Cover Story: Veterans Week 2014, A Memorable Time For Military, Veterans And Their Families

The annual tradition continues. Veterans Advantage honored the military and veteran community in November with events and new benefits as part of Veterans Week NYC 2014 and Military Family Appreciation Month.

Starting with the annual Veterans Day Parade in New York City, the largest of its kind in the country, Veterans Advantage joined the thousands of active duty and veteran marchers who honor those who served, while highlighting many of our key benefit partners on our parade float.

Later in the week, Veterans Advantage hosted its third annual "Heroes Meet Heroes" event for VetRewards Card members, Veterans in the community, and industry VIPs, introducing Vets to Olympic athletes in a memorable combination of bravery and strength.

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ker and Veterans Advantage,"'Heroes Meet Heroes' represents an important acknowledgement and celebration of service to country and athletic achievement," said Scott Higgins, a Vietnam Veteran, and Veterans Advantage Founder and CEO."Coupled with an amazing turnout at New York City's Veterans Day Parade – and parades all across the country – Vets have a lot to be proud of this year."

VETERANS DAY: NOVEMBER 11TH 2014

On Veterans Day, November 11^th, Veterans Advantage participated in the annual NYC Veterans Day Parade. In remarks at a ceremony prior to the Parade, Paul W. "Bud" Bucha, a Medal of Honor Recipient (Vietnam) and Veterans Advantage Advisory Board member, spoke passionately about the value of service and the 50^th Anniversary Commemoration of the start of the Vietnam War. Veterans Advantage is a Commemorative Partner of this DoD initiative to recognize Vietnam Veterans on this 50^th Anniversary.

Fellow Vietnam Veteran Ray Kelly, a Marine and former NYC Police Commissioner, served as the Grand Marshall of the Parade. "Virtually everything I leaned about leadership came from service in the Marine Corps," he told the crowd.

Scott and Lin Higgins, Veterans Advantage Founders, represented VetRewards Card holders by participating in the Veterans Day parade, and presenting Veterans Advantage’s own memorial wreath for the fallen at the annual pre-parade ceremony.

After the NYC parade, Veterans Advantage hosted "Heroes Meet Heroes," a Veteran Advantage Members Only reception in the storied Trophy Room of the New York Athletic Club for Military and Veteran Families to meet our Olympic Champions who have trained at the NYAC, the country’s premier training facility for Olympic Athletes. The Master of Ceremonies, Donna de Varona, a two time Olympic Gold Medalist in swimming, and Veterans Advantage Advisory Board Member, introduced guest speaker Paul Bucha, while also recognizing Guest of Honor Cedric Jones, Athletic Director of the New York Athletic Club and former NFL Star.

SIGNIFICANT NEW VETERANS ADVANTAGE PARTNERSHIPS NATIONWIDE

Finally, in an exciting Veterans Week announcement, Veterans Advantage launched a great new benefit partner who seeks to reward those who serve.

"Veterans Advantage is led by Vietnam Vets who are fully committed to never again let the nation forget a generation of our warriors and their families who have served and sacrificed for our freedoms," said Scott Higgins, in a joint press release, again emphasizing and remembering his fellow Vietnam Veterans. "We are passionate about our mission of greater recognition, respect, and rewards and grateful for JetBlue's support. We feel privileged to be selected as their military partner."JetBlue Airways, in partnership with Veterans Advantage, introduced a new discount program for U.S. active duty military, retired Veterans, National Guard and Reserve and their families. Members enrolled in Veterans Advantage will receive a 5 percent discount off of base fares on JetBlue flights with no blackout dates. JetBlue will also waive its standard $25 phone booking fee when Veterans Advantage members call 1-800-JETBLUE to book with their discount. Members enrolled in TrueBlue, JetBlue's loyalty program, will also earn points from their trips for use on future travel.

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