FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 12, 2025

CONTACT: press@iava.org

IAVA Announces Gov. Moore, Sen. Moran and CBS’s Norah O’Donnell to be honored at ‘IAVA Salutes’ in Washington, DC

2025’s IAVA Salutes will also be part of the continuation of IAVA’s 20th anniversary celebration

Washington, D.C – Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is proud to announce the honorees for the 2025 ‘IAVA Salutes’ in Washington, D.C. The annual event celebrates those who’ve led on behalf of the post-9/11 generation of veterans in government and within the journalism community and will be part of a continuation of a celebration of the 20th Anniversary of IAVA.

IAVA announced that Maryland’s Governor, Wes Moore, will receive one of IAVA’s 2025 Leadership in Government Awards. A former Army officer and Afghanistan War veteran, Moore is the definition of what IAVA has long referred to as #VetsRising. In his three years as governor, Moore has not only met the moment in crises like the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, but has led by bringing Army values to his governing philosophy to ensure no Marylander is left behind and worked to establish the nation’s first public service year program for high school graduates in the state.

“Governor Moore represents the best of us,” said IAVA CEO and Iraq War veteran Allison Jaslow. “His leadership on behalf of post-9/11 veterans began long before he took office, and continues today as he provides an example for what service can and should look like after one takes off their uniform.  He’s tackled education, poverty, and made the opportunity of public service available to every young Marylander who raises their hand.  It is with extreme pride that we recognize Governor Moore with IAVA’s 2025 Leadership in Government Award.” 

IAVA is also proud to announce that U.S. Senator Jerry Moran from Kansas will receive IAVA’s 2025 Leadership in Government Award. Currently the Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Senator Moran played a crucial role as Ranking Member of the Committee during the negotiations and passage of the PACT Act and can be trusted as  an honest broker on behalf of our nation’s veterans.   

“Senator Moran’s support for the veteran community isn’t just a talking point,” said Jaslow.  “He’s delivered results on behalf of our community and steadfastly served in Congress to help ensure our nation keeps its promise to its veterans. Notably, Senator Moran was a leader in the effort to ensure that veterans exposed to toxins during their service got appropriate care for the damage those toxins may have done, resulting in passage of the landmark PACT Act. We are honored to award this incredible champion for our community with IAVA’s 2025 Leadership in Government Award.” 

Finally, IAVA is proud to announce that Norah O’Donnell, CBS News’ senior correspondent and a 60 Minutes contributing correspondent, will receive IAVA’s 2025 Leadership in Journalism Award. Born into a military family, O’Donnell has long had an eye toward the military and veterans community and it shows in her reporting, from her coverage of the military’s problem with sexual assault to launching “Profiles in Service.” 

“Veterans have few greater friends in the Fourth Estate than Norah O’Donnell,”  said IAVA CEO Allison Jaslow.  “Her award-winning reporting on military sexual assault gave voice to many suffering in silence and undoubtedly saved lives. She also has actively sought opportunities to shed light on leaders in our community, in addition to the problems we may be facing or struggles we may be experiencing. It’s a privilege to recognize Norah’s incredible reporting with IAVA’s 2025 Leadership in Journalism Award.” 

Past honorees at IAVA’s annual ‘Salutes’ event include: Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Representative Brian Mast, Senator John Boozman, former Senator John Tester, CNN’s Jake Tapper, ABC’s Martha Raddatz, and NPR’s Quil Lawrence among others. 

Current sponsors of our 2025 ‘IAVA Salutes’ event are: Block/Square, Booz Allen Hamilton, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP, Google Fiber, T-Mobile, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, Vertex, Veteran Benefits Guide (VBG), Werner Hoffman Greig & Garcia, Tabak Law, Hill and Ponton, Mednick Associates, United Airlines, and With Honor. 

Sponsorship packages and tickets are still available for the event online or contact IAVA at events@iava.org for more information on how to support the event. 

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is the leading voice of the Post-9/11 generation of American veterans. We represent over 425,000 members, and our best-in-class, non-partisan advocacy on behalf of the post-9/11 generation of veterans has chalked up big wins for our community – and America – for 20 years and counting.

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