Janine West (Jlwest)
- Website
- http://fayettevillewantsyou.com
Posts by Janine West (Jlwest):
This is a great time of the year to give back and Xerox let’s you do just that!
Please take a moment to check out this website.
If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com you can pick out a thank you card and a message.
Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving.
You can’t pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.
It is FREE!!!
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these?
FYI: In case you have not received this information, we want to make sure you are aware of a warning from the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans concerning an organization named Veterans Affairs Services (VAS). This group is giving VA benefit information to veterans and military personnel and is gathering personal information about veterans. Veterans Affairs Services is in no way affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs, although many veterans may be given the impression that they are because of the similarity of their name and logo to that of the DVA. Please pass this information along to those in your organization who work with veterans and military personnel.
An organization called Veterans Affairs Services (VAS) is providing benefit and general information on VA and gathering personal information on veterans. This organization is not affiliated with VA in any way.
http://www.vaservices.org/us/index.html
VAS may be gaining access to military personnel through their close resemblance to the VA name and seal. Our Legal Counsel has requested that we coordinate with DoD to inform military installations, particularly mobilization sites, of this group and their lack of affiliation or endorsement by VA to provide any services.
In addition, GC requests that if you have any examples of VAS acts that violate chapter 59 of Title 38 United States Code, such as VAS employees assisting veterans in the preparation and presentation of claims for benefits, please pass any additional information to Mr.Daugherty at the address below.
Michael G. Daugherty
Staff Attorney
Department of Veterans Affairs
Office of General Counsel (022G2)
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420
I love fall and one of my favorite things about this season is Halloween. Not only do I enjoy dressing up, but am drawn to the spookiness of it and there’s no better way to experience the spirit and spirits of Halloween than to go on a haunted hayride! Fayetteville’s annual Historic Hauntings: A Ghastly Ghost Tour is taking place this weekend, October 21-23, and I fully intent to be there! Ghostly re-enactors and story-tellers take the truly brave on a tour of Fayetteville’s most infamous haunted historic sites, including a torch-lit trek through Cross Creek Cemetery where spirits of Confederate Soldiers are known to roam.
Tours begin at 6:30pm and depart on the half hour until 9:30pm from the Liberty Point Building at 145 Person Street. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 910-323-1934 or visit
www.faydogwoodfestival.com.
If you can’t make it out this weekend, don’t worry! City historian Bruce Daws will lead a Hallows Eve Cemetery Walk through Cross Creek Cemetery on October 28th and 29th. He will explain everything you would want to know and more about the people and events of the historic cemetery and neighboring Hillside Avenue homes. Tickets for the hour-long walking tour can be purchased by calling the Dogwood Festival office at 910-323-1934. All proceeds from the walk go towards the restoration of Cross Creek Cemetery.
Happy Hauntings!
The Cumberland County Fair has officially begun! Crown Coliseum is holding their 20th annual Cumberland County Fair this year running from September 16 to September 26th. They are anticipating more than 45,000 visitors to come and check out the exhibits, contests, rides and food vendors!
Tickets are $20 for entry admissions and you receive unlimited rides and more than $25 in coupons for free food and drinks at the fair! What you can expect once you get in is: an interactive petting zoo, a trout fishing pond, the Star Family Circus, Diaper Derby and Parent Olympics, Cape Fear Cheerleading contest, Cumberland County Invitational Step Show and more. Additional events include; two nights of motor cross racing, professional wrestling, two nights of professional bull riding and lots of talented local singers, dancers and karate groups! Phew…now that’s a whole lot of entertainment to handle!
Military and family members get a discount on Sept. 21st!
So come on out to celebrate the 20th annual Cumberland County Fair and all of the fun, exciting things it has to offer this year!
This past weekend I went to The Climbing Place, located in the heart of Downtown Fayetteville and had a great time! My kids were truly amazed! It was our first time going to an indoor rock climbing place. We were all briefed on how to get all strapped in and how to be prepared. After we learned all of the safety instructions, they let us climb any wall we wanted to try out! It’s a great way to teach teamwork to your kids.
It is a truly incredible feeling when you reach the top! I definitely felt accomplished at the end of the day but as for my hands and body, well they were feeling the exhilarating workout the next day. I will be coming back here for another challenge soon!
A few weeks ago, the original Iron Mike Statue, which was previously displayed on base at Fort Bragg, was moved to the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in historic downtown Fayetteville where it now stands at the entrance to the museum, welcoming visitors. With the original deteriorating, a new, bronze Iron Mike replaced the old in 2005. After being refurbished, the 16 ft. 4in., 3,235 lb. original statue’s new home was selected.
The term “Iron Mike” is usually used as American slang to refer to men who are especially tough, brave and inspiring. Fayetteville’s Iron Mike represents a World War II-era Airborne trooper, since Fort Bragg is the “Home of the Airborne,” with the 82nd Airborne Division and XVIII Airborne Corps headquartered there. While the Iron Mike was modeled after former VXII Airborne Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Robert F. Sink, the statue was not named after one man or unit, but is dedicated to all paratroopers; past, present and future.
If you haven’t seen the Iron Mike Statue, I highly recommend taking a trip to the ASOM to check it out. While you’re there, check out this amazing museum itself to learn more about the history of the Airborne and the different conflicts they have been a part of beginning in 1940 and ending with the current wars. There is even simulator that will make you feel like you’re a paratrooper yourself!
Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop before you leave – I’ve bought a lot of great gifts for my loved ones in the military. And, don’t hesitate to bring visitors here too!
This past weekend, my family and I went to Dock’s at the Capitol, and we had a great time. There were dozens of games the kids could choose from. The games included billiards, shuffleboards, a golf simulator, darts, bowling, and assorted video games. The nice part was that you could choose to purchase a game card with any amount on it. This worked out very well for the kids and me. Once I purchased these they were on their way!
There were also several different dining areas to choose from. This was great and made it made it relaxing for the adults to be able to sit down, grab a bite, and take it all in. The kids, of course, were too busy to stop for a even a second. They were way too excited about all the different activities.
If you visit Dock’s be to sure to stop by the prize center, on your way out so you can trade in your winnings for prizes. That was a big hit with the kids!
Dock’s at the Capitol is located right in the heart of downtown Fayetteville on Hay Street.
My experience at Fort Bragg this past Sunday on the 4th of July was outstanding! When I got there I watched the 82nd Division Band perform classic All-American songs, acapella. They are truly something you shouldn’t miss! Next, I watched the Golden Knights parachute onto the Parade Field. They almost looked like little birds in the sky when they first jumped out of the plane, and as they got closer to the ground, they opened their yellow parachutes and the kids went wild!
There were plenty of choices to eat dinner at the event and I had some delicious Southern-style BBQ. You can’t go wrong with pulled pork, fried chicken and coleslaw around here!
My favorite part of the evening was watching nationally-recognized musicians, Colt Ford and Chevelle perform! I also had the pleasure of meeting Miss North Carolina, Adrienne Core and the bass guitarist for Chevelle.
Another rewarding event that took place was that Lt. General Helmick of the 82nd Airborne Corps, presented an Iron Mike award to The Army’s Army, for supporting military families in 2009. What a wonderful organization to be a part of!
To end the night, I watched the amazing fireworks display that really put the icing on the cake! I will definitely be back to celebrate our independence again next year!
This Sunday, Ft. Bragg is holding their annual 4th of July celebration called, Operation Celebrate Freedom. It is one of the biggest events you can attend on post! It is also incredibly memorable.
I went last year and they had all sorts of vendors, military supportive organizations, games for kids, concerts by national performers, and of course the grand fireworks show to end the night off with a bang. I am very much looking forward to attending again this year!
It is a great way to get out with your family and celebrate.
This year the schedule is as follows:
3:00 p.m. - Vendors and Kiddie Land Open
4:30-4:55 p.m. - The 82nd Division All American Chorus
5:00-6:00 p.m. - Colt Ford Concert
6:00-6:30 p.m. - Golden Knights Freefall Parachute Demonstration
6:30-7:45 p.m. - Chevelle in Concert
7:45-8:00 p.m. - Commanding General Remarks
8:10-8:45 p.m. - National Anthem and Flag Ceremony
8:45-9:45 p.m. - The 82nd Division, All American Band
9:45 p.m. - Fireworks display “Concert in the Sky”
Have a great July 4th weekend!