Veterans Day/"Back from Iraq"/1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team

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-First this week, we tell you about all the Veterans Day specials and events going on at nationwide chains across the country such as Lowe's, Applebee's, SportClips, Golden Corral, Burger King, and more! We also talk with Nathan Tobey, the creator of the Penn State program, "Back from Iraq." This course is aimed specifically to Iraq War veterans to teach them how to use video and web technologies in order to chronicle the stories and experiences of the Iraq War.

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-Next, we discuss the latest Pentagon figures that say 35%, or more than one-third of the roughly 31.2 million Americans aged 17 to 24 are unqualified for military service because of physical and medical issues. According to the Pentagon's director of accessions, Curt Gilroy, the major component of those numbers is obesity.

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-Lastly, we speak with Joel Hamilton, Lieutenant Colonel Commander of the 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery. He talks to us about the 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team and their homeland defense mission that has been going on for the past year. He tells us how their role in that mission parallels their upcoming mission in Iraq as a support role.

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Maid Brigade/VA Secretary Shinseki/Best Warrior Competition

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-First on this week's recap show, we speak with Don Hay, founder and chairman of Maid Brigade, a residential cleaning service with more than 420 locations in the U.S. and Canada. More than 10% of Maid Brigade franchise owners are veterans, and right now, Maid Brigade is awarding 100 qualified veterans with their own businesses by waiving the franchise fees and providing working capital. The contest winners will be announced on Veterans Day.We also discuss the issues surrounding the GI Bill, and the VA's emergency check authorizations.

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-In August, we brought you The National Defense from the 110th VFW National Convention in Phoenix, Arizona. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric Shinseki joined us to discuss backlogs, budget, and his efforts to improve the VA Healthcare system.

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-In July, the Best Warrior Competition was held at Ft. McCoy in Tomah, Wis. The purpose of the competition was to find the best warrior in the Army Reserves. The week-long event challenged soldiers' physical and mental stamina as well as their will. We speak with a couple warriors in the competition, Sergeant Luke Heideman and Shawn Zimmerman from Hays, Kan., about sore feet and what it's like being in the Army Reserves, working full-time, and going to school full-time.

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SportClips/Defense Commissary Agency/31 Stadiums Tour

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-We kick off this week with Gordon Logan, founder and CEO of SportClips Haircuts. SportClips is a long-time supporter of VFW's Operation Uplink, and this Veterans Day they're donating a dollar for every haircut given in their 660+ stores. SportClips hopes to raise $125,000 on "The Biggest Haircut Day of the Year."

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-Next, we talk to Nate Thompson, friend of Joe Lusk. While training in Fort Rucker, Ala., they discussed how it would be amazing to travel the nation in an RV watching football. Unfortunately, Joe was killed in Kuwait when his helicopter crashed during a training mission. In memory of Joe, Nate is continuing with the dream, while raising money for a memorial fund set up in Joe's name. Nate, his brother Aaron, and friend Nolan Meyers will travel nearly 30,000 miles to see every NFL stadium during the 31 Stadiums Tour. This weekend, the VFW has given the trio tickets to watch the Kansas City Chiefs face-off against the San Diego Chargers.

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-To finish up, we have the director of the Defense Commissary Agency, Philip Sakowitz, talking about their worldwide chain of commissaries that provide groceries to military personnel, retirees, and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Those eligible to shop at a commissary save about 30% compared to other retailers. A single service member who shops regularly at a commissary can save about $1,000 a year.

We also discuss President Barack Obama signing into law a bill that provides funding for the Veterans Affairs Department one year in advance, a victory for all veterans organizations.

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Army Reserve Virtual Installation/Student Veterans of America

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-First this week, we speak with Laura Stultz, the face of Army Reserve Families, and the wife of Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz, Chief, Army Reserve, and Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve Command. She talks with us about the Army Reserve Virtual Installation Program, providing families of all branches of service with information, services, and support via the Internet or at local centers. The program consists of three parts: the unit, community, and web. She says it is the synergy of these three parts that ensures the readiness of Army Reserve Families.
We also discuss what the VFW did for the family of the Laureldale girl made famous for holding her father's hand during his deployment formation.
Also, we have more on the VFW National Commander urging the president for decisive action in Afghanistan.
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-Next, we have the executive director of the Student Veterans of America, Derek Blumke. Derek talks to us about how the GI Bill has the ability to turn this generation of veterans into the "next greatest generation." He also talks about the delays in the VA's GI checks for student veterans, and how they fixed the problem by putting the application process online.
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