My family and I had a nice dinner tonight. It is wonderful have my husband home, even if it is only for a couple of weeks. The owner of the restaurant knows us because we always eat there when my husband is home. We first found the place because of the Military discounts that they offer and we continued to go because the food is great. The owner saw that we were there and he told us the meal was on the house. We tried to object but he would not let us. He said that he wanted to thank my husband for his service.
We Had a Nice Dinner
May 4
A Day With My Brother
May 3
Tomorrow I am spending the whole day with my brother. He is home for only a few days before he is deployed and I can’t wait to spend some quality time with him. We are going to a local theme park that offers free admission to members of our armed forces. Ever since my brother enlisted I have looked for places that offer Military discounts. I think that it is the least that a business can do. My brother loves roller coasters. I am not a big fan of them but I will ride them tomorrow. I will do it for him.
Finding a VA Mortgage
Apr 29
For many individuals the excitement that comes with finding their first home that they want to purchase is tempered by the knowledge that they will have to deal with the paperwork and process of getting that home paid for. For veterans they have an option that is not available to others called a va home mortgage. This does not take away all of the stress of getting approved for a home mortgage, but with the benefits that they offer it can really help with the stress afterwards. It is possible that by being approved for this type of mortgage they will have a lower interest rate than they might have gotten through a more traditional type of loan company.
Finding a va home mortgage is not as difficult as it sounds. There is a large amount of information available online that can help veterans with understanding how this type of mortgage is different from other mortgages they might have gotten. Also, many times veterans are able to even apply right online for the mortgage loan they are interested in getting. The Internet can be a great tool, but if you find that you have questions it can be important to talk with real live person to make sure that you understand everything. When it comes to things like this there are no stupid questions.
Offering Military Discounts
Apr 25
Offering military discounts is a great way for you and your business to say that you appreciate what has been given by those that have served our country in the armed forces. These discounts may not seem to be much to the individuals that are offering them, but they stand for a lot more than meets the eye. For someone who has served their time in the military doing what they felt was right it can be a great gesture. A gesture that shows that what they have done is not going to be shoved away and forgotten once they are home.
These heroes should not be forgotten at all. Offering military discounts on anything that may be used by them is just one small thing that can be done for them, no matter how small and insignificant it might seem. The type of service that is provided by members of the military will vary with some dealing with being at war while others are here providing support to their comrades in other positions. Treating them to something special can make them feel as though their personal struggles and successes dealing with their own military service are important. A discount is just one more way that others are able to give back to the community that they share with military heroes.
Discounts On Renting A Car
Apr 14
When you are an active member of the military and you need to rent a car, there is a very good chance that no matter what type of car company you go with you can get some kind of discount on what you are renting. Most rental car companies out there are more than happy to give a significant discount to those who currently are, or have, served in the US Military. You can either check out company websites individually, or you can go to websites that list information on Military discounts to see what rental companies can offer you.
MoWe have often been asked, “Why is there no Mortgage Insurance on a VA Refinance?” I think that it is important to understand what Mortgage insurance is first. Mortgage insurance is a financial guarantee for the lender that will help to reduce or eliminate a loss in the case of a default by the borrower, and it is usually required on loans where there is less than twenty percent equity. That means if you are purchasing a home with less than twenty percent down or refinancing to more than eighty percent of your home’s value, you are going to be required to pay mortgage insurance. In other words, mortgage insurance spreads the risk between the lender and the insurance company.
On a VA Refinance, the borrower is required to pay a VA Funding Fee. The VA funding fee is added to your loan and it goes to the Veterans Administration. This amount is essentially an insurance premium to the VA to guarantee your loan. The guarantee means the lender is protected against loss if you, as the borrower, neglect to reimburse the loan. This is also why the VA allows for 100% Financing.
Low Rates on VA Loans
Mar 18
One of the benefits to being a veteran is the low va rates that are offered on mortgage and debt consolidation loans. Though a half of percent lower interest rate may not seem like much, it can save you hundreds of dollars a year on your mortgage payment. In the case of a debt consolidation loan, you can save just as much, if not even more money, by combining all of your high interest debt (such as credit cards or auto loans) into one monthly payment with a much lower rate of interest.
These loans are available through your local va lender. If you currently have a va loan, it may be beneficial to contact that institution to see if you are eligible and can benefit from a refinance or consolidation loan. If you are a first-time home buyer, it is also a good idea to find a local va loan provider and compare their rates and fees to that of a conventional loan. You may be pleasantly surprised at what you find! Va loans are more often a better deal both in the long- and short-term. Contact your va lender today to discuss eligibility requirements and restrictions for a home or debt consolidation loan.
The Flagship Financial Group has been around for more than ten years. The group was started by people with many years of mortgage experience. This group has grown to be one of the largest in all the state of Utah. Along with conventional mortgages, the group shows expertise in all FHA and VA dealings. They also have a partner division model where you can have the advantage of having your own business and making your own decisions but also have the support and the benefits of a larger company. The group owners help the partners with the every day situations. They pride themselves in providing a fertile situation for your success.
This group partnering is available and in use already in forty states. They will provide you support and training and help you in building your own successful team. They are always looking for successful companies to work with in offering a branching opportunity. They do have standards in order to be considered. For example, you must already be originating more than ten loans each month in order to be considered. You must be established with an existing commercial office space. They are looking for team players who value honesty and integrity.
use flagship financial group when referring to a VA lender and how they (Flagship) can help with VA loans
Turning Points in a War:
A turning point in a war is when the outcome of the war shifts towards a clear winner. Even if the war continues after this battle, the outcome has become inevitable. Most wars throughout history have a turning point. Here are some major ones from major U.S. wars:
1. The Battle of Saratoga, The American Revolutionary War- The Battle of Saratoga was fought September 19 and October 7, 1777 and was the turning point of the American Revolutionary War. British General, John Burgoyne goal was to seize Lake Champlain and the Hudson River corridor by capturing Albany, effectively isolating New England from the rest of the Colonies. Burgoyne’s march was extremely slow since Americans had literally knocked down trees in his path. An American army of 8,000 men, commanded by General Horatio Gates, met the British forces about 10 miles south of Saratoga, New York. The British army surrendered to the American forces on October 17, after a decisive American victory. Saratoga was the turning point of the war. Revolutionary confidence and determination was renewed. The victory encouraged France to finally make an alliance with the Americans which was essential for victory.
2. Gettysburg and the Capture of Vicksburg, The American Civil War- The Battle of Gettysburg was fought July 1-3 1963 around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Union Major General George Gordon Meade’s Army of the Potomac defeated attacks by Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of the Northern Virginia, ending Lee’s invasion of the North. After many successes, Lee invaded the North in an attempt to defeat the Union army and lead to the end of the war. The battle of Gettysburg was a major defeat for the Confederates that resulted in the Confederates retreating back to Virginia. The Siege of Vicksburg, under Union Major General Ulysses S. Grant, ended on July 4, 1963. The city had been under siege for forty days. The capture of Vicksburg left the control of the Mississippi River in the Union’s hands. These two victories for the Union electrified the North. The Confederates lost politically as well as militarily, foreign support, which was on the verge of happening, was withdrawn after the battle of Gettysburg and the defeat at Vicksburg.
3. Battle of Stalingrad, the European Theater, World War II- The Battle of Stalingrad in World War II was between Germany and the Soviet Union for control of the city of Stalingrad, Russia. The battle took place between July 17 1942 and February 1943. The battle was among the bloodiest battles in the history of warfare with casualties nearing two million. The outcome was disastrous for Germany and is considered the turning point in the European theater in World War II. Germany decided to invade Russia in 1942. The German wanted to capture Stalingrad and the city was reduced to rubble through bombing. The German offensive was bogged down in house-to-house fighting and despite controlling over 90% of the city at one time; the Germans were never able to completely control the city. After the Russian army attacked the Germans in November 1942, the success of these attacks caused the weakly held flanks to collapse and the German army to be cut off and surrounded inside Stalingrad. As the winter set in, the German army was weakened from cold, starvation and attacks. By February the German army had either been destroyed or surrendered. The defeat at Stalingrad halted the German’s offensive into Russia and seriously weakened the German army which made eventually victory possible.
4. Battle of Midway, The Pacific Theater, World War II- The Battle of Midway took place between June 4 and 7 1942, and it is the turning point for World War II in the Pacific Theater. In the Battle of Midway, The United State Army divisively defeated an Imperial Japanese Navy attack against Midway Atoll. Before the Battle of Midway, the Japanese had naval superiority over the US, but during the Battle of Midway the US Navy inflicted irreparable damage to the Japanese fleet. 4 Japanese aircraft carriers and a heavy cruiser were sunk. The Japanese navy was never able to replace these losses. This was the US’s first victory in the Pacific and weakened the Japanese’s navy.
5. Battle of Incheon, The Korean War- The Battle of Inchon was amphibious invasion in the Korean War that resulted in a decisive victory and is considered the turning point of the war for the United Nation forces. The battle happened between September 15, 1950 and September 17, 1950. Incheon was secured by the UN forces under the leadership of General Douglas MacArthur. The battle ended a string of victories by the invading North Korean People’s Army and soon the UN forces had recaptured Seoul, Korea. The majority of the ground forces were U.S. Marines. The battle of Incheon is considered one of the most decisive military operations in modern warfare. The battle helped the combined UN forces gain back territory they had lost.
Alaska has one of the country’s highest concentrations of former military personal living in the state. Almost 70,000 veterans make their home in Alaska. Alaska has housing benefits, employment and education benefits, and many other state benefits to offer veterans who live there. It makes Alaska an ideal place for military personal to live or retire to.
Most veterans are inclined to group near the military bases. Anchorage and Fairbanks each have an Army and an Air Force base. They are two of Alaska’s biggest cities. Living near a military base provides many advantages to veterans and their families. Medical care is always available, as well as the PX, and there is a whole network of people who have been through the same things as them.
Many people would question Alaska as a place to live. Who wants to live in the freezing cold and snow versus somewhere warm and sunny like Florida? Both have military bases. There are many draws to the wilderness of Alaska. The state has world-class hunting and fishing that many that have never been here may not have been familiar with. There are also many secure, well paying jobs here as well. According to the state Veterans Affairs Administrator, Jerry Beale, there is a lot of open space where one can be an individual. He goes on to explain that you can move as far into the frontier as you want and not see anyone for as long as you want. Many of the veterans who have seen too much terror in the war find Alaska a welcome refuge for its solitude.
Alaska also has many programs to help veterans. One of the most beneficial is its housing benefits. The Veterans Land Discount/Purchase Preference allows certain veterans to have a 25% discount on the purchase price of state residential or recreational land, that many be used once during their lifetime. Veterans who were injured or debilitated during the line of duty are also eligible for property tax exemptions. The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation also administers the Veterans Mortgage Program which offers financing to veterans who can qualify at lower interest rates.
Alaska offers employment programs to its veterans as well. Veterans can receive Employment Preference Rights if they are qualified, served active duty, and had general or honorable discharge. Workplace Alaska posts all state classified service positions that have vacancies online. All veterans are eligible for hiring preference. Veterans Employment Services of the Security Division of Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development provides job placement, matching, referral, counseling, and job search assistance. The State of Alaska 1998 Affirmative Action Plan gives all present and potential state employees equal opportunities for employment regardless of the veteran’s status, among other factors.
Alaska’s Education benefits are yet another reason that Alaska brings many to the state. Free tuition is provided for the spouse or dependent of an armed service member who has died in service or due to injuries procured in the line of duty. Those listed as missing in action are also entitled to this service as well. In Alaska, a family member of World War II veterans who were never able to get their High School Diploma and never returned, were able to apply and accept the diploma.
Many other benefits are available to veterans. Some of which are: Recording Veterans Report of Separation Form, Disable Veterans Parking Permits, Veterans License Plates, Hunting and Fishing Licenses, State Camping Pass, Alaska Marine Highway Pass, Governor’s Advocacy Award, Military and Veterans Memorial Landmark Property, Wartime Letters – The Legacy Project, and Military Credit Towards State Retirement.
Alaska has many reasons to move to this beautiful state. If not for the vast country and variety of wildlife, then there are the two large military bases to settle next to. Some need the comfort of a support group next to a base, and some enjoy the isolation and quietness of Alaska’s frontier. In addition, do not forget to look into the state’s numerous benefits and programs offered to veterans. Alaska may seem just a foreign and frigid place to many, but in reality it is a welcoming and friendly place to those who call it home.
Related: Getting a VA Loan in Alaska.