National Not-for-Profit Consumer Group Announces New Veterans Benefit Initiative Program for Returning Servicemen and Women from Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Federation of American Consumers and Travelers (FACT) has announced a new program called the Veterans Benefit Initiative." Under this program, a free one-year membership in FACT is being extended to anyone from any branch of the military who served in the theater of war during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (PRWEB) August 18, 2003 -- The Federation of American Consumers and Travelers (FACT) has announced a new program called the Veterans Benefit Initiative." Under this program, a free one-year membership in FACT is being extended to anyone from any branch of the military who served in the theater of war during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

FACT is an association of consumers, formed under the not-for-profit corporation laws of the District of Columbia in 1984. Membership normally costs $36 per year. The association currently represents some 1,000,000 consumers nationwide.

Under the Veterans Benefit Initiative, qualified service men and women are entitled to the same 20-plus benefits as dues-paying members.

Included: a job-search program, discounts on prescription drugs, eligibility to apply for FACT continuing-education scholarships, access to a consumer hotline and library, instant money help in the event of a natural or terrorist disaster, travel planning and discounts, savings on mufflers and car repairs, discounts on interstate van line service, and eyewear savings.

FACT also maintains an Eye on Washington" Program, which monitors and reports on legislation which might impact the lives of veterans and of the American consumer in general.

Any questions may be directed to Sarah Chase, FACT Program Director, at 1-800-USA-FACT or sachase@fact-org.org.

In announcing the Program, Chase said, After proudly serving our country on active duty during Operation Iraqi Freedom, our service men and women deserve to enjoy some honest advantages. Veterans Benefit Initiative is FACTs way of doing its part. We hope the program will help these special individuals to return to a normal life with more ease and economy than might otherwise be possible."

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More information on the Federation of American Consumers and Travelers may be found in the Encyclopedia of Associations, and by visiting the associations web site (www.fact-org.org). The organization was formed under the not-for-profit corporation laws of the District of Columbia in 1984. Its administrative office is located at 318 Hillsboro Avenue, Edwardsville, IL 62025.

A Washington, D.C., office is now open and is located at 4850 Connecticut Ave., NW -- Washington, DC 20008. FACT is entirely apolitical. It is not a lobbyist organization. Instead, it serves as a nonpartisan source for our nations lawmakers on what the consumer is thinking, and as a nonpartisan source for its members on what the nations lawmakers are doing.