NEW YORK (February 12, 2019) – Local members of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) will be attending the CNN Town Hall tonight, Tuesday February 12, in Houston, Texas.  The event will feature Howard Schultz, former CEO of Starbucks who is currently considering a Presidential bid. The diverse group of veterans representing the post-9/11 generation will be led by IAVA’s new CEO and Navy Veteran, Jeremy Butler.

IAVA recently released the results of its groundbreaking annual survey of its members.  The survey is the best tool available nationally for gauging the interests and concerns of the post-9/11 generation of veterans.  They are politically engaged: the IAVA survey found that 89% of respondents indicated they would definitely be voting in last year’s midterm elections.  Even more telling is that 36% of respondents would consider running for office. We saw the results with the “Camouflage Wave” last fall, as a historic number of veterans ran for and won elected offices around the country.

According to IAVA’s survey, the political issues most important to post-9/11 veterans are veterans issues, which they prioritized even above the economy and military/defense policy.  IAVA is proud to enable its members to be present at events such as this Town Hall, to give a voice and a platform to the national conversation on veterans issues.

IAVA believes strongly in empowering veterans to challenge all current and potential future leaders and lawmakers to support the issues important to the post-9/11 generation of veterans. Almost every issue facing America is a veterans issue. From the government shutdown, to employment, to the opioid crisis, to our national defense, the voices of veterans are critical in understanding the challenges and opportunities facing the over 20 million veterans in America–and all Americans.

“IAVA and our membership believe that veterans issues are America’s issues.  When we have a conversation about what is important to this country, veterans must be a part of the discussion,” said IAVA CEO Jeremy Butler.

IAVA looks forward to being a part of this CNN event and future events involving Republicans, Democrats or Independents. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the largest nonprofit representing post-9/11 veterans and their families, is an emphatically non-partisan organization.  IAVA does not support any political candidates nor any parties. IAVA membership comes from all political backgrounds, and IAVA is inclusive of all viewpoints. We encourage every network to hold similar events and involve the true voices of veterans at all public media events involving candidates.