FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
CONTACT: Chrissy Stevens (212) 982-9699 or Chrissy@iava.org
IAVA Announces Star-Studded Program for 2nd Annual Heroes Gala in NYC
Cameron Diaz to Chair Host Committee;
General Chiarelli to Present Award to Veteran Heroes
NEW YORK- Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, announced that its Second Annual Heroes Gala will take place from 6:00PM-9:00PM on November 12th in Manhattan. Coinciding with Veterans Day and IAVA's nationwide Veterans Week activities, this unique and inspiring event will bring together high profile supporters, veterans of all generations and distinguished members of the veterans' community. It will be open to the media.
"IAVA's Second Annual Heroes Gala is an incredibly special night in which veterans from across the country will come together in unity to honor their own. IAVA is thrilled to honor three extraordinary Americans for their important and inspiring work on behalf of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans," said Paul Rieckhoff, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Executive Director. "We look forward to honoring our country's newest generation of heroes and recognizing the tremendous achievements of the last year, including the historic passage of the GI Bill."
Cameron Diaz, passionate supporter of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, will chair the Gala Host Committee. "I am honored to support an organization whose service and advocacy is making an incredible difference for our newest generation of heroes," said Diaz.
At the gala, IAVA will award the IAVA 2008 Veterans Leadership Award to two incredible Iraq veterans, Scott Winkler and Carlos Leon. Each overcame a serious injury and represented the United States at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, China. The courage, strength and dedication Winkler and Leon have demonstrated are awe-inspiring, and IAVA is proud to recognize their achievements.
IAVA will recognize philanthropist and veterans' advocate Arnold Fisher with the IAVA 2008 Civilian Service Award. General Peter Chiarelli, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, will present this honor to Mr. Fisher. As Senior Partner of Fisher Brothers and Honorary Chairman of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Mr. Fisher is a remarkable patriot and national leader on crucial veterans' issues.
Henry Rollins, a well known American singer-songwriter, author, and actor, will be a Special Guest at the event.
The Honorary Committee includes:
Senator Max Cleland
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
Actor Matt Damon
Senator Bob Dole
Lieutenant General (USA, Ret.) Robert G. Gard, Jr.
Senator Bob Kerrey
Producer Norman Lear
The Honorable James McDonough, Iraq War Veteran & Director of the New York State Division
of Veterans' Affairs
Congressman Patrick Murphy, Iraq War Veteran
Senator John D. Rockefeller IV
The Honorable Donna E. Shalala
Harry Smith, CBS News Anchor
Senator Jim Webb
James Wright, President of Dartmouth College
Brigadier General (USA, Ret.) Stephen N. Xenakis, MD
For additional information about the gala, including how to purchase tickets, please visit IAVAHeroesGala.org.
*Please note: this event is open to the press. Members of the press who are covering the event are NOT required to purchase tickets in advance and will receive credentials upon checking in. If you are a member of the media who wishes to cover the Gala or to arrange an interview with IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff or any other IAVA veteran, please contact Chrissy Stevens (212)-982-9699 or Chrissy@iava.org.
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the country's first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has more than 125,000 veteran members and civilian supporters nationwide. Its mission is to improve the lives of this country's newest generation of veterans and their families.
6:00 PM
Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction
7:30 PM
Award Presentations
Arnold Fisher
Senior Partner, Fisher Brothers
Scott Winkler and Carlos Leon
Iraq War Veterans and 2008 Paralympic Athletes
Henry Rollins
Actor, Author & Performer
Cameron Diaz
Actor
Founded in June 2004, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is a nonprofit, non-partisan veterans’ education and advocacy organization. The first and largest Iraq and Afghanistan veterans’ group in America, IAVA has tens of thousands of active member veterans and more than 100,000 grassroots supporters nationwide. Through education, community and advocacy, IAVA strives to create a country which honors and cares for its newest generation of veterans and their families. Please visit www.iava.org for more information.
For questions or comments about the Second Annual Heroes Gala, please call (212) 982-9699 or email gala@iava.org
