2004
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IAVA was founded with the goal of connecting, uniting and empowering post -9/11 veterans.
When Paul Rieckhoff transitioned back to civilian life, he saw a need to give veterans a voice and founded Operation Truth which later became IAVA.
2,000+
members
Founding of IAVA
Originally Operation Truth, IAVA was the first and largest veteran’s group for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Co-founded by Paul Rieckhoff and Yannick Marchal in a lower east side New York City studio apartment, IAVA began with a myspace page and a goal of improving the lives of post 9/11 veterans. Founding members include Perry Jefferies, Phil Carter, Rob Acosta, Bobby Yen, David Chasteen and Eric Schmeltzer.
