Veterans Week 2014: Vets Rising
CONTACT: Gretchen Andersen (212) 982-9699 or press@iava.org
New York, N.Y. (November 7, 2014)
– This Veterans Week, post-9/11 veterans and supporters will
participate in events across the country, bringing all Americans
together to highlight the sacrifices and strengths of the new greatest
generation of veterans. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
will participate in New York City’s annual Veterans Day parade, The
Concert for Valor hosted by HBO, Starbucks and JPMorgan Chase in
Washington, D.C., the Veteran's Day Breakfast at the White House, and
will be on the ground in more than 30 cities and towns across the
country, including:
· Events in California, including the Los Angeles, San Fernando, Palm Springs, San Francisco, and San Diego Veterans Day parades;
· A service project in the Bronx, N.Y.;
· A meet-and-greet with the band O.A.R. in Asheville, N.C.; and,
· Parades
in Atlanta, Ga., Raleigh, N.C., Milwaukee, Wisc., Dallas, Texas,
Phoenix, Ariz., Portland, Ore., Grand Rapids, Neb., and Nashville,
Tenn., among others.
Additional events can be found at http://iava.org/vetsday2014. Veterans can RSVP or create their own events through the website.
Veterans and supporters are encouraged to post pictures throughout the day that demonstrate the power of America's veterans on their Instagram, Twitter and Facebook pages along with the #VetsRising hashtag.
IAVA CEO and Founder Paul Rieckhoff will attend the White House breakfast on Veterans Day.
“Veterans Day is the most important time for our community,” said Rieckhoff. “This year, IAVA is celebrating the fact that veterans are not just meeting today's challenges, they're rising above them. Our veterans are not charity. They are leaders making a difference in their communities across the country.
Veterans Day is every day, and IAVA will continue to engage with our members every day to highlight the sacrifices and successes of the New Greatest Generation!”
IAVA Marches in the 2014 America’s Parade
WHAT: IAVA will march the 2.5 miles up 5th Avenue in the 2014 New York City Veterans Day Parade.
WHO: IAVA members and families
WHEN: Tues., Nov. 11, 2014, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Flat Iron Plaza, 949 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10010
IAVA’s Annual Heroes Gala Celebrating Our 10th Anniversary
WHAT: IAVA will host the IAVA’s Annual Heroes Gala Celebrating Our 10th
Anniversary, a night to honor those who have made a unique and lasting
contribution to IAVA’s mission to improve the lives of Iraq and
Afghanistan veterans and their families.
WHO: IAVA will present the 2014 IAVA Veterans Leadership Award to Admiral Mike Mullen, 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the 2014 IAVA Civilian Service Award to Travis Kalanick, CEO and Co-Founder of Uber. Willie Geist, co-anchor of NBC’s “TODAY” show and MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald will also be speaking at the event.
WHEN: Thurs., Nov. 13, 2014, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Press check-in: 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. (Cipriani 42nd Street)
Sponsor Reception: 5:30 to 6:30pm (Cipriani 42nd Street)
Cocktail Reception: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Cipriani 42nd Street)
Dinner and Award Presentation: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. (Cipriani 42nd Street)
WHERE: Cipriani 42nd Street, 110 E. 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017
Livestream the gala at http://new.livestream.com/newvets/heroesgala-2014
Note to media: Please contact press@IAVA.org if you would like to cover a Veterans Day event or IAVA’s Heroes Gala. We can also connect you with a veteran.
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the nation's first and largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan and has nearly 300,000 Member Veterans and civilian supporters nationwide. Celebrating its 10th year anniversary, IAVA recently received the highest rating - four-stars - from Charity Navigator, America's largest charity evaluator.