Jewish War Veterans Join Efforts to Save Our Benefit

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The oldest active veterans’ organization in America has added its respected voice to preserving commissary and exchange benefits for veterans, service members, and their families. The Coalition to Save Our Military Shopping Benefits announced today that the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America (JWV) has joined the Coalition as a Valued Associate member.

“These military shopping benefits are essential to today’s military forces and must be preserved.”

With the addition of JWV, Save Our Benefit Valued Associates now represent nearly 1.5 million veterans, service members, and their families. Comprised of some of the largest and most prominent veterans and military service organizations, Valued Associates are concerned by the ongoing threats to commissary and exchange benefits. Last year alone, there were five major attempts to undermine this “quality of life” benefit which saves military patrons $4.5 billion annually and contributes billions of dollars to the military communities they serve.

“The cost savings and great convenience provided by commissaries and exchanges significantly help improve the quality of life of military families,” said JWV Chairman, PNC Robert Zweiman. “These military shopping benefits are essential to today’s military forces and must be preserved.”

“For more than a century, JWV has been at the forefront of policy issues affecting our Jewish veterans and their families,” said Patrick Nixon, President of The Coalition to Save Our Military Shopping Benefits. “We welcome their respected leadership to the Coalition’s efforts to promote and protect the military resale benefit for our troops, veterans, and their families,” said Nixon.

Millions of veterans, service members, and their families rely on commissaries and exchanges to stretch their household budgets. An average military family of four can save $7,000 a year. In remote and overseas locations, it is often the only affordable shopping opportunity available. In metropolitan areas, where prices are consistently higher, commissaries and exchanges help keep prices affordable. For some junior enlisted military families and fixed income retirees, savings are the difference between making ends meet and filing for public assistance. Commissaries and exchanges are also the largest employer of military families in the world and the leading employer of veterans in the nation, adding to the financial stability of the military community.

The Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America is dedicated to upholding America’s democratic traditions and fighting bigotry, prejudice, injustice, and discrimination of all kinds. JWV represents the voice of America’s Jewish veterans on issues related to veterans’ benefits, foreign policy, and national security. JWV works to ensure that all returning veterans and those who came before them receive the benefits and care they have earned. JWV also commits itself to affirming Jewish military service, assisting oppressed Jews worldwide, and fighting anti Semitism at home and abroad.

Organizations, veterans, service members and their families, and concerned citizens who wish to join The Coalition to Save Our Military Shopping Benefits or to learn more, please visit www.SaveOurBenefit.org.

Together, we will Save Our Benefit!