Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America issued the following yesterday:
NEW YORK, NY (June 29, 2015) – From Hawaii to New Hampshire, more than 1,000 IAVA members gathered at VetTogethers and free screenings of
Max
on Saturday, June 27. IAVA, in partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures
and MGM, welcomed veterans and their families for complimentary
screenings of the film about a military working dog.
Veterans and family members came out to 39 locations across 28 states
and the District of Columbia. Joining them were special guests,
including VA Secretary Bob McDonald in Washington, D.C., the young star
of
Max, Josh Wiggins, in Houston, and military working dog demonstrations and adoption events in San Antonio, Austin and Nashville.
“Connecting returning vets and their families has been a key element
for IAVA since its inception,” said Paul Rieckhoff, CEO and Founder of
IAVA. “VetTogethers can and do change lives. Someone, somewhere is
having a very bad day, and maybe feeling lost and alone, and through
these events they are able to connect and reunite with a community that
understands. This simple idea is empowering. This weekend was about so
much more than a movie.
”
Eighty-six percent attending the
Max VetTogether indicated
they met someone new at the gatherings, proving the events effectiveness
in connecting vets to one another.
Nationwide, veterans shared their experiences at the screenings on
Facebook,
Twitter,
Instagram
and other social media platforms. Local businesses also supported the
VetTogethers by providing meeting spaces in their restaurants, theaters
and shopping malls, giving vets the opportunity to get to know one
another before and after the film. The VetTogether screenings were
covered by media across the country in local markets including
Sheffield, Ohio,
Baton Rouge, La., and
Nashville, Tenn.
The film tells the story of a military dog whose handler is
tragically killed in Afghanistan. The dog returns home and is adopted by
the family the Marine left behind. He gradually bonds with the
veteran’s young brother, played by Wiggins, and both the family and dog
find healing. While
Max is a family friendly film, it also
introduces young audiences to the issue of Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD), which is experienced by both veterans and service
animals working in combat zones.
Additional screenings are taking place this Friday, July 3, in
Albuquerque, N.M. and Edinburgh, Texas. More information can be found at
iava.org/maxthemovie.
Note to media: Email press@iava.org or call 212-982-9699 to speak with IAVA CEO and Founder Paul Rieckhoff or IAVA leadership.
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the
leading post-9/11 veteran empowerment organization (VEO) with the most
diverse and rapidly growing membership in America. Celebrating its 10th
year anniversary, IAVA has repeatedly received the highest rating -
four-stars - from Charity Navigator, America's largest charity
evaluator.
veterans
