Thanks to the incredible support of supporters nationwide, IAVA’s Third Annual Heroes Gala, held on November 10, 2009 at Gotham Hall in New York City, was a tremendous success.

IAVA was proud to honor J.R. Martinez, Iraq War Veteran, motivational speaker and actor, and Van Toffler, President of MTV Networks Music & Logo Group, for their dedication to the new veterans' movement. Thank you to our Master of Ceremonies, NBC Nightly News Anchor Brian Williams, and thanks to Westley Moore and Chris Mortensen for presenting the awards to our Honorees. IAVA also thanks the talented children of PS22 for their amazing performance.

IAVA would like to thank the Gala’s generous Sponsors, and our distinguished Honorary and Host Committees. Click to see photos, speeches and performances, and media coverage from the evening. Thank you for supporting this incredible event and for helping IAVA to improve the lives of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families.

Watch highlights from the Gala here:

 

 

 

Third Annual Heroes Gala Photo Gallery

 

 

Third Annual Heroes Gala Speeches & Performances

NBC Nightly News Anchor Brian Williams, the Master of Ceremonies, opens the Heroes Gala

 

Paul Rieckhoff, Founder and Executive Director of IAVA, gives opening remarks

 

Citi Investment Banker and IAVA Board Member Westley Moore gives remarks and introduces Van Toffler

 

Van Toffler, recipient of the 2009 IAVA Civilian Service Award

 

Van Toffler, President of MTV Networks Music & Logo Group, accepts his award

 

Senior NFL Analyst Chris Mortensen gives remarks and introduces J.R. Martinez

 

J.R. Martinez, Recipient of the 2009 IAVA Veterans Leadership Award

 

J.R. Martinez, Iraq War Veteran, speaker and actor, accepts his award

 

The PS22 Chorus closes the program with an unforgettable performance

 

Thank you for your support of IAVA. Please help support our work throughout the year by making a tax-deductible donation today.

 

Third Annual Heroes Gala Media Coverage

Read coverage of the event from Fox, MediaBistro, Mediaite and Hamptons.com.

 

 

Paul Rieckhoff gives a message from the Heroes Gala on the importance of Veterans Day on CNN:

 

 

See IAVA Member Veteran Jeremy Wheeler discuss veterans' issues and the Heroes Gala on MSNBC's Way Too Early with Willie Geist:

 

Thank you to our Generous Sponsors

Mr. Roger C. Altman

   American Federation of Government Employees & the AFGE National VA Council

Anonymous

Mr. Richard I. Beattie, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Citi

CNN

Disabled American Veterans

Discovery Communications

EchoDitto

Fisher Brothers

HBO

HealthCentral

Health Net Federal Services

IAC

Joseph Abboud

Mr. George S. Loening

Miller High Life

MTV: Music Television & CMT: Country Music Television

National Association of Chain Drug Stores

Saatchi & Saatchi

Select Equity Group, Inc.

Mrs. & Mr. Jennifer & Jonathan Allan Soros

U.S. Olympic Committee / U.S. Paralympics

Mr. Edward Vick & Ms. Stephanie Kugelman

Lynne Wasserman

Western Asset Management Company

Y & R

 

 

        Thank you to our Honorary Committee          

Mr. Jason Alexander

Mr. Paul Bucha

Mr. Ken Burns

Senator Richard Burr

Senator Max Cleland

Ms. Heidi Collins

Ms. Peggy Conlon

Mr. Lewis Cullman

Mr. Matt Damon

Major General Paul D. Eaton (USA, Ret.)

Mr. Arnold Fisher

Senator Al Franken

Lieutenant General Robert G. Gard, Jr. (USA, Ret.)

Mr. Bill Hemmer

Congressman Duncan Hunter

Mr. Dean Kamen

Mr. Ronald Katz

Senator Bob Kerrey

Mr. Norman Lear

Mr. Richard Lovett

Ms. Rachel Maddow

Mr. Chris Matthews

Colonel James D. McDonough, Jr. (USA, Ret.)

Mr. Hamish McLennan

Congressman Patrick J. Murphy

Mr. Keith Olbermann

Senator John D. Rockefeller IV

Mr. Henry Rollins

Ms. Leslie Sanchez

Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez (USA, Ret.)

Senator Charles Schumer

Mr. Jan Scruggs

Congressman Joe Sestak

Ms. Donna E. Shalala

Mr. Harry Smith

Ms. Silda Wall Spitzer

Mr. Garry Trudeau

Congressman Anthony Weiner

Mr. Bob Woodruff

Mr. James Wright

Bridadier General Stephen N. Xenakis, MD (USA, Ret.)

 

 

 

            Thank you to our Host Committee               

Mr. James Abernathy

Mr. Roger C. Altman

Mr. Mike Atkinson

Mr. T Bone Burnett

Mr. Gerry Byrne

Mr. Marshall Carter

Mr. Greg D'Alba

Ms. Cameron Diaz

Ms. Abigail Disney

Mr. Nathaniel Fick

Mr. & Mrs. Leslie & Judith Gelb

Mr. Mark Grossklag

Ms. Rosanne Haggerty

Mr. James Hirschmann

Mr. Perry Jefferies

Mr. Ross Katz

Mr. Tom Kearns

Mr. Alan Khazei

Mr. Gabe Kleinman

Mr. George S. Loening

Mr. Yannick Marchal

Mr. Eric Mika

Mrs. Constance J. Milstein

Mr. Westley Moore

Mr. Craig Newmark

Mrs. & Mr. Indre & Justin Rockefeller

Ms. Lizanne Rosenstein

Mr. Thomas Schlamme

Mr. Chris Schroeder

Mrs. & Mr. Jennifer & Jonathan Allan Soros

Ms. Margaret Stone

Mr. Nick Styne

Mr. & Mrs. Devin & Lauren Talbott

Mr. Milo Ventimiglia

Mr. Edward Vick & Ms. Stephanie Kugelman

Ms. Lynne Wasserman

Mr. Bill White

Mr. Bennett Zier