Johnny Damon: A Great Yankee Who Bats for Vets
Posted at 2:16 pm | Filed Under Events
We hope you enjoy this week’s VetFamily feature piece — no matter which end of the New Jersey Turnpike you’re on, you’ve got to give credit to Johnny Damon of the World Champion New York Yankees. The Game Four Series hero proved his hustle with a bold double steal that solidified a key late-game rally. Impressive also is Damon’s dedication and support of the Wounded Warrior Project, which Veterans Advantage enthusiastically supports as well. Like his fellow military brat Mark Teixeira, Damon enhances the Yankee’s reputation as a team that cares for those who serve and their families.
We are pleased and honored to participate in the New York City-area Veterans Day activities for our 10th straight year, this Wednesday, November 11. We are particularly excited this year, because we have our very own Veterans Advantage float in the parade up the City’s historic Fifth Avenue. If you’re in the area, please stop by and meet Lin, me and our staff. We actually have five openings on the float, so we’ll take Veterans Advantage members on a first come/first served basis. But, even if you can’t be on the float, you can walk the parade along with us, with pride.
Just stop by our staging area at 10 AM, on the corner of Broadway and 29th Street. The parade begins at 11, so don’t miss out! Happy Veterans Day!
National Guard and Reserve are Welcome Here
Posted at 11:21 am | Filed Under Veterans Advantage benefits
This past week, Lin and I spent some time at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Georgia with some fraternity brothers and their spouses. The golf was fabulous, especially the new Creek course, and it was great to catch up with old buddies. Two of my fraternity brothers reminded me that they had served in the Army National Guard during Vietnam and asked – were they were eligible to join Veterans Advantage? My answer was a resounding “yes!” Veterans Advantage is open to all who serve or have served their country in the military including Active, Veterans, National Guard, Reserve and their families.
Too often National Guard and Reserve forces are not recognized and acknowledged for their service. That is changing. As our friend from VetJobs, Ted Daywalt wrote recently in his publication Early Eagle:
“The total number currently on active duty from the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 109,188; Navy Reserve, 6,405; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 15,949; Marine Corps Reserve, 8,559; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 656. This brings the total National Guard and Reserve personnel who have been activated to 140,757, including both units and individual augmentees.” A cumulative roster of all National Guard and Reserve personnel who are currently activated may be found by clicking here.
With an eye on your benefits this week, here’s a timely offer – our special Dell discount program now includes some really cool designs. The baseball edition is definitely worth a look. Just pick your favorite team. Of course, I’m going with the Yanks.
Great News For Fitness Buffs: 24-Hour Fitness Discounts
Posted at 2:55 pm | Filed Under New Benefits
Here’s one for your “Enhanced Veterans Advantage Benefits” file:
Our discount health club membership provider now includes 24 Hour Fitness gyms, one of the more popular club chains in the industry. Veterans Advantage members who start a new gym membership can now join 24 Hour Fitness with access to more than 380 premier clubs in 16 states, including in-demand “Signature” clubs co-branded with Lance Armstrong, Shaquille O’Neal, Andre Agassi and Magic Johnson.
With this announcement, 24-Hour Fitness is joining our growing list of leading providers available for Veterans Advantage discounts, including New York Sports Clubs, Gold’s and World Gyms, Bally’s, and so many of the smaller chains and clubs all across America. Stay fit and get a fitness discount on your monthly membership dues as a Veterans Advantage member today.
Kevin Bacon Delivers Stellar Performance Honoring Those Who Serve
Posted at 6:58 am | Filed Under veterans articles
Earlier this year, when friend and HBO President Bill Nelson invited us to his private screening of “Taking Chance, “I didn’t know what an extraordinary movie it was. Starring this week’s VetFamily feature story, Kevin Bacon delivers a stunning performance as a Marine Corps colonel in this moving and important story of service and sacrifice. As the accolades on Kevin and the movie continue to roll in, “Chance” has become an instant war classic – Be sure to see it on HBO or buy the DVD.
Kevin’s father served in WWII, and as everyone knows, he has distinguished himself in dozens of movies, especially military dramas.
Our special renewal membership sale expires soon. You can add 36 more months to your membership at half price. If you’re adding family members, we’re including a free DVD of the World War II classic Saving Private Ryan, starring Tom Hanks. Renew today and save!
Continental Airlines Boosts Veterans Advantage Member Benefit Program
Posted at 9:20 am | Filed Under Continental Airlines, New Benefits, Veterans Advantage benefits, veterans articles
We are marking the fifth anniversary of our exclusive partnership with Continental Airlines with some terrific news. Continental this week announced to our members a major announcement that combines our ongoing discount on flights with a major upgrade in Continental’s OnePass frequent traveler program.
Effective October 27, 2009, Continental plans to join Star Alliance. If you join Continental’s OnePass program beginning October 27th while redeeming your Veterans Advantage discount, you will also enjoy mileage earning opportunities on 24 major airlines and will be able to connect to over 950 cities all over the world.
There’s also a host of exciting changes to its OnePass frequent traveler program — including even fewer fees for Platinum Elite members, no more Saturday-night stay requirement for reward travel and 100% Elite Qualification Miles and Points earnings on any ticket regardless of where it was bought or issued.
Again, these all come in combination with your Veterans Advantage discount. Learn more about Continental Airlines and its enhancements to its Veterans Advantage discount here.
The City of New York Steps Up For Its Own In Iraq and Afghanistan
Posted at 12:59 pm | Filed Under veterans articles
We hope you enjoy this week’s piece about how the City of New York is stepping up to help New Yorkers who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, where 8,000 are currently serving. New York City has always had a special place in my heart, since the days when a small, dedicated group of committed Vietnam Vets, which I was privileged to have served with, helped establish the NYC Vietnam Veterans memorial in lower Manhattan. The other day I was talking with Roger Newman, the City’s Commissioner of Veterans Affairs about expanding the City’s program for Vets from the Big Apple. Click here to learn more about how to help New York City Veterans, or if you are a NYC Vet looking for help yourself.
I wanted to take this opportunity to recognize our latest Medal of Honor recipient, a young man who receives our country’s highest honor posthumously. Sergeant First Class (SFC) Jared C. Monti, a Fire Support Specialist, Targeting NCO assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York. He distinguished himself by acts of conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty against an armed enemy in Gowardesh, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan. Learn more about Sgt. Monti’s ultimate act of heroism here.
Do You Know Someone Who Needs Help From The Wounded Warrior Project?
Posted at 9:36 am | Filed Under HeroVet, veterans articles
I stopped by the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) executive offices a couple of weeks ago with Board member Peter Eldredge, and we huddled on expanding our relationship. Currently WWP Alumni, those severely disabled in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001 are eligible to join and receive a host of specialized medical services, in addition to a complimentary Veterans Advantage membership to acknowledge and thank them for their sacrifice. If you know someone who qualifies for WWP membership, tell them to click on over to www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
While visiting, I also saw an award hanging on the wall, recognizing this week’s HeroVet, Bob Kingsley. He’s a great example of someone who never forgot his roots, and is also a supporter of the WWP. Read more about Bob Kingsley and his service to the country.