Aaron’s, Inc. to Honor Armed Forces Foundation with Commemorative NASCAR Racecar at Charlotte

ATLANTA, April 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Aaron’s, Inc. (NYSE: AAN) announced today it will honor the Armed Forces Foundation (AFF) with a commemorative NASCAR racecar at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte during the upcoming race Memorial weekend, Sunday, May 30. The paint scheme will feature a patriotic red, white and blue design.

In addition to the custom paint scheme for the Michael Waltrip Racing No. 00 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota, driven by David Reutimann, Aaron’s will also donate a minimum of $10,000 to the AFF. However, if Reutimann finishes in the top five at Charlotte, Aaron’s will double the donation to $20,000. If Reutimann wins the race, Aaron’s will donate $200,000 to the AFF.

“As a longtime partner of the AFF, Aaron’s never fails to find new and exciting ways to show their support for the nation’s military,” said Patricia Driscoll, AFF President and Executive Director. “A NASCAR racecar adorned with the AFF logo will generate tremendous visibility for our program, delivering more impact in a single day than anything we have done in the past.”

Aaron’s COO, Ken Butler, said, “The work of the AFF is vitally important because it supports not only military soldiers, but also their families and the sacrifices they make every day. So to take this program a step further, Aaron’s has partnered with the AFF to raise additional funds through a texting campaign. We’re encouraging partners, customers and friends to text ‘AFF’ to 50555 and contribute $10 that will support our country’s military and their families.” The text campaign will run through the end of 2010.

The red, white and blue AFF racecar will be unveiled today before the Aaron’s 312 race at Talladega.

About Aaron’s, Inc.

Aaron’s, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), the nation’s leader in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of residential and office furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, has more than 1,700 Company-operated and franchised stores in 48 states and Canada. Founded in 1955 by entrepreneur R. Charles Loudermilk, Sr. and headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron’s has been publicly traded since 1982. For more information, visit www.aaronsinc.com.

About Armed Forces Foundation

In 2001 the Armed Forces Foundation (AFF) was established as a 501(c)3 organization under the U.S. Department of Defense’s America Supports You program. AFF offers vital assistance to active-duty and retired personnel, National Guard, Reserve Components and military families as they cope with difficult circumstances. Through a multitude of programs the Armed Forces Foundation assists military families with utilities and rent; hotel and travel costs; holiday gifts for military children; and therapeutic recreational activities. The Armed Forces Foundation has been recognized by the President of the United States, the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Education and the Department of Energy for its dedication to America’s Service Members. For more information on our Foundation or to aid us in our mission please visit us at our website www.armedforcesfoundation.org.

Walt Disney World Resort Celebrates U.S. Military in 2010 With Special Ticket, Lodging Offers

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ — As Disney Parks ask “What Will You Celebrate?” and invite guests to turn their personal milestones into magical family vacations in 2010, America’s military personnel will have more reasons to celebrate: Special offers on theme park tickets and accommodations.

With Disney’s Armed Forces Salute, from Jan. 3 to July 31, 2010, active and retired U.S. military personnel (including active and retired members of the United States Coast Guard and active members of the National Guard or Reservists) or their spouses can purchase Disney’s 4-Day Military Promotional Base Tickets for $99, plus tax, for themselves and up to five additional family members or friends for use at Walt Disney World Resort. The Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More options can be added for an additional $26, plus tax, per option, per ticket. No more than six Disney’s 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets (with or without options) may be purchased by any eligible member of the U.S. military (and/or spouse) pursuant to this offer.

All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be used by Sept. 30, 2010. However, the tickets and options are not valid for use on the following blockout dates: March 27, 2010, to April 9, 2010, for all Walt Disney World theme parks and other gated attractions; and July 3 to July 4, 2010, for the Magic Kingdom park.

Active and retired U.S. military personnel also can save up to 40 percent on rooms at select Disney resorts! Read More »

Soldiers’ Angels Operation Top Knot Supports Moms

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — America’s largest military baby shower will be held on October 10 in Las Vegas for 32 new and expectant mothers who have deployed partners or are active-duty servicewomen. Sponsored by Operation Top Knot, a project of nonprofit Soldiers’ Angels, the surprise event will include gifts from the local community and flowers from expectant fathers.

Soldiers’ Angels team Operation Top Knot is a nationwide network of individuals who use their talents to support infants and expectant mothers of military families. Dedicated volunteers knit, crochet, sew, quilt, and design blankets, baby clothes and other homemade gifts. They also assemble and deliver or ship gift baskets for mother and child. Additionally, they help deployed fathers celebrate by sending them “It’s a Boy!” or “It’s a Girl!” bubblegum cigars.

This giant baby shower is a new endeavor for many members of the Top Knot team, says local leader Jody Shervanick. “So often Top Knot volunteers never meet the people they are supporting, so the opportunity to experience a personal touch through this giant baby shower is very exciting,” she notes. Shervanick is proud to support Las Vegas military families this way. “New motherhood is challenging enough under ideal circumstances, so being able to support and lift up these mothers while their partners are deployed is just fantastic. It helps ensure moms have what they need, and reassures deployed dads that their loved ones are cared for so that they can focus on their mission.”

The shower will be held on October 10 at the Nevada National Guard Armory in Las Vegas, 6400 Range Road, from 1 p.m. to 3 pm. The press is welcome to attend, and no permission from Public Affairs is needed.

Soldiers’ Angels is a volunteer-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing aid and comfort to America’s military men and women, as well as veterans and military families. For more information, see www.soldiersangels.org or contact Jody Shervanick of Soldiers’ Angels (702-862-6064), Top Knot Vice President Caren Vink (cvink@soldiersangels.org), or Yvette Weigold of Clark County Armory (702-632-0513).

Could it be? Wow, that’s one heck of a claim to make. No wonder FBI Director Mueller was so P.O.’d.
Perhaps the FBI will assert extraterritorial jurisdiction in this matter.

From Timesonline.com:

The British government decided it was “in the overwhelming interests of the United Kingdom” to make Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber, eligible for return to Libya, leaked ministerial letters reveal.

Gordon Brown’s government made the decision after discussions between Libya and BP over a multi-million-pound oil exploration deal had hit difficulties. These were resolved soon afterwards.

So, you see, terrorism and ‘lest we forget’ has been thrown out the window -for a price.

-Josh Truman

(Subject to Change)

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The following is being issued by American Legion:

Saturday, Aug. 22

11:00 a.m. Veterans Job & Benefits Fair: Galt House Exhibit Hall, 2nd Floor (until 4:00 p.m.)

(Open to ALL military veterans)

8:00 a.m. Color Guard Competition: Convention Center, Hall 2D, Level 2 – Until 11:00 a.m.

1:00 p.m. American Legion Band Competition: Convention Center, Cascade Ballroom, Level 1

Both events provide great photo and sound opportunities.

National Security — Foreign Relations: Convention Center, Level 2, Rooms 210 & 211

1st Floor

9:15 a.m. U.S. Army Soldier Panel

10:00 a.m. Stephen T. Ganyard, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Plans, Programs and Operations, Political-Military Affairs

10:45 a.m. Col. Felix L. Santiago, Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation

11:15 a.m. Bron R. Mogenis, Dept. of Homeland Security/FBI – Counterterrorism

Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation: Convention Center, Level 2, Room 209

8:45 a.m. Philip Longman, Author: Best Care Anywhere — Why VA Healthcare is Better Than Yours

9:15 a.m. Laura Balun, Director, voluntary Service Office, Dept. of Veterans Affairs

9:45 a.m. John Wordin, Executive Director, Ride to Recovery

10:15 a.m. Mike Dusenbury, Southern Area Director, Dept. of Veterans Affairs

10:45 a.m. Dr. Jan E. Kemp and Michelle Cartagena, VA National Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Canandaigua VAMC, Dept. of Veterans Affairs Read More »

Hotel Packages Starting At $110; Plus Free Admission And Discounts Through Veterans Day

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ — Calling all military personnel — Philadelphia, the city where the U.S. Army, Navy and Marines were all founded, invites the military and their families to have some fun in America’s birthplace while taking advantage of tours and special offers available to them, now through Veterans Day. The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation’s (GPTMC) Web site, gophila.com/history is loaded with special offers and themed itineraries dedicated to military visiting Historic Philadelphia. The site highlights places of historic interest to the armed forces and features information about hundreds of dollars in savings available to them. Best of all, Philadelphia is within a five-hour drive of military bases in Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Washington, DC, Ohio, Connecticut, Delaware and Pennsylvania, making for an easy deployment.

Promotions for gophila.com/history will soon appear on Comcast Cable, in conjunction with Lifetime’s Army Wives, and on FOX Philadelphia television station.

Here’s what military personnel will find at gophila.com/history: Read More »