military

Flag of military uniforms on display at San Antonio Int’l Airport

As we head into July 4, San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is unveiling a 25-foot by 12-foot American flag woven out of 100 military uniforms.

The uniforms were worn in conflicts dating back to World War I. Most uniforms are donated by employees of USAA, an insurance and banking organization serving military families headquartered in San Antonio. The company is celebrating its 100-year anniversary this month.

The artwork is made by Minnesota Veteran and artist Jeffrey Stenbom. He spent more than 1,000 hours weaving together uniforms from all five branches of service for this latest, and largest, piece in his “Freedom’s Threads” series.

“Those pieces of fabric are interlinked, just like those service members are interlinked to protecting our freedoms and keeping the freedoms that we have,” Stenbom said. “Those uniforms that they wore, they bled in, that they sweated in, they cried in, it’s hard, it’s real hard.”

The flag made of military uniforms will be on display at San Antonio International Airport for around 6 months, through January 2023, and then transferred to USAA headquarters for permanent display.

During its time at the airport, the flag “has the potential to be viewed by millions,” said Stenbom. “It feels only fitting that it be displayed at the airport of Military City USA. My hope is that many travelers are able to view it. Especially active duty military members, veterans, and their families.”

The video in this tweet shows Stenbom working on the piece.

Factoids about the new Freedom’s Thread Art Piece at SAT

  • The finished piece weighs nearly 100 pounds.
  • Pieces of more than 140 different uniforms were woven into this flag.
  • In addition to uniforms donated by USAA employees, Stembon used uniform pieces from his grandfathers and from one of his own uniforms. He bought some uniforms online to help represent a few missing time periods.
  • More than 65,000 feet (over one mile) of parachute cord was used to create the loom he worked on to weave the uniforms together.

“The uniform items veterans own often end up in a box or deep in our closets and are rarely seen,” said Taylor Clark, Assistant Vice President and Executive Sponsor USAA’s 100th Anniversary. “To know that we can contribute to something so meaningful…makes it really special.”

Look for this flag at San Antonio International Airport (SAT) presecurity in the Terminal B Lobby.

Free meals for military at airports over Thanksgiving week

THANKSGIVING postcard

In what has become a holiday tradition, Paradies Lagardère, which operates many retail and restaurant outlets in North American airports, will be offering active or retired military a free meal during the week of Thanksgiving ( Sunday, November 20, through Sunday, November 27 ) in almost 50 airport restaurants listed below as part of the Treat our Troops program.

A “meal” includes one menu item, which can be an appetizer, salad, sandwich or entrée and a non alcoholic beverage.

In “coffee” or “grab & go” locations, the meal can be one prepared grab & go item, such as a pastry and a prepared coffee or bottled/fountain beverage. (Bagged candies, chips, granola bars, etc., aren’t included.)

Active and retired military service men and women just need to show their military identification when ordering or checking out to take advantage of this promotion, which is limited to one meal per customer per day.

Asheville Regional: Blue Ridge Tavern Long Beach: Long Beach Burger Bar
Asheville Regional: Blue Ridge News Long Beach: Taco Beach Grill
Aspen–Pitkin County: Aspen Bar & Grille Long Beach: Taco Beach Cantina
Aspen–Pitkin County: Aspen Kiosk Long Beach: Long Beach Marche
Austin–Bergstrom: Ruta Maya Coffee Long Beach: 4th Street Vine
Austin–Bergstrom: ThunderCloud Subs Long Beach: The Boathouse
Dallas/Fort Worth: Whitetail Bistro Northwest Arkansas: Smokewood American Grill
Denver: Say Si Bon! TravelMart Northwest Arkansas: Say Si Bon! Gourmet Market
Denver: Auntie Anne’s Pretzels Northwest Arkansas: Mountain Bird Coffee/CNBC
Denver: Big Bowl Northwest Arkansas: Jammin’ Java
Denver: The Magic Pan Crepe Stand Northwest Arkansas: Auntie Anne’s
Denver: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Northwest Arkansas: Core Brewing Co.
Denver: Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs Pittsburgh: Bar Symon
Eagle County: Mountain Java Pittsburgh: Bottega dei Sapori
Eagle County: Alpenglo Express Reagan National: Say Si Bon! Gourmet Market – Center Pier
Eagle County: Townie Tavern Reagan National: Say Si Bon! Gourmet Market – North Pier
Eagle County: Alpenglo Grille Reagan National: The Magic Pan Crepe Stand
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta: Sweet Auburn Market Reagan National: Wow Bao
Long Beach: Polly’s Gourmet Coffee N. Terminal Reagan National: Washington Pour Bar
Long Beach: Polly’s Gourmet Coffee S. Terminal Reagan National: U Street Pub
Long Beach: George’s Greek Café

 

 

 

Free meals for military at airports

Armed Forces

Between Memorial Day and Independence Day 2016, active and retired military personnel traveling through many of the nation’s airports may show a military ID when or ordering or at check-out and receive a free meal (an entree, salad, or appetizer and a non-alcoholic beverage), courtesy of the Treat of Troops program of airport retail and restaurant operator Paradies Lagardère.

Here’s the list of airport restaurants participating in this program:

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport – Sweet Auburn Market

Asheville Regional Airport – Blue Ridge Tavern

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport – Say Si Bon!, Washington Pour Bar, U Street Pub, Wow Bao and Magic Pan

Denver International Airport – Say Si Bon!, Magic Pan, Big Bowl and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Long Beach Airport – Long Beach Marché, The Boathouse and 4th Street Vine

Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport – Jammin’ Java, Coastal Roast, Say Si Bon!, Smokewood American Grill and Core Brewing Co.

Airports where military eat free this Thanksgiving

paradies

Here’s a nice gesture being extended to military personnel traveling this Thanksgiving:

Paradies, a company that operates many airport concessions, is inviting active or retired military to dine for free in any of its airport restaurants from November 24 to 27.

The offer is courtesy of the company’s Treat Our Troops program and will cover one menu item such as an entrée, sandwich or salad, and a non-alcoholic beverage.

To take advantage of the promotion, active and retired military service men and women can simply show their military identification when ordering or checking out.

Funds for the promotion come not just from Paradies, but from other travelers: throughout the year, Paradies restaurant customers can buy a $5 voucher that is then applied to the dining check of an active or retired military service member.

Here’s a list of some of the participating airport restaurants:

· Sweet Auburn Market – Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (Atlanta, GA)

· Blue Ridge Tavern – Asheville Regional Airport (Asheville, NC)

· McKenna’s on the Fly, 4th Street Vine Wine and Beer Bar, and the Long Beach Marche – Long Beach Airport (Long Beach, CA)

· Bar Symon – Pittsburgh International Airport (Pittsburgh, PA)

· Say Si Bon Gourmet Market – Denver International Airport (Denver, CO)

· Smokewood American Grill and Say Si Bon Gourmet Market – Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (Bentonville, AR)

bturkey

Free coffee at airports for service men & women

On Saturday, May 17 – Armed Forces Day – the Hudson Group kicked off a six week program to honor US and Canadian service men and women by offering them a free cup of coffee in 52 company-run food & beverage locations in North American airports and transit terminals, including Euro Cafe, Dunkin’ Donuts, Alki Bakery and others.

coffee

 

The promotion will include the Memorial Day weekend, Victoria Day and Canada Day and end at midnight on Independence Day, July 4.

Those not traveling in uniform just need to show an ID.

The offer is in addition to the regular 20 percent discount that the Hudson Groups offers to all active North American service men and women.

Look for signs and banners – like the one below – at participating cafes in airports and transit terminals.

Nice!

 

Hudson Counter Card