In a previous blog entry, I expressed appreciation for the free meal that Applebee's provided veterans on Veterans Day.

And now, I'd like to thank Golden Corral for the free dinner that it provided to veterans on Monday, November 17.  There was a big turnout at the Waukesha restaurant despite that night's icy road conditions.  My husband (a Vietnam War veteran), several of our friends who had served in the military and their spouses, and I were among the many who attended the event.

How nice of Applebee’s Restaurants in Wisconsin to honor US veterans and active military for service to their country by offering them a free meal on Veterans Day.

My husband (a Vietnam War veteran) and I had lunch today at our local Applebee’s, which is located at 15505 W. Rock Ridge Road, New Berlin.

He wore his Air Force fatigue shirt to the restaurant and was pleased that it still fit after 40+ years.      

The Huffington Post informs us that the non-partisan group Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Action Fund, as part of its Congressional report card, gave Sen. Barack Obama a “B+” grade for his voting record on issues such as additional funding for combat body armor, post-traumatic stress disorder and other medical treatment. Sen. John McCain got a "D" grade.

That was for 2006. For the year 2007-08, Sen. McCain got a “D” from IAVA and Sen. Obama received a “B”.  See Veteran Report Card and Project Vote Smart Web sites.

"The mission of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is to ensure the enactment of policies that properly provide for our Troops & Veterans, keep our military strong, and guarantee our national security for the purpose of a stronger America. We uniquely empower Iraq & Afghanistan combat veterans to use their credibility and experiences to speak truth to power, shape public opinion, and place a priority on these issues."

Additionally, Project Vote Smart reports that for his voting record on veterans issues, Sen. Obama earned an 80 percent rating from the non-partisan group Disabled American Veterans (DAV).  Sen. McCain got  a 20 percent rating.

“Formed in 1920 and chartered by Congress in 1932, the million-member DAV is the official voice of America’s service-connected disabled veterans--a strong, insistent voice that represents all of America’s 2.1 million disabled veterans, their families and survivors.”

My previous blog post about Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties Support Our Troops Day (Saturday, May 31) mentioned two scheduled events: 1) The 2008 RIDE for the Wheelchair Games, a motorcycle rally to raise awareness and funds to send Wisconsin paralyzed veterans to the 28th National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Omaha, Nebraska  and  2) Reclaiming Our Heritage, a free-admission, living history event with encampments from all the major military eras in U.S. history.

Here's more information I've received about the 2008 RIDE for the Wheelchair Games. The day's event includes:

• 8-8:45 am Famous Dave's breakfast at the sign-in at the House of Harley (62nd & Layton in Greenfield)
• 8:30-9:12 am, explanation of day's events, speech from Sheriff Clarke
• 9:12-9:15 am, leave to the VA grounds. There the rally will lead the Positively Patriotic Parade for Reclaiming Our Heritage
• Escorted memorial procession leaves the VA to tour past veteran memorials in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties.

       The tentative destinations are:

• New Berlin:  National and Casper 10:25 am
• Franklin's Memorial: Loomis and Drexel 11 am
• Greendale's American Legion on Grange and 63rd  11:05 am
• Oak Creek's Memorial (Rawson Avenue and 6th) 11:20 am
• Air refueling wing on Pennsylvania  11:30 am
• Veterans Park Lincoln Memorial Drive 11:40 am

       Next: 

• 12 noon-3 pm, Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro for lunch
• Auction for Cemetery-by-Lantern tour tickets. (Tour of the cemetery features detailed stories of men and women buried in Wood National Cemetery. Firing squad and bugle accompany solemn hymns of the 1st Brigade Band)
• Raffle for a handmade motorcycle themed quilt
• All are encouraged to meet back on the VA grounds for Reclaiming Our Heritage

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas are declaring Saturday, May 31, 2008 “Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties Support Our Troops Day”.

Two events to remember our troops from the past and present will be held that day---

The first event is the 2008 Ride for the Wheelchair Games, a motorcycle rally to raise awareness and funds to send Wisconsin paralyzed veterans to the 28^th National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Omaha, Nebraska.*    This year's motorcycle procession will pass veterans memorials and military sites throughout Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. It is scheduled to pass New Berlin’s Memorial (located on National Ave. and Casper) on May 31 in the morning. ( approx. 10:25)

Ride itinerary:

• 8:00-9:15 am  Check-in at House of Harley-Davidson (6221 W. Layton Ave.)
• 9:15 am  Ride to VA Medical Center for Parade on VA grounds
• 10 am  Ride to Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro and places that honor veterans
• 3 pm  Leave Bartolotta’s
• 3:30 pm  Arrive at Reclaiming Our Heritage on VA grounds (optional)

The cost: $30 per single rider; $50 per couple

Pre-registration is required for the Ride. Only 100 bikes will be allowed. To pre-register, call 414 328-8910. For more information (or to view a video of previous Rides) contact the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) at www.wisconsinpva.org/events .

* The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is advertised as the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world. It is a multi-event sports and rehabilitation program for military service veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, amputations, or certain neurological problems. For more information about it click on the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs web site.

The second event is Reclaiming Our Heritage.  Admission is free to this living history event. There will be encampments from all the major military eras in U.S. history (from pre-Revolutionary War colonial militia up to the present era). This special event, which is located on the VA grounds (5000 W. National Ave.), honors veterans and educates the public about our veterans’ contributions and sacrifices. For more information about it and the many other family activities planned for the Reclaiming Our Heritage weekend, such as the Positively Patriotic Parade, click here.

“Nearly 200,000 Americans are currently serving in the armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. This Veterans Day, many Americans will be hoping not only for their safety on the battlefield, but for compassionate care and secure shelter for the veterans once they return”---- excerpt from Adam Phillips’ report published 11/10/07 in Voice of America News.

Voice of America is a multi-media international broadcasting service funded by the US government through the Broadcasting Board of Directors.

According to Adam Phillip’s published report:

A study by the non-profit National Alliance to End Homelessness found that while veterans comprise only 11% of the American population, they make up 1 of every 4 of the nation’s homeless.

The homeless are not just older veterans, but also younger ones who have returned from fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Unlike earlier wars, where only men engaged in combat, many veterans returning from today’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are women. The study found that female veterans are more likely to be homeless than non-veteran females, and that overall, female veterans are more likely to be homeless than their male counterparts.

"Combat veterans are especially at risk, says Steven Berg, the Alliance's vice president for policy and programs. "When people serve in battle, particularly, they come back and they're injured," Berg says.  "They're injured with physical disabilities, they are injured with mental disabilities, and that all makes it hard for people to get jobs and pay rent and stay housed."  Even if a veteran has enough money to pay for his or her rent, the difficulty of coping with a disability can render one's housing situation unstable, whether one is living with family members, alone in an apartment, or in another scenario.

Nationwide, veterans tend to have less access to health care and other supportive services than they need.

Click on these links to Voice of America News reports:

VOA News “Homelessness High Among Veterans” by Adam Phillips

VOA News “US Veterans Among Homeless Despite Government Initiatives” by Margaret Besheer

Today, November 11 is Veterans Day, the national day set aside to remember and honor those who have served in the country’s military.

Mayor Jack Chiovatero will conduct the City’s Annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 7 pm tonight in the Common Council Chambers at New Berlin City Hall, which is located at 3805 S. Casper Drive. The ceremony will be approximately 45 minutes in length.

New Berlin Hoeppner Horn VFW Post 5716 and American Legion Post 488 will participate.

The New Berlin Community Band will perform a selection of patriotic music.

New Berlin resident and WWII veteran Kenneth Sharping will accept a proclamation on behalf of all New Berlin veterans, and the guest speaker will be Donald Hermann, a WWII veteran and past VFW Post 5716 Commander.

All residents are invited to attend. The ceremony will also be broadcast on local cable channel 25.

My May 19 Inside New Berlin blog about ways to honor and show support for those who serve or have served their country was featured in the May 24 Muskego/New Berlin NOW newspaper (Best of the Blogs, page 16).

In the center of that published article is a picture of a pretty woman with long dark hair---and my name is directly below the picture.
No, I did not have an “extreme makeover”.
The young female pictured is not me. She is Lynn Richter, a blogger for BrookfieldNOW.com.
Given our similar names, it’s easy to understand how the mix-up occurred.

In the blog, I referred to the 27th National Veterans Wheelchair Games Motorcycle Rally, which will be held next Sunday, June 3.
I mentioned that Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker will be participating in the Ride.
I’ve recently been informed that Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas will be participating, too. He was in the previous one, as well.(last fall)

Here’s an update on the June 3 Ride Itinerary:
8:30-10 am Check-in at the Regional Office, 5400 W. National Ave. (west of hospital on National Ave)
9:45 am Milwaukee Childrens Choir performance, singing patriotic songs.
A release of doves follows.
10 am Scenic ride to Holy Hill
1 pm Leave Holy Hill
2:30 pm Heaven City for pig roast and music from Rock Solid

The Ride is limited to 200 motorcycles. Pre-registration is highly suggested. Pre-register by contacting Heaven City at (262) 363-5191 (after 2 pm). A signed waiver is required for participation in the Ride.
Cost: $20 per person

Coming up: Armed Forces Day, Veterans Memorial ceremony in New Berlin, Memorial Day, Ride for the Wheelchair Games, The 27th National Veterans Wheelchair Games.

Today, May 19, is Armed Forces Day. Reportedly, the long-awaited Veterans Memorial Statue (at the intersection of National Avenue and Casper Drive) will be unveiled today. The ceremony is at 3 o’clock. Also noteworthy, one of the biggest donations to the Veterans Memorial fund came from students attending Eisenhower ($4,500) and NB West ($1,500). What a remarkable and commendable achievement by our local young people. See Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel story.

My father, father-in-law, brother and husband served our country in the Armed Forces. My eldest son is a Captain in the United States Air Force.
My husband recently retired after working over 34 years at Clement Zablocki VA Medical Center (Veterans Hospital). He and I are assisting with the upcoming Ride for the 2007 Wheelchair Games, which supports disabled veterans. We will be in the procession, too--riding our Harley "bike".

The (motorcycle) Ride is set for Sunday, June 3. Check-in is 8:30 -10:00 am at the Regional Office (VA, 5400 W. National Ave). From there, we will be riding to scenic Holy Hill and then it’s on to Heaven City Restaurant (S91 W27850 Hwy ES (National Ave) in Mukwonago for a pig roast and musical entertainment by Rock Solid. The cost is $20 per person.
This is a fun event. Hope you can join us.
I’ve heard that Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker will be participating.

The Ride will be limited to 200 motorcycles. Pre-registration is highly suggested.
To Pre-Register or for more information, call Heaven City at 262 363-5191 (after 2 pm). A signed waiver is required to participate in the Ride. Go to Heaven City web site , click on events, print out the waiver (motorcycle release form) provided and fill it out. Bring it with you to the check-in (rider and passenger must have a signed waiver to participate)

By dining at Texas Roadhouse Restaurant at 15425 W. Rock Ridge Rd., New Berlin on Monday, May 21 between 4-8 pm--- and mentioning you are there to sponsor the Veterans Wheelchair Games, you’ll be helping to raise money for the 27th National Veterans Wheelchair Games. ( Culvers Restaurant, 1641 Miller Parkway, Milwaukee held a similar fund-raiser night in early May for the Games )

My husband is one of the Wheelchair Games volunteers. The Games will be held in the Milwaukee area at various locations June 19-23. Please consider volunteering or attending the Games to cheer on the athletes.

For more information about The Ride and the 27th National Veterans Wheelchair Games see my early March blogs (March 4, 7) Click on these links to recent Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel stories about the Games: May 1 news story and May 8 news story

And just a reminder: The Memorial Day observance holiday is Monday, May 28.

Our veterans deserve your support. As you can see, there are lots of opportunities to honor them and show support for those who serve or have served our country.

I assisted with registration and participated in last October's (motorcycle) Ride for the 2007 Wheelchair Games.
The Ride was fantastic!
Well-organized; Amazing co-ordination by road captains; Gorgeous scenery along the route; Delicious outdoor feast; A fun get-together with lots of veterans;
And most of all: a visible way to show support for veterans (particularly disabled vets)/ aid vets.

I am pleased to report that another Ride for the Wheelchair Games is being planned for June 3.

For information about the 27th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, which will be held June 19-23, see my previous blog. Attending or volunteering at the Games is another way to show support for veterans.

The 27th National Veterans Wheelchair Games will be held June 19-23.
Admission is FREE. The public is encouraged to attend.
What a great way to support veterans and have fun, too!

The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world. 500 athletes are expected to compete in it. 1982 was the last time this national event was hosted by Milwaukee. Anchorage, Alaska hosted the Games last year.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs web site describes the Wheelchair Games as a multi-event sports and rehabilitation program for military service veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, amputations, or certain neurological problems.

The competitive events include: basketball, swimming, bowling, archery, quad rugby, table tennis, weightlifting, air rifle, softball, power soccer (powered wheelchairs), nine ball (billiards), motorized wheelchair rally, and more. Exhibition events are planned, too. Trap shooting, curling, track and field.

The events will take place at the Midwest Airlines Convention Center, Greendale High School, Grant Park, Whitnall Park, Schroeder YMCA Aquatic Center, AMF Bowlero Bowling Center, Milwaukee County Zoo and Veterans Park.
Kids Day at the Zoo will be 10 am -2 pm on June 22. Disabled children will be matched up with veterans. An obstacle course is planned.

The Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America are hosting the 2007 Games.
The Presenters are: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America, with financial assistance from corporate, civic and veterans service organizations.

An estimated 2,500 volunteers will be needed to assist with registration, scoring, timing, food service, water distribution, set-up, transportation, etc.
Interested in volunteering? Click on this wheelchair games link or call (414) 389-3999 for an application online or more information.

According to Brian Walker, the 2007 Games coordinator, the goals include improving the quality of life for veterans with disabilities; fostering better health through sports competition; exposing newly disabled vets to other athletes, the camaraderie of other veterans, and to what is possible (focusing on what the vet has, not what was lost); as well as identifying any disabled veteran for para-Olympics international competition.

On New Years Day, it was reported that the number of American soldiers killed in Iraq had reached 3,000. One article I read also mentioned that 93 American soldiers have committed suicide in Iraq, and more than 20,000 have been wounded.

That was sobering news, indeed.

And, according to The New York Times-------
“The service members who died during this latest period fit an unchanging profile. They were mostly white men from rural areas, soldiers so young they still held fresh memories of high school football heroics and teenage escapades. Many men and women were in Iraq for the second or third time. Some were going on their fourth, fifth or sixth deployment.”

Doing something special to honor veterans, such as offering discounts, would be a nice gesture to let them know we really do care that they took time out of their lives to protect us----- Those were the sentiments a Waukesha woman expressed in her letter to the editor published recently in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Actually, the Golden Corral Restaurant on Highway 164 (1673 Arcadian Ave, Waukesha) annually does something very special.

The restaurant, which opened 2 years ago, has a Military Appreciation Day each November around Veterans Day. ( It just had one yesterday, Monday, November 13)

On Military Appreciation Day, Golden Corral offers a free dinner to servicemen/women and to veterans.
Free. Wow. That's even better than a discount and it's fun, too. What a grand way to honor those who served or are serving their country. Super job, Golden Corral!

The Ride for the 2007 Wheelchair Games was held October 15, 2006. Greg Grueneberg, who organized the event in only 6 weeks, did a marvelous job. The Ride, which aids disabled vets, was such a success, there's been talk of having another one, probably in May. I'll keep you posted.

Eileen Wilson coordinated the registration, which went well. Assisting with check-in that Oct 15 Sunday morning was fun. ( I also enjoyed the doughnuts donated by Tony's C's Bakery)

The Ride began promptly at 10:30 a.m. My husband (a Vietnam War veteran) and I rode our Harley. The Ride was not exclusively for Harley bikers. There were Hondas, BMWs and other bikes, too.

It was awesome being in this large procession of over 100 motorcycles. US and POW flags were displayed on lead motorcycles--courtesy of the American Legion, I was told.
To travel down city streets and highways with law enforcement escorts and not have to stop at traffic lights and signs was quite an experience. Special thanks to the Milwaukee and Waukesha Co. Sheriffs Departments, Milwaukee and Menomonee Falls Police Departments, and VA police for their assistance. Additionally, the highly trained road captains of various motorcycle chapters in the state did an absolutely outstanding job blockading intersections. It was amazingly well coordinated.

We sped along a scenic route from the VA Medical Center grounds to Holy Hill.
And from there, we rode on to Heaven City in Mukwonago for a really delicious pig roast by chef Jimmy Wade. The band Rock Solid donated their time to provide musical entertainment.

County Executive Dan Vrakas, who participated in the Ride, also deserves praise for supporting this event to aid disabled veterans.

Michelle Witmer, of New Berlin was the first female in the National Guard to be killed in combat and first member of the Wisconsin National Guard to be killed since World War II.

In his August 12, 2004 editorial titled, “Name school for Witmer, not Reagan”, New Berlin Citizen editor Michael Zahn noted that it seemed odd the New Berlin School District, which was so bent on eradicating politics from its school buildings with School Board Policy #1330, would choose to honor Ronald Reagan by naming a school after him. He pointed out that the New Berlin School Board had voted to put Reagan’s name on a school building “without the blessing of parents or students”.

Zahn argued, “The Declaration of Independence, a document revered by Reagan says that government derives its powers from the consent of the governed”. Zahn contended the School Board “should make a genuine effort to pick a replacement name that the community can rally around, not argue over-- a name like Michelle Witmer.” And he said, “…let’s make sure one of our own who paid the ultimate price for freedom isn’t forgotten.”

The School Board refused to heed or listen. Instead, it arbitrarily chose the Reagan name without even discussing alternative names, including Witmer’s--- and without holding a public hearing or conducting a survey of the community to solicit public input on naming the school.

The School Board passed up the opportunity to recognize the historical significance of this local woman’s sacrifice in service of her country, but fortunately, others did not. A citizen committee was created at the November 23, 2004 Common Council meeting to honor all New Berlin vets and Michelle Witmer. Ultimately, city officials voted to name a street near the library Michelle Witmer Memorial Drive, and the New Berlin Veterans Memorial is being constructed on city-owned land.

I checked the New Berlin Veterans Memorial Committee web site today. A list of donors who contributed are posted on it. Interestingly, none of our current School Board members’ names appear on the list.

Perhaps this blog will inspire each School Board member to donate a portion --say $100-- out of his/her taxpayer-funded salary to help fund the New Berlin Veterans Memorial. Collectively, that would be a $700 contribution to a good cause.