chapter 510

11/11/2018

freedom or freebies

Veterans Day

I wanted to commemorate Veterans Day in my way. Not to mock the solemn occasion but just to take back from society my pound of flesh for what it did to me in 1969. "They" took me out of my life for 2 years of forced "confinement" in the Army. Now, I was privileged to not have to go to actual war, get maimed, traumatized or come home in a box. Nevertheless, those were 2 lost years in my prime, for what? 

So, I began on Sunday with the free donut at Dunkin then stopped into Friendlys for the free breakfast. That was the only place where they asked for my ID by the way. A place I go to regularly. I still wanted the blueberry crumb donut not available at the previous DD's so we stopped at another. Colleen was along to share the experience, photograph and document with emails to family members. She remarked that luckily she had the day off from her pressure nursing job so that she could spend the time on my quest. We were laughing so hard we were crying. I almost backed into another car in the crowded DD parking lot.

Without making the story too long and boring, I had passed by Hoffmans where they were giving out free car washes for my truck. Returned ASAP with Mustang that really need it. Was too full for lunch and did some yardwork. Then had the best free steak dinner at Applebees. Starbuck was right next door and too late to drink coffee but I got one anyway for the frig overnight. A quick stop at Crackerbarrel for the rich chocolate cake.

The next day, the real Monday Vets Day was going to take it easy. But the reheated Starbucks in the microwave tasted so good thought I'd go to Denny's for free breakfast. Noticed that Hoffmans was just opening so no wait for the $10 needed oil change.

Now, the time was right to skip down to Albany for the free entry to the Art & History Museum. Found this nice picture of Fort Johnson - the Hall where our (English) Army interacted with the native Indians. I've passed by that landmark hundreds of times visiting the hometown of my wife's family.

The Vets Parade was just starting past the Education Building. Albany Police on horseback leading.

Was making a quick exit as parades not my thing. Did snap off this shot of the Doughboys escorting the (unknown) Grand Marshall. Liked the lighting and it reminded me of Grandpa in this uniform and service in WW1. That's the origin of Vets Day (Armistice Day).

I scurried down over the embankment toward the Sheridan Ave ghetto where I'd parked to avoid traffic congestion. The homeless bums hang out there. Had to pass between 2 scruffy looking ones on the steep narrow stairway hoping they weren't dangerous. But they even thanked me for my service- had my old Army coat on that I wear often working around home.

More yardwork. Another stop at Starbucks, the deal was over but they gave me one anyway. Hit TGIFridays where supposed to be free meal. Was over with earlier at 2 pm, they comped me $12 credit anyway against a steak and shrimp dinner. Thank you for their service.

Hope you got a chuckle too. There are just so many freebies now, it's amusing. I've been hitting McDonalds for a bunch of free bacon McDouble burgers simply by filling out an online survey, but that's another story.

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