Honoring 9/11, IAVA Veterans and Supporters Unite Nationwide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
CONTACT: Hallie Seegal (212) 982-9699 or hallie@iava.org
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NEW YORK- In observance of 9/11, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, will unite at services and events in tribute to 9/11 victims, their families and first-responders. IAVA has, and always will, advocate for first-responders, their families, and families of the fallen. To honor the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, IAVA Member Veterans will also come together at observances in Chicago, New Orleans and San Diego.

"On this somber anniversary, veterans and civilians will join together and commemorate our friends and family lost 11 years ago. Our community has profound sympathy for the sacrifices 9/11 families and first-responders were forced to make, and we will be forever committed to preserving their memory in our service. For recent veterans, this moment is also a poignant time of reflection as we honor our brothers and sisters who paid the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said IAVA Founder and CEO and 9/11 First-Responder Paul Rieckhoff.
 
"9/11 marked the opening chapter of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It defined a lasting call to serve for a New Greatest Generation of millions of veterans and military families, with consequences stretching far beyond that terrible day. More than ever, our country can’t afford to turn our backs on the 9/11 families, first-responders and veterans who have answered the call of service. Since that day, over 2.4 million veterans have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and their service continues today both at home and abroad."

IAVA Member Veterans will participate in observances for the 9/11 National Day of Service from Ground Zero to San Diego. In Chicago and San Diego, IAVA will join with the White Sox, Padres and Miller High Life to host hundreds of IAVA Member Veterans and their families at games this week to thank them for their service. IAVA Members Veterans will also join forces with the St. Bernard Project (SBP) in New Orleans, an award-winning rebuilding, nonprofit organization using the drive and initiative of local veterans to help rebuild the Gulf Coast community after the devastation and trauma caused by Hurricane Katrina and the Oil Spill. By placing veterans in its VeteransCorps and Good Work, Good Pay programs, SBP is making strides to combat veteran unemployment and connect veterans with their local community. IAVA Founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff, a 9/11 First-Responder, New York native, and Iraq veteran, will represent IAVA’s more than 150,000 members nationwide at Ground Zero.  To learn more about IAVA’s participation in events throughout the week, click here.



If you are a member of the media who wishes to attend a service event or arrange an interview with IAVA Founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff, Chief Policy Officer Tom Tarantino or another IAVA Member Veteran, please contact Hallie Seegal at (212) 982-9699 or hallie@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 200,000 Member Veterans and civilian supporters nationwide. Its mission is to improve the lives of this country's newest generation of veterans and their families. As a nonpartisan organization, IAVA does not endorse any candidate for office.