Treats For Our Troops

Local Halloween Events

City of Killeen Halloween Carnival

Wednesday October 31st, 2012 6pm - 9pm Killeen Special Events Center, 3301 S. WS Young Dr., Killeen, TX A FREE Family-Fun Spooktacular time awaits you at the Killeen Special Events Center. The Halloween Carnival features face painting, free candy, bounce house, games, a haunted house, pumpkin patch, pie eating contest and much more. *Haunted House *Pumpkin Patch *Trunk-or-Treating *Pumpkin Smashing *Games *Bouncies *Costume Contest *Food *Entertainment *Donut Eating Contest *Pie Tossing *Arts & Crafts *Face Painting *Displays *AND SO MUCH MORE! For more info call: (254)501-8889


Halloween Hoopla

October 31, 2012 5:30pm - 8:30pm Carl Levin Park, 400 Miller’s Crossing Admission is free. There will be games, inflatables, candy, Pumpkin Patch and more. 7th Annual Halloween Hoopla Safe alternative to door to door trick or treating. Families can dress up in costume and enjoy a spooky evening with inflatables, games, CANDY, and more. Rain Location: Harker Heights Recreation Center, 307 Miller's Crossing. City door to door trick or treating will be from 5:30pm-8:00pm For more info contact: Nichole Broemer 254-953-5465 or Email Heather Cox: hcox@ci.harker-heights.tx.us


Fall Fest Open House

Wednesday, October 31st, 2012 6pm - 8pm Spirit Of Fort Hood Chapel (31st and Tank Destroyer) Chapel Next, along with the Catholic Community and Bob's Diner, is sponsoring a Fall Fest Open House! It will be an alternative location for the FT Hood Community to "Trick or Treat". From 6 - 8pm on 31 October children along with their families can come play carnival like games and receive CANDY!!!! More info: https://www.facebook.com/ChapelNextFortHood


FREE Haunted House
Wednesday, October 31st, 2012 6pm to 9pm 51257 Mescalero Ct, Fort Hood, Comanche I For the last 3 years, Brittany Weimert and her husband have put on a FREE haunted house for military families on Fort Hood. Last year they gave out 10 large bags of candy and had prizes for children. This year they have raised 25 large bags of candy, to be given away. There are 2 1/2 lawns of decorated scary fun. They will have soldiers that will scare children as well. 1) Jason from Friday the 13th movie 2) Jason with a hockey mask the classic jason everyone knows 3) A butcher with prop power tools that will be running for noise 4) Nurses from the horor movie Silent Hill 5) Vampires pirates and zombies passing out candy for the children 6) One still feature will be of Michael Myers ghost face from Scream Spiders 7) Flying bats strobes 8) Fog machines hanging bodies and much much more This is a great chance to bring your families out to a true free haunted lawn. For more info contact Brittany Weimert: https://www.facebook.com/brittany.bergweimert Here is a video on YouTube which shows past years Haunted House. http://youtu.be/E-24asY5370


Fright Fest on Main St Temple
Wednesday, October 31st, 2012 5pm - 9pm 13 S. Main St, Temple, Tx Free and open to all No tricks, only treats when you spend Halloween on Main St! On October 31st, Main St is transformed into a festive Halloween celebration. Vendors line the street with a variety of arts, crafts, goods and food! Vendors provide treats and fun Free activities for the kids. For more info, call: (254)298-5900


Killeen Mall
The Killeen Mall will be having their Trick or Treating this year from 5:30pm to 7pm, Oct. 31st and stores will have candy to distribute to all the ghouls and goblins. While adults in their costumes are more than welcome, no one over the age of 10 will be allowed to have their face covered (i.e. face paint or masks). More info: https://www.facebook.com/KilleenMall?ref=ts&fref=ts

Trunk-or-Treat AREA Listings: Trunk-or-Treat, Wed, October 31, 6pm – 8pm, First Baptist Church Copperas Cove, 300 West Ave B Copperas Cove, TX 76522 (254) 547-3717 Location: HFCC - parking lot Date(s): Oct 31, 2012 Time: Starts: 7:00 PM Ends: 9:00 PM HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH COPPERAS COVE, TEXAS 76522 (254) 547-3735 RABC Trunk or Treat Wednesday, October 31 at 5:30 PM Location: Robertson Avenue Baptist Church 305 East Robertson Avenue, Copperas Cove Texas October 31, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. First Baptist Killeen (3310 So. W.S. Young) offers a wholesome awesome alternative to Halloween! There will be lots of free candy and drinks, bounce houses, games and fun-decorated “trunks” full of treats for everyone. All ages invited. Wear your favorite costume (PLEASE no witches, devils or death – rock stars, alligators and princesses welcome). Hallelujah Trunk Party is from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Adams Chapel AME Church, 125 E. Arlo Road in Harker Heights. The event, featuring candy, prizes and games, will be held in the church parking lot. The community is invited. Grace Lutheran Church and School of Killeen will hold its 6th annual Trunk R Treat from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the church parking lot. This event gives children a safe alternative to traditional trick or treating because participants will collect candy from decorated “trunks.” Join us for lots of games, prizes, food and fun. The church is at 1007 Bacon Ranch Road across Trimmier from H-E-B. First Assembly of God of Copperas Cove and Cove Christian Academy will be hosting a Fall Festival from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. The public is invited to bring their children in costume. Activities will include a bounce house, face painting, carnival games, and lots of candy and prizes. “Meal deals” for $1 will be available for purchase and include choice of a drink and a food item — hot dog, nachos or popcorn. All other games and activities will be free. Prizes will be awarded for the top three costumes, must be 12 years old or younger to enter, with the winners announced at 7:30 p.m. The church is at 2205 Farm-to-Market 3046, across from South Park and Martin Walker Elementary School. For more information or directions, call (254) 547-3724. The First Baptist Church of Trimmier is hosting a “Trunk-or-Treat” Fall Festival from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Join us for games, activities, inflatables, fun and food. Donations of non-perishable food items and cash are being accepted to benefit the Killeen Food Care Center. Snacks will be available for purchase. The church is at 6405 Chaparral Road in Killeen. For more information, call the church office at (254) 634-9717 or go to www.fbctrimmier.com. The church is at 3213 Lake Road in Killeen. For more information, call (254) 690-4400 or (254) 699-8125. Belton: Wednesday, October 31 5:30-7:30pm First Baptist Church Belton Fall Festival Temple: Wednesday, October 31 10-11:30am Halloween Kids Kraft Wilson Park Recreation Center $7 ages 2-6 For more information call 254-298-5474 Wednesay, October 31 5:30-8:30pm Trinity Church of Temple Fall Festival 7101 West Adams

America Recycles Day

Hallelujah Festival

CRDAMC Baby Expo 2012

Fort Hood Van Pool

Army Mass Transportation Benefit Program

The Mass Transportation Benefit Program (MTBP) provides reimbursement (up to $125 per rider per month) for mass transit commuting costs “in order to reduce Federal employees’ contribution to traffic congestion and air pollution and to expand their commuting alternatives”. The only qualified “Mass Transportation” here at Fort Hood is the Van Pool program.

The Mass Transportation Benefit Program provides reimbursement for mass transit commuting costs “in order to reduce Federal employees’ contribution to traffic congestion and air pollution and to expand their commuting alternatives”

Fort Hood currently has 7 vans running in the program. The vans pickup Soldiers and DA Civilians in areas such as Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Georgetown and Round Rock. The vans vary in schedule according to the riders' work days. Many vans operate on a Soldier’s PT schedule, while others operate on more of a standard Government work day.

New vans are forming all the time. New vans are best formed with 5-7 people who have the same schedule, work in the same area on Fort Hood and live in the same general area.  Participants must ride the van at least 50% of their scheduled work days and must not have any disciplinary issues to qualify for the benefit. Vans are provided by contractors enrolled in the program and driven by the Soldiers and/or Civilians in the van pool. There is no minimum/maximum distance of commute specified by the program.

Questions, concerns or requests for applications should be requested from Mr. Matthew Mason, Fort Hood Van Pool POC at 254-287-5468 or Matthew.w.mason.civ@mail.mil. Applications should be returned by the 24th of each month for submittal for benefits beginning in about 30 days.

Van Pool Example:
The van running from Georgetown to Main Post, leaving at 0625 and arriving at about 0715 will begin service on Sept 4th. The cost to ride is about $50 a month and is a monthly commitment. That's about a $2,400 a year raise for the riders since they don't have to put gas in our own cars anymore.

Program Financial Information
MTBP is available for all Army employees – military, civilian, and NAF. The benefit is a non-taxable personnel benefit, funded from the same appropriation or non-appropriated fund that funds the participant's salary. Funds do not come from the participants unit, but rather directly from the program office.

For more information visit:
Facebook/FortHoodVanPoolakaArmyMassTransitBenefitProgram
Check out this great Fort Hood Sentinel Article about the program.
Additional information on the program.

Veteran's Day Discounts

Here is a list of the local Veteran's Day discount. Check the dates and times as many of these vary. Some of the companies listed below are franchise locations, so it may be a good idea to call ahead of time and make sure that they are a participating location. The majority of the offers listed are for the service member or veteran only, with valid ID. There are a few that are available for dependents as well.

Applebee’s – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11: Last year, Applebee’s served 1,024,000 million free meals to military veterans and active service members. Applebee’s is again offering a free meal to military veterans and active-duty service members on Veteran’s Day, Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. There will be 7 entrées to choose from. Military ID or proof of service required.

Chili’s – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11. Chili’s is offering all military veterans past and present their choice of one of 6 meals. This offer is available during business hours on November 11, 2011 at participating Chili’s in the U.S. only. Dine-in from limited menu only; beverages and gratuity not included. Veterans and active duty military simply show proof of military service. Visit their website to find locations.

Golden Corral – Free meal, Monday Nov. 14: The 10th annual Golden Corral Military Appreciation dinner will be held on Monday, November 14, 2011 from 5 pm to 9 pm in all Golden Corral Restaurants nationwide. The free “thank you” dinner is available to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, in the National Guard or Reserves, you are invited to participate in Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Monday dinner.

Hooters – Free Meal, Friday, Nov. 11. Hooter’s is serving up a free meal to military veterans all day on Veterans Day. Offer good for all veterans and active duty military personnel. Choose one of the new specialty items on the Hooter’s menu. Offer valid at participating Hooters only; open to all active duty and military veterans with valid military ID or proof of military service. Drink purchase required.

Krispy Kreme – Free doughnut. Available only at participating Krispy Kreme stores. Offer available to all active-duty, retirees & veterans on Friday November 11th. Be sure to call ahead to verify your local Krispy Kreme is participating.

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants – free lunch or dinner, Sunday Nov 13, 2011: McCormick & Schmick’s is celebrating their 13th annual Veteran’s Appreciation Event on Sunday, November 13th. Veterans will be able to choose a complimentary lunch or dinner entrée. Veterans must provide proof of military service. Be sure to contact your local McCormick & Schmick’s as this is valid at participating restaurants only. Also, Space is limited and reservations are highly recommended. For more information visit: M&S Veterans Appreciation Event.

Outback Steakhouse – A week of Free Bloomin’ Onions and Cokes Monday Nov. 7 – Friday Nov. 11. Outback Steakhouse is honoring America’s military veterans by offering active duty military and veterans a free Bloomin’ Onion and a Coca-Cola product during the week leading up to Veteran’s Day. This offer is available to Military Personnel who have one of the following forms of identifications: U.S Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), DD form 214 Veterans Organization Card (i.e., American Legion and VFW), Photograph in Uniform, Wearing Uniform.

Subway – Free Six Inch Sub. Select Subway locations offer a FREE six inch sub to military veterans on Veteran’s Day. However, Subway restaurants are franchises, so this offer may not be available everywhere. Please call ahead.

Texas Roadhouse – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11. Offer varies by location; our local Texas Roadhouse is offering a free meal from opening until 4pm. Other locations may vary in offer, hours, or availability. Call ahead to your local restaurant for more information.

T.G.I. Friday’s – Buy one get one free Nov 11-14. At participating locations for anyone with an old or current military ID. November 11-14.

Denny’s Veterans Day Appreciation Event, Nov. 11. 2011. Free Grand Slam breakfast to any veteran from. Participating markets include select diners in Maryland, Virginia, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Indiana, Colorado and Washington, DC (from 6:00am – 2:00pm), as well as the following New York locations: Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo areas (from 6:00am – 10:00pm). Call ahead to verify, and check with your local Denny’s if you live in another area.
Little Caesars Pizza. Little Caesars is honoring the men and women of the United States armed forces this Veterans Day by providing veterans and active military members with a free Crazy Bread with proof of military status or proof of service at participating stores nationwide.

Spaghetti Warehouse Once in a Lifetime Veteran’s Day Celebration. In honor of US military veterans and the unique once in a lifetime date: 11-11-11, Spaghetti Warehouse is offering lasagna or any original recipe spaghetti entree for only $0.11, with the purchase of a lasagna or any original recipe spaghetti entree at regular price. This offer is open to everyone, not just veterans. Download the coupon at their website.

The Olive Garden, Free entrée. Offer good for veterans and active duty military, on Friday, November 11th during regular business hours. Chose from a special menu; all entrées include freshly baked garlic sticks and choice of soup or salad. Offer good in US and Canada, proof of service required.

Seven-Eleven. 7-Eleven, Inc. is saluting active, veteran and retired U.S. military personnel and their immediate families with free, small Slurpee drinks between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.


Home Depot and Lowes Coupon Updates
Update: Home Depot and Lowes 10% Military Discount Available Everyday.
Home Depot: The Home Depot(R) is offering all active duty personnel, reservists, retired military, veterans and their families a 10 percent discount off their purchases in honor of Veteran’s Day. The offer is valid on purchases of up to $2,000 for a maximum of $200 and is available at The Home Depot stores, The Home Depot Design Center locations, Yardbirds and EXPO Design Center(R) locations. The 10% discount is available everyday for active duty and retirees, but not all veterans. Home Depot makes this offer available to all veterans on most military holidays. You can also find Home Depot discounts online.

Lowes: Lowe’s Companies, Inc. will offer all active, reserve, honorably discharged, retired military personnel and their immediate family members a 10 percent discount on in-store U.S. purchases made during the Veterans Day holiday. The discount is available Nov. 7 – Nov. 11. The discount is available on in-stock and special order purchases up to $5,000. To qualify, individuals must present a valid military ID or other proof of service. Excluded from the discount are sales via Lowes.com, previous sales, and purchases of services or gift cards. Like Home Depot, Lowes offers this discount daily to active duty military members, but not to veterans. However, they extend the offer to military veterans on military holidays. You can also find exclusive discounts at Lowe’s.com.

Free Park Admissions for Veterans Day
Here's to the Heroes
Anheuser-Busch Parks offers Active Duty Service Members free admission for them and up to 3 dependents to any of their parks once a year. Throughout 2011, members of the military and as many as three direct dependents may enter SeaWorld, Busch Gardens or Sesame Place parks with a single-day complimentary admission. The Here’s to the Heroes program is only available to Any active duty, activated or drilling reservist, or National Guardsman. Eligible parks include: Adventure Island, Busch Gardens (Tampa Bay or Williamsburg), SeaWorld (Orlando, San Diego, or San Antonio), Sesame Place, and Water Country USA. Not valid at Discovery Cove and Aquatica. Christmas Town at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va. is not included as part of this program. For more information and to register, visit: Free admission summary, and ticket application.

Free Day at National Parks. To honor America’s service men and women, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that areas managed by the National Park Service would not charge entrance fees for Veteran’s Day weekend – November 11-13, 2011. Over 100 national Parks will be participating in this event.

San Jacinto Monument and Museum (La Porte, TX). November 7-13: Free admission to the theatre, Observation Floor, and (on November 12-13) the special exhibit to all veterans and their families. More info.

Bed and Breakfast for Vets
In the third year of the program, B&Bs for Vets has organized over 485 (and counting) participating Bed and Breakfasts and Inns across the US and Canada which will be offering veterans a free night’s stay on November 10th, the night before Veterans Day. This offer is available to both active duty military members and veterans with ID, but space is limited. Each Inn and B&B has at least one room available for this promotion and reservations must be made directly through the participating Inns and B&Bs. For more information visit B&Bs for Vets.

Free Hugo® Canes for Veterans.
Sam’s Club® locations nationwide will distribute 36,000 Hugo® canes free of charge on November 9th, 10th, 11th, 2011 to U.S. military veterans in need of mobility assistance. Limited quantities available, while supplies last. Sam’s Club® Membership is not required, but proof of military service may be required. For more information, visit HugoSalutes.com.

Other Veteran’s Day Discounts
Here are some additional Veteran’s Day Discounts. In all cases, be sure to provide proper ID or proof of service. In addition, some of these stores are franchises, so verify participation before assuming the discount is in place.

• Grace for Veterans. Free Car wash. Thousands of car washes around the country are offering vets a free car wash on Veterans Day. Find a list at Grace for Veterans, which helped veterans receive 101,537 FREE Washes on Veterans Day in 2010.
The Carwash Barn 1701 E Veterans Memorial Blvd Killeen
Today's Car Wash 541 South Fort Hood St Killeen
Today's Car Wash 514 South Fort Hood St Killeen
Perfect Image Mobile Detailing 212 Villa Rosa Way
• Amazon.com – Discount “Veterans Day Honor” MP3 album download. This downloadable album includes 12 songs as performed by the military bands and ensembles of the U.S. Armed Forces. Visit Amazon on Veteran’s Day to download the album.
• Sport Clips – FREE haircut to active-duty military & veterans. Offer only available at select locations. Please call to verify local participation.
• Big Lots – 10% off your entire purchase with valid military ID.
• Dollar General. 10% discount on entire purchase on Veteran’s Day. Offer good for all active-duty military, retirees, veterans, Guard/Reserve, & immediate family members. The coupon can be found in the store circular, or by asking an employee. Also good online from Nov 11-13, use Coupon Code VETERANSDAY.
• K-Mart. Exclusive Early Veterans Day Sale – Nov. 10th! EXTRA 5-10% off Almost Everything with coupon code VETERANSDAY. Friday & Saturday Specials + EXTRA 5-15% off & FREE Shipping orders of $49 with coupon code HOLIDAY.