FIRST FOUR-STAR GENERAL FOR THE NATIONAL GUARD
Posted at 1:36 pm | Filed Under veterans articles
Good news for the National Guard, which always deserves special praise. Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley pinned on his fourth star and became chief of the National Guard Bureau in a ceremony at the Pentagon.
More than 300 people from all ranks, services and many states’ National Guards then watched Gates swear in McKinley as the first four-star general to lead the National Guard in its 372-year history.
“The promotion of Gen. Craig McKinley to this rank, to serve in this post, is in recognition of his outstanding leadership abilities and shows the confidence the president and I have in him to be the nation’s senior Guard officer at such a critical time,” Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said. Gates said McKinley successfully led the Air Guard during a time of severe manpower reductions and major challenges posed by the global war on terrorism, base realignment and closure implementation, budget changes and the transformation of the National Guard from a strategic reserve to an operational force.
McKinley succeeds Army Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum, who served in the post for more than five years and in January will become deputy commander of U.S. Northern Command, the first Guard officer to hold that position.
In other news on the four-star front, we profiled the first female four-star general of the Army, Ann. E. Dunwoody, who also represents three generations serving our armed fources with honor.
SEMPER FI: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE U.S. MARINES
Posted at 4:11 pm | Filed Under veterans articles
As part of our annual participation at the Marine Corps Birthday Gala in New York City, we have honored Veterans Advantage board member Gerry Byrne, the co-chair and founder of the event for his extraordinary accomplishments, too numerous to list here. This month we honor his co-chair, Marine and actor Harvey Keitel. Byrne and Keitel started the event 11 years ago, and have made it a real institution among Marines and those in the NYC area. From the Mayor’s office, to the Commandant himself, everyone has something great to say about this night honoring the Corps and service to the country. Proceeds from the event this year support Fisher House, which provides free or low cost lodging to veterans and military families receiving treatment at military medical centers. With his great sense of purpose and enthusiasm, and dedication to helping others, Harvey embodies the Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis. Thank you, Harvey
Attending the Gala with Lin and me were Board member Peter Eldredge (a former Publisher of Newsweek) and his wife Carol, great friends Katie and Matt Gormly (Katie’s Marine father Jack Meyer was a former Publisher of Time), and Maureen Reidy, the former head of the Miss Universe organization. It was a spectacular evening
Finally, I cannot write to you this week without a note about our presidential election. While we may differ politically, all of us can take pride in our country breaking with its racial past. We are turning a new page in American history and as John McCain reminded us in his gracious concession speech, now is the time to pull together as a nation, and strengthen our resolve to address the serious and complicated issues facing our country. None of this will be easy. As we approach Veterans Day, we pray for our troops, that they may one day return safely to their families and loved ones.
ESCAPE TO NYC FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Posted at 10:56 am | Filed Under veterans articles
Hat’s off to the Patriot News of Harrisburg, PA, for reminding those who served that they qualify for Amtrak discounts, most notably to the New York City area during the very popular and memorable holiday season. Just sign up for the Veterans Advantage card today.
On that subject, its also worth a reminder that Veterans Advantage members also qualify for special discounts on the Northeast Shuttle (Washington, DC - New York - Boston) run by Delta Airlines and U.S. Airways.
Finally, let’s not forget one of our best discount parters — Continental Airlines — has a major hub in the New York City area. Veterans Advantage members can get 5% discounts every time they book at continental.com, while also accumulating their One Pass frequent flier mileage points, too.
HELPING YOU WITH YOUR EVERYDAY FINANCIAL NEEDS
Posted at 1:07 pm | Filed Under veterans articles
With the dramatic events of the last week, most people and their families and businesses are struggling to cope with a weakening economy and plunging financial markets. This crisis hits all of us, but it’s especially difficult for those who serve overseas and their families; they’re already saddled with a host of financial, family and personal issues associated with a deployment halfway around the world. This week’s exclusive column in our Military/PTSD Transition Center focuses on the need to treat those who suffer from TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and PTSD when they return to the States. We have to find a way to adequately address these significant healthcare issues in a tough economy. Thankfully, Give an Hour’s Dr. Barbara Romberg is leading an effort to provide free and low-cost treatment for veterans who suffer from these debilitating conditions. Please visit Give an Hour today, and learn about this important new initiative at Veterans Advantage.
This week, we are providing special coverage to another financial need during tough economic times - insurance and health care. Through Veterans Advantage, you’re covered with $55,000 in special travel and accident insurance, when you activate your participation in our group policy in Members Only. This insurance coverage is a benefit of membership – there’s no additional fee. Lastly, remember to use our drug discount program for your prescription drugs; it provides discounts up to 65% (15-20% off on average) on hundreds of medications and is accepted at over 50,000 pharmacies across America.
As you know, we are dedicated to partnering with companies that want to thank and honor those who serve with discounts on their goods and services. We will be announcing a group of exciting new partners in the coming weeks - just in time for the holidays! Stay tuned.
WELCOME THE INTREPID MUSEUM HOME
Posted at 8:25 am | Filed Under veterans articles
I was excited to see the U.S.S. Intrepid pull into its familiar home, at New York’s Pier 86, after a two-year refurbishment program, a spectacular upgrade for the legendary aircraft carrier. We at Veterans Advantage have traced much of our eight-year history through the Intrepid Museum, with one of our board members once serving as the museum’s CEO. And we have held several major Veterans events on the ship, including one right after 9/11.
Among five retired World War II aircraft carriers serving today as museums, none has a record to match Intrepid’s. Launched in 1943, it fought in six major Pacific campaigns, losing 270 crew members — mostly to Japanese kamikazes. It also served in the Korean and Vietnam wars and was twice a recovery ship for NASA astronauts before being decommissioned in 1974. Alongside it will also be a British Airways Concorde supersonic jet, a tribute to high speed air travel.
We send best wishes to the Intrepid Museum’s CEO Bill White, a friend of Veterans Advantage, as he relaunches this fabled carrier and leads the Intrepid Museum with purpose and enthusiasm.
White also heads the Fisher-created Intrepid Foundation, whose projects range from education to the Fallen Heroes Fund, supporting families of war dead and wounded. Its latest project is a new state-of-the-art treatment center for traumatic brain injuries at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Washington, D.C.
And, finally of course, rest in peace WWII Navy Veteran Paul Newman.
SONS OF CANDIDATES OFF TO IRAQ
Posted at 12:34 pm | Filed Under veterans articles
These are exciting times for our country. Frankly, it’s encouraging to see presidential candidates from both sides of the aisle increasingly in tune with the needs of those who serve. As this week’s feature story shows, both Vice Presidential Candidates have sons about to serve on the ground in Iraq. No matter what your politics, you have to agree there’s much more of a personal investment when leaders in Washington know what it means for the entire family to sacrifice and serve our country.
We wanted to highlight Continental Airlines this week as well. As many of you know the Houston area - Continental’s main hub - was hit hard by Hurricane Ike. Thankfully, Continental reports that it’s making great progress in returning to full service in Houston, which is good news for those flying to/from/through this very busy airport…and with your regular 5% Veterans Advantage discount. More updates here.
FALL SEASON EDITION
Posted at 2:08 am | Filed Under veterans articles
This week, we welcome you to our fall season edition, with a roundup of special places in America where you can enjoy the changing of the color that comes with fall foliage. Enjoy our discounts on the Delta or US Airways Shuttle, for instance, from New York or Washington, and you can experience the marvelous New England foliage when you touch down in Boston.
It’s also back to school season, and I’m struck by how much the Apple iPod has become an education tool. There are a wealth of audiobooks out there, but schools and universities across America are embracing the iPod. So check out our special Apple discounts today.
Speaking of school, we just awarded three wonderful children of Veterans Advantage members, $1,000 each as part of our third annual Veterans Advantage scholarship program. I just reviewed their applications, terrific kids. One has got a Dad currently serving in Iraq. More on this soon.
Lastly, be sure to read Dr. Romberg’s column this week. The Founder of Give-An-Hour writes about the “subtle but critical shift within the military community” to recognize the psychological consequences of combat. She makes reference to Admiral Mullen’s remarks in May of this year that “make clear that a strong military force requires a proactive response to these consequences. They provide encouragement for officers to lead by example by seeking appropriate mental health care when needed. And, most important, they make acknowledging the need for help and seeking appropriate care honorable and courageous acts.”