Obama to honor fallen troops on Memorial Day

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Obama is paying tribute to the nation's fallen warriors onMemorial Day, attending a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and honoring those who died during the Vietnam War .The president was to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, and then marking the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

In an election year, Obama has touted his work to bringU.S. combat troops home from Iraq and wind down the conflict in Afghanistan. Before military audiences and in a campaign ad released last week, he credits U.S. servicemen who helped in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

With so many troops returning home from their service, Obama says the U.S. needs to return the favor.

"We have to serve them and their families as well as they have served us," Obama said in his weekly radio and Internet address. "By making sure that they get the health care and benefits they need; by caring for our wounded warriors and supporting our military families; and by giving veterans the chance to go to college, find a good job and enjoy the freedom that they risked everything to protect."

Veterans could play a significant role in the 2012 election. Exit polls in 2008 showed that Obama was supported by about 44 percent of voters who said they served in the military, while 54 percent voted for John McCain, a former Navy pilot who was a prisoner of war for more than five years during the Vietnam War.

Republican Mitt Romney was scheduled to appear Monday with McCain in San Diego, home to a large number of military personnel and veterans. Romney has made the case that too many veterans are returning home to poor job prospects, casting blame on Obama's economic policies.

A Bureau of Labor Statistics report in March found that 12.1 percent of U.S. Armed Forces veterans who served on active duty after September 2001 were unemployed in 2011. The unemployment rate for all veterans was 8.3 percent.

Several closely watched states in the election have large blocs of military voters. Florida, home to several military installations, has more than 1.6 million veterans, according to the Veterans Administration. Pennsylvania has nearly 1 million veterans, while Virginia and North Carolina each have about 800,000 veterans living in their states.

The president and first lady Michelle Obama were starting the day with a breakfast at theWhite House for families who have lost loved ones in combat.

Memorial Day: Remembering fallen of decade at war

Most people run marathons to challenge themselves. Maj. George Kraehe runs them to challenge others.

As a member of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors' "run & remember team," the New Mexico Army National Guard officer has participated in 20 races. Most times, as he sweats his way along each 26.2-mile course, flapping against Kraehe's back is the laminated photograph of a service member who has died in what has become our nation's longest war.

The 46-year-old military lawyer from Albuquerque does it to raise money, but also "to be kind of a visible sign that there still are people out there fighting and dying, unfortunately, in these conflicts."

"Because I don't think it's something that is foremost in people's thoughts," he said in a recent telephone interview from Kabul, Afghanistan. "I think you could say that because we have done so well, because we have been a big part of preventing another attack on U.S. soil, it is easier for people to forget we're here."

As the nation approaches its 11th Memorial Day since the United States launched the Global War on Terror, Kraehe and others fear many have done just that.

About 2.2 million U.S. service members have seen duty in the Middle Eastern war zones, many of them veterans of multiple tours. And more than 6,330 have died -- nearly 4,500 in Iraq, and more than 1,840 in Afghanistan.

But as striking as those numbers are, fewer Americans today may have a direct connection to the ongoing fighting than during any previous war.

Unlike World War II, when 16 million men and women put on a uniform, less than 1 percent of the nation's population serves in the U.S. military. And unlike Korea or Vietnam, when the threat of imminent draft hung over the head of every physically fit male over the age of 18, only those who have volunteered need worry about being plucked from their routine lives and placed in harm's way.

When retiring Adm. Mike Mullen addressed the West Point graduating class last May, the outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told the new Army officers that he believed most Americans appreciated the military's sacrifices. But, he added, "I fear they do not know us. I fear they do not comprehend the full weight of the burden we carry or the price we pay when we return from battle."

In a survey released shortly after the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the Pew Research Center found that 84 percent of recent veterans felt the general public has "little or no understanding" of the problems they and their families face. Of the civilians polled, 71 percent agreed.

The same study found that only a third of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 had an immediate family member who had served in the military. When she unveiled a special Gold Star Christmas tree at the White House last year to honor the families of fallen service members, first lady Michelle Obama lamented, "Not every American knows what a . Gold Star family is."Continued...

Memorial Day weekend: AAA says 17,000 more in D.C. area will travel this year

Forget gas prices. More people plan to head out of town Memorial Day weekend than any time since 2006, and some plan to skip school to do it.

An annual AAA survey showed an uptick of 17,000 people planning to travel from the Washington region for an extended holiday weekend, and almost 40 percent of them said they would take the kids along.

“I think since we’ve had no snow days this year, parents are less reticent about missing a school day to make the most of a travel weekend,” said John B. Townsend II of AAA. The auto club defines the Memorial Day travel period as Thursday through Monday.

Townsend said the fact that 875,000 Washington area residents said they plan to travel might be a sign that they feel positive about the economy, despite the relatively high price of gasoline.

“Holiday travel numbers are like the canary in the coal mine, an early prognosis of how the economy is faring and whether it has turned the corner and is ready to take off,” Townsend said. “Since the amount spent on travel is discretionary income, it is an indication of how people feel about their economic well-being.”

Not surprisingly, nationwide it’s the people who can most afford to travel who will take to the roads, rails and air. The biggest increase in planned travel is among those making more than $100,000. People who make less are less likely to travel this year than they were last year — probably a reflection of gas prices, which remain high despite a recent drop.

After peaking at $3.94 a gallon nationwide in early April, gasoline has dropped by 25 cents per gallon over the past seven weeks.

Almost 35 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more during the holiday weekend, an increase of about 500,000 travelers from a year ago.

“Americans will still travel during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, but many will compensate for reduced travel budgets by staying closer to home and cutting entertainment dollars,” AAA President Robert L. Darbelnet said.

Locally, drivers are paying an average of $3.68 for a gallon of regular, down from $4 a month ago. This time last year, gas cost $3.95 per gallon.

Overwhelmingly, those who plan to travel from Washington told AAA they would do it in an automobile. The 783,000 who said they will drive, a bump of 14,000 over last year, are expected to cause congestion Thursday night and Friday afternoon as those who set out to beat the traffic cause jams of their own.

Perhaps because of gas prices, but also because of the proximity of the ocean and the Chesapeake Bay, local travelers don’t plan to go as far this weekend as people elsewhere in the nation.

“They will average just 570 miles round trip,” Townsend said. “In contrast, the average distance traveled by Americans during the Memorial Day holiday weekend is expected to be 642 miles, which is 150 miles less than last year’s average travel distance of 792 miles.”

Fewer people plan to fly from Washington this Memorial Day weekend than last. Although AAA said that nationally airfares are 7 percent lower this year, the 64,000 local people who said they plan to fly is 5 percent less than last year.

Although fewer will fly, 27,000 people told AAA they will travel from Washington by bus, a 22 percent increase over last year.

The AAA holiday travel forecasts are done by Boston-based IHS Global Insight.

Memorial Day weekend has Washingtonians heading for the hills and the beaches

Forget gas prices, more people plan to head out of town this Memorial Day weekend than any time since 2006, and some of them plan to skip school to do it.

The annual AAA survey showed an uptick of 17,000 people planning to travel from the Washington region for an extended holiday weekend, and almost 40 percent of them said they would take the kids along.

“I think since we’ve had no snow days this year parents are less reticent about missing a school day to make the most of a travel weekend,” said John B. Townsend II of AAA. The auto club defines the Memorial Day holiday travel period as Thursday to Monday.

Ever the optimist, Townsend said the fact that 875,000 Washington area residents said they plan to travel this weekend might be a sign that they are feeling positive about the economy, despite the relatively high price of gasoline.

“Holiday travel numbers are like the canary in the coal mine, an early prognosis of how the economy is faring and whether it has turned the corner and is ready to take off,” Townsend said. “Since the amount spent on travel is discretionary income, it is an indication of how people feel about their economic well-being.”

Not surprisingly, nationwide it’s the people who can most afford to travel who will take to the roads, rails and air. The biggest increase in planned travel is among those making more than $100,000. People who make less than that are less likely to travel this year than they were last, a likely reflection of gas prices, which remain high despite a recent drop. 

After peaking at $3.94 a gallon nationwide in early April, gasoline has dropped by 25 cents per gallon over the past seven weeks.

Almost 35 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more during the holiday weekend, an increase of 1.2 percent — or 500,000 travelers — from the 34.3 million people who traveled a year ago.

“Americans will still travel during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, but many will compensate for reduced travel budgets by staying closer to home and cutting entertainment dollars,” said AAA President Robert L. Darbelnet.

Locally, drivers are paying an average of $3.68 for a gallon of regular, down from $4 a month ago. This time last year gas cost $3.95 per gallon.

 Overwhelmingly, those who plan to travel from Washington told AAA they would do it behind the wheel of an automobile. The 783,000 who said they will drive, a bump of 14,000 over last year, are expected to cause congestion headaches Thursday night and Friday afternoon, as those who set out to beat the traffic cause jams of their own.

Perhaps because of gas prices, but also because of the proximity of the ocean and the Chesapeake Bay, local travelers don’t plan to go as far this weekend as people elsewhere in the nation.

“They will average just 570 miles round-trip,” Townsend said. “In contrast, the average distance traveled by Americans during the Memorial Day holiday weekend is expected to be 642 miles, which is 150 miles less than last year’s average travel distance of 792 miles.”

 Fewer people plan to fly from Washington this Memorial Day weekend than last. Though AAA said that nationally airfares are 7 percent lower this year, the 64,000 local people who said they plan to fly is 5 percent lower than last year.

Although fewer will fly, 27,000 people told AAA they will travel from Washington by bus, a 22 percent increase over last year.

The AAA holiday travel forecasts are done by Boston-based IHS Global Insight.

Memorial Day services planned across region Residents to honor those who sacrificed

North Texas heroes will be remembered at a variety of services and ceremonies on Memorial Day, May 28. Veterans organizations, families and residents will gather to honor those now gone who served their country in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.

Programs will begin at sunrise and continue at different times of day until sunset:

Wichita County Cemetery (off Armory Road), 8 a.m. As part of a special Memorial Day remembrance, a flag detail from Sheppard Air Force Base will raise and bring the colors to half-staff, there will be patriotic readings and a special assembly of the Patriot Guard. The ceremony is presented by Wichita County Veterans Service Office and the Disabled American Veterans.

"There are currently 57 veterans buried at the County Cemetery with little or no family to honor them," said Colm "Murph" Murphy, assistant veterans service officer for Wichita County. "This is the community's way of showing our gratitude for their sacrifice. We hope many people will join us to recognize them."

Crestview Memorial Park on the Archer City Highway, gathering at 6:30 a.m. with ceremony and distribution of flags at 7 a.m. Presented by American Legion Posts 169 and 202, the North Texas Chapter of the Texas Association of Vietnam Veterans, the North Texas Veterans Council and other organizations.

Eastlawn Cemetery on Farm-to-Market Road 369 and Reilly Road, 7 a.m. Members of VFW Post 8878 and their supporters will distribute flags.

Clay County Courthouse square in Henrietta, at the War Memorial, 8 a.m. Presented by VFW Post 5401 and American Legion Post 18, a memorial ceremony will be followed by the distribution of flags.

Riverside Cemetery, Pat Carrigan Gravesite, 9 a.m. Memorial ceremony presented by American Legion Post 120.

Crestview Memorial Park, David Gibbs Gravesite, 10 a.m. Ceremony presented by VFW Post 8878.

Electra Cemetery, 10 a.m. Ceremony presented by VFW Post 4145, followed by flag disposal.

Archer County Courthouse, 10 a.m. Ceremony presented by American Legion Post 1, followed by cemetery visitation.

St. Mary's Catholic Churchin Windthorst, 10:30 a.m. Memorial ceremony and flag disposal ceremonies presented by Scotland-Windthorst VFW Post 2676.

Sacred Heart Cemetery, gather at 9:30 a.m. with ceremony at 10 a.m. Presented by Disabled American Veterans Chapter 41.

Rosemont Cemetery on Southwest Parkway, James King Jr. Mausoleum, 11 a.m. Presented by VFW Post 2147.

Burkburnett Cemetery, 11 a.m. Ceremony presented by American Legion Post 264 and VFW Post 10455.

Wilbarger County Courthouse Square in Vernon, 11 a.m. Ceremony presented by American Legion Post 67 and VFW Post 4747.

Crestview Memorial Park, 6 p.m. Ceremony and retrieval of flags my American Legion Post 169.

Fore more information about programs, call the North Texas Veterans Council at 940-855-6135 or 940-882-2657.

AAA: Memorial Day Car Travel to Increase This Year

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)–U.S. auto travel over the end-of-May Memorial Day weekend is expected to rise 1.2% from a year ago, but motorists are expected to make shorter trips, a survey released Tuesday by travel and leisure group AAA shows.

A projected 30.7 million auto travelers will hit U.S. roads over the May 24-May 28 holiday period which kicks off the peak summer driving season, up from 30.3 million a year ago. That represents 88% of total travelers in the holiday period. The number of Americans traveling by car is down from 31 million in 2010.

AAA’s survey of intended travelers showed 53% said the level of gasoline prices wouldn’t impact their holiday travel plans. Some 34.8 million American will travel 50 miles or more from home during the holiday period by all methods, also 1.2% more than a year ago, and the same number as in 2010.

“The overall domestic economic picture continues to improve slightly, however, American consumers faced a new challenge as steadily increasing ‘gas’ prices throughout the spring significantly squeezed many household budgets,” said Robert L. Darbelnet, AAA president and chief executive officer. But many will stay closer to home and cut entertainment spending, he said the survey showed.

Of the 47% who said gasoline prices would impact their plans, 9% will take shorter trips, 4% will use alternate transportation and 34% will cut back spending in other areas, the survey showed.

AAA said national average gasoline prices “may have peaked in April” after persistent gains in all but four days during February and March. In April, prices dropped in 23 of 30 days, and fell below year-ago levels for the first time in two-and-a-half years.

AAA said the national retail price of regular gasoline was $3.727 a gallon on Tuesday, down 5.9% from $3.961 a year earlier. The number of air travelers during the holiday will be drop by 5.5% from a year ago, to 2.5 million travelers, a two-year low in the holiday period.

Average airfares are up more than 7% from a year ago, the report said. Air travelers will account for 7% of total travelers, while the remaining 4.5% of travelers will go by rail, bus or watercraft. The average travel distance will be 642 miles, down 18.9% from 792 miles a year ago. AAA said the squeeze on spending power caused by higher gasoline prices and the drop in air travel explains the decline. Trips of less than 150 miles make up 21% of expect travel this Memorial Day, up from 19% last year.

Median spending will be up 1.4%, at $702. Incoming demographics show that the number travelers with household income of below $50,000 annual will drop by 5% this year to 26% of all travelers. Travelers with incomes of $100,000 or more will make up 36% of total travelers, up 6% from a year ago.

AAA said lodging costs are up 8% versus a year ago at three-diamonds rated hotels, while two-diamond-rated facilities show a 10% rise from a year ago. Weekend daily car rental rates will average $36, or 4% below a year ago.

AAA: Memorial Day Car Travel to Increase This Year

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)–U.S. auto travel over the end-of-May Memorial Day weekend is expected to rise 1.2% from a year ago, but motorists are expected to make shorter trips, a survey released Tuesday by travel and leisure group AAA shows.

A projected 30.7 million auto travelers will hit U.S. roads over the May 24-May 28 holiday period which kicks off the peak summer driving season, up from 30.3 million a year ago. That represents 88% of total travelers in the holiday period. The number of Americans traveling by car is down from 31 million in 2010.

AAA’s survey of intended travelers showed 53% said the level of gasoline prices wouldn’t impact their holiday travel plans. Some 34.8 million American will travel 50 miles or more from home during the holiday period by all methods, also 1.2% more than a year ago, and the same number as in 2010.

“The overall domestic economic picture continues to improve slightly, however, American consumers faced a new challenge as steadily increasing ‘gas’ prices throughout the spring significantly squeezed many household budgets,” said Robert L. Darbelnet, AAA president and chief executive officer. But many will stay closer to home and cut entertainment spending, he said the survey showed.

Of the 47% who said gasoline prices would impact their plans, 9% will take shorter trips, 4% will use alternate transportation and 34% will cut back spending in other areas, the survey showed.

AAA said national average gasoline prices “may have peaked in April” after persistent gains in all but four days during February and March. In April, prices dropped in 23 of 30 days, and fell below year-ago levels for the first time in two-and-a-half years.

AAA said the national retail price of regular gasoline was $3.727 a gallon on Tuesday, down 5.9% from $3.961 a year earlier. The number of air travelers during the holiday will be drop by 5.5% from a year ago, to 2.5 million travelers, a two-year low in the holiday period.

Average airfares are up more than 7% from a year ago, the report said. Air travelers will account for 7% of total travelers, while the remaining 4.5% of travelers will go by rail, bus or watercraft. The average travel distance will be 642 miles, down 18.9% from 792 miles a year ago. AAA said the squeeze on spending power caused by higher gasoline prices and the drop in air travel explains the decline. Trips of less than 150 miles make up 21% of expect travel this Memorial Day, up from 19% last year.

Median spending will be up 1.4%, at $702. Incoming demographics show that the number travelers with household income of below $50,000 annual will drop by 5% this year to 26% of all travelers. Travelers with incomes of $100,000 or more will make up 36% of total travelers, up 6% from a year ago.

AAA said lodging costs are up 8% versus a year ago at three-diamonds rated hotels, while two-diamond-rated facilities show a 10% rise from a year ago. Weekend daily car rental rates will average $36, or 4% below a year ago.

PoolGear Plus Opens Huge Memorial Day Sale on Pool Supplies

PoolGear Plus®, the best source for pool supplies online, has announced a sale on pool supplies that will allow pool owners the opportunity to get the lowest prices for the season on chlorine tablets, granular chlorine, pool shock, and other pool chemicals. Pool supplies sale prices are accessed viahttp://www.poolgear.com and are available through May 28, 2012.

Clearwater, FL (PRWEB) May 14, 2012

The number-one resource for online pool supplies,PoolGear Plus, has launched a Memorial Day Sale that offers the best prices for the season on 3” chlorine tablets, granular chlorine, pool shock, and many other pool chemicals. These great deals on pool supplies are available now through May 28, 2012.

Bestselling Suncoast® Complete® Multi-Purpose 3” Chlorine Tablets, which have earned 5-star reviews on the PoolGear Plus website, are only $104.99 – just $2.62/lb. in the PoolGear Plus Memorial Day Sale. They create a “picture-perfect pool” by adding a stain preventer, algae preventer, descaler, and pool water clarifier to sanitizer to make pool maintenance simple and easy.

PoolGear Plus is also offering a terrific deal on 50 pounds of granular chlorine at just $144.99; for pool owners who prefer the ease and convenience of broadcasting chlorine across their pools, this granular chlorine is the perfect solution. Suncoast Granular Chlorine does not require pre-mixing, dissolves quickly and leaves no residue, and is UV-protected for extended chlorine life.

One of PoolGear Plus’ most popular offerings, Buy-6-Get-1 Pool Shock, is also part of the company’s Memorial Day Sale. Pool owners can select Suncoast Super Pool Shock, Vinyl Pool Shock, Non Chlorine Pool Shock, or Surge Pool Shock.

Super Pool Shock, safer to use than stronger formulations of pool shock, dissolves four ways and works fast to kill bacteria, control algae, destroy organic contaminants, and restore crystal clarity to pool water. Vinyl pool shock, specially formulated to avoid fading vinyl pool liners, can also be used in concrete pools and is excellent for routine pool shock treatments throughout the season. Non Chlorine Pool Shock is a powerful pool shock oxidizer that allows use of the pool just 15 minutes after application. This pool shock rids pools of harmful chloramines and irritating chloramine odors. Last but certainly not least, pool owners can select Buy 6 Get 1 Free Surge Pool Shock; this unique pool shock formulation provides the benefits of non-chlorine shock while boosting the available chlorine level in the pool.

Buy One Get One Free pool chemicals in the PoolGear Plus Memorial Day Sale include Suncoast Extended Algae Control, Pool Filter Cleaner, Super Metal Control, and Super Pool Water Clarifier. An often-requested, favorite deal with PoolGear Plus customers, BOGO pool chemicals offer fantastic deals for pool owners.

Suncoast Extended Algae Control is a 3-month algaecide that works on blue-green algae, green pool algae, mustard / yellow algae, and black algae. Perfect for pool owners with busy lifestyles, Extended Algae Control is simple to use, non-foaming, and non-staining. Filter Renew and Spray & Rinse filter cleaner both keep pool filters clean and operating efficiently and help extend the life of pool filters. Super Metal Control is a super-strength sequestrant and pool stain treatment that also aids in the removal of scale and even protects pool plumbing, helping to maintain the pool owner’s investment. Super Water Clarifier clears cloudy pool water and coagulates suspended particles without affecting pool chemical balance; it makes pool water sparkle beyond pool owners’ expectations, increasing their enjoyment of their pools.

The PoolGear Plus Memorial Day Sale on pool supplies lasts through May 28, 2012.

About PoolGear Plus 
PoolGear Plus offers pool supplies, pool equipment, and pool accessories at the lowest prices available online. PoolGear Plus' drive for excellence means that they constantly focus on surpassing their own product, value, and service goals. The company strives each day to achieve its mission to provide the best values on pool supplies along with exceptional customer service. PoolGear Plus: Your Pool Is Our Passion.