If you are a fan of our Facebook page, you read comments from our top general in Afghanistan, David Petraeus, telling Congress that the war is beginning to turn and we are on track to begin drawing down troops in July.

Even under rosy scenarios, the need to support those who serve is greater than ever. According to Veterans Advantage’s contributing guest editor, Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, we must “embrace the challenge before us and let their stories serve as a constant reminder that they deserve our attention, our understanding, our compassion, and our resources.” In these times, these are words to live by.

The war in Iraq started 8 years ago this past week. If you served there at any time since 2003, you have our heartfelt thanks for your service. And for those you know who have also served, be sure to let them know how much we appreciate them and their service to our country.

The Senate unanimously passed a Resolution this week to establish a “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” on March 30. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., an original co-sponsor of the resolution, called a day to honor veterans who served in Vietnam “long overdue.”

“The men and women who served our country in Vietnam risked their lives to defend the interests of our nation,” Boozman stated in a news release issued Tuesday. “For many Vietnam veterans, their return home was not reflective of their sacrifice. In fact, many were made to feel unwelcome and unappreciated. We have a chance to rectify that with this resolution. It’s a long overdue recognition of their service and sacrifice,” said Boozman.

The resolution commemorates the anniversary of the day that combat and combat support units withdrew completely from South Vietnam.

Members looking for entertainment options should check out our online store discounts from HBO and the History Channel. With 20% discounts, many of which are combinable, you can get discounts on DVDs from all the popular shows and miniseries.

In particular, I would recommend the box sets. Our contacts at HBO online store, for instance, said members can get a DVD or Blu-Ray edition of HBO’s “True Blood” season 3 — at a 20% Veterans Advantage member discount that you can only find at HBO.com. The History Channel’s Web site, meanwhile, offers a wealth of historical programming, including many military-related shows and documentaries.

Visit these links for HBO online store discounts and History Channel online store discounts with your Veterans Advantage membership.

We were pleased to have received a letter from a local Sleep Inn location in Virginia, thanking us for sending members to stay there. Sleep Inn is one of several hotel chains participating under the Veterans Advantage / Choice Hotels discount partnership.

If you haven’t tried our Choice Hotels discounts, check it out today. There are a lot of saving opportunities, up to 20%.

A local Virginia-based Sleep Inn, part of our Choice Hotels national discount partnership, thanks Veterans Advantage for sending members to stay there.

Veterans Advantage is now on Facebook (“LIKE” our site today) and Twitter (“FOLLOW” us today)!

Join us today! It’s a great way to keep up with Veterans Advantage on a daily basis, and learn more about the benefits you are entitled to

Frank Buckles, the last surviving soldier from WWI (out of nearly 5 million who served in the U.S. Military) died last week at the age of 110. With Frank’s passing, we witness the end of an era. In the last several years, Buckles, frail physically, but with a sharp mind, campaigned for a national memorial to recognize those who served in that war.

As we are engaged to two major conflicts today, our Reserve forces continue to shoulder a heavy burden. More than 800,000 have been mobilized since 9/11 and more than a quarter of a million have experienced multiple deployments. As Frank Buckles reminds us, be sure to keep the servicemen and women who are serving and sacrificing in far-away lands, in your thoughts and prayers.

We hope you enjoy reading our VetFamily profile this month, Harris Faulkner of FoxNews. I first met Harris as a featured guest on her “Strategy Room” roundtable show for FoxNews on Veterans Day a couple of years back, and we’ve been in touch ever since.

Once we heard of all the support she’s received from our members over her inspiring story of her Army Vet dad (three Vietnam tours), we wanted to update you about his battle against a life threatening illness last year.  The good news is that he’s doing much better now!