Veterans Advantage Wraps Up Veterans Week NYC 2015
250,000 NYC-Based Veterans and Their Families Honored During Week-Long Celebration
250,000 NYC-Based Veterans and Their Families Honored During Week-Long Celebration
NEW YORK, Nov. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 17, Veterans Week NYC 2015 wrapped up in New York City. Veterans Advantage, one of the co-founders of the annual event, once again joined the celebration, during which it participated in the Veterans Day Parade, hosted a special HBO screening and invited veterans and world class athletes to come together for Heroes Meet Heroes.
On Veterans Day, November 11, the Veterans Advantage float – sponsored in part by the Avis Budget Group and 1800Flowers.com – traveled up 5th Avenue from 26th Street to 52nd Street in Manhattan in a celebration of service known as "America's Parade." As expected, 25,000 veterans marched and tens of thousands of spectators lined the historic route, bearing U.S. flags, holding signs and applauding to show their support of military members, both past and present.
Robert Morgenthau, a World War II veteran and former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, served as Grand Marshall of the parade together with the Honorary Grand Marshall, Navy Secretary and veteran Ray Mabus. Veteran Paul Bucha, a Veterans Advantage Board of Advisors member and Medal of Honor recipient, served as a host of the nationally televised event.
That evening, Scott Higgins, a Vietnam War veteran and Veterans Advantage founder and CEO, hosted guests at a private screening of HBO's "Dear America: Letters Home From Vietnam." The documentary film is based on the best-selling book of the same name by the New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission, which Higgins co-chaired. The special screening was made possible by HBO, who re-digitized the Emmy Award-winning film, and IMAX, who sponsored and hosted the event at its AMC Loews 34th Street Theatre.
Finally, on November 15, Veterans Advantage held its fourth annual Heroes Meet Heroes event, sponsored by Foot Locker and hosted at the New York Athletic Club. There, veterans, military personnel and their families came together for a chance to meet with U.S. Olympians and world-class athletes. Some of America's fastest and strongest stars, including judoka Janine Nakao, high jumper Priscilla Frederick, sprinter Brycen Spratling and hammer thrower Amanda Bingson met face-to-face with veterans and their family members as they enjoyed refreshments in the beautiful setting of the club's historic Trophy Room.
"It's wonderful to see such dedicated individuals who serve our country in two very different ways, meet for such a memorable occasion," said Lin Higgins, co-founder of Veterans Advantage, who conceived and created the event four years ago. "We are grateful for Foot Locker's support in bringing us together at The New York Athletic Club, an iconic setting for this gathering, wrapping up our busiest week of the year," she added.
Guests in attendance were awarded free five-year memberships to Veterans Advantage, which will include the VetRewards Card, the official card of Veterans Week NYC. The card helps deliver exclusive military discounts and insurance coverage to veterans who, upon separating from the military, lose access to many such valuable benefits. Each of the world-class athletes in attendance received a $100 gift card from Foot Locker.
For more information on Heroes Meet Heroes, visit VeteransAdvantage.com/heroes.
About Veterans Week NYC:
Veterans Week NYC was established by mayoral proclamation in November 2012. Created to honor New York City's veterans and their families, Veterans Week NYC has become one of the largest celebrations of service in the nation. Veterans Week NYC was founded by Veterans Advantage Board of Advisors member Gerry Byrne together with co-founders Paul Bucha, Ken Fisher, Scott Higgins and Ed Vick. Veterans Advantage's VetRewards Card is the official card of Veterans Week NYC. More at VeteransWeekNYC.org.
About Veterans Advantage:
Veterans Advantage advocates for greater respect, recognition and rewards for veterans and their families by creating and issuing new service-related benefits with a coalition of partner companies. Founded in 2000 by prominent Vietnam War veterans, Veterans Advantage partners with national retailers, travel industry leaders and insurance providers to deliver exclusive benefits, complimentary insurance coverage and access to special services for enrolled members. Member eligibility for Veterans Advantage is verified using the Veterans Advantage Member ID online, by toll-free phone and at point-of-sale locations nationwide. More at VeteransAdvantage.com.
Media Contact:
Roy Asfar
Veterans Advantage
[email protected]
1-203-422-2526
veteransadvantage.com
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151125/291154
SOURCE Veterans Advantage
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