Cover Story: Special Veterans Day Events Honor Heroes of Past, Present and Future

In New York City, the weather held for the 85th celebration of service at its Veterans Day Parade up Fifth Avenue. Twenty-five thousand veterans and their supporters made the two-mile route as 1.5 million people (estimated by the NYPD) lined the streets, many carrying signs welcoming Veterans and thanking them for service to the nation.

Keeping with tradition of recent years, Veterans Advantage teamed up with Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum to host a special gathering after parade. Special guests included Major General Richard Colt, Major General John Hawkins, the U.S. Army Reserve’s Deputy Chief of Public Affairs; Col. Tom Tyrell, Intrepid Chief Executive Officer; and Vince McGowan, President of the United War Veterans’ Council ("UWVC"). Kicking off the ceremonies was Scott Higgins, founder and president of Veterans Advantage.

Commenting on the Veterans Day ceremony McGowan was extremely positive:

"When the ceremonies concluded with a 21 gun salute and a wreath tossing ceremony of 2 circles of flowers tossed into the Hudson River, good luck continued to shine on us even in the drizzle that developed: The wreaths both landed right side up. Not a common occurrence when tossed from 60 feet above the water. This is a good sign for our future," he said.

"Even in uncertain times, perseverance, determination and the willingness to move ahead are the American attributes that pay off in success," McGowan added.

In his comments for the audience, Scott Higgins, founder and president of Veterans Advantage, offered special recognition for its partnership with the Employer Support of Guard and Reserve (ESGR). He called the 31-year old DoD agency, and the armed forces it serves, an important factor in the future of our country, given the recent mobilization of 47,000 Guard and Reserve, representing the single largest call-up of our "citizen-soldiers" since World War II.

"We are reminded of how important Guard & Reserve are to our national defense program. In this capacity, ESGR--working with U.S. employers--is demonstrating that Guard and Reservists are playing an increasingly critical role in the defense of our country," Higgins said. Representing ESGR at the event was Lt. Col. Stephen C. Brozak, USMC Project Officer, Marketing and Employer Services.

At the conclusion of the event, Veterans Advantage hosted a special drawing of door prizes from its program partners, including two free Acela tickets for Amtrak travel, Dell’ new Digital DJ and Axim handheld personal organizer, and an entertainment package from Working Advantage, including two free movie tickets, popcorn and soda from AMC theaters.

Marine Corps Also Honored
Prior to Veterans Day, Veterans Advantage helped support the annual Marine Corps Birthday Gala also aboard the Intrepid. The USMC evening gala benefited both the Intrepid Foundation’s Fallen Heroes Fund, and the Fisher House Foundation. The Fisher House Foundation has donated over 30 housing facilities around the world for service members, veterans, and their families to stay at while a injured or wounded loved one is hospitalized.

Veterans Advantage Partners (l. to r.): Bonny Carroll, founder of Tragedy Assistance Programs for Survivors; ESGR’s Bill Chatfield; Citigroup’s Judith Binney

As always, the formal gathering was a star-studded affair, hosted by Marines Gerry Byrne and Harvey Keitel, with top military brass and Hollywood Stars also attending. Sitting with us at the Veterans Advantage table were officials of ESGR (see photo), Bonnie Carroll of the TAPS organization, corporate partner Citigroup, and Frederick Peterson, one of our lucky VA members to receive free tickets to the event, compliments of Veterans Advantage.