Bobbie O'Brien

Electrical outages during recent hurricanes have many homeowners investing in portable generators which have become more affordable and available to consumers.

And while generating your own electricity can provide comfort and convenience in an emergency, it doesn’t come without potential dangers.

So, here are some general tips on the maintenance and operation of a portable generator as you prepare for the 2013 Hurricane season.

General Care of a Small Generator

It happened in a big way at the end of World War II - soldiers headed home from the frontlines and into the classroom.

Again, the number of veterans on college campuses around the nation is expected to increase as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan wind down. 

Some 2,200 students are currently using their VA education benefits to attend the University of South Florida said Ray Mollison, president of the USF Student Veterans Association (SVA). Of those, 1,700 are active veteran students and 1,200 are on the Tampa campus.

In just a few weeks, Tampa will host more than 500 veterans in town to compete in the 33rd National Veterans Wheelchair Games.

And 3,000 volunteers are needed to help with setting up equipment at the venues, serving meals, monitoring buses and to cheer on the athletes as “Fans in the Stands.”

Among the handful of veterans’ bills considered by Florida lawmakers this year was legislation that would have granted in-state tuition rates to all veterans using the Post 9-11 GI Bill.

The lower, in-state tuition waiver was a top priority for Florida student veterans.

State Rep. Kathleen Peters of South Pasadena sponsored the House bill.

“The senate wouldn’t hear it,” Peters said. “I’m extremely disappointed about it. The veterans’ organizations are upset about it. The veterans’ school organizations are upset about it.”

There are apparently all sorts of traditions and tips when cycling coast to coast across the USA.

One tradition is to dip your rear wheel in the ocean at your starting point and your front tire in the other ocean when you complete your cross-country journey.

So far, more than 700 veterans from Central Florida, many from World War II, have been treated to a day in Washington D.C. touring the memorials.

The 11th Honor Flight for West Central Florida returns tonight (Tuesday) at 8:30 at the St. Petersburg Clearwater Airport carrying some 80 WWII veterans.

The public is invited to come out and give the honorees a true "hero's welcome home." The celebration is planned at the baggage claim facility.

Saturday, on the streets of San Francisco, University of South Florida doctoral student and Air Force veteran Kiersten Downs will begin a journey of 3,800 miles with a push of a single pedal.

The applied anthropology doctoral student is biking across America this summer to heighten awareness and to raise money for the organization Student Veterans of America.

Downs fell in love with cycling with the gift of her first two-wheeler, a little pink bike with streamers and training wheels.

Memorial Day is an opportunity to remember all  those who died while serving the United States of America in all wars.

An easy reference for all Memorial Day ceremonies at National Cemeteries throughout the United States is available HERE. This listing is in alphabetic order by state. Note that there is not a VA national cemetery in every state.