Showing posts with label Veterans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Veterans. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

USAA / Become a Member / Eligibility

USAA is all over the airwaves right now hunting for customers, and for good reason.  I’ve been a member since 1996, and I have all my insurance through them because they have the best customer service that I have ever experienced, not to mention rock solid stability.

I believe in this company because everything they do is for the customer, and when you call, you get answers.  Not only do they service on the phone, but they were servicing on the internet before most seemed to know it even existed.  Everything from posted paid envelopes for your deposits to fee reimbursements for ATMs that you utilize make them tops in the service arena.

At a point in time when companies like State Farm and Allstate are cancelling people left and right in the state of Florida, USAA has not cancelled one person—they actually stated that they would never cancel me in fact.  Further, they haven’t taken a cent in federal bailout money which is all the more reason in my book to patron them.  Self sufficiency is their mantra apparently, and in an apparent era of “what’s in it for me”, I find them to be a refreshing source of responsibility.  To top it all off, they give me a refund of premium every year on my insurance because they do so well—and they already have premiums 20% below anything else I’ve check out there, including GEICO.

Do yourself a favor and see if you are eligible.  USAA is a great institution.

USAA / Become a Member / Eligibility

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Florida Brave Fund

I learned of The Florida Brave Fund (FBF) of The Community Foundation of Jacksonville while speaking to the Operations Manager at the Naval Support Activity in Panama City, FL. I happened to be there that sunny morning representing the Navy League and watching a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Midway. Very motivating as well as moving…

I cannot say for certain if FBF is government supported, but whatever the case, it sounds like an excellent solution, or partial logo-jacksonvillesolution at least, for certain military families negatively impacted by extended deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. Families may apply for grants by simply going to the website to find out the information. I included the website address here for your ease of access.

One of the many benefits that I enjoyed while being a part of the military was the numerous support mechanisms resident within our armed services. Beyond having access to many of the same private and non-private agencies that the general population accesses, we also had great agencies like this one as well as Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR), etc. Our military is the best funded and supported organization in the world, and it is something to definitely be proud of!

North Region

Friday, July 3, 2009

We Salute Those Who Protect Our Freedom to Celebrate

I’ve been a member of the US Military, and I’m currently the President of the Navy League. As a Marine (there’s no such thing as an ex-Marine), I take a lot of pride in the Fourth of July!

Last night, I had the privilege of taking my family to the Navy Base for their fireworks celebration, and it was interesting to hear my oldest son, seven artIm_4th_julyyears old, ask so many questions about what the celebration was all about. As I explained to him, it’s our country’s birthday, and he quickly asked how old we were:)! It took me a few seconds to calculate the 233 years, and I think his response must have been “Wow” or “Oh” or something…

If you stop to think about how old this country is, I think you must be in awe of how far we have come, yet the journey has only just begun. Like our lives, the country lives one day at a time, and it is a living breathing organism with so much vibrancy and life that each generation exudes their own personality in the metamorphosis of our nation into something new every day.

Take time on the Fourth of July to remember those who went before and those who gave their lives for this country. Remember the Founding Fathers and the principles that the country was founded upon, so that even though our behavior changes, the principles will always be our compass to shape the way we are and what we become.

We Salute Those Who Protect Our Freedom to Celebrate