TREA: The Enlisted Association Blog

TREA: The Enlisted Association's Washington Update

• • Veterans Day 2017
• • TREA Signs Letter to Congressional Leaders Opposing DoD Attempt to Raise TRICARE Fees
• • Veterans Day Special Deals and Discounts
• • TREA Meets With Congressional Leadership
• • November Designated "Veterans and Military Families Month" - Events Scheduled Throughout the Country

TREA: The Enlisted Association's Washington Update

Veterans Day 2017

This week while the House of Representatives is working on taxes and President Trump is travelling through Asia.  The Department of Veterans Affairs is working to prepare for Veterans Day, this coming Saturday, November 11^th. Vice President Pence will be hosting the National Veterans Day Breakfast, which will be attended by TREA National President John Adams and TREA Auxiliary National President Irme Cates.  Pence will also be the main speaker at the ceremonies in Arlington National Cemetery.  TREA National President John Adams will be representing TREA on stage, along with representatives from other veterans groups. Also at the National Veterans Day Ceremony at Arlington TREA Board Member Justin Jump and Deputy Legislative Director Mike Saunders will carry the American and TREA flags in the opening processional and closing recessional. TREA First VP Ed Cates, TREA Board of Director Member Aaron Reed, Past National President Art Cooper and TREA National Legislative Director Larry Madison will also be representing TREA.

TREA's sister organization, The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) will be represented by TSCL Chairman of the Board and TREA Past National President Art Cooper, along with Board member Joe Kluck and TSCL Executive Director Shannon Benton.

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TREA Signs Letter to Congressional Leaders Opposing DoD Attempt to Raise TRICARE Fees

Fighting to protect military people from the never-ending attempts to cut their earned benefits is a very complicated and difficult job.  Not only must we keep an eye on 535 members of Congress and what they might propose to do, as well as the various committees that have jurisdiction over military people, we also have to keep an eye on the bureaucracy, especially within the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

There are multiple agencies within each department that have jurisdiction over the various earned benefits of military people, each with the capability of cutting some benefit in one way or another.

TREA recently learned that the Defense Health Agency (DHA) published an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that outlines the intention of the DHA to implement an across-the-board fixed-fee copayment schedule for the new TRICARE Select.  This is intended to replace the existing TRICARE Standard/Extra copays currently in effect. 

We believe these fee changes undermine the intention of last year's NDAA law which said that current military members, their families and retirees were to be grandfathered from increases  in TRICARE fees. 

TREA, along with other veterans organizations, sent a letter last week to the four leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees asking Congress to stop the DHA rule and enforce the commitments it made less than a year ago and insist language be added to the conference report of the NDAA which would prohibit the DHA from implementing the TRICARE cost increases for current military families and retirees. 

No reply has been received as of yet from any of the leaders and the issue is complicated by the fact that the Senate version of the FY2018 NDAA, currently in negotiation between the House and the Senate, contains a provision that would also repeal the grandfathering.

We are keeping a close eye on this situation and will keep you posted on things as they develop.

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Veterans Day Special Deals and Discounts

Along with formal dedications and ceremonies Veterans Day has become a day of discounts across the land. Below is a list of restaurant discounts available to veterans and their families throughout the U.S. There are also numerous retail and service discounts. More are being added every day. One of the best lists for all of the discounts is at Military.com.

Of course the different businesses may require different proofs of service (Military ID, DD-214, membership to VSO, like TREA, VFW, DAV etc.)  It might be wise to call the business prior to going to see what their individual requirements are.   

54th Street Grill -- Veterans and active duty military get a free entree on November 11.

*NEW* Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza -- Veterans and active military get a complimentary small order of meatballs with ricotta cheese on November 11.

Applebee's -- Veterans and active duty military receive a free meal from a limited menu, on November 11.

Arooga's -- Veterans and active duty military get a free pretzel from a fixed menu on November 11.

Back Yard Burgers --On November 11, active duty service members and veterans get a free Back Yard Classic Burger.

Bakers Square-- Veterans and active duty military get a free breakfast from a set menu on November 11.

Bar Louie - On November 11, veterans and active military personnel get a free flatbread or burger.

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse -- All service members can enjoy a complimentary entree up to $12.95 by presenting a military ID or proof of service on November 10 and 11.

Black Angus Steakhouse -- Veterans and active duty military get an 8 oz. Top Sirloin steak dinner with mashed potatoes and broccoli for a discounted price on November 11.

Bob Evans -- Veterans and active military personnel receive a free meal from a select menu on November 11.

Bonanza Steakhouses -- Veterans and active duty military get a free buffet on November 11.

Bruegger's Bagels -- Veterans and active duty military members get a free small drip coffee on November 11 at participating locations.

Burntwood Tavern -- Veterans and active military get a free lunch or dinner on November 11.

*NEW* Calhoun's -- Veterans and active duty military get a free meal on November 11.

*NEW* California Pizza Kitchen - Veterans and active military receive a free entrée from a special menu on November 11.

*NEW* Cantina Laredo -- Veterans and active duty military get a complimentary meal up to $20 on November 11.

Cattlemens -- Active, inactive, and retired military personnel get a complimentary 8 oz. Sirloin Steak dinner on November 11.

CentraArchy Restaurants -- Veterans and active duty service members get a free entrée on November 12.

Chevys Fresh Mex -- On November 11 from 11am-10pm, veterans and active military personnel get a complimentary Fresh Mex 3-Item Combo.

Chuck E. Cheese's -- Military veterans get one free personal 1-topping pizza on November 11.

Cicis Pizza -- Get a free pizza buffet with Military ID on November 11.

Cotton Patch Cafe -- Veterans and active duty military get a free chicken fried steak or chicken fried chicken on November 11.

Country Cookin -- Veterans receive a free meal from 2 pm - 8 pm on Tuesday, November 14.

Cracker Barrel -- Veterans get a complimentary slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake on November 11.

Denny's -- Active, inactive and retired military personnel get a free Build Your Own Grand Slam on November 10, from 5 a.m. to noon.

Dunkin' Donuts -- Veterans and active duty military get a free donut on November 11 at participating locations.

Eat'n Park -- All active and former military personnel will receive a 10% discount for the entire month of November at all locations.

El Fenix -- Active duty and retired military members get a free meal from a select menu on November 11.

Famous Dave's -- On November 11, former and current military personnel will receive a free Two Meat Salute.

Farmer Boys -- Veterans and active duty military receive a free Big Cheese cheeseburger on Friday, November 10.

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill -- Active duty military and veterans get a free lunch or dinner entrée on November 10 at participating locations.

Friendly's -- Friendly's is treating veterans and active military to a free breakfast, lunch or dinner from a limited menu on November 11.

Gatti's Pizza -- Veterans and active military members will receive a free buffet or a free medium 1-topping pizza for carryout on November 11.

*NEW* Glory Days Grill -- Veterans get a free appetizer or a regular order of boneless or grilled boneless wings on November 11.

Golden Corral -- Golden Corral Restaurants' Military Appreciation Night free dinner will be available on November 13, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Military retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard and Reserves are all welcome.

Green Mill Restaurant and Bar -- Veterans and active duty military get a free meal on November 11.

*NEW* Greene Turtle -- Veterans and active duty military receive a free meal up to $12 on November 11.

*NEW* Hamburger Stand -- Veterans and active duty military get a free hamburger, regular fries and a small Pepsi on November 11.

Hickory Tavern -- Veterans and active duty military get 50% off food and non-alcoholic beverages from a fixed menu on November 11.

Hooters -- Veterans and active duty military get a free meal from a select menu at participating locations on November 11.

*NEW* Houlihan's -- Active military and veterans receive one free entrée from a select menu on November 11.

Hy-Vee -- Veterans and active duty military members get a free breakfast buffet on November 11.

IHOP -- On November 10, participating restaurants offer veterans and active duty military free Red, White and Blue pancakes.

JJ's Red Hots -- Veterans and active duty get a free meal including unlimited hot dogs, sausages, sides and non-alcoholic drinks all day on November 11.

Krystal -- Participating locations will provide a free sausage biscuit to each person who presents a military ID from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on November 11.

Little Caesars -- Veterans and active military members receive a free $5 Lunch Combo from 11:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. on November 11.

*NEW* Logan's Roadhouse -- Veterans and active duty military get a free entree from a special menu on November 11 from 11-4.

Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ -- During the month of November, active duty and veteran military personnel get 20% off. On Veterans Day, active duty military and veterans get a complimentary dessert on top of the 20%.

Margaritas Mexican Restaurant -- Veterans and active duty military will receive two complimentary entrees on November 11, one for themselves and one for their significant others at participating locations.

Max & Erma's - On November 11, participating locations are offering veterans and active military personnel a free Best Cheeseburger in America.

Menchie's --  Veterans and active military personnel get their first 6 ounces of frozen yogurt for free on November 11.

Mimi's Cafe -- Veterans or active duty military personnel can select from a special menu on November 11 for free. Drink purchase required.

Mission BBQ -- Veterans and active duty military get a free sandwich and a slice of cake on November 11.

*NEW* Native Grill & Wings -- Veterans and active duty service members receive any menu item up to $11.99 for free on November 11.

Ninety Nine Restaurant and Pub -- On November 11 from 11 am to 4 pm, veterans and active military get a free meal with purchase of an entree.

*NEW* O'Charley's - Veterans and active duty service members get a free $9.99er entree on November 11.

On the Border -- Active and retired members of the military get a free combo meal on November  11.

Outback Steakhouse - All active and retired service members a free Bloomin' Onion and a beverage on November 11. Additionally, November 12 through November 16, military members will receive 20% off their check and, beginning November 17, military will receive 10% off their check.

Pancho's Mexican Restaurant -- Veterans and active duty service members will receive a 25% discount on their bill, excluding alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages on Saturday, Nov. 11 and Monday, Nov. 13.

Ponderosa Steakhouse -- Veterans and active duty military get a free buffet on November 11.

*NEW* Quaker Steak & Lube -- On November 11, veterans and current service members can receive a complimentary or discounted meal of their choice.

Red Lobster -- Veterans, active duty military and reservists get a free appetizer or dessert from a limited menu on November 11.

Red Robin - Veterans and active duty military get a free Red's Tavern Double Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries on November 11.

RibCrib -- Veterans and active military personnel receive a free meal from a special menu on November 11.

Rock & Brews -- Veterans and active military personnel receive a complimentary meal on November 11.

Ruby's Diner -- Veterans and active duty military receive a free Ruby's adult entrée on November 11.

Ruby Tuesday -- Veterans, active duty and reserve service members get a free appetizer on November 11.

Shari's Cafe and Pies -- Current and former military get a free pancake breakfast all day on November 11.

Shoney's -- Veterans and active duty service members get a free All You Care To Eat breakfast from 6am - 11am on November 11.

Sizzler -- Sizzler offers active duty military and veterans a free lunch from a limited menu on November 11 until 4 p.m.

*NEW* Spaghetti Warehouse -- From November 10 through November 12 buy one entrée and get the second entrée free. Coupon required.

*NEW* Tap House Grill -- Active, inactive and retired military personnel get a complimentary meal on November 11.

Texas Roadhouse -- Texas Roadhouse locations nationwide will offer veterans a free lunch on November 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Offer is good for active duty, retired or former U.S. military.

Village Inn -- Veterans and active military personnel receive a free Inn-Credible V.I.B. Breakfast on November 11.

*NEW* White Castle -- Veterans and active duty military receive a free combo meal on November 11.

*NEW* Wienerschnitzel -- Veterans and active duty military receive a free Chili Dog, small fries and a small drink on November 11.

Wild Wing Cafe -- Veterans eat for free from select items on November 11 at participating locations.

World of Beer - All veterans and current service members receive a free select draught beer or $5 off your check on November 11.

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TREA Meets With Congressional Leadership

Last week TREA's Legislative Director Larry Madison met with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosis and the Ranking Member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee Tim Walz (D-Minn.), a TREA Life Member and the highest ranking enlisted retiree ever to serve in Congress.  Several other Democratic members of Congress were also present at the meeting.

This meeting was the latest in a series of meetings Leader Pelosi has had with veterans groups for the last several years when she has served as both House Minority Leader and Speaker of the House.

The focus of the meeting was Veterans health care and  the legislation pending in the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, specifically focused on the CHOICE reform and Asset and Infrastructure Review bills.

TREA, along with the other veterans groups in attendance, made it very clear that while we support changes and improvements in the VA that will provide better and faster health care for veterans, we are very much opposed to efforts by some members of Congress and the Administration that could lead to privatization of the VA.

The meeting lasted about two hours, which is typical of the meetings Leader Pelosi has had with veterans groups in the past.  In fact, some have lasted nearly three hours.  We have been told that no other group gets as much time with Leader Pelosis as do veterans groups and we are grateful for her and Rep. Walz's attention to veterans' issues.

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November Designated "Veterans and Military Families Month" - Events Scheduled Throughout the Country