the price of our freedom has already been paid by those who wore the United States’ armed forces uniform.  If you’re able, please do attend this event to show your support of our nation’s veterans.” HHV is the largest distributor of free therapeutic arts & crafts kits to our nation’s military and VA hospitals and state veterans nursing homes, having provided over 27 million craft kits since 1971.  For more information visit www.hhv.org or call (888) 567-VETS.

Jubilee House offers shelter, support and services such as mentoring and life coaching to homeless female veterans.  Jubilee House needed additional space and resources to continue its work with the women.  With the help of First Lady Michelle Obama, a paratrooper team from the U.S. Army, other service members, and Ty Pennington from “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” a new Jubilee House will be unveiled on 25 September.  

Mrs. Obama, Ty Pennington and the “EM: HE” team of designers Paul DiMeo, Tracy Hutson, John Littlefield, Sabrina Soto, local builder Blue Ridge Log Cabins and community volunteers helped build the new Jubilee House.

For more information on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” visit http://abc.go.com/shows/extreme-makeover-home-edition

See the special Season Nine premiere of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” from 7-9 pm EDT on Sunday, 25 September.

Likely most Americans could offer vivid recollections of their exact locations, thoughts, and feelings on that day.   I was at Naval Hospital Portsmouth that morning for a series of pre-retirement X-rays.   Shortly after the first airplane struck the World Trade Center North Tower, I came through the waiting area on the way to an appointment in the Radiology Department.   Many people were fastened to the television.   

By the time my appointment was finished, the second plane struck the World Trade Center South Tower and another plane struck the Pentagon.   Coming back into the waiting area on the way to the parking garage, I encountered a room full of fellow patients in stunned silence.   With them I watched the South Tower collapse.   While driving back to Virginia Beach, I heard on the car radio about collapse of the North Tower and crash of the plane in Somerset County, PA. 

During unimaginable events, the mind and heart is flooded with all sorts of things, many occurring simultaneously.  While calling home to alert my wife, I wondered if the Hampton Roads area would be attacked.  I also thought about the attack on USS Cole (DDG 67) nearly a year earlier on 12 October 2000.  My official retirement ceremony was just a couple of weeks away.  Although unlikely that any of these events would cause a stop in my orders, I wondered about all sorts of implications for our Navy and the other Armed Services.

Other thoughts over the next days following – at least ones I recall this week – would fill many pages.  The one prevailing thought was about the nature of God and the nature of individual and corporate evil.  Then and now I take consolation in belief that God is not the author of evil.  Through every alarm, tragedy, and atrocity brought about by human hands, God will provide grace and strength.

The national MCA leaders join countless others to remember those who died on September 11, 2001 and the sacrifices of first responders and many others in days that followed.  And, we particularly honor our Warriors and their families.  For nearly a decade, our Warriors have been constantly engaged in fighting.  In defense of our homeland, they and their loved ones have paid staggering prices with repeated deployments, combat trauma and injuries, and death.   Thank you for answering the call to preserve our liberty.  God bless you!

Chaplain Gary R. Pollitt  / Captain, U. S. Navy, Ret. / MCA Executive Director

In 1981, George Newman and Blossom Valley Press published 101 Ways to be a Long-Distance Super Dad . . . or Mom, Too!   Numerous military chaplains obtained large quantities to support their pre-deployment briefings as well as continued family ministries.   George updated the book in 2008 and has inventory available.  

This book offers help for the parent who lives or works distant from his or her children, but wants to remain an important part of their lives.  An award-winning journalist, George draws on his own experience as a divorced father, sharing valuable insights for strengthening the parent-child relationship across the miles.

The new edition includes tips for using the latest technology – including the Internet, and “Virtual Visitation.”  There are creative ideas for special occasions including holidays, graduations, and special achievement honors. 

The book has been widely endorsed by parents groups, conciliation court counselors, domestic court judges, and military chaplains.   Easily accessible and very practical, it is highly recommended to parents who want to keep in close contact with their children, but find it difficult to overcome the barriers posed by distance.

George Newman’s tips apply beyond military deployments  or other situations of regular distance from children.  They also could be extremely helpful for Warriors who have returned home with various wounds and are struggling with family relationships.  Reading George’s 101 Ways . . . provokes the imagination for other practical ideas to overcome “distance” with children.

A good friend of the Military Chaplains Association, George and Blossom Valley Press offer special discounted bulk quantity rates for all military chaplain orders.  The publisher is CCR registered with DOD.  See below for contact information.

Blossom Valley Press / 5141 E. Woodgate Lane / P. O. Box 13378 / Tucson, AZ  85732-3378

(520) 325-1224 /  books@blossomvalleypress.com

Eat Free at Applebee’s
Military veterans and active-duty Service Members will be able to eat free at any Applebee’s across the U.S. on Veteran’s Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010. There will be six entrées available from the menu. Guests will be asked to show one or more of the following as proof of service: a U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement, Veterans Organization Card, a photograph in uniform, or wearing a uniform in person. For more information about Veterans Day at Applebee’s, visit the Applebee’s website http://www.applebees.com/vetsDay/default.aspx

Military Eat Free at Golden Corral
Golden Corral’s 9th annual Military Appreciation Monday dinner will be held on Monday, November 15, 2010, from 5 to 9 pm in all Golden Corral restaurants nationwide. The free dinner meal is a special “thank you tribute” to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, or in the National Guard/Reserves, you are invited to join us for Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Monday dinner. To date, Golden Corral restaurants have provided over 2.2 million free meals and contributed over $3.3 million to the Disabled American Veterans organization. Website for more information: http://www.goldencorral.com/military/

McCormick & Schmick’s Complimentary Lunch or Dinner
Veterans will be able to choose a complimentary lunch or dinner entrée on Sunday, November 7. Some of the mouth-watering selections include Cashew-Crusted Tilapia, Grilled Atlantic Salmon, Seafood Fettuccini Alfredo and Cedar-Planked Salmon. http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/featured-promotion/Veterans-Appreciation-Day.aspx

Salute from Outback Steakhouse
As an expression of Outback Steakhouse’s appreciation to our Country’s veterans and active duty military*, a free Bloomin’ Onion and beverage of choice (one non-alcoholic drink or one draft Anheuser Busch beer except where prohibited by law) will be available to them at every Outback in the country on Veterans Day. Please visit: http://www.outback.com/pressroom/pr_101018.aspx for details.

Home Depot and Lowe’s Military Discount
Home Depot and Lowe’s have long been known to offer a 10% holiday discount to military members and their families and in many cases veterans and retirees. These promotions were usually limited to the main military holidays such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veterans Day. Well, no longer – both companies have announced these offers are available every day of the week.
http://themilitarywallet.com/home-depot-lowes-10-military-discount/

Fee Free Day at National Parks
To honor America’s service men and women, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that areas managed by the department would not charge entrance fees on Thursday, November 11, 2010.

Colonial Williamsburg Free Admission
Colonial Williamsburg honors America’s Veterans with a procession down Duke of Gloucester Street, 4:30 p.m., beginning at the Capitol. The parade culminates in a public ceremony, with militia and cannon crew firing volleys in recognition of those who serve. Hear Colonial Williamsburg’s Fifes and Drums, and speakers from past and present. Active duty military, guard and reservists, retirees, veterans and their dependents enjoy free admission passes Friday through Wednesday, Nov. 6-11. Learn more
http://www.history.org/visit/eventsAndExhibits/calendar/index.cfm?id=421009&startAt=1&&searchAll=0&categorySelect=&&keyWords=veteran&itemsPerPage=25&types=&start_date=11/11/2010&end_date=11/11/2010#show_undefined