SSD would like to send a message out to all of our deployed American and allied forces who give us so much to be thankful for. We wish you safety and success. Not to be forgotten, we owe just as much to our troops who are at home station as well as our Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS and other Public Safety professionals.
Thank You All!
This week we are going to intersperse some of our older articles along with new content. We thought this week, since it should be a little slower would be a great time to introduce our newer readers to our classic articles.
Sure, Veterans Day was last week but we attended Extreme Outfitters’ Veterans Day festivities last year and they were loads of fun. So naturally, we thought it would be cool to take a peak at what went on at their Jacksonville location this year. Once again, our friend Eric Steinkopff sent us a report. Thanks Eric!
They were waiting for the doors to open early Saturday morning, November 13, for the special Veterans’ Day Celebration sales. Deals were 25 percent off all items in stock – in addition to the already discounted prices – as well as some other discounts in the 50-, 60- and 75-percent clearance category.
The weather cooperated with cool morning temperatures in 50-degree range, rising up to the 70s under a cloudless Carolina Blue autumn sky and most were pleased with the turnout.
“Extreme Outfitters always puts on a great event and the day went extremely well – We’re proud to be a part of it,†said Rock 105 on-air personality Wes Styles of WXQR 105.5 and WQSL 101.1 who was greeting people in the store. “Any little thing we can do to reach back to support the troops is always a plus for us.â€
Visitors munched on free food from Credo’s Pizza of Jacksonville as they checked out the latest in cool gear at rock-bottom prices.
Among them was the Steripen Sidewinder – the latest in the series of portable, outdoor ultraviolet light purification systems – featuring a hand crank to power the device when other sources are not available, according to product representative Steve Baker. Other Steripen models use batteries or even solar power to recharge the device and quickly make nasty water safe to drink for campers, hunters or military service members far from home.
Elsewhere in the store several customers took advantage of the Veterans Day specials to grab a pair of the Extreme Outfitters exclusive new Bates M-6 and M-9 boots, each with 400 grams of insulation and suitable for hiking long distances. According to Bates spokesperson Dick Cheniae who was supporting veterans at the event, the Vibram sole has great arch support and stability on both the heel and forefoot – flexing front to rear while still giving significant lateral protection against twisting. The boot is warm and breathable, while still remaining extremely resistant to moisture intrusion and available in Mohave and desert sand colors.
There was even some key prototype gear on display to be manufactured by Tactical Assault Systems in exclusive cooperation with Extreme Outfitters.
The crowd was modest enough to give patrons room to move and examine the products, but still sales were brisk enough to make the day a resounding success. “It was insane – awesome,†said purchasing manager Zakk Plocica. “It was probably our best Veterans’ Day ever.â€
For more information on this and other ways Extreme Outfitters is giving back to the community through sales and service visit www.tacticaledge.com.
We are at the point of the year when folks are looking for worthy charities and we think we have found one. Set up specifically to assist wounded and fallen Special Forces Soldiers and their families, the Green Beret Foundation helps ease the burdens caused by gaps in the care system for our wounded, ill, injured and their families. Initially, they have established a presence at Fort Bragg but GBF plans to operate at every base with a Special Forces Group.
The Green Beret Foundation helps out in a variety of ways but what is most important is that they fill in the gaps and help out in ways that they military and government systems are unable to. For example, there are the odd occasion where the military will not cover travel for care. GBF helps assist with the transportation. However, make sure you take a look at their website to get an idea of everything that they do.
GBF is a registered non-profit and can accept your donations in a variety of ways. Thanks to Blackheart International for letting us know about the Green Beret Foundation.
Interested in some REALLY cool aviation art? We recently found out about www.SupportTheFrontLines.com where artist Travis Getz has developed a series of store fronts featuring original artwork to support different causes. For example, one of the prints showcased at www.squadronstore.com commemorates the ‘Sea Elks’ (HMM-166) transition from the CH-46 to the MV-22. The majority of the profits from the site are donated to the squadron’s Officers’ Wives’ Club.
Travis does the same thing for a variety of causes. For more information, or to order visit www.SupportTheFrontLines.com.
Originally intended to commemorate the end of the “Great War” and those who sacrificed life, limb, and youth, this Veterans Day is also celebrated by our close allies in the Commonwealth of Nations as Remembrance Day. America and her allies learned that war didn’t end in 1918 and we have all stuck together since. We have kept our freedom but it came at a price.
We here at SSD would like to thank our Veterans, their families and those that support them in Government and industry. Our very way of life we owe to service and sacrifice of these men and women. If you know a Veteran, or just happen to meet one on the street today, thank them for their service and also remember those who have sacrificed.
Thank You All from SSD
At 13,986,790 hits in October, we enjoyed our best month ever. Considering just 18 months ago we brought in just 1.7 Million hits, SSD is doing very well at reaching out to the masses. We really appreciate our readers and we want to thank you for visiting, but please don’t forget that we publish at least once per day and sometimes up to six articles in a single day. So don’t forget to check in regularly and tell your friends to do the same.
Wounded Wear was created by a severely wounded Navy SEAL who, while undergoing his own reconstruction and recovery recognized two key issues that were not addressed by other organizations. He struggled with his massive injuries to find clothing he could wear around the medical devices necessary for healing and he noticed that most people never assumed that his injuries were incurred on the battlefield fighting for our Freedom.
Wounded Wear provides custom complimentary clothing kits to wounded service members that bear the Wounded Wear logo and if necessary they modify clothing to be worn around prostheses or medical devices necessary for healing. They also do the same thing for military uniform for those still serving. These are both issues that have received little to no attention until now and really go a long way to helping our Wounded Warriors normalize their lives.
On 14 November, they are presenting the “Hold ‘Em For Heroes” Poker Run and Auction to raise money for this worthy cause. You don’t have to ride a bike to participate and the run kicks off at Clutch Bar and Grill in Virginia Beach at 0800 and ends up at Knuckleheads Roadhouse across town.
