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!

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.

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’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!

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.

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.

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.

At last count as I am writing this blog entry, I must say I am somewhat surprised to see the majority of you are planning on buying a car in the next year. For our economy’s sake, I hope so, too.

And if you are interested in our most recent polls, check these out:

• What’s your source for Do-It-Yourself home remodeling? Some were not surprised to see Lowe’s won, but wow, by such a wide margin!
• New benefits that you want to see in the Veterans Advantage program: We always take our feedback in this area and try to find the best of the best for you.

Going forward, you should visit our “Resources” section regularly for more updates.

Our editor’s special picks should make for interesting reading about all military families as well. For starters, our VetFamily profile this week reveals a very disciplined side to two-time Academy Award nominated actress Amy Adams, and how an ol’ fashioned Army brat upbringing has led her to her latest achievement, co-starring with Meryl Streep in this month’s hit “Julie and Julia.” Secondly, be sure to check out the report from our military disabilities expert, Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, about how war-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is affecting children returning to school this year.

Want to read our newsletter before joining Veterans Advantage? No problem: Here’s a sample.

The place was packed! One of the Apple sales associates on the floor told me they frequently have a line streaming out the door of the store.

Nonetheless, my kids were excited too, making many of the same back to school purchases as the mall shoppers I saw that day. The Apple products are beautifully designed, and user-friendly. They’re cool, no doubt about it. For the MacBook Air, my salesman said my Veterans Advantage deal was better than the Apple student discount, so if you are making purchases for the student in your household, make sure to compare! I encourage you to shop with our special Members Only Apple online shopping link or, do what I did, which is to simply present your Veterans Advantage membership card at any Apple Store today for great savings.

Not sure where your local Apple store is today? Click here for a growing list of locations in the states and around the world that are accepting the Veterans Advantage Card for discount today.

And if you want to become a member and get access to this instant online discount, too, click here.