Cover Story: Veterans Advantage Makes Special Memorial Day Donation

Greenwich, CT, May 24, 2002

Veterans Advantage, a nationwide membership program providing private-sector benefits for Veterans and their families, announced today it will be attending the 15th anniversary ‘Rolling Thunder’ motorcycle ride in Washington D.C. this Memorial Day Weekend, and is honoring the spirit of the cause by donating 25% of all membership fees generated at the event to the ride organizers.

Some estimates see over 500,000 attendees at the historic annual gathering, an event that has its roots in publicizing POW/MIA issues surrounding those reported missing or lost in military action. This year the group will also be commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

"Ever since I had the opportunity to return with a delegation to Vietnam in 1981, and help bring back the remains of American MIAs, I have taken a great interest in events such as Rolling Thunder, whose primary goal is to bring attention to the need to account for those we have lost during U.S. conflicts," said Scott Higgins, chief executive of Veterans Advantage, who served as a Army Lieutenant in Vietnam from 1967-68.

‘In light of the world events that are occurring around us, this is a very special Memorial Day. It is time for us to show our patriotism and acknowledge those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. We are honored to make this donation and to be a participant at Rolling Thunder,’ he added.

Those riding at the event are encouraged to stop by the Veterans Advantage booth at the Harley-Davidson sponsored Barbecue (Saturday, May 25). There, all qualifying attendees can sign up for Veterans Advantage membership and receive a commemorative bandana. New members will automatically be enrolled in a drawing for special giveaways; winners will be announced at the end of the weekend’s events. Veterans Advantage representatives will also be among the crowds throughout the weekend.

Veterans Advantage encourages all its members to support the event by coming to Washington to witness the turnout. As part of its travel benefits package exclusively to all Veteran members of Veterans Advantage, 50% train travel discounts will be honored by Amtrak throughout the weekend. Typically, long holiday weekends are a blackout period from special fare promotions, so Veterans Advantage thanks Amtrak for honoring our nation’s Veterans, Active Duty military, National Guard, and Reservists with this unique benefit, allowing them to travel to Memorial Day events or visit family from stationed duty.

Veterans Advantage members enjoy these savings and more via a private ‘Members-Only’ area on www.veteransadvantage.com or through the Veterans Advantage Card Membership Program. Members can take advantage of a wide range of additional benefits such as up to 10% off Dell computers, 65% off prescription drugs, entertainment discounts on restaurants, movies, theater tickets, amusement parks, low rates on wireless and landline telephone services, savings from major car rental companies, and up to 70% off over 3,000 hotels and vacation properties.

About Veterans Advantage
Veterans Advantage is dedicated to delivering new benefits to America’s Veterans, Active Duty Military, National Guard, Reservists and their families. This members-only program delivers valuable discounts on Amtrak rail travel, personal computers from Dell (NASD: DELL), rental cars from five major auto rental agencies including Ford Motor Co.’s Hertz Corp. (NYSE: F), hotel and vacation rentals as well as a free prescription drug discount program.

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Veterans Advantage Contact:
H. Scott Higgins, CEO
203-422-2526