THE IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN HEROES GALA

****
IAVA Announces Third Annual Heroes Gala Honoring Innovators in Television
Brian Williams of NBC Nightly News to Host
****

J.R. Martinez

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest nonpartisan, non-profit organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, announced that its Third Annual Heroes Gala will take place on Tuesday, November 10th from 6:00PM-9:00 PM at Gotham Hall in Manhattan. The event will be hosted by NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams and will honor Van Toffler, President of MTV Networks Music and Logo Group, and Iraq Veteran, Spokesperson and Actor J.R. Martinez, for their outstanding contributions on behalf of and to the new veterans’ community. Coinciding with Veterans Day and IAVA’s nationwide Veterans Week activities, this unique and inspiring event will bring together veterans of all generations, distinguished members of the veterans’ community and high profile supporters. Media are encouraged to attend. The Heroes Gala will also offer guests and media in attendance a sneak peak of the new television Public Service Announcement for IAVA’s National Veterans Support Campaign. Produced in conjunction with the Ad Council, the PSA will be released on Veterans Day. The campaigns’ first ad, featuring a new veteran coming home to an empty New York City, gained national prominence last year. The new ad, part of an inspired, innovative strategy, will show veterans that IAVA “has their back” as they transition home. “The Heroes Gala is a special night for veterans of all generations to come together and pay tribute to their peers and leaders in the veterans’ community. IAVA is thrilled to have Brian Williams participating this year and be honoring two individuals who have made a tremendous difference in the lives of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families. JR and Van are both incredible leaders who have made a profound difference in the lives of millions. Both have demonstrated exceptionally strong leadership and have utilized the power of television in an internet age to make a difference in the lives of this country’s newest generation of heroes. This inspiring event is sure to be the most memorable of the year,” said Paul Rieckhoff, Founder and Executive Director or Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). IAVA will honor J.R. Martinez with the 2009 IAVA Veterans Leadership Award. Mr. Martinez served in Iraq and suffered severe injuries, and has since become a spokesman and an inspiration for his fellow wounded veterans. He currently stars on ABC's “All My Children”, portraying a combat veteran. IAVA will also honor Van Toffler, President of MTV Networks Music and Logo Group, with the 2009 IAVA Civilian Service Award. In his position, Mr. Toffler oversees several music brands, including MTV and CMT, both of which have featured veterans' issues in their programming. MTV has produced several ground-breaking shows featuring Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, including profiling young veterans struggling with readjustment on MTV's Emmy Award winning True Life series, as well as celebrating the service of our newest generation of veterans in the television special, A Night for Vets: An MTV Concert for the BRAVE. MTV also worked with several veterans organizations to mobilize youth in support of veterans across the United States and created a mobile petition entitled BRAVE, The Bill or Rights for America's Veterans. CMT One Country is an initiative that promotes volunteerism, including supporting veterans and military families as part of their outreach and in partnership with the U.S.O. CMT has also featured the U.S.O. in such series as "Gone Country" and continues to highlight the organization throughout the year. Additionally, the CMT series "American Soldier" followed the real life story of a small town National Guard battalion based out of Dublin, Georgia as they deployed to Iraq. Both honorees have used television and new media to raise the awareness of the sacrifices made by troops and their families to new audiences every day, and IAVA is proud to honor their remarkable work. Learn more about these leaders at www.IAVAHeroesGala.org, or you can send a message of support to either honoree at www.iava.org/congrats. All messages will be prominently displayed during the Gala. The Third Annual Heroes Gala Honorary Committee currently includes Matt Damon, Jason Alexander, Lieutenant General (USA, Ret.) Robert G. Gard, Jr., Senator Bob Kerrey, Congressman Patrick Murphy, Senator John D. Rockefeller IV, Henry Rollins, Lieutenant General (USA, Ret.) Ricardo Sanchez, Lieutenant General (USA, Ret.) Paul D. Eaton, Senator Chuck Schumer, Congressman Joe Sestak and Arnold Fisher. 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 150,000 veteran members and civilian supporters nationwide. Its mission is to improve the lives of this country's newest generation of veterans and their families.