As summer winds down, Lin and I are traveling, looking at schools for our son. Several of the offers in our current Veterans Advantage newsletter — back to school edition — are perfect for the family on the road: Mobile computers from Dell and Apple, basketball and running shoes from Footaction, great deals for family wireless plans, and even 20% discounts on Greyhound bus tickets! Members of Veterans Advantage get this newsletter on a regular basis, with instructions on immediate access to these savings benefits. If you are not yet a member, click here and get started with Veterans Advantage today.

Just crossing the wires — Ernest Borgnine, a man who served his country and knows how to play a Vet, will be receiving the Screen Actors Guild lifetime achievement award. The former star of the hit 60′s comedy “McHale’s Navy” served 10 years in the U.S. Navy, including a re-enlistment so he could serve during World War II. Borgnine went on to co-star in “AirWolf,” a 1980s military-themed action drama where he played a WWII Veteran. A great patriot and a fine actor!

I am pleased to announce new enhancements to your benefits package: We’ve redesigned the Members Only section of VeteransAdvantage.com so you can get faster and easier access to your benefits:

1. Special Instructions on Every Page

You’ll see standard navigation on each benefit page: On the top-right hand of any benefit page in Members Only, you will see how to use your Veterans Advantage membership for discounts online, by phone, and by presenting your membership card at tens of thousands of retail locations across America.

The sample to the right is from Amtrak. It’s quick and easy!

2. Improved Category-Based Navigation

As a visitor to Members Only at www.VeteransAdvantage.com, you will be able to drill down to top benefit categories in one-click. As a recap:

• Travel and Entertainment: Veterans Advantage has direct discount partnerships with leading airline, train, bus, cruise and rental car providers, getting you everyday savings. Comparison shop for great rates on hotel rooms, too. We also offer a full-service travel agency with a best price guarantee
• Home and Office: Shop for the whole family — computers, wireless plans with monthly discounts or free phones, insurance, and special online discounts from leading retailers Overstock.com and Target.com.
• Everyday Shopping: Shop online with special discounts today. Leading names in retail cover all your shopping needs, from indoor furnishings to outdoor recreational discounts, and great new in-store benefits from Foot Locker, Footaction and Champs Sports, too.
• Health and Wellness: Keep fit and save. National benefit coverage at leading pharmacies & health clubs – hundreds in potential savings on your monthly bills – as well as special insurance coverage that’s included with your membership, with no added insurance premiums. Special discounts on medicine for your pet, too.
• Business and Financial Services: Your Veterans Advantage membership includes important programs to help you manage your finances, at home and in business from leading brand names nationwide.

These are just two ways we try to provide you with the benefits program you deserve. We continue to add partners and benefits to improve our program every day. Stay tuned for much more in the future.

The prices of prescription drugs remain incredibly high, but you can get some real savings with the Veterans Advantage Prescription Plan, included with your Veterans Advantage membership. I went to my local CVS pharmacy last week to fill a prescription for a family member. The cost for a one-month supply was $179.99. With the Veterans Advantage membership, the amount was reduced to $122.25 (32% off)! That’s a savings of $57.74. The savings from this one transaction nearly pays my membership fee for the whole year. But, this is a monthly prescription, so over one year, the savings on this prescription alone amounts to $692.88!

The Veterans Advantage Prescription Plan offers savings/discounts on prescription drugs up to 65% off. On average, it offers 20% off. Be sure to register your plan with your local pharmacy (the numbers are on the front of your VetRewards Card). Check for savings on all prescription drugs and pharmacies at VeteransAdvantage.com. You should always ask your Pharmacist to check the price of a prescription drug using your Veterans Advantage Prescription Plan, even if you have a co-pay. Like me, you could save a lot!

We visited the headquarters of Wendy’s / Arby’s Group last week to honor its CEO Roland Smith with our TopVet Award.  Like most West Pointers, he has a strong  desire to do things in a big way. But I must say, I’ve rarely seen it on this scale. A lot of us are athletes with some notable accomplishments, but have you ever met a guy who just successfully climbed Mt. McKinley, shoots an 81 in golf, having played only 4 times in the last 4 years, and bowls on average over 200? Look no further than the corner office of this $12 billion company. Is there anything this guy doesn’t do well?!

Kidding aside, Roland’s diverse range of talents is only exceeded by his desire to lead people and assist his employees to reach their personal dreams. His track record at this goal is impressive…read more about our TopVet here.

I am literally filing this posting from New York City’s famed 6th Avenue, where the street is closed to everyone except Wounded Warrior Project’s annual Soldier Ride, New York edition. Lin and I have joined the warriors on bike and riding from 34th Street to Central Park. Other events tied to the ride this week include the Brooklyn Bridge, portions of Long Island and far east to the Hamptons.

People on the streets are stopping and clapping. It just goes to show how supportive New York City is to those who served.

Earlier this morning, we attended a kickoff breakfast at the flagship Macy’s department store on 34th Street. I had a chance to catch up with Macy’s CEO Terry J. Lundgren and President of Macy’s Stores Mark Cosby.

I’m pleased to report that Dunkin’ Donuts has once again doubled its Everyday Discount to 20%, this time for the entire month of July. It has already doubled its discount (from the regular 10% everyday savings) in January, February and May. For regular Dunkin’ coffee drinkers reloading on your supplies saves you money from your regular daily coffee expenses, as well as recoups your Veterans Advantage membership fees.