Flags to fly at half-staff Sunday

By KEN SINGLETARY | ksingletary@madison.com | 608-252-6159 |

Flags at all state government and federal facilities, and Wisconsin National Guard armories, air bases and other locations across the state, will fly at half-staff Sunday in honor of a former state resident who died of injuries sustained in a roadside explosion in Afghanistan.

Army Spc. Kevin J. Graham, 27, of Benton, Ky., died on Sept. 26 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, after the explosion struck his vehicle. Graham moved from Salem, in Kenosha County, in 2005 with his parents to Fairdealing, Ky. They had lived in Wisconsin since 1991, and his three older brothers still live in southeastern Wisconsin or northern Illinois.

Graham enlisted in 2007 and was later assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team based in Fort Lewis, Wash. Family members said he always wanted to join the army.

Other state agencies, and businesses and private residences with flag poles, are welcome to fly flags at half-staff during daylight hours Sunday.

The National Guard will render these honors in accordance with an executive order issued by Gov. Jim Doyle.

Mccormick's & Schmick's Honor Vets

To Veterans Who Have Served in War and Peace We Honor You

Sunday, November 8, 2009

WE PAY TRIBUTE TO OUR VETERANS WITH A COMPLIMENTARY ENTREE FROM A SPECIAL MENU

http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/featured-promotion/Veterans-Appreciation-Day.aspx

Military Appreciation Monday

Free "Thank You" Dinner
Monday, Nov. 16, 2009,
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Golden Corral's 9^th annual Military Appreciation Monday dinner will be held on Monday, November 16, 2009, 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, in the National Guard or Reserves, you are invited to join us for Golden Corral's Military Appreciation Monday dinner.

Who is eligible for the free "thank you" dinner?
Any person who has served in the US Military (retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard or Reserves)

http://goldencorral.com/military/

D.C.'s Vietnam Veterans Memorial under repair

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Workers began repairing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall on Wednesday as a private memorial fund took over maintenance of 13 acres from the National Park Service.

Over the next two weeks, workers are restoring the flagpole's bronze finish and its decorative base with five military branch insignias. They will also restore the bronze finish for five stands that hold directories that help people find names on the V-shaped memorial wall, which draws millions of visitors each year.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, which built the memorial, also has repaired an irrigation system and is reseeding and sodding the grass. Last month, the group announced plans to pay for maintenance at the site because of scarce funding from the federal government.

They plan to raise more than $1 million to care for the memorial and grounds, including $500,000 to buy replacement granite if sections of the wall need to be replaced.

"Everybody has the same goal: We want it to look good," said fund spokeswoman Lisa Gough. "We want it to shine."

The memorial's bronze fixtures – including the flagpole and a statue of three soldiers – will be restored for the first time since they were installed more than 25 years ago, said James Cummings, who was part of the original architecture team.

The fund is trying to raise $100,000 to restore the statue by next year. The bronze is worn down and has turned green on the soldiers' noses and arms, Cummings said. Weather caused some of the damage, along with the hands of visitors.

"No one expected the memorial itself would have such an impact with the culture," Cummings said. "There's a plan now to take care of it."