Omaha Steaks, a leader in the premium foods business since 1917 and actually one of the first companies to launch an e-commerce site in the 1990s, is combining a special 5% discount on retail and sale prices online, by phone or at its retail stores for card-carrying Veterans Advantage members.

When active members log into Members Only, they get access to a special discount link for immediate online discounts, which will be shown at checkout, as well as instructions on how to get the discount offline.

Only two months until outdoor grilling season. Are you ready?

Apple recently opened an exciting new store on the main street of our hometown. Lin needed a new computer, so after showing her Veterans Advantage card, saved $160 on a new MacBook Pro! Thank you, Apple!

The U.S. Department of Defense has special coverage of all our military Olympians here.

In the aftermath of the heart wrenching earthquake that hit Haiti, we need to acknowledge the special service and sacrifice our men and women in uniform are making to assist those in need.

For instance, you should check out “The Hurt Locker,” an Iraq War drama about a risk-taking bomb disposal technician which just scored the top film award from the Producers Guild of America. The movie is building new momentum for a Best Picture Oscar nomination, and you can shop for it today in our online discount site from Barnes & Noble.

For other military and historical video entertainment, you should check out our online discount store at the History Channel, with 20% discounts for Veterans Advantage members.

Finally, as a follow up to our news last week about some extra benefit enhancements, our friends at 1800FLOWERS.com have increased its discount with us for the Valentine’s Day shopping season, with a special upgrade to 20% discount for Veterans Advantage members (through February 15, 2010).

We are grateful for your membership, which helps support the charitable activities of Veterans Advantage. This holiday season, we deployed another 65,000 complimentary Veterans Advantage membership cards to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan through our partners, Operation Gratitude and Operation Care & Comfort. To date, we have deployed 365,000 complimentary memberships. These sponsored memberships represent an important part of our charitable activities, as we honor and acknowledge the service of these brave men and women.

We also are working hard to add new and substantial benefits to the program. We ask companies to partner with us and offer preferred pricing on their goods and services as a thank you for service to the country. As we enter 2010, we are encouraged by the strong response we continue to receive. Our hope is that the companies we approach will want to participate, since Veterans Advantage provides them with a successful program to administer their benefit and an opportunity “To Give Back To All Who Serve.”

Finally, and importantly, Lin and I and the whole team at Veterans Advantage wish you and yours the most special of holiday seasons. We are honored to count you among our members, and wish you peace, hope and prosperity in 2010.

Please remember our brave men and women who serve today in your prayers.

It is a must-see for anyone who has served our country, and their families. Everyone I know has seen it, and found it as riveting as I have. It also makes for a great holiday gift.

The list price for “Taking Chance” is $19.95, but free with membership. Note: This is a limited time offer and available on a first-come, first-serve basis and is only available through this dedicated link. (Editor’s Note, January 17, 2010 — Kevin Bacon wins Golden Globe Award for “Taking Chance,” Best Performance for an Actor in a Mini Series or Motion Picture Made for Television).

More about Veterans Advantage’s partnership with HBO^® .

This week’s HeroVet feature is the WWII Navajo Code Talkers. They transmitted messages on behalf of the Allies that saved countless American lives. Thankfully, their code was never broken. On Veterans Day, a dozen of these Veterans were proudly welcomed by NYC Mayor Bloomberg at the Mayor’s breakfast and in the parade that followed. Thanks to HBO CEO Bill Nelson, their trip to the Big Apple from Arizona was fully underwritten; they rode on the Pacifica float to the cheers of appreciative New Yorkers. Pacifica is the HBO series on the War in the Pacific, opening in March.

Speaking of history, I was pleased to see that the History Channel has joined our group of Veterans Advantage partners who are combining their discounts. In addition to the current 10% discount off the list price on its Web site for a special WWI 7-Disc DVD selection, Veterans Advantage members get another 20% off on top of that and save a whopping $42! That alone pays for the first eight months of your annual Veterans Advantage membership!

Other places you may see your Veterans Advantage discount being combined is via our special online links to Dell and Target. There are special savings there for holiday shoppers.

Veterans Advantage has been active in community events in our NYC-area since our founding 10 years ago. Recently, for instance, I had the good fortune to be invited to a special fundraiser hosted by the Outward Bound foundation, recognizing the special work they are doing for vets, picking up the tab for them to enjoy the great outdoors in character and self-esteem building hiking and camping trips. We were touched by a speech by Army Chief of Staff Casey and his lovely wife, who told everyone that military families need our thanks, but also our help “now, more than ever.”

Home Depot CEO Frank Blake spoke movingly about his company and family’s commitment to support those who serve.

As you celebrate Thanksgiving this week, take a moment to say a prayer for those in harm’s way in far-off lands, who serve and sacrifice on behalf of our country. And as President Obama declared this month Military Family Month, we should all find ways to thank the families behind our servicemen and women. Let’s not forget that when one member of the family serves, the whole family serves.

Happy Thanksgiving!