Hundreds of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Come Together at LA Dodgers’ Game on July 4th

MEDIA ADVISORY

Thursday, June 30, 2011

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WHAT: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Miller High Life have teamed up for the second year to give vets a “Piece of the High Life.”  On July 4th, 500 IAVA Member Veterans and their families will attend the Los Angeles Dodgers game versus the New York Mets.  The vets will be honored prior to the game in an on-field ceremony during the National Anthem and Sherman Watson, Jr., a three-tour Iraq veteran with three Purple Hearts, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.



WHEN: Monday, July 4th, 5:30 PM PST.  Gates open at Dodger Stadium at 3:30 PM. IAVA Member Veterans will be on the field for the first pitch and National Anthem at 5:30 PM.



WHERE: Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 


WHO: Five hundred Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families will be attending the game, along with Windell Middlebrooks, the Miller High Life Delivery Guy, and IAVA staff and representatives.


Some notable Member Veterans and IAVA staff available for on-field interviews include:

Adam Bryant: Adam is an Afghanistan veteran, IAVA staff member and key spokesman.  He served one tour in Afghanistan with the US Army on a Civil Affairs team and was part of a Police Mentoring Team.  Adam connects regularly with Iraq and Afghanistan veterans from around the country and can speak to the challenges they’re facing like finding a civilian job, battling invisible wounds like PTSD and the importance of partnerships like the Miller High Life campaign.

Sherman Watson: Sherman is a three-tour Iraq vet, who received three Purple Hearts serving with the United States Marine Corps.  He lives in Southern California with his wife and two children.  He will throw out the first pitch prior to the Dodgers’ game. Sherman is the subject of IAVA’s promotional video. 


Heather Tackett: Heather served in the Army Reserve, deploying to Kabul, Afghanistan from 2009- 2010.  She was a Chaplain’s Assistant and she is now majoring in Psychology at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa.

Robert Reid: Robert deployed twice to Iraq as an Engineer with the United States Marine Corps.  He received one Purple Heart during a tour of duty.  Robert is now attending school at Citrus College.

Moses Maddox: Moses served in the Marine Corps with both Civil Affairs and Mortuary Affairs.  He was deployed twice, most recently in 2006.  He now attends school at Top Sail- San Marcos.

Jose Flores: Jose is currently serving on active-duty with the Air Force as a munitions crew member.  He was deployed to Afghanistan from 2008 to 2009 and plans on attending school in the fall.

“Miller High Life is leading the nation in supporting new veterans. And this program is like the welcome home parade that our generation has never received. Last year, we saw the power of veterans getting together across the country, feeling connected and forming their own communities.  In the second year of this program, we hope to replicate these enormous successes and reach many more veterans than before,” said IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff.  “Through the ‘Give a Veteran a Piece of the High Life’ campaign, Miller High Life is giving new vets a fun way to connect with each other in easy and meaningful ways. The scope of this program will also allow IAVA to expand outreach and provide employment resources to the thousands of veterans who may be struggling to make the transition from combat to career.”


“With the outpouring of support new veterans received last year through our ‘Give a Veteran a Piece of the High Life’ program, we knew it was important to continue bringing vets unique experiences – we believe in doing more than just writing a check,” said Miller High Life Brand Manager Brendan Noonan. “Americans will be enjoying a beer or two at their summer barbeques, picnics and tailgates, so why not toast to the troops and veterans and make it a High Life in support of our nation’s veterans?”

The "Give a Veteran a Piece of the High Life" campaign encourages Americans to take action and support this generation of veterans by collecting Miller High Life and Miller High Life Light bottle caps and can tabs. Miller High Life is donating 10 cents for specially marked caps or tabs returned to participating retail accounts or via mail between June 1 and September 30, 2011. Proceeds will go directly toward providing veterans with a variety of memorable "High Life” experiences. A national commercial created specifically for this campaign was filmed with veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan and Windell Middlebrooks, the famous Miller High Life delivery guy. The commercial is airing nationally on ESPN, Comedy Central and many more stations.
 
Iraq and Afghanistan veterans can visit TheRucksack.org to find unique "High Life” experiences in their community and to request tickets. Veterans must be confirmed (paperwork-certified) IAVA members to gain access to these events and opportunities. The Rucksack also gives partners, sponsors or individuals a platform to provide experiences to returning veterans nationwide. 

If you are a member of the media who wishes to cover the July 4th Dodgers' game or arrange an interview with IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff, staff member and Afghanistan veteran Adam Bryant or an IAVA Member Veteran attending the game, please contact Isabel Black (212) 982-9699 or isabel@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.

The Miller High Life "Give a Veteran a Piece of the High Life" program will be supported with extensive print, television, radio and online advertising, point-of-sale, custom packaging and public relations efforts nationwide. For more information on how to get involved, visit www.MillerHighLife.com.