Success Story

IAVA, Miller High Life Take on Milwaukee Bucks
January 4

What better way to ring in the New Year than with some NBA Jamtime?

On December 27, IAVA and Miller High Life invited 60 IAVA members veterans and their guests to the Milwaukee Bucks home opener at the Bradley Center. The competition was fierce, but the Bucks prevailed over the Timberwolves 98-95. The victory was particularly gratifying for vets who were nervous that the NBA season might not happen this year.

The victory was sweetened by some of the best seats in the house for the Member Veterans, who watched the game from the Miller Lite Home Court Suite. The suite came with free food and beverage and the delightful company of Bango, the Bucks' mascot, and some of the Milwaukee Bucks cheerleaders.

The game was also a time to honor those who served. IAVA spokesman and Afghanistan veteran Nick Colgin modeled the “item of the game”--a special blizzard hat--before tip off, and all of the attending veterans were featured on the Jumbotron giving a pre-game Miller toast.

Two veterans who had just returned from Iraq were also featured on the Jumbotron. When asked what the event meant to one of them, one vet responded that he had spent the last three Christmases deployed and this was his first holiday home in four years.

Toward the end of the game, the audience roared their approval for the veterans as the Bucks displayed their names on the Jumbotron. IAVA Member Veteran Ricardo Sarabia said "I have been very blessed to have a great support system behind me.  I am glad to have IAVA to add to the system.  I was given the opportunity to join IAVA at one of the events that they host. The event being a Milwaukee Bucks basketball game in the Miller Lite suites at the Bradley Center.  It was a great time spending and sharing the suite with fellow veterans and there guest.  I had a blast with everyone that was at the event." As 2011 came to a close and the nation closed the book on Iraq, the Bucks game the event really illustrated the support for our nation’s next greatest generation. Show your support by donating to IAVA here.

 Get Involved

In just the last year, IAVA has connected hundreds of veterans with employers through innovative career fairs, helped over 10,000 veterans go to college on the New GI Bill, and provided mental health support to over 50,000 veterans—all at no cost to Member Veterans. Programs like these are only made possible through your generous support. Fight for those who fought for us and help us keep these resources and benefits completely free for new veterans and their families.

Veteran of Iraq or Afghanistan? Join the conversation with Community of Veterans, an exclusive online community available only to IAVA Member Veterans.

Not a veteran? Donate online to ensure our country supports this newest generation of veterans every day of the year.