Thursday, November 27th, 2008

We are proud to announce a new benefit, again looking out for your everyday financial needs: T-Mobile is not only giving special savings discounts for new phones — many of which come at no charge, hundreds of dollars in savings — but you can also get 10% savings on your monthly cell phone bill.

This ongoing discount is also good for Veterans Advantage members who already have existing accounts with T-Mobile, too. Check it out T-Mobile today.

More on Veterans Advantage benefits here.

Tags: t-mobile, Veterans Benefits
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Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

Just in time for holiday shopping, we added another leading retailer to the Veterans Advantage benefits package–Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) has joined! Any member can show their active Veterans Advantage Members Card at any EMS retail location for 10% off.

We are proud to be adding EMS to our “flash and save” benefit partners, a list of literally thousands of locations nationwide that recognize the Veterans Advantage Card–joining Amtrak Train Stations, Apple Stores, Greyhound Bus Terminals, Major Car Rental Providers, Norwegian Cruise Line Ships, Thousands of Leading Pharmacies and more are on the way.

Soon, we’ll be adding online discounts via a special online store, for this leading retailer of outdoors and apparel and gear.

More on Veterans Advantage benefits here.

Tags: eastern mountain sports, Veterans Benefits
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Monday, November 24th, 2008

Our Veterans Day was filled with activities in New York City. First, Lin, Advisory Board member Peter Eldredge and I attended a breakfast at Gracie Mansion hosted by Mayor Bloomberg. It was well attended by the Veterans community.

Then, it was off to the Intrepid to listen to President Bush (who arrived via Marine One landing on the Battleship Bataan (LHD-5) next to the Intrepid to receive the 2008 Intrepid Freedom Award), NY Gov Patterson, Senators Schumer and Clinton and witness the rechristening of the fabled aircraft carrier, after a two-year renovation. Bill White, the Intrepid’s President ably organized a very moving ceremony and tribute to those who serve. We were fortunate to meet the Marine Corps Commandant, General James Conway, who offered remarks at the ceremony.

In the afternoon, I participate in an hour-long segment on Fox News (The Strategy Report) hosted by Harris Faulkner (her father is a Vietnam Vet). The NYC parade was a great success, thanks to the tireless work of Vince McGowan (who also presented the President with a special award), Pat Gualtieri and the United War Veterans Council of New York. Here are some photos of the day.

On Veterans Day, we were proud to announce our strategic partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). The WWP provides programs and services to severely injured service members during the time between active duty and transition to civilian life; through their activities (Soldier Ride, among many others) and support, they honor the heroes of the 9/11 generation. Most of these warriors have suffered extraordinary injuries that would have been deadly just a few years ago; now, they face emotional and physical hardships that the rest of us,those more fortunate, can only imagine. Veterans Advantage is honored to partner with WWP in providing complimentary lifetime memberships to these American heroes.

If you know someone injured (physical or psychological, stateside or deployed) on or after October 7, 2001(OEF), tell him or her to become a WWP Alumni member at alumni.woundedwarriorproject.org. You may also be eligible for the program if you are the spouse or family member and joining on behalf of a warrior, and if you were injured before but participated in Operation Enduring Freedom.

In our discussions to set up this special ongoing partnership, top management at WWP were particularly impressed with Veterans Advantage’s package of everyday savings benefits – providing valuable financial relief in this difficult wartime economy. And in this week’s newsletter, we highlight just a small sampling of these benefits so you can kickoff a happy – and prosperous – 2008 holiday season.

Tags: veterans day celebration
Posted in HeroVet, veterans articles | No Comments »

Friday, November 21st, 2008

Good news for the National Guard, which always deserves special praise. Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley pinned on his fourth star and became chief of the National Guard Bureau in a ceremony at the Pentagon.

More than 300 people from all ranks, services and many states’ National Guards then watched Gates swear in McKinley as the first four-star general to lead the National Guard in its 372-year history.

“The promotion of Gen. Craig McKinley to this rank, to serve in this post, is in recognition of his outstanding leadership abilities and shows the confidence the president and I have in him to be the nation’s senior Guard officer at such a critical time,” Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said. Gates said McKinley successfully led the Air Guard during a time of severe manpower reductions and major challenges posed by the global war on terrorism, base realignment and closure implementation, budget changes and the transformation of the National Guard from a strategic reserve to an operational force.

McKinley succeeds Army Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum, who served in the post for more than five years and in January will become deputy commander of U.S. Northern Command, the first Guard officer to hold that position.

In other news on the four-star front, we profiled the first female four-star general of the Army, Ann. E. Dunwoody, who also represents three generations serving our armed forces with honor.

Tags: National Guard, U.S. Army
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Friday, November 7th, 2008

As part of our annual participation at the Marine Corps Birthday Gala in New York City, we have honored Veterans Advantage board member Gerry Byrne, the co-chair and founder of the event for his extraordinary accomplishments, too numerous to list here. This month we honor his co-chair, Marine and actor Harvey Keitel. Byrne and Keitel started the event 11 years ago, and have made it a real institution among Marines and those in the NYC area. From the Mayor’s office, to the Commandant himself, everyone has something great to say about this night honoring the Corps and service to the country. Proceeds from the event this year support Fisher House, which provides free or low cost lodging to veterans and military families receiving treatment at military medical centers. With his great sense of purpose and enthusiasm, and dedication to helping others, Harvey embodies the Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis. Thank you, Harvey

Attending the Gala with Lin and me were Board member Peter Eldredge (a former Publisher of Newsweek) and his wife Carol, great friends Katie and Matt Gormly (Katie’s Marine father Jack Meyer was a former Publisher of Time), and Maureen Reidy, the former head of the Miss Universe organization. It was a spectacular evening

Finally, I cannot write to you this week without a note about our presidential election. While we may differ politically, all of us can take pride in our country breaking with its racial past. We are turning a new page in American history and as John McCain reminded us in his gracious concession speech, now is the time to pull together as a nation, and strengthen our resolve to address the serious and complicated issues facing our country. None of this will be easy. As we approach Veterans Day, we pray for our troops, that they may one day return safely to their families and loved ones.

Tags: Harvey Keitel, Marines
Posted in HeroVet, charitable activities | No Comments »

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

Hat’s off to the Patriot News of Harrisburg, PA, for reminding those who served that they qualify for Amtrak discounts, most notably to the New York City area during the very popular and memorable holiday season. Just sign up for the Veterans Advantage card today.

On that subject, its also worth a reminder that Veterans Advantage members also qualify for special discounts on the Northeast Shuttle (Washington, DC – New York – Boston) run by Delta Airlines and U.S. Airways.

Finally, let’s not forget one of our best discount partners — Continental Airlines — has a major hub in the New York City area. Veterans Advantage members can get 5% discounts every time they book at continental.com, while also accumulating their One Pass frequent flier mileage points, too.

Tags: Add new tag, Amtrak, Continental Airlines, Northeast Shuttle Discounts, Veterans Advantage benefits
Posted in Travel Discounts | No Comments »