Amid the tragedy that has hit the East Coast region in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, we extend our wishes for rapid healing and renewal to those hurt by the storm. Hopefully we can find comfort in the strength demonstrated by the millions of military family members throughout our country. Their unique resolve is why they stand as role models, and why we recognize them this month of November, Military Family Month.

“When a young woman signs up to defend our Nation, her parents are enlisted as well. When a father deploys to a combat zone, his children are called to serve on the home front. And when the men and women of our military serve far from home, their families feel the strain of their absence,” said President Obama in a proclamation marking the special month to recognize the families of those who serve our country.

Many in the military, most notably National Guard, are currently mobilized to support our towns and cities hurt by Sandy, tirelessly helping in the recovery. And no doubt they are leaving family members behind to take care of the household while they take care of us.

The president also pointed to data which suggested the hiring of over 125,000 veterans and military spouses since last year. U.S. businesses need to continue the momentum in this regard, recognizing the special skillset of these special Americans.

Let us all remember to find ways to show our appreciation to these families, today and every day.

We are pleased to announce the kickoff event of VeteransWeekNYC2012 – The Veterans Advantage Corporate Career Symposium on Nov. 7 at Citi (388 Greenwich St, NYC), 9-5pm. With identical morning and afternoon sessions, this Free Symposium addresses the crisis in post-911 unemployment (30% unemployment). Led by Citi, it includes a groundbreaking “Guaranteed Interview Initiative” from sponsoring companies for those who bring their resumes.

Panels Feature Major Fortune 500 Companies with Veteran Friendly Corporate Hiring Policies; Discussions on Corporate Culture for Veterans, Hiring Vets Policy, Internal Resources for Veteran Employees and Veteran Employee Support; Techniques and programs to ease veterans transition to the corporate workplace.

MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT, PAUL W. BUCHA, West Point Military Academy, Stanford M.B.A, will moderate one of the panels, and I will moderate the other.

Veterans Advantage and our patriotic sponsor companies and corporate panel participants, are deeply committed to providing our post 9-11 Veterans with the resources to find gainful employment, and lead successful lives with meaningful careers. Please attend this powerful symposium to get started with your corporate career and boost your prospects today!

This is a Free event, but you have to register. More details here. If you are a Post-911 Veteran or a Student Veteran looking for a career, be sure to register now.

Veterans Advantage Founder & CEO Scott Higgins on the deck of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, as part Veterans Week NYC 2012′s official announcement. The VetRewards Card is unveiled as the “Official Card” for the week. (Click image to enlarge)

Veterans Advantage is pleased to announce a special milestone in our company’s history. We have been named the “Official Card of Veterans Week NYC 2012” for the inaugural celebration of veterans and their families in and around New York City November 7-14, 2012.

Veterans Advantage has had a history of participating at New York City Veterans events, such as its annual Veterans Day parade and other Veteran-related commemorations, so this is a natural fit. It also underscores the strength of our discounts and special benefits in New York City, and around the nation.

For more about our special Veterans Week NYC 2012 card status, click here.

The healthcare of our servicemen and women is a top priority for our nation. With that in mind, we want to recognize the efforts of the University of South Florida and the State University of New York at Albany for their efforts to make a difference in the lives of veterans, through a special online study to understand the impact of combat deployment on a variety of behavioral health outcomes. The study is funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) and led in part by Lt. General Martin R. Steele, USMC (Ret.), a Veterans Advantage Advisory Board Member. The Study provides payments to participants. If you served in OIF/OEF, and would like to participate, click here.

The veterans community, and the Marine Corps, lost one of its own with the death of Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Sr. the former publisher and chairman of the New York Times. His publishing legacy is being hailed as transforming a family business into a global media empire on his watch as the newspaper’s publisher. Vets should remember him as a two-time veteran, of both World War II and Korea.

To many he represents the heyday of print-era news journalism, along with the late Washington Post publisher Katherine Graham (the spouse of a WWII Army Air Corps veteran). Over the period of 1963 – 1992 when Sulzberger was publisher of the New York Times, the revenues of its corporate parent rose to $1.7 billion from $100 million.

More on Sulzberger, in a posthumous TopVet update: Click here.

If you are not yet a member of Veterans Advantage and looking for one more good reason to enroll, check this out: In our current website poll, over 80% of respondents feel that the $55,000 of insurance included with your VetRewards Card represents valuable coverage. We are pleased to hear that — we pay for this coverage for you so you do not have to buy it separately yourself.

This coverage represents $5,000 in Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage, and $50,000 of Emergency Travel and Medevac Insurance. The Medevac is very near and dear to me, as our family once found ourselves needing it, and it covers you for as long as you remain a Veterans Advantage member. It also covers you anytime you are more than 100 miles away from home, so it is more than just a vacation convenience — you get peace of mind, always.

Want to learn more about our Bonus Benefits? Some other features include a complimentary financial analysis consultation, VIP Concierge Services, and a free Overstock.com Club O membership. Click here for more details.

This week we are reminded of the service and sacrifice of those who have fought to preserve the important freedoms we enjoy today. It is a testament to the spirit of our nation that the remembrances across America for 9/11/01 remain as strong as ever. Americans across the country, including those participating in the heated presidential political discussion, put aside their worldly concerns and paid their respects to our fallen from 9/11.

“Never Forget” is the way we all want it to be, and we can all do our part. Be sure to take a moment to thank those who serve and their family members, in the airport, on the streets of your hometown, wherever you see them, so they feel appreciated for the work they do in service to our country. It is important recognition.

Please share your feelings on our Facebook page, where many of your fellow Veterans and family members have registered their support for those who perished on that fateful day, and those who continue to serve our nation to ensure that history never repeats.