Stephen Colbert and Corporal Aaron Mankin to be Honored at IAVA's Fifth Annual Heroes Gala

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 11, 2011

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Stephen Colbert and Corporal Aaron Mankin to be Honored at IAVA’s Fifth Annual Heroes Gala 

NBC’s Brian Williams to Host Star-Studded Fundraiser on November 9 in New York

NEW YORK- Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, announced that its Fifth Annual Heroes Gala will take place on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at Cipriani 42^nd Street in New York City as part of “Veterans Week 2011” and Veterans Day on 11/11/11.  Brian Williams, Anchor and Managing Editor at NBC Nightly News, will return as Master of Ceremonies for this premier event.
 
IAVA will honor Stephen Colbert, host of Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report, with the 2011 IAVA Civilian Service Award.
 
Corporal Aaron Mankin, an Iraq veteran and wounded warrior,will be honored with the 2011 Veterans Leadership Award. Corporal Mankin is also a Spokesperson for UCLA’s Operation Mend, a groundbreaking reconstruction program that helps treat military personnel severely wounded during service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
 
Past Attendees and Host Committee members include:
 
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, actor Cameron Diaz, General Peter Chiarelli, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Super Bowl winning NFL coach Bill Cowher, former chairman of the NAACP Julian Bond, musician Henry Rollins, cartoonist Garry Trudeau, television personality Willie Geist, journalist Sebastian Junger and many more.
 
2011 Sponsors currently include:
 
JCPenney, The Alcoa Foundation, DSI, Excelsior College, HealthCentral, United States Chamber of Commerce, USO, Ed and Stephanie Vick and Western Asset Management. To see a full list of sponsors, purchase tickets, become a sponsor, and view photos, videos and speeches from past Heroes Galas visit www.IAVAHeroesGala.org.
 
This unique, star-studded event will bring together distinguished members of the veterans’ community, the media, business, sports, politics and entertainment.  It promises to be an inspiring night to kick off a week of Veterans Day (11/11/11) tributes and celebrations nationwide. Media are highly encouraged to attend and cover.
 
“Each year, the Heroes Gala reminds us why we do what we do.  It is an inspiring night that pays tribute to the men, women and families who have served our country.  IAVA is thrilled to be honoring Stephen Colbert and Aaron Mankin, who have both made huge impacts on the lives of vets across the country, and we are very happy to have Brian Williams back as Master of Ceremonies for the third year. His commitment to veterans of all generations is truly inspiring,” said IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff.

Through very different approaches, Stephen and Aaron have fought for vets and their families, and we’re excited to honor them for their leadership and service on this special night.
 
Stephen is the Bob Hope of our generation. His dedication and commitment to our community has been unparalleled. During his broadcast of The Colbert Report from Iraq in 2009, he risked his own safety as few entertainers have. It was a bold, entertaining and historic show that brought laughs and a piece of home directly to the combat zone. From shaving his head and wearing a camouflage suit, to conducting one of the first interviews with Medal of Honor Recipient Staff Sergeant Sal Giunta, he’s kept vets issues on America’s consciousness. And more than almost anyone in America, Stephen has used his unique platform to engage and inspire all Americans to support our community.
 
Aaron is one of our community’s single most powerful advocates. His leadership, courage, tenacity and humility have inspired wounded veterans, and countless people around the world. Aaron has made the impossible possible; his story is one of hope and perseverance that all Americans must know about.  Aaron was severely wounded in Iraq when his vehicle rolled over an IED and suffered intense burns over his body, essentially losing his ears, nose and mouth, and became Operation Mend’s first patient. Over 50 surgeries later, he now serves as a Spokesperson for the organization and is a constant reminder of the sacrifices our service members have been making over nearly a decade of war.
 
On November 9^th in New York City, IAVA will be proud to honor Stephen and Aaron on behalf of our over 200,000 Member Veterans and Supporters nationwide.”
 
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, please contact Isabel Black at (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.
 

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