Scott Higgins, WeSalute Co-founder & Co-CEO
Military & Veterans News
Scott's View: Remembering Arnold Palmer at the 2017 Masters Tournament
As an avid golfer, I have always been an admirer of Arnold Palmer both as a world-class golfer and fellow veteran. He is sorely missed at this year's Masters golf tournament in Augusta, GA.
Military & Veterans Life
Veterans Advantage Recognizes Vietnam War Veterans
We were pleased to see President Trump proclaim March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day. This is the first time the nation has designated a day to honor those who served and sacrificed in Vietnam. It was a long time coming, but March 29 now solidifies our national observance.
Military & Veterans News
Scott's View: Learn about “The Siren’s Call and Second Chances” and our New Benefit with YourMechanic
We hope you enjoy this week's Cover Story about Tom and Joan Kelley. Many of you know Tom for his acts of heroism that made him a Medal of Honor recipient. You may also be interested in knowing his long and winding road to find a soulmate, and a fellow Navy veteran. Go Navy!
Military & Veterans News
Scott's View: "The Siren’s Call and Second Chances" by Medal of Honor Recipient Tom Kelley and His Wife, Joan
I was pleased to hear the news that Medal of Honor recipient Tom Kelley's hard work has finally paid off. He, along with the co-authorship of his wife Joan, are now published on Amazon.com with the Release of “The Siren's Call and Second Chances.
Military & Veterans Life
Scott's View: Morgan Freeman - From the Air Force to Oscar Stardom
With the Oscars this month, we wanted to recognize the indomitable spirit and extraordinary talent of Morgan Freeman. As you can read in this week's CelebVet feature, he is a man of deep insight and lives with a sense of purpose. He took what inspired him as a young kid, and made his life a success through persistence, a belief in himself and a sense of importance of giving back.
Military & Veterans News
Scott's View: Helping Our Veterans in Washington, D.C.
For those of us in the northeast, it's been an unusually warm January. But don't let that distract you from the special days this time of year. This week's newsletter highlights travel options for a romantic getaway, or a trip to Super Bowl 51 in Houston this weekend, or a special Valentine's gift for someone special in your life from 1800flowers.Military & Veterans Life
Scott's View: Get to Know Peter Sarsgaard, who Stars in Jackie
Natalie Portman as Jackie Kennedy and Peter Sarsgaard as Bobby Kennedy in "Jackie." (Photo by William Gray. © 2016 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved.) Most know January as the time for football playoffs and the upcoming Super Bowl. Just as many Americans, however, view this month as the beginning of Oscar season. Destined to get a lot of Oscar hardware this season is the blockbuster film Jackie, featuring VetFamily Peter Sarsgaard. Peter lived the military brat lifestyle, brought military life to the silver screen, and now is co-starring in the role of a lifetime.
Military & Veterans Life
Scott's View: Fisher House Expands it's Mission to Serve Military, Vets, and their Families
Just days after we recognized Fisher House Chairman Kenneth Fisher, here’s exciting news for the military and veteran community: The U.S.
Military & Veterans News
Scott's View: Three New Benefits and Recognizing Our WWII Veterans
With a focus on three new benefits for 2016 - Harry & David, Wolferman's and Extended Stay America - Veterans Advantage is delighted to provide timely discounts to help you this holiday season.
Military & Veterans News
Scott's View: Remembering the 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor
This Wednesday, Dec. 7 marks the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941), which – until 9/11/2001 – was known as the greatest attack on U.S. soil. We lost 2403 brave Americans serving that day. An additional 1,178 were wounded. Eighteen ships were sunk or run aground, including five battleships. Our nation was stunned by the surprise attack, as we were completely unprepared. President Franklin Roosevelt declared Dec. 7, 1941 a "date which will live in infamy." Pearl Harbor pulled America immediately into World War II.
Military & Veterans News
Scott's View: Thanksgiving 2016: A Time for Gratitude in America
November is a time to give thanks, especially over Thanksgiving 2016. Take a moment to say a prayer for those in harm's way, serving and sacrificing away from a warm home and a loving family on behalf of our country.
Military & Veterans News
Scott's View: Election Day and Veterans Day 2016
Election Day 2016 has been described as one of the most critical votes in a generation. Maybe longer. And while millions of Americans are going to the polls today and whatever the outcome, it is a reminder to all of the freedoms we enjoy that allow a day like this to happen.
Military & Veterans News
Scott's View: November is Military Family Month: Help a Military Family in Need!
For 23 years, America has recognized Military Family Month to honor military families through awareness, public and private initiatives and service programs. It's a month for all of us to acknowledge the special service and sacrifices of our military family members.
Military & Veterans News
Scott's View: Veterans Advantage Announces Veterans Week NYC Events Next Month
As one of the founders of Veterans Week NYC, we are delighted to announce our fifth annual Veterans Week in the New York City area. The week is packed with events celebrating veteran service to our country, including three Veterans Advantage events:
Military & Veterans Life
Scott's View: Remembering Arnold Palmer's Life of Service, On and Off The Golf Course
This week we honor Arnold Palmer as our HeroVet. We first profiled Arnie as a TopVet in 2014, but with his passing last weekend, we had an opportunity to celebrate his substantial charitable activities and award him HeroVet status posthumously. It is only when we look at Palmer’s whole life, on and off the course, do we realize how special a man he was -- from helping to build hospitals, popularizing the game that he loved so dearly to being recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Military & Veterans News
Scott's View: A Note About 9/11/2001
No doubt by now you have read all the news reports and retrospectives this week about what transpired on that fateful day 15 years ago, 9/11/2001, but only a few of these reports ever come through the lens of the American military veteran.
Discounts & Benefits
Scott's View: Labor Day Discount Shopping Reminder
Heads up! With the Labor Day weekend, we have the intersection of one of the busiest shopping holidays of the year with back-to-school shopping hitting its peak. With exclusive benefits, Greyhound and Foot Locker have been supporting Veterans Advantage members for a combined 20 years – each with 20% everyday savings.
Military & Veterans News
Scott's View: Remembering Full Metal Jacket and R. Lee Ermey Nearly 30 Years Later
It's hard to believe that it's been nearly 30 years since the premiere of Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket. At the height of Hollywood’s fascination with the Vietnam War, Full Metal Jacket is a raw reality drama that brings home "the hours of boredom, the seconds of terror" in war. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Writing, it is considered one of Kubrick's finest films.
Military & Veterans News
Scott's View: Today We Commemorate Flag Day and Celebrate the U.S. Army's Birthday
America’s Army was founded on June 14, 1775, the same day as our U.S. Flag. Today, Flag Day, the official day of commemoration of the founding of our American flag, is celebrated each year on June 14th, the U.S. Army’s Birthday.
Military & Veterans News
Scott's View: Memorial Day 2016: A Fitting End To Military Appreciation Month
Military Appreciation Month in May is an annual celebration of patriotism. It also reaffirms our mission to make sure we honor service every day. From our popular 50% off member "thank you" sale completed last week, to our support of Team USA at the Invictus Games earlier this month, your service to our country is always in our hearts and minds.
Military & Veterans News
Scott's View: Invictus Games 2016: Veterans Advantage Honors Wounded Warrior Paralympians
Earlier this week, Veterans Advantage honored 115 members of Team USA, our military veteran Paralympic team competing at the 2016 Invictus Games, with free Veterans Advantage.
Military & Veterans Life
Scott's View: Kenneth Fisher, Chairman of Fisher House and This Week’s Invictus Games 2016
There are few people in this country who have done as much for today's military as Ken Fisher, Chairman and CEO of the Fisher House Foundation and our VetFamily honoree. Ken has created Fisher Houses in the U.S. and abroad - there are now 70 of these comfort homes and many more under construction - that provide accommodations at no cost to the families of servicemen and women who are receiving treatment in nearby military hospitals.
Military & Veterans Life
Scott's View: Justin Constantine, Looking Out For His Fellow Veterans
If you are a regular reader of my blog, you may be hearing the name Justin Constantine for the first time. In an exclusive interview with Veterans Advantage, the former Marine Corps Colonel shares his inspirational story of service before self. We have awarded him as our newest HeroVet, having overcome his serious injuries sustained in Iraq, and now distinguishing himself by his contributions to his fellow veterans and leadership in his civilian life. Justin tells us he has been guided both by the experience of his injury and the skills he gained from his military service.
Military & Veterans Life
Scott's View: Country Music’s Love For the Military Shows In Award-Winning Singer Dierks Bentley
We hope you enjoy this month's feature on Dierks Bentley. As any vet will attest, country music is a favorite among our military. That's been true for as long as I can remember, which goes back to Johnny Cash, who was an Air Force veteran. Maybe it's the intense love for our land shared by the singers and veterans alike which makes country music so compelling from a patriotic perspective.