Veterans Advantage® Honors Department of Defense Official with Hero Veteran Award

Greenwich, CT, September 13, 2007

Veterans Advantage Inc., the leading nationwide membership benefit program for U.S. Active Duty military, Veterans, National Guard and Reserve and their families, announced that Army Veteran Dr. L. Gordon Sumner, the U.S. Department of Defense official charged with preserving the employment rights of National Guardsmen and Reservists, was designated a “HeroVet,” an honor that appears on www.veteransadvantage.com this month.

Today’s announcement from both Veterans Advantage and ESGR also acknowledges this week’s White House support of Sumner’s mission. President Bush, who appointed Dr. Sumner on March 29 proclaimed this week – which includes the sixth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on America – National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week.

“We at Veterans Advantage celebrate HeroVets as inspiring Americans who, having given service in our military, distinguish themselves by their continued contributions to our society,” said Scott Higgins, CEO of Veterans Advantage. “Dr. Sumner is making a significant contribution in an area critical for our war against terror.”

As described in a biography featured on veteransadvantage.com, Sumner, brings a unique blend of military and civilian professional experience, a huge asset when working to defend the quality of life of our National Guard and Reserve, many of whom leave family and careers to serve overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“We must focus our efforts in ensuring that every deployed service member never has to look back with an ounce of concern about their job,” Sumner says in an exclusive interview with Veterans Advantage. “To allow anyone to be looking backwards instead of on the mission means we have failed that individual. This is unacceptable as it puts that individual and their unit’s mission in jeopardy.”

Commissioned as a Reserve Officer, Dr. Sumner had a successful military career serving in a variety of Infantry, Air Defense, and Aviation command and staff positions worldwide. A decorated combat veteran, Airborne, Ranger, and Master Army Aviator, Sumner has two Purple Hearts, and has been knighted by the Queen of England.

ESGR is providing important support for the National Guard and Reservists among the country’s employers. The Guard and Reserve now represent 48% of U.S. fighting forces. And since September 11th, 2001 attacks on America, more than 604,781 members of the National Guard have been mobilized for various missions in the War on Terror.

Other recent Veterans Advantage honorees with special citations from Veterans Advantage include:

• Entertainers Paul Newman and Bill Cosby
• Former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman William Donaldson
• Lt. Gen Martin Steele, Former Marine Corps Deputy Chief of Staff, and Former President of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum
• Former Basketball great David Robinson and Football’s Pat Tillman
• Current corporate Leaders from Dell Computer, Continental Airlines, Marriott Hotels, 7-Eleven, U-Haul, Sony, Viacom

ABOUT VETERANS ADVANTAGE
Veterans Advantage is the largest nationwide card membership program delivering recognition and rewards for U.S. Military Veterans, Active Duty Military, Retired Military, Active and Retired National Guard & Reservists, and their family members. The card membership program provides special offers and money-saving benefits as a thank you for service to the country. All who qualify are encouraged to try the 30-day free trial at www.veteransadvantage.com.

Patriotic Americans can also join the company’s newly launched companion program open to all, the US Patriot Card. A free trial is also available at www.uspatriotcard.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Roy Asfar, Vice President of Marketing
Veterans Advantage
203 422-2526 extension 21