Most people do not recognize the name Harry Colmery, but The American Legion is trying to change that. The organization plans to commemorate the man who has been called the "unsung hero of American Veterans" by building a memorial park in Topeka, Kansas.

So, who exactly was Harry W. Colmery? After moving to Topeka from his home state of Pennsylvania, Colmery spent his early years in Kansas practicing law. However, in April 1917, he joined the Army Air Service during World War I. Upon discharge from the military, Colmery made it his mission to advocate for the fair treatment of veterans and servicemembers, according to the Topeka-Capital Journal. He joined the American Legion and was quickly promoted within the organization. The news source reported that in 1936, Colmery was elected the national commander of the American Legion.

That same year, hundreds of veterans who had not yet received their service benefits marched on Washington, D.C. Their action inspired Colmery to write the first draft of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944. Colmery's act would later become known at the GI Bills of Rights, which would guarantee education and other benefits to the nation's servicemembers. Some even argue that Colmery's proposal helped build a middle class in the country and helped avoid a major post-war recession. Because Colmery had such a lasting impact on the country, the American Legion, the organization Colmery was so dedicated to, is organizing a memorial park in his honor.

"Every person I feel in this United States has benefited either directly or indirectly from his efforts in making sure that bill went through Congress, like myself, I had a GI Bill to buy my first home," Raymond Vail, the director of American Legion's Department of Kansas extension, told WIBW.com.

The group has stated that the park will be a block away from the Topeka Capital Building and will house a statue of Colmery. Fundraising for the project began in April, and so far the American Legion has collected $264,000. The Topeka-Capital Journal reported that the total cost of the park and the statue is estimated at about $320,000, including future upkeep. 

The organizers of the project told the news source they hope to break ground and complete the park within the next year. City officials believe that the memorial will draw visitors to Topeka and will educate them on the life and service of Harry W. Colmery. 

Two years ago when Leigh and Mike Harting opened 3 Daughters Brewing in St. Petersburg, Florida, they wanted to find a way to give back to the veterans in the community. Mike's father, Bruce, served in the military during the Vietnam War and was the inspiration for their patriotic goals. 

As this year's Veterans Day approached, the Hartings had an idea. The couple decided to put the stories of veterans on their beer cans. 

"Every veteran has an amazing personal story," Leigh told News 10. "We want to be able to bring those to life and say thank you to our veterans."

Their initial launch was based on Bruce's Vietnam experiences, according to the news source. The Hartings named the beer "Tango Yankee," took a painting that had been done for Bruce by one of his fellow servicemembers and made it the image on the can, and wrote "Thank you for your service" along the bottom. On the back of the can, the couple wrote a small dedication to their veteran and listed his rank, honors and time of service. 

According to News 10, the couple intends to do a new series of the can every year and feature a different veteran. The cans are available in St. Petersburg and the surrounding areas starting on Nov. 9. All purchases will benefit the Navy Seals Foundation. 

Nov. 11, otherwise known as Veterans Day, is fast approaching. This is a time for Americans to appreciate our military servicemembers, both active and veteran, for their commitment to the country. Many businesses have announced that they will be offering free or discounted services to veterans and servicemembers as a show of gratitude. Below is a list of companies participating in Veterans Day discounts. 

Restaurants

• IHOP  – The International House of Pancakes is offering free red, white and blue pancakes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on November 11. Proof of service is required. The restaurant will accept "US Uniformed Services ID Card, US Uniformed Services Retired ID Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), veterans organization card (i.e. American Legion, VFW, etc.), photograph of yourself in US military uniform, wearing uniform, DD214, military dog tags, and citation or commendation."
• Golden Corral – Veterans and former servicemembers can get a free meal and beverage at most Golden Corral locations from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Red Lobster – Nov. 9 through Nov. 12, active-duty servicemembers and veterans can receive a free appetizer or dessert from a special menu. Proof of service is required to receive this special. 
• On the Border – This tex-mex restaurant is inviting veterans and servicemembers to enjoy a complimentary "Create Your Own Combo" at their restaurants on Nov. 11. 
• Applebee's  – During regular business hours on Nov. 11, Applebee's will have a special Veterans Day Signature Menu. All former or active-duty servicemembers are invited to enjoy a free meal from this menu.
• Texas Roadhouse – All active, former, or retired military can come to any Texas Roadhouse location on Nov. 11 to receive a free lunch and beverage. 

Services

• Western Union – When you use the promo code "HERO" on Nov. 11, Western Union will give you free money transfers to and from U.S. military bases around the world. There is no dollar limit.
• Great Clips – Veterans can receive a free haircut from any Great Clips location from Nov. 11 through Dec. 31. Veterans must come in to a store on Veterans Day to receive their free haircut card. 
• Sleep Number – This mattress supplier is offering discounted products to veterans and active-duty military personnel through Nov. 15.

There are many more retailers and restaurants that are providing goods and services free or discounted for veterans and active-duty servicemembers in honor of Veterans Day. The best way to find out all the participating businesses in your area is to do a region-specific search for Veterans Days discounts in your city. 

Growing up in the Bronx, Sgt. Katina Tsahalis always knew that she wanted to help people. She joined the Army and spent five years working in difficult areas. Tsahalis told Pix 11 News that her time in the military gave her many skills that she used to become a physicians' assistant, but it also encouraged her to continue serving others.

"My whole life I've been proud of doing service for people. So in the military I was providing service and now in the medical field that's what I do," veteran Tsahalis told the news source.

Tsahalis recently decided to take her service further by helping other veterans in her area. One of her patients, Rocco Moretto, was a soldier in World War II. He was one of the soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.

Tsahalis bonded with Moretto while she served as his physicians' assistant. Their friendship inspired Tsahalis to promote social interactions between civilians and veterans. She told the news source that coming back from military service was one of the most difficult things she had ever done because she felt alone and had to deal with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

She hopes that more people will be willing to listen to veterans stories and form friendship like she did with Moretto.

As a leader of a firefighting station, few people understand the value of good working relationships better than you. You know that when lives are on the line, you need to be able to count on the person next to you to do his or her job. You should also be able to trust that person to have your back should the situation become dangerous for you. By taking the time to cultivate good working relationships in your station house, you have a better chance of building a stronger unit. Take a look at a few examples of ways to improve relationships at your station house.

1. Communication is crucial
The members of your team should feel comfortable talking to each other. If they are not, this can drastically affect team relations and may get in the way of performance. You do not have to oversee all lines of communication, but if you notice a problem between two particular members, try to iron it out before it begins to affect the rest of the crew. 

2. Find the balance between friendly and professional
Even though fire squads often become so close that they are almost like family members to one another, it is important to remember that their main purpose is to complete a job. It is OK to encourage camaraderie, but make sure that your unit treats each other with a professional attitude. 

3. Host team-building events
Finding time in a firefighter's busy schedule to bond can be difficult, but it is a vital part of maintaining a functional unit. Whenever there is downtime, lead a group activity. This can be as simple as preparing and sharing a meal together on shift or playing a board game in between calls. 

4. Be a proponent of respect
Despite the fact that your station house may be full of close friendships, you need to promote an atmosphere of respect. Do not allow new people to feel alienated or to be hazed. Additionally, make sure all practical jokes and jesting do not compromise the respectfulness between team members. 

5. Make sure everyone does their jobs
The quickest way for bad blood to develop in a station house is when someone begins to slack on his or her responsibilities. As the leader of the unit, it is your job to ensure that everyone holds their own. If you notice someone slacking, pull them aside and remind them that it takes teamwork to make the station house run efficiently. 

6. Keep external issues out of the station house
As stated previously, firefighters can develop close bonds. That means that some of them may be hanging out away from work. This is great and should be encouraged. However, this can also mean that firefighters may occasionally have personal issues with each other that result from outside friendships. Make it clear that any issues from outside of work must not affect the job and should be handled off duty. 

Building a strong team means taking the time to cultivate relationships in your station house. Hopefully, the advice above will help you in this endeavor. 

Most people turn on their porch light every night when they go home. Walmart has decided to take that one simple task and make it a show of support for veterans across the country. The corporation is calling its project "Greenlight a Vet."

The mission is to get people to change one of their visible outside lightbulbs to a green-colored bulb in hopes of communicating support to a nearby veteran. Walmart picked the color green because it symbolizes action and makes people think of the term "go," according to AdWeek. Veterans have taken action for the country, and the superstore conglomerate wants people to return the favor. 

The company's website said that even though veterans spend their service in uniform, they are more camouflaged than ever when they return to life after service. The light will illuminate veterans issues and let them know that there are supporters all around them. Walmart hopes that struggling veterans will see a green light on a neighbor's house or at a local business and know that they have somewhere to turn if they ever need help. 

According to the project's page, the campaign will officially launch on Veterans Day, which is Nov. 11. 

It does not matter if you are fighting on the front lines of a combat zone or working to keep your city safe, teamwork is crucial. Any seasoned military servicemember or first responder will tell you that you cannot do the job alone. You must rely on those in your unit or station house to complete the job successfully. However, sometimes people need to be reminded of the importance of teamwork. Below are a few quotes to help inspire the spirit of teamwork in your group. 

"Remember, teamwork begins by building trust. And the only way to do that is to overcome our need for invulnerability." –Patrick Lencioni
This quote by American author Patrick Lencioni is perfect for first responders and servicemembers. Not only are teamwork and trust the building blocks for a successful unit or station house, but overcoming the need to be invulnerable can make team members much more prepared to face the challenges in the field. 

"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." –Helen Keller
These words are great to put on a sign and hang somewhere in your station house or base. Keller's quote communicates to people that it is much more productive to work in unison as opposed to individually. For service oriented individuals, such as soldiers and first responders, this quote serves as a reminder of the end goal. 

"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." –Henry Ford
Henry Ford did well for himself in the automotive industry, but his words are applicable to so many more lines of work. It could demonstrate to servicemembers and first responders that all stages of the teamwork process are equally important and will ultimately lead to a successful unit. 

"The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team." –Phil Jackson
NBA coach Phil Jackson inspired his players with the above words, but first responders and servicemembers could draw from it, too. Jackson's quote serves to remind people that not only are they important to the team on an individual level, but that the team is crucial to their personal success, as well.  

"Unity is strength. When there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." –Mattie Stepanek
The American poet Mattie Stepanek spoke these words to motivate people to work together for a bigger goal. Stepanek's verbage can be applied to both military and emergency service workers, too. The wonderful things that can be achieved by a military unit or first responder squad working as a team might be a successful mission or the saving of someone's life. 

Teamwork is vital to running a successful station house or base. In the tough situations that military servicemembers and first responders are faced with every day, they must be able to rely on their team members for strength and support. By displaying some of these quotes where members of your unit will see them regularly, you can inspire a more cohesive and unified team. 

ALEXANDRIA, VA—After more than five decades of service to the Armed Forces Benefit Association, Marshal L. Cole announced his retirement as General Counsel on October 29, 2015.

Cole is a graduate of Yale University and Georgetown Law Center. His education was then followed by a three-year ROTC commissioned tour in the USAF. Cole then joined the District of Columbia general and federal regulatory law practice of Wilner & Scheiner. In June 1990, when his senior partner, Mort Wilner, Esq., AFBA’s guiding legal advisor since its founding in 1947, retired, Cole was appointed AFBA’s General Counsel. read more »

When a career comes to an end and it is time to retire, many people worry that life will not be as fulfilling as it previously was. This can be especially true for military servicemembers because they have spent their entire work life serving others. Military members may worry that their life after service will be bland and lackluster in comparison. However, there are plenty of ways to enrich your life during retirement. Check of the five examples below of ways to get the most out of your retirement. 

1. Have a hobby
One of the worst things you can do during retirement is sit around twiddling your thumbs. That is not to say that some downtime is not acceptable or enjoyable. In fact, you should take time for yourself. Yet, having a hobby can help you spend your time in a more enjoyable way. Consider taking up fishing, sewing, writing or music. Anything you find fun and relaxing can make your retirement that much more special. 

2. Consider a part-time job
Some people are programmed with infallible energy. If you are one of these people and retirement is not an appealing idea to you, perhaps you should think about taking a part-time job. This will allow you to keep busy and continue working all while leaving you enough time to enjoy your life after service. Good part-time jobs for retirees include retail work, volunteerism and paid tutoring. Click here for a look at more part-time jobs that are great for retirement.

3. Focus on family and friends
You have spent your entire life working and serving others. Retirement is your opportunity to commit your time and energy to the relationships that make your life special. Get to know your grandkids better, take a family vacation and get together with your friends on a regular basis. Maintaining good social relations can make retirement an extremely fun and enriching time. 

4. Travel
The world is a thrilling place full of life and culture. Spending your entire life working makes it difficult to get out and travel. However, retirement is the perfect chance to see the world. Use your free time and some of your savings to explore new cities and make memories with the ones you love most. There are also many places that offer vacation discounts and travel packages to military veterans and their families. 

5. Make some investments
You have saved money your entire career, but it is always nice to have some extra money to pass on to loved ones and to make your life in retirement comfortable. Consult a financial advisor who can help you make your nest egg just a little better off. Extra money can mean a more exciting retirement and a better legacy for your family. 

Retirement is a time for enjoyment and relaxation. No one, servicemembers especially, should be able to let go of the reins and make the most of their retirement. Perhaps the advice above could help you make your life after service the best time. 

Television is the window into different lives for many viewers. Sitcoms, dramas and reality shows give audiences the chance to experience an adventure they would not otherwise have the opportunity to. Recently, AFBA did an article called "5 of television's most popular shows based on military life." However, first responders get a good amount of airtime as well. In the following shows, television viewers are taken along for ambulance rides, police chases and fire rescues. 

1. "Chicago Fire"
This weekly drama is a whirlwind mixture of the professional and personal lives of a Chicago fire squad. The show follows fictional firefighters Matthew Casey and Kelly Severide as they work to keep the Windy City safe. "Chicago Fire" is currently in its fourth season. 

2. "Sirens"
This show is another one that takes audiences through the streets of Chicago. However, instead of experiencing them through the eyes of a fire crew, the viewers get a comical look into the experiences of a ragtag bunch of emergency medical technicians. The show's humorous approach to the odd day-to-day calls ambulance workers receive was enough to get it renewed for another season. "Sirens" is currently entertaining audiences in its second season. 

3. "Rescue Me"
For seven seasons, Denis Leary wowed viewers with his performance as Tommy Gavin. Though the show is peppered with Leary's dry humor, "Rescue Me" tackles some very serious issues that firefighters face. Tommy must overcome alcoholism, work to bond with his estranged family all while maintaining his composure at the head of his fire crew.

4. "CHiPs"
Originally airing on September 15, 1977, this police procedural was one of television's most popular show's of the time. For six seasons, "CHiPs" was known for its high speed car chases and light humor. Audiences tuned in to watch Officers Frank Llewellyn "Ponch" and Jon Baker as they patrolled the streets of Los Angeles. This show laid the groundwork for many police-based shows that came after it. 

5. "Emergency"
Following the firefighters of Squad 51 and the medical staff of Rampart General Hospital, this show takes audiences through the processes of several different levels of first responders. From 1972 to 1980, "Emergency" was one of the entertainment industry's biggest hits.

Television is an entertainment medium. but it can also be used as a way for audiences to experience lives that are completely different from their own. The shows above allow people the opportunity to see what life is like for a first responder from the comfort of their own couches.