Nationwide Golf Events and Activities over Labor Day Weekend to help provide post-secondary educational scholarships for families of wounded and fallen American military service men and women

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., August 11, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Labor Day has always been a time to recognize career achievements of American workers, but for the families of military service men and women killed or disabled while serving our great nation, Labor Day carries a special significance. For the fourth consecutive year, thousands of golf facilities nationwide will participate in Patriot Golf Day®, over Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 3-6), collecting donations and raising awareness for the Folds of Honor Foundation. Patriot Golf Day is jointly supported by The PGA of America and the United States Golf Association.

Patriot Golf Day, the primary fundraiser for the Folds of Honor Foundation, seeks to honor the sacrifice of American heroes as an annual event to raise money for post-secondary educational scholarships for children and spouses of military service men and women killed or disabled while serving our great nation. Through events across the country since 2007, PGA Professionals have helped raise more than $5.3 million, allowing the Folds of Honor Foundation to award 1,163 post-secondary educational scholarships.

During Labor Day weekend at participating public courses, golfers are asked to donate at least $1 for each round of golf. Participating private facilities will accept donations. Non-golfers can also participate by making a donation to the foundation at its Web site at FoldsofHonor.org. As a proud supporter and Official Card of Patriot Golf Day, American Express will match donations made using an American Express® Card¹ during Patriot Golf Day Weekend (Sept. 3-6) to support the Folds of Honor Foundation.

“Our PGA Professionals have been on board since Day One and have helped raise millions of dollars for these deserving families of our wounded and fallen American heroes,” PGA of America President Jim Remy said. “What a wonderful opportunity for people to give back to those who have given everything while serving our great nation.”

There are 172,000 dependents of fallen and wounded military service men and women from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts alone, and 85 percent of those dependents do not qualify for federal educational assistance. Patriot Golf Day allows the Folds of Honor to present an ongoing tribute to our brave service members by ensuring that the families of fallen and wounded warriors have hope for the right educational start to life and best future possible.

Major Dan Rooney, a PGA Professional, USGA member and F-16 military pilot with the Oklahoma Air National Guard, founded the Folds of Honor Foundation following his second of three tours of duty in Iraq. After witnessing the tragic homecoming of a fallen American solider, Rooney was inspired to start Folds of Honor to provide support to military families in the aftermath of their tragedies.

Other major supporters of Patriot Golf Day include Lifelock, Titleist, Bushnell, AHEAD, Inc., Golf Pride, Pima Direct, PrideSports, St. Andrews Products and Jerky John’s. To find out more information about these products and their support of Patriot Golf Day, visit FoldsofHonor.org.

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¹ American Express will match each donation made on a valid American Express Card to the Folds of Honor Foundation during Patriot Golf Day weekend up to a maximum total of $150,000. Matching contributions from American Express are not tax deductible for Cardmembers.

ATLANTA, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG) yesterday announced  the awarding of a second $1 million grant from the Harley-Davidson Foundation, Inc. to the non-profit organization, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Harley-Davidson’s relationship with the DAV dates to 2006, when the Harley-Davidson Foundation made a prior $1 million grant to the organization. The new grant announced yesterday at the DAV National Convention in Atlanta is designated for continued funding of the DAV’s Mobile Service Office (MSO) program over the next four years.

“We are proud to continue our relationship with the DAV and help the organization support veterans of all generations,” said Gail Lione, President, Harley-Davidson Foundation. “Veterans have always been important members of the Harley-Davidson family and partnering with the DAV is an ideal way to support them and recognize their contributions to our country.”

The DAV MSO program increases veterans’ accessibility to benefits by literally putting service offices on the road.  Since 2007, this program sponsored by Harley-Davidson  – dubbed Harley’s Heroes® — has visited thousands of sites across the United States, providing important counseling and assistance to help tens of thousands of veterans secure the benefits to which they are entitled from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, and other government agencies.

“Harley-Davidson not only represents freedom and patriotism, the Company backs up its brand and generously supports those brave men and women whose sacrifices protect our nation,” said DAV National Adjutant/CEO Arthur H. Wilson. “Through the support of the Harley-Davidson Foundation, DAV representatives have visited nearly 300 dealerships across the nation on the Harley’s Heroes tour, delivering free benefits assistance to disabled veterans and their families through our Mobile Service Office program. It’s hard to put into words just how much the Harley’s Heroes program has meant to thousands of sick and wounded heroes.”

Founded in 1920 by disabled veterans returning from World War I, the DAV has continually represented the unique interests of the men and women who bear the wounds and scars of war.  Through their network of 110 National Service Offices, 10 mobile service offices, and Transition Service Officers at more than 100 military installations, the 1.2 million member DAV builds better lives for all America’s disabled veterans and their families.  In 2009, DAV represented nearly a quarter of a million veterans and their families in their claims for VA benefits, obtaining for them nearly $4.5 billion in new and retroactive benefits.

To learn more about Harley-Davidson’s support of veterans, visit, www.harley-davidson.com, including the “Salute to Veterans” page.

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC), Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS), Buell Motorcycle Company (Buell), and MV Agusta. The Harley-Davidson Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization supporting the communities in which the Company has facilities and selected national causes including veteran’s initiatives.

Earned Nation’s Highest Award for Valor during Vietnam

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announces that Staff Sergeant David C. Dolby, Medal of Honor recipient, passed away this morning in Spirit Lake, Idaho at age 64.

Sergeant Dolby was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, Company B, 1st battalion (Airborne) 8th Cavalry.

President Lyndon B. Johnson presented Staff Sergeant David Dolby with the Medal of Honor—the highest award given to those who acted with uncommon, selfless courage—on Sept. 28, 1967 for his actions on May 21, 1966 in the Republic of Vietnam.

His actions of unsurpassed valor during 4 hours of intense combat were a source of inspiration to his entire company, contributed significantly to the success of the overall assault on the enemy position, and were directly responsible for saving the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers. Sgt. Dolby’s heroism was in the highest tradition of the U.S. Army.

Funeral services are pending.

There are 87 recipients alive today.

About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society was chartered by Congress in 1958 and consists exclusively of the living recipients of our nation’s highest award for bravery in combat, the Medal of Honor. Those who wear this light blue ribbon and Medal around their neck are “recipients” of this prestigious award; they are not “winners.” Although it is common to refer to the Medal as the Congressional Medal of Honor, it is simply named the Medal of Honor, although, as stated, the Congress did establish the Society as the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

SecDef Robert Gates in South Korea:

July 9, 2010 \ DIVERSE NEWS \- In this audio tape exclusive from radaronline.com has Hollywood actor, Mel Gibson, using the n-word which is not a crime but aligned with political correctness.
It sounds like a scripted argument from a provocative movie. But is it or was the recording legal?

In many states, it is illegal to record someone’s telephone conversation. I asked this question to the FBI before, and an agent told me that in order for someone to record a telephone conversation with someone else, they actually would need written authorization as it is a federal crime under wiretaps.

So, is this just a provocative stunt to have Mel in the news again? I mean, with all his money and past problems with the police with the ‘Jews’ incident, it makes you wonder if he’s just trying to get press.
He is apparently being dumped by big time WME Entertainment.

One thing I know, all Hollywood is a fantasy land with scripts and cues even in the actors personal lives. I grew up with many Hollywood movies using the N-word and the actors were never censored.

I believe some folks have got it in for Gibson.

-Gary Goldfarb
Diverse News

WASHINGTON, July 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The American Legion expressed outrage today over revelations that a VA medical center may have exposed veterans to serious infections through improperly cleaned dental equipment.

Because cleaning protocols were not followed by workers at the John Cochran VA Medical Center in St. Louis, more than 1,800 veterans may have been exposed to HIV and hepatitis viruses. Those veterans recently received letters from the VA center, warning them of possible exposure to the diseases and offering screening and support.

“This is an extremely serious problem that has happened before and will happen again unless VA ensures strict adherence to proper sanitation and sterilization protocol,” said Clarence Hill, The American Legion’s national commander.

“We’re talking about people who have risked their lives, who have lost arms and legs and who are suffering mentally and emotionally – because they served their country honorably.

“They should have no misgivings about getting treatment at VA facilities, and they wouldn’t if VA ensured that its staff were following the medical protocols already in place. It’s management’s responsibility to make sure the protocols are followed. This is a failing on the part of management that should not be excused,” Hill said. Read More »

The more Americans recycle in Dream Machines, the more support PepsiCo will provide for career training, education and job creation for returning U.S. veterans with disabilitiesDream Machine recycling kiosks rolling out at on-the-go locations across the country

PURCHASE, NY — July 01, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) today announced the Dream Machine Summer Recycling Challenge, a national call-to-action asking Americans to commit to recycle every can and bottle at summertime cookouts, starting with Independence Day. The more Americans recycle in Dream Machines, the more support PepsiCo will provide to the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV), a national program offering free, experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans with disabilities.

“There are few better times to thank the men and women of the United States armed forces for their sacrifice and service than Independence Day. We are proud that through the Dream Machine initiative, PepsiCo will help many of our veterans receive valuable job training,” said Jeremy Cage, PepsiCo’s head of the Dream Machine initiative. “We kicked off the Dream Machine recycling initiative on Earth Day and we are delighted that so many partners are making – or considering making – the bins available at their locations in cities and towns across the country.” Read More »

One Week Left to Help Your Military Hero Win $25,000Toward Purchase of a Car on AutoTrader.com

ATLANTA, June 30 /PRNewswire/ — There’s only one week left to nominate your military hero for a chance to win $25,000 toward the purchase of a car listed for sale on AutoTrader.com in the “Heroes with Drive” contest. AutoTrader.com is sponsoring the contest in partnership with the Lifetime cable network and the deadline for entries is 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Tuesday, July 6.

To enter, participants can visit www.mylifetime.com and click on the “Heroes with Drive” icon in the “Sweepstakes” section of the page, located in the middle right or just click here. Then contest participants can upload a story of 500 words or less highlighting why their military hero is deserving of the contest prize. Participants can also upload photos, drawings or other items to help illustrate the story of their hero. The nominator of the winning hero will also win $500. Read More »

For several months, The American Legion has been pressing VA to publish its final regulations for the three new presumptive diseases: ischemic heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and B-cell leukemia.

“Veterans can’t collect their earned disability benefits until VA publishes final regulations on these diseases,” said Barry Searle, director of the Legion’s veterans affairs and rehabilitation division. “And that’s a process that has been dragging through the bureaucratic mire since last October.”

While veterans across the country are still waiting for those regulations to be published – so they can start to collect earned disability benefits – another delay will be created by provisions of the Congressional Review Act of 1996.

That legislation grants Congress 60 days to review regulations published by federal agencies and possibly disapprove them. If that happens, regulations for the three presumptive conditions will be cancelled and veterans won’t be able to claim those new benefits.

VA estimates it will spend more than $42 billion over the next decade on Agent Orange claims stemming from the new regulations.

“We can certainly understand why Congress wants to be fiscally responsible in this matter,” Searle said. “But the scientific studies that support these new claims – that link these three diseases to Agent Orange exposure – are thorough in their research and unequivocal in their findings.”

Searle said The American Legion wants Congress and VA to work together quickly in resolving any lingering doubts about the three new presumptive conditions.

“Thousands of veterans who suffer from these diseases have waited too long already. The findings are valid. The connections to Agent Orange exposure are real. Let VA and Congress hash it out together, but we urgently recommend that they do it without further delay,” Searle said.

Successful Thanks For Giving Program Generates Groundswell Support for U.S. Troops

TAMPA, Fla., June 26 /PRNewswire/ — Outback Steakhouse concluded its Thanks for Giving program today with a presentation of a $1 million donation to Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization providing everyday and emergency support for active troops, veterans and their families.  The check was presented by OSI Restaurant Partners CEO Liz Smith and Outback Steakhouse President Jeff Smith to Jim Knotts, President/CEO and Amy Palmer, COO of Operation Homefront.

Today’s event began with the Presentation of the Colors by The Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE) Color Guard, MacDill Air Force Base, in the front of the original Outback Steakhouse, established in 1988 in Tampa, Florida.  United States dignitaries on hand included Army Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin L. Hill, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Ron Pflieger, retired Army Maj. Gen. Richard Griffitts, and retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Arthur “Chip” Diehl III.

The Thanks for Giving program was launched in March when diners where invited to assist Outback in its efforts to support the troops by ordering from a special Red, White and Bloomin’ menu.

The company-wide initiative garnered national attention, including the endorsement of country music legend and fellow military supporter, Tim McGraw; retired Army Gen. Tommy Franks, U.S. Central Command Commander; and retired Army Brig. Gen. John Howard.

“The sacrifices that our troops and their families make so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have in the United States is something Outback employees have recognized and appreciated since we opened our doors 22 years ago,” said Liz Smith. “As we express our sincere appreciation to those serving our country, we would also like to  thank the countless Americans who rallied behind our Thanks for Giving program.”

Today’s donation to Operation Homefront is the most recent in a long history of Outback’s support of the troops.  In June 2002, OSI launched Operation Feeding Freedom, sending a team of 15 Outbackers to Afghanistan to feed American troops stationed there.  Since that trip, over 100 members of the OSI team have made another six trips serving troops in Djibouti, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and aboard the USS Nimitz in Bahrain.  Overall, 137,000 troops have been served at numerous bases and forward command locations.

“Our troops, veterans and their families need support now more than ever,” Knotts said. “Outback’s generous donation will help these dedicated individuals and wounded warriors carry on with life’s essential needs as well as emergency situations.”

For more information about Outback Steakhouse and its commitments to the troops, please visit Outback.com, join the brand’s Facebook page or follow on Twitter via @outbacktonight.

About Outback Steakhouse

Outback Steakhouse has been an innovator in casual dining for 22 years.  During that time, it has perfected the art of serving great-tasting steaks. Outback was voted #1 Best Steak in the 2009 Zagat Survey of National Full-Service Restaurant Chains.  Outback is not only known for the “Best Steak” award, but also serves fresh, “made from scratch” appetizers, salads, entrees, sides and desserts that use only the highest-quality ingredients available.  Outback’s menu of new choices, classic favorites and “down under prices,” offers something for everyone.  Outback promises delicious, affordable food, spirited service, and an energetic atmosphere that will make casual nights out the most enjoyable available. Please visit www.Outback.com for more information.

About Operation Homefront

Operation Homefront provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our service members and wounded warriors.   A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers across 23 chapters and has met more than 267,000 needs since 2002.  A four-star rated charity by watchdog Charity Navigator, nationally, $.95 of total revenue donated to Operation Homefront goes to programs.  For more information about Operation Homefront, please visit some of our useful links below:

• OH Main Website: www.operationhomefront.net