Veterans Week Largest In Decades

CONTACT: Chrissy Stevens (212) 982-9699Veterans Week 2008 Largest in Decades 200 Events Nationwide, 2nd Annual Heroes Gala, Ad Council Campaign among Highlights NEW YORK - Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the country's first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, is gearing up for an action packed Veterans Week with over 200 events nationwide, including the parade in New York City, IAVA's 2nd Annual Heroes Gala, and the introduction of a massive, historic Public Service Advertising (PSA) campaign in conjunction with the Ad Council. Veterans from across the country will have the opportunity to participate in local events, and New York City veterans will join IAVA for the parade on Veterans Day and star-studded Heroes Gala the following night. "Veterans Week is a terrific opportunity for all Americans to show support for our country's newest generation of heroes. IAVA members nationwide look forward to participating in a variety of events in their local communities," said IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff. "This is the ideal time to put our pro or antiwar sentiments aside and rally around the troops. After a divisive election, Veterans Day can be a day of remembrance and patriotism. Every American has an obligation to support the brave men and women who are serving, and this is the perfect day to show that support." IAVA is participating in more than 210 events around the country in all 50 states from a BMX Bike rally in Egg Harbor, New Jersey to a chess tournament in Rapid City, South Dakota to a BBQ in Berkeley, California. IAVA veterans will also have a strong presence in New York City's Veterans Day parade this Tuesday where over 150 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan will be marching. Following the parade, IAVA veterans will convene at a Veterans Day Celebration at Turtle Bay NYC, 52nd Street and 2nd Avenue. The internationally-recognized rock band Locksley will perform at roughly 3:30pm. This event is OPEN to the media. Information on local Veterans Day events nationwide can be found at www.iava.org/veteransweek. In conjunction with Veterans Day, IAVA is launching a text message campaign that gives its supporters the opportunity to thank the troops serving overseas. To say thanks to our troops overseas, text "troops" to 69866. IAVA's Second Annual Heroes Gala is a unique and inspiring event that brings together high profile supporters, veterans of all generations and distinguished members of the veterans' community. Cameron Diaz, passionate supporter of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, will chair the Gala Host Committee. IAVA will recognize philanthropist and veterans' advocate Arnold Fisher and two incredible Iraq veterans, Scott Winkler and Carlos Leon, who each overcame a serious injury and represented the United States at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, China. Special Guests include the star of NBC's Heroes, Milo Ventimiglia, General Peter Chiarelli, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, and Henry Rollins, well-known American singer-songwriter and USO performer. "Coinciding with Veterans Day and IAVA's nationwide Veterans Week activities, the Second Annual Heroes Gala is an incredibly special night in which veterans from across the country will come together in unity to pay tribute to their own. IAVA is thrilled to honor three extraordinary Americans for their important and inspiring work on behalf of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans," said Rieckhoff. On Veterans Day, IAVA will also be introducing a groundbreaking Public Service Advertising (PSA) campaign in partnership with the Ad Council. This multiyear, national effort addresses readjustment issues and seeks to ease the transition for veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. This historic campaign, launching on Tuesday, November 11, will feature a powerful television commercial, innovative print ads, and the first and only social network exclusive to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. To cover IAVA's Veterans Week, the NYC Veterans Parade and celebration, and/or the Second Annual Heroes Gala, please contact Chrissy Stevens at (212) 982-9699 or Chrissy@iava.org. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the nation's first and largest group for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A non-profit and nonpartisan organization, IAVA represents more than 125,000 veteran members and civilian supporters in all 50 states. ###