February-March 2019 Fort Campbell Area Retiree Live

A look inside...

4 Great Ideas for a Winter Getaway

Getting to Know Your Community

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Greenhouses and Gardening

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Retiree Spotlight Ken Poindexter

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VA Home Loans

Editor Nathan Bonar

Contributors Dave Marshall Rose Pollard Nicholaus Dilda Tara Goodson

Publisher Creative ink

Creative Director Sears Hallett

Advertising

Kristi Williams 270-484-0463 kristi@creativeinktn.com

Photography Paula Hallett Miami CVB Myrtle Beach CVB Gulf Shores CVB Orlando CVB visitclarksvilletn.com Fort Donelson mixthatdrink.com Deposit Photo pg: Cover, 9.10.17.18

Hope you are having a Happy New Year! I had a great holiday season with family and friends and way too much food. I hope the same can be said for yours. 2018 was a year with several new challenges, and the experience I gained is invaluable for my future, which is why I felt inclined to dedicate this first issue of 2019 to improvement.

This issue offers some great locations for a mid-winter getaway, then there are some interesting ways to invest that saved money, or to know how to buy that dream home to a gardening project that is sure to fill your life with color.

What better way to start the new year than learning more about the area and how your interests can flourish in Clarksville.

I would be remiss not to mention my meeting with Ken Poindexter, and his grounded advice for us as we start 2019.

Here is to a year filled with new experiences and a better you, cheers!

Nathan Bonar, Editor nathan@creativeinktn.com

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by Rose Pollard

If you’re planning a mini-vacation or a just a quick weekend escape from the freezing cold this winter, make sure you check out these amazing destinations before packing your bags.

1. Miami, Florida Miami has always been a tried and true spot for snowbirds to flock. Besides the fabulous weather, great dining and entertainment, and many fun outdoor and water activities to enjoy, there are a couple things that everyone should experience when in the Miami area.

If you’re a foodie, be sure to take the South Beach Food and Art Deco Walking Tour. An expert guide will lead you through this very unique neighborhood filled with stunning architecture. Along the way, you will get to visit some of the best local restaurants and sample flavors from all around the world. The tour is $59 for adults.

For more information about times and availability, contact Miami Culinary Tours at (786) 942-8856.

Miami is also home of one of the oldest buildings in the Western Hemisphere. Built in Spain in the early part of the 12th century, the Ancient Spanish Monastery was disassembled and rebuilt in its current location in the 1950s.

The monastery is tucked away in North Miami Beach for all to enjoy. You can even attend an ancient RUAH service every Wednesday night for free.

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2. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina You will never run out of things to see and do when vacationing at Myrtle Beach. Go for a helicopter ride; enjoy fishing, kayaking, or water skiing. Take a stroll on the Boardwalk, and ride the famous Myrtle Beach Skywheel, if you’re brave enough.

Myrtle Beach also boasts several veterans’ monuments, such as Warbird Park and Hall of Heroes. Cap off your tour with lunch at Veterans Café.

Peruse the walls covered in military memorabilia, while enjoying an authentic Philly cheesesteak. Everything you need to know about this great getaway can be found on their website at myrtlebeach.com.

3. Gulf Shores, Alabama Gulf Shores is another popular spot for snowbirds, and with good reason. With its clear turquoise water and glistening white sandy beaches, Gulf Shores is a treat for the eyes as well as the soul. The atmosphere is laid back, but there’s still plenty to see and do. Among the attractions are guided dolphin-watching tours and parasailing. You can also visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, hang out at The Wharf, and watch the boats from atop one of the largest Ferris wheels on the Gulf Coast, or go for a romantic sunset cruise on a catamaran.

While you’re there, you have to visit Billy’s Seafood, a favorite fish market of both locals and visitors. Their sign says, “If it Swims…We’ve got it!” and it’s all straight off the boat.

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4. Orlando, Florida Don’t forget, as a veteran, you can stay at any U.S. military base, military hotels, as well as Armed Forces Recreation Center resorts located across the globe.

Shades of Green® is one such resort located in Orlando, Florida on Walt Disney World® Resort.

Nestled between two PGA golf courses and a stone’s throw from the Disney theme park, Shades of Green is a military-owned resort for military members and their families. Visit shadesofgreen.org for all the details. You can also go to todaysmilitary.com to find the location of any U.S. military base in the world, along with information about great vacation opportunities and deals.

One last thing: whether you choose to drive or fly to your destination, make sure you get the best deals available. If you’re planning to rent a car, check out Alamo’s U.S. Government and military car rental discounts. If you decide to fly, be sure to shop around first. Many airlines offer discounts to both active duty and retired military families, but they don’t always advertise these deals. Delta, United Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic are just a few that offer military discounts. The offers vary, and can change frequently, so always call around before booking your flight.

Enjoy the warm sunshine and the great food, and take advantage of as many discounts as you can. You’ve earned it!

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Clarksville may not be the biggest city on the map, but Clarksville has its fair share of attractions that are sure to beat the winter blues. Depending on how you want to plan your weekends, there are quite an array of attractions that range from family friendly spots with games, food, and culture, to grown up fun.

One thing that is always sure to please is a good restaurant, and Clarksville is home to some fine eateries that won’t kill your pocket book. Leading the pack might be the downtown staple: The Blackhorse Pub & Brewery. The Blackhorse boasts some great pizza and a great lunch spot. The fun doesn’t stop there, above the Blackhorse is their late-night spot, The Tap Room, which serves up a cold mug of The Blackhorse’s personal brew like, the Barnstormer Red.

If the theatre isn’t your spot, maybe you would enjoy strolling around some history in the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center. The building itself was built in 1898, so it’s a sight to see if you enjoy architecture.

By now you might be hungry again, so step back over to Franklin Street and try a cocktail and appetizer in the Edward’s Steakhouse piano bar.

While you are downtown, you are sure to see plenty of other unique spots to pique your interest or fill your belly.

If you are an outdoorsy person, there are plenty of parks, trails, and general outdoor fun to be had in the area. Dunbar Cave offers a number of trails for the avid hiker, fishing, and a small wildlife museum in the main building where you can find out information on the cave tours.

While you’re downtown, there are plenty of spots to hit since you made the trip. If you like a good cup of coffee after your meal while you walk around, Yada Yada Yada is a local coffee joint that has delicious coffee and even better sweet treats.

You could catch a show at the local theatre, the Roxy Regional Theatre. They host a variety of plays and shows for any audience, and the admission price won’t kill the night.

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Rotary Park near exit 11 is another locale with a host of hiking options and even home to an 18-hole disc golf course. If you need some park options that have play areas for children, then take a ride toward Riverside and hang out at McGregor Park.

Here you will find a huge, outdoor play area, the River Walk, and an information center that gives the history of Clarksville on the water.

If you want to get out on the water, you need to take a trip to the other end of Riverside to visit Liberty Park and the Marina. Liberty Park Grill is on the corner, so you can stop for a bite to eat before you head out on the water. Liberty Park is a grand area with a pond and trail for fishing, a walking trail, a dog park, a couple of play places, and, of course, access to the Marina. This is the perfect spot for a picnic, by the way.

Now that you have had a day out on the water and in the sun, you are probably ready to relax with a nice cold beverage, well, no fear, Clarksville is home to multiple breweries, wineries, and distilleries. A few to mention here are Beachaven Vineyard and Winery and Tennessee Valley Brewing.

If you would rather create your own art, then Horsefeathers (also downtown) or Swirlz Art Studio on Warfield Blvd. are what you’re looking for. These two businesses want you to come in and make art!

Give them a ring and give it a try.

If you have been dreaming of going back in time, then Clarksville has two places meant just for you. Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center is where you can find fellow history buffs and even get a chance to do some Civil War reenactments, who would pass that up!

If you had your heart set on the 1830s and making your own soap, then Historic Collinsville off Highway 13 is your calling.

Now that you have your souvenirs, it’s time to return to present day, and you might be interested to know that you can visit City Forum and hit the go-kart track before getting lost in a game of laser tag.

Beachaven is an award-winning winery that hosts Jazz on the Lawn during the summer and fall months, you can check out their website for future dates. Tennessee Valley Brewing is new to the club here in town, and you can find their hospitable owners ready to give you a tour of the place when you stop by to try some of their new brews like the blueberry berliner weisse or one of their IPAs. If these stops have gotten you feeling creative, then it sounds like you need to drop into one of these local art studios, and some of them might even let you try it yourself! The Downtown Artist Co-Op is home to local artists. This is a gallery of home-grown art, and it all has a price tag—yes, it is reasonable. Journey’s Eye is another stop for the art enthusiast which is located a stones throw from the Downtown Artists Co-Op.

If your interests are closer to wandering around a room lit by blacklights and painted like a fantasy forest while playing mini-golf, then you need to get over to D&D Black Light mini golf by the mall.

For more about Clarksville visit: visitclarksvilletn.com 8

The garden will be the perfect place to find some peace in 2019, so let’s get started on it now!

DIY greenhouse kits are being sold everywhere and having a lush green space all your own is a great way to start the new year.

The market has endless options whether in the city or the country for those looking to invest in a greenhouse. A dream come true for that passionate gardener, or the sensible idea for someone who likes to grow their own vegetables or out-of-season herbs, a greenhouse can be a space that brings happiness all year round. The first step is to choose where you want to put your greenhouse on your property. For the best result, you should take into account the movement of the sun which will allow your garden to flourish.

Now that you have a location, there is still some work to do before deciding on a greenhouse. You must consider what you want to gain from owning a greenhouse—is it a green getaway or a frugal grocery growing operation?

Since there are so many options to choose from like tiered tower options which take up little space; or, portable options for those who don’t want to commit to building a structure; then, there are snap-together options which can be assembled without tools; larger options that can get up to 8’ x 12’ in size; and, finally, there are options that you can have installed for you that it is necessary to do some research and make a plan on what to grow in your new greenhouse.

Now that you have a plan for what you want to grow and know where you want to put it on your property, you can start searching for the perfect greenhouse.

Once you have found the greenhouse that is just right for you, the building commences.

Hopefully, you are able to get this project done just in time for the weather to take a turn towards warm, and the real task begins: Planting! Your nice, new greenhouse is built, and your next task is to fill it overflowing with plants to create the greenspace you have envisioned. This process has just as many options as the greenhouses you selected from, so you might want to invest some time into reading what works and what doesn’t, especially for your growing zone—Tennessee is zone 7a, so we benefit from a moderately long growing season and a long list of options for plants to grow.

The greenhouse is up, the seeds are started, and you are only a couple short months from a cornucopia of vegetables and blooms.

The last thing you have to do is decide what you are going to do with all of those veggies!

Spring Gardening Tips

by Tara Goodson “There is no gardening without humility. Nature is constantly sending even its oldest scholars to the bottom of the class for some egregious blunder.” ~Alfred Austin.

March 20 is the official start of spring in the Fort Campbell area. The warm weather had many of us wanting to get a jumpstart on our gardens this year, but as a seasoned gardener will tell you, patience is worth its weight in gold.

Every season brings a different set of chores and joy in the garden. Spring is an exciting time for those of us that like to play in the dirt, as preparations are made for the beauty of the garden as it emerges from winter. However, it can be a bit overwhelming to know how to prioritize your gardening time this time of year.

Most gardeners cannot wait for the blooms and buds to appear, but we also need to remember to tend to our lawns as well. It is best to think of your garden as a landscape painting, and include everything that is visible to your eye.

Below are some tips from the University of Tennessee Agriculture Extension Service and Gardenguides.com to assist you in the care of your garden.

Lawn Care This area is considered a transitional zone for grass. This means neither cool nor warm season grasses will thrive year round. That certainly explains the challenges I’ve had with my yard since I have lived here! If you choose a cool season grass such as fescue, sow seeds in the fall. This gives it two cool seasons to grow before the hot weather sets in. But if you must have grass before the long hot days of summer, choose Bahia or even Bermuda grass. Plugs or sprigs will ensure growth can be established during summer. For established lawns, you should start mowing once a week in the spring.

Ensure your mower blades are sharp and cut the grass no shorter than two inches. Once the temperatures start to rise, lengthen the time

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between cuts and allow the grass to grow longer. This will conserve nutrients and moisture. The rain we receive in the spring should be sufficient for established lawns, and careful monitoring will tell you if you should water more when you have a new lawn. Do not drown your lawn.

Staking Stake plants that may be prone to wind damage during the unpredictable spring weather. This is especially true with the tornado watches and warnings we have already received this year.

Pruning Pruning can be tricky, but it can improve plant’s overall health. Frequently removing older stems encourages a plant to put energy into new growth, keeping the plant young. Be cautious not to over prune and end up with a stick growing from the ground.

Deadheading Remove spent flowers from bulbs, but leave the rest of the plant as is for the time being. This will encourage new growth and keep the plant blooming for a longer period of time.

Weeding Pull weeds from your beds and borders before they have a chance to take hold and spread. I find weeding to be therapeutic and relaxing.

Frustrated with a Family member?

Yank a few weeds instead of biting their head off. It can also be a fantastic workout!

Compost Tend to your compost pile if it has been neglected over the winter. If you do not have a compost bin, spring is a great time to start one.

Leaves, old plant material, leftover vegetable peels and many other things can be composted.

You should avoid any animal products or by-products, any oils, fat or grease, and dairy products. Egg shells and used coffee grounds are wonderful additions. About.com has a comprehensive listing of dos and don’ts of starting a compost pile or bin. Composting is the best way to reduce waste and minimize the use of commercialized fertilizers.

Fertilize and Mulch Fertilize and mulch beds and borders.

Spring is also a good time to fertilize fruit trees. If you applied heavy winter mulch for protection from the cold, you will need to clear it away. The tender shoots of the new spring plants will not be able to get the air or sunlight under the heavy winter cover.

Tools Spring is a good time to prepare your tools for the oncoming gardening season and to make any necessary repairs or new purchases. You will be happy you have done so when summer sets in.

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I had the privilege of sitting down to coffee with Ken Poindexter, owner of Mugsy’s Coffee Co. With two locations, one on Ft. Campbell Blvd., and one near the hospital on Dunlop Ln., who knows which location you will bump into Ken. Meeting Ken at his Dunlop Ln. location, he had a big mug of coffee, as he should, and I had the best blueberry scone in Clarksville.

Here is what Mr. Poindexter had to say when I threw some questions at him.

Where are you from originally?

I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and raised out in Los Angeles. Spent some high school years back in Indianapolis before I went into the military.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Marine Why did you want to join the military?

Wanted to get out of the house. And when I was ten years old, I had an experience with the Marine Corps.

Uh, no, I wasn’t ten, it was probably more like 13 that had like a little youth program when I was in California where we would visit a marine corps base and spent a couple weeks there just living in the barracks and just doing stuff, and from there it kind of sparked me to be a marine really. It was a really cool, I thought I accomplished something in my life when I was that young.

Tell me about your career in the military When I was 17, I knew I was going into the military, and I went down to the recruiter’s office and tried to sign up to go into the Navy, and I don’t know why; it was something about being in a submarine and extra pay, however, that was the first door down the hall when I was going in this recruiting station, but I went back to my original dream of being a marine and went into his office, and he said, “Hey, you need a note from your mom if you’re going to join the military,” and I went to my mom and said, “Hey, I’m going into the marine corps,” and she said, “Yep, here ya go, here is a note.” And I had to wait a little bit, it was called the delayed entry program, and so I did that in December of 1979, and went in the Marine Corps in September of ’80 to boot camp there, and spent 10 years in the marine corps doing all kinds of stuff, I was a CH53 mechanic, and I also was in a unit called HMX1 where we supported the President and other dignitaries. I got out of the Marine Corps one day and into the Army next because there were some guys that were in the Marine Corps going into the Army to be pilots, and I had already been married and had kids, and I wanted to do more for my family, so I got out of the marine corps and went down to flight school at Ft. Rucker with no break in service and did 26 years in the Army. So, total I did 36 years, 10 years enlisted in the marine corps and 26 years as an Army warrant officer flying helicopters and retired as a W5. Spent 19 years in the Special Operations 160th.

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Favorite Music or Band?

Gospel music, what you’re hearing. Lauren Daigel, I love her, and I love Casting Crowns.

Those are probably, right now, my favorites. Put down Big Daddy Weave too.

Favorite place you were stationed?

Man, that is kind of hard because I loved every place that I have been to. I was in Okinawa, spent 6 years in Germany.

I think, I don’t know, Germany would probably be my favorite because I had my family with me; I didn’t have my family with me in Okinawa. Yeah, I loved Okinawa, but I loved Germany because my family was there with me.

Why did you get into the coffee business?

An interest in coffee?

No. Had no interest. No interest whatsoever. I was in the military a long time, and I didn’t have any other experience besides the military, and I worked with a guy who recently retired and owned Mugsy’s at Fort Campbell, and he was putting it up for sale, and I had the chance of doing something outside of the military to experience something outside of the military, plus my kids were grown at that time and if my wife and I could team up with and have sort of another kid something to take care of, something to create, you know something that we could share.

What kept you here to do it?

My kids. Yeah, I had been here for 20 years, and I had the opportunity to leave but the things that I love and the people that I love are right here.

Favorite thing about Clarksville?

My favorite things are my friends and family that I have here, honestly, it’s not like a favorite food.

My relationships I have here are what keeps me here and what I honor and value most.

Advice for those getting into the retirement phase?

I could probably write a book on newly retired. One of the things that, I loved what I did.

I have been retired almost 3 years, and I probably would still be there, but what got me to retire was I was so comfortable doing what I was doing, I love deploying, I love doing what I was doing as a pilot in the 160th, I had to leave. If that makes sense at all.

I wasn’t getting complacent, I was getting comfortable. Nothing was making me grow spiritually and mentally. I was coming back from a mission on a C-17, and I saw all of the guys I was with fast asleep on the floor of the aircraft, and I thought to God that I love being here, thank you so much, and I almost felt like there was a word that said, “Yep, you’re right, that’s why you gotta leave,” and that next week I put my paperwork in and retired. So, then my advice would be to know when it is the right time to leave and be prepared to leave. Always be prepared to leave. For the next step. It caught me by surprise. I am led by God in so many ways of my life, but there are a lot of surprises around the corner. Be prepared, be ready. All my military career I have been flexible, been ready for something that, ready for the surprises. You can always have 80% of the solution going out on a mission but 20% because the enemy has a little bit of the vote. Same with life and retiring, you can have 80% of the solution, but be flexible enough to have that 20% of other things that arise that you don’t see.

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Fort Donelson: An Historic Gem

by Nicholaus Dilda

It is no secret that the Fort Campbell area is one with a rich history; what you may not know is that it is home to some incredibly well-preserved fortresses from the Civil War era. One stronghold in particular located just north of Dover is Fort Donelson, named after famed Tennessean politician and soldier, Brigadier General Daniel S. Donelson. The fighting that occurred here would prove to be a turning point for Union forces in the American Civil War, who before their victories at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, were suffering crippling losses.

Constructed in 1862 by the commission of General Bushrod Johnson of the Confederate Corps of Engineers, Fort Donelson is situated on the Cumberland River some 10 miles west of its counterpart, Fort Henry. It was the hope of Fort Donelson’s constructors that its strategic location would prove an effective means of not only housing troops and arms, but also maintaining a hold on the region. However, after Fort Henry fell to Major General Ulysses S. Grant’s troops on February 6th, 1862, Confederate engineers hustled to attempt to improve upon Fort Henry’s design to avoid succumbing to the same fate as their sister encampment. Engineers built rifle pits as well as parapets in an arc along a three-mile perimeter. As for heavy firepower, Fort Donelson sported a 128-pound cannon and two 32-pounders which overlooked the river.

Fort Donelson was home to two battles, one of which would help the Union Army gain access to the heartland of Tennessee, swinging a good deal of momentum to the Union force’s cause.

The first of these battles started on February 15th and was again led by Ulysses S. Grant and his men. After their victory over Fort Henry, Grant was commanded by General Henry Halleck to move west and take Fort Donelson at all costs.

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He wanted fast results, commanding that Fort Donelson be under Union control by February 8th, merely two days after their victory at Fort Henry.

After surveying the newly constructed improvements and the strategic positioning of the fortress, Grant was well aware that such a feat would be impossible. Rather than lose a battle due to hasty unpreparedness, he commanded three Brigadier Generals to lead a party on foot for what would prove to be a successful land assault. Simultaneously, he ordered Flag Officer Andrew Foote to ready the warships for a river assault for what would again result in a Union triumph.

The siege on Fort Donelson started on February 12th after land forces were able to battle through several Confederate encampments between Union positions and the fort. On the 14th, Foote began bombarding the batteries of the Southern water with eleven heavy cannons. The initial fight seemed to be going the way of the Confederates, as they forced the Union army to retreat on the morning of the 15th, wounding Foote in the process.

The Confederate soldiers rejoiced, but unbeknownst to them, Grant had reinforcements pouring in from the north and east and effectively encircled the fort. Later that day, Foote opened fire from the river in a dazzling display of Union power.

Grant’s courageous counterattack proved fruitful, and upon Confederate Brigadier General Simon B. Buckner’s request for terms, he replied, “No terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted.”

With this simple and straightforward response, Buckner had no choice but to surrender Fort Donelson to the Union troops.

The second battle to occur at For Donelson was of little consequence. Months later, Confederate troops would attempt to retake Fort Donelson with a force of less than 800 men, in a valiant, yet unsuccessful effort. By this time the Union army had shifted the front line away from Fort Donelson, anyway, which was at this point merely being used as a garrison for their troops.

Decades after the events at Fort Donelson, it was eventually declared a National Military Park on March 26th, 1928, but it was not until August 16th, 1985, that it received its current designation of a National Battlefield, as well as the absorption of Fort Heiman. Employing fourteen full time employees, Fort Donelson sprawls across a thousand acres and is host to over 700,000 visitors a year, offering youth programs, historical education and a humbling trip back in time to this tumultuous era. Fort Donelson now is home to many prized artifacts from the war that divided a nation, pitting brother against brother. May such a devastating blow to the American people never happen again.

To take a virtual tour or to plan your visit to Fort Donelson, go to www.nps.gov/fodo/index.htm 16

Buying a Home VA Style The new year sometimes means a new place, and the VA has your back. VA home loans are available for servicemembers to purchase a home, but there is plenty to know about securing your VA loan you might not know.

Here is a quick rundown of the process of buying a home with a VA loan. First, you need to find out if you are eligible for a VA home loan. Basic eligibility begins with those who have served 2 years. You can learn more about your eligibility on benefits.va.gov. Now that you know if you are eligible for a VA home loan, there are a couple more steps before the home search begins. Next, you need to find a realtor. Selecting the right realtor can make the rest of this process a piece of cake so be sure to choose carefully. Once you have found the realtor that fits you, the next step is to get pre-qualified for your VA home loan by shopping around for lenders–remember the government does not pay the loan, they are just a guaranty of the loan, so be sure to make sure the rates of the company you choose are competitive. When you have selected a lender, the next step is to visit benefits.va.gov to submit the proper paperwork for your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for your VA home loan amount.

This Certificate of Eligibility will outline the specifics of your home loan with the VA, and you will use the COE to secure your loan from lender. Don’t worry, at this point most of the hard work is done on your end, and, now, you get to start looking around for your dream home. The next steps involve your realtor, and more the reason for you to be selective at the get go. After finding the home you are ready to call yours, you will apply for the loan with your lender (this is where that COE comes in handy), and then the wait begins as you allow processing time for your loan as well as any other paperwork your realtor must complete. While your lender processes your loan, you will have an appraisal of the home completed and underwriting will begin after they confirm your income. Then, finally, the day comes when you will get a call from your realtor with the happy news that the closing documents are ready for signing.

Here are a few last-minute things to remember about buying a home with a VA loan. These loans are only for properties that are “move-in ready” condition, so buying that fixer upper business might not work out with this loan. VA loans are for purchasing primary residences, but they are reusable if you pay off the loan each time. Those who have a history of bankruptcy or foreclosure should not shy from applying for a VA loan, however, there are some mandatory fees which help the VA keep the program going—those fees can be rolled into your loan, so don’t worry too much. When getting a VA loan, having a co-borrower who isn’t your spouse, or another veteran may require a down payment. The last thing you might want to know about getting your VA loan is there is no prepayment penalty, so go ahead, pay it off as fast as you please.

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Making money is great, but how do you make your money work for you? Retiring from the military gives you a distinct advantage when it comes to your future. The skills and abilities you picked up and learned while in the service are a part of you and making a career move that allows you to put those skills to use might be a priority.

Searching for an opportunity after retirement can sometimes leave you drained and listless but don’t worry, there are still a few options you may not have thought of. One option you might not have thought about is becoming the owner of a franchise. This is a sensible move because the branding of the product already exists, advertising is out there, and a mode of operation is already in place. Now that you are thinking about it a little more seriously, let’s talk about what your options are here. But first, you need some basic information about this process.

To begin, companies allow you to buy the rights to own and operate one of their businesses, and that means you’re getting a product you know about and is already in use. There are multiple sites you can search for franchise opportunities but be attentive and choose sites that lean on your needs and takes into account your status as a veteran. One I found was franchisedirect.com/veteran. Using one of these sites will ensure you find a business that is geared toward bringing veterans into the fold—the U.S. Census shows that 7.5 percent of the 5.4 million business in America are owned by a veteran. Veterans are business owners in these fields according to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s 2014 Survey of Entrepreneurs: Construction, Health Care, Retail, Wholesale trade, Manufacturing, Finance and insurance, Real estate, Food services, and Technical services.

This goes to show the wide range of abilities our veterans possess.

When selecting a franchise for you, make sure it fits you, and, if at all possible, do something you want to do every day. So, you’re ready to jump—well, the franchise comes with some cost to you. First, you must pay a franchise fee, but many companies are actively searching for vets to own businesses and cut the franchise fee down. That may be one way to make money, but if you are not the sort to want to own a business, then there are a couple more ideas to make your money work for you. One is to invest in real estate; land is king. Buying homes to rent out is a successful enterprise and relatively easy to fall into—all you need is a good realtor and some money sense to get the ball rolling. Okay, so rental properties and land may not be your bag. One last try. Help a veteran while growing your stash with a Veteran Business Bond. These bonds earn you a flat rate of 5%, you can start with as little as $25, and add funds whenever you like, not to mention, these Veteran Business Bonds help fund loans to veterans.

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Drink recipes and photos courtesy of mixthatdrink.com

March Rain Cocktail 1 ounce silver tequila 1 1⁄2 ounces Tia Maria 1 ounce Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur 1 ⁄2 ounce St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur 1 ⁄2 ounce Fernet Branca 1 ⁄2 ounce lime juice Put a few ice cubes in a shaker.

Pour in all the ingredients and shake until it’s chilled. Strain the mixture into a martini glass and garnish with lime.

Elderflower Martini 1 ounce St. Germain’s elderflower liqueur 1 ounce gin 1 ⁄2 ounce dry vermouth 1 ⁄2 ounce lime juice Pour the half-ounce of dry vermouth into a martini glass.

Swirl the vermouth around in the glass to get it up the sides.

Pour out the vermouth.

Fill a mixing glass halfway with ice cubes.

Pour in all the other ingredients.

Shake slowly until very cold.

Strain the mixture into the vermouth-swirled glass.

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How to make green beer leprechaun style Step 1: Add food coloring to the glass You can pour the beer first and then add the food coloring, but it gets stuck in the foam and you have to stir it in and it never really looks nice. Now, when I was first testing different amounts of different colors, I had to add the food coloring after the initial pour, but I recommend doing it the other way. You’ll have to read the rest of the article and look at the pictures to decide which color food coloring, and how many drops, you want to use.

I went with three green drops of food coloring.

Step 2: Pour the beer Pour the beer into your glass, over the drop(s) of food coloring, and it will mostly stir up on its own as you pour.

If it needs a little more stirring, you can use a bar stir stick, which will agitate the foam so you don’t lose the head. (Stirring with a spoon tends to make the foam disappear, but in a pinch a knife, chopsticks, straw or anything that’s straight should work.)

A battle lost, but a legacy cemented It was called Hell’s Highway and for good reason.

Almost half as many men died fighting on this two-lane highway from Sept. 17, 1944, until Sept. 25, 1944, as did in the almost decade-long Iraq war in the early 2000s.

Despite treacherous terrain and the high risk, it was brave Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division who stepped in to fight during this operation against the Nazi regime in WWII. Called one of the largest airborne operations from WWII by the U.S. Army, Operation Market Garden took place in the Netherlands, from the town of Veghel to the south and around the city of Arnhem to the north.

The code name “Market Garden” was given to signify the cooperation between the airborne forces, “Market,” and ground assault forces, “Garden.”

The goal for the airborne forces, including the 101st Airborne Division and the 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, was to secure bridges and other important landmarks near Veghel to aid in the delivery of troops deeper into Germany.

Airborne forces dropped in on Sept. 17, north of the British XXX Corps where they set to work assaulting the key points near Veghel.

This operation took place just a few months after the 101st helped storm the beaches of Normandy in June’s D-Day and preceded the 101st’s involvement in the Battle of the Bulge in December of the same year. Operation Market Garden ultimately failed after axis forces blew the bridges and other points before air and ground forces could secure them, but their bravery and service was still recognized by people of the Netherlands town two decades later.

Following the service of the 101st Soldiers, then Veghel Mayor J.P. Schreven presented a memorial to then Commanding General of the 101st B.E. Powell, in a ceremony on the anniversary of the initial assault in Veghel on Sept. 17, 1964.

The memorial consists of a sign formed from both the crest of Veghel and the insignia of the 101st and is accompanied by a memorial garden with flowers given by the 101st Airborne Division Association of the city of Veghel, according to the memorial’s plaque.

The 101st’s participation in these operations came just two years after their activation on Aug. 16, 1942, and they were still stationed out of the impermanent Camp Claibourne in Louisiana.

This operation is just one of the many the division has been involved in and is also one of the many that helped them establish their permanence at Fort Campbell following WWII. Operation Market Garden may not have been a success, but it set the tone for 101st Airborne Division valiance in the decades and conflicts to come.

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