officiate | EDUCATE | ADVOCATE
As veterans we have been and continue to be members of one of the most diverse institutions in our country -- Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coastguardsmen. We represent people from every corner of our land, every shade of humanity, immigrant and native-born, Christian, Muslim, Jew, and nonbeliever alike, all serving this country we love with a sense of duty and pride. Today, we carry the message of unity from our military to our American community.
Camaraderie
There is no longing to relive the painful moments of terror and loss. What we miss in our lives as veterans are the strength of our relationships, our bond and camaraderie that we once shared. We search for ways to come together, to reconnect with one another and AUSV provides the platform to fulfill this very need in our community.
Advocacy
We call upon all Americans, to raise awareness of the resources and support services available in their communities for mental health, women’s rights, human rights, LGBT rights, suicide prevention and sustainable healthcare, not for our veterans only, but for all Americans. We believe addressing the issues that matter most to all Americans will ultimately create a better society for our veterans and our military families.
Unity
Bridging the divides between the veterans and our most powerful American communities with the mentality that our veterans carried— honor, integrity and selflessness, which are the hallmark of a true leader that can subside prejudice and injustice. Veterans offer a unifying example for what is right with our country.
Education
An educated society will naturally become more egalitarian. Education helps in bringing a moral understanding to our society. It enables us to determine what is right and what is wrong. Education promotes thinking, and once you start thinking, you no longer blindly follow. Shoulder to shoulder, we fought without any concern toward one’s gender, race, color or religion. We bring that sense of brotherhood or sisterhood to our American communities at large through education.
Anne Heche and cast of The Brave
Primetime Emmy Nominee Anne Heche attended alongside her fellow cast members of the tv series, The Brave, where she excitingly met with servicemen and women and listened to their unique experiences. This was a fantastic evening where members of Hollywood and the veterans community came together, sharing their touching stories and dynamic insights.
Actor Casey Affleck and Major Sam Kriegler
Academy Award Winner Casey Affleck and Major Sam Kriegler, two impressive men in our community, were proudly waiting to present the winner for the Mental Health Vetty. Moments later, they announced Boulder Crest Retreat as the 4th Annual Veterans Award winner. This was a great integration moment between the veterans and entertainment community.
General George Casey and Sheila Casey
Representing Blue Star Families at the 4th Annual Veterans Awards Ceremony was two exceptional members of our community, General George Casey and Sheila Casey. Later that night, Ms. Sheila Casey walked the stage to accept the Leadership Award on behalf of BSF. She joined actress, Shohreh Aghdashloo, to present the Women Veterans Award to Service Women’s Action Network.
CNN’s Jake Tapper won a Vetty in Veterans Choice Category
The 3rd Annual Veterans Awards was a sensational evening among veterans, military families and supporters. Jake Tapper won in the Veterans Choice Category. Jake also hosted the 3rd Annual Veterans Awards.
Call of Duty Endowment won in the employment category
Lieutenant Colonel, Lisa Rosser, Call of Duty Endowment advisory board member, proudly accepts the 4th Vettys Employment Award, on behalf of the exceptional organization. Lieutenant Colonel Rosser spoke powerfully about Call of Duty Endowment and it truly inspired many in the crowd.
WHAT WE DO: With a relentless focus on the future, we strive to have our veterans and other powerful communities work together to promote both what is morally right and socially impactful. We build sustainable bridges of trust, unity and respect between our service members and other influential communities through advocacy, community relations and media outreach. Our newsworthy events and projects open the doors of shared opportunities and a shared sense of community.
WHAT WE BELIEVE: We at AUSV— we believe communities can bring real opportunities for everyone involved through collaboration. We believe with no doubt that we can create a new narrative for our veterans and all Americans by creativity and collaboration, and of course by cooperation. We believe that community unity is always a tribute to the strength and preference of a people for inclusion and partnership over division and alienation. There are more than 21 million United States veterans.
WHY WE DO IT: While massive numbers of service members return home with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries, they are not all seeking help due to the stigma about seeking mental health care. Separation from service and the need to adapt to new societal norms lead returning service members to experience great difficulties in their newly founded lives. Veterans find meaning in community, and their sense of identity is often rediscovered in their sharing of memories and stories with their fellow service members. They find comfort in their sense of "selves" and in knowing that they too have a place in their new society.
Col. John Buckley and Mrs. Buckley
The elegant, Col. Buckley and Mrs. Buckley, were all smiles on the red carpet. Col. Buckley is a Military Relations Manager at Koch Industries, where he devotes his time to providing the veterans community employment opportunities. As a veteran himself, he recognizes the difficulties of transitioning out of the military. His exceptional efforts were recognized and as a result, he proudly attended as an Employment Award nominee.
President and CEO of Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, David Walker and Emmy-Winning Actor and U.S. Marine, Montel Williams. As the Leader of an organization with a mission to inspire other groups and the general public to participate in advocating for veterans, Walker proceeds to discuss the importance of the Vetty for the veterans community. Williams follows with indicating why NVLSP has earned the award for the remarkable achievements made in year 2017.
Backpacks for Life
The nonprofit organization, Backpacks for Life, gears its efforts to be a support system for homeless and at-risk veterans. This year they were nominated as a recipient for the Veterans Homelessness Award and because of the support of many, they took home the Vetty. It was an honor to witness such excitement and humility when their name was called.
Jake Gyllenhaal and American Author Jeff Bauman
Service members met with Academy Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal and American Author Jeff Bauman and shared their own inspiring stories of perseverance and strength at an exclusive meet and greet for the film Stronger. Many related to Jeff’s physical and mental journey that lead him to rediscover himself. Meet & greet was hosted by AUSV for Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Glamorous Red Carpet Arrival
One by one we saw our lovely attendees captivating one another as they stood in front of various media. The red carpet symbolizes how alluring and prestigious our veterans community can truly be. We enjoy seeing how charming everyone looks the night of the Vettys and are enthusiastic about seeing more of you at the Annual Veterans Awards.
Academy Award Nominated and Emmy Award Winning Actress, Shohreh Aghdashloo hosted the Veterans of All Nations Gala,
An Oscar viewing celebrating our NATO Alliance and Unity of Global Forces was held in Washington, D.C. NATO delegates and veteran leaders were present at the Veterans of All Nations Gala dressed in black tie. It was a night of glamour and unity that brought the community together representing guests from all walks of life.
Jake Tapper, The Host
Our beloved friend and veteran activist, Jake Tapper, returned as ceremony host for the 4th Annual Veterans Awards. His passion for journalism and advocacy has lead him to be an avid supporter of our mission here at AUSV. Creating relationships with those in the television industry is hard but individuals like, Mr. Tapper, make it seamless to receive help to shine a light on our veterans community.
Todd Weiler and Husband
AUSV member and veteran, Todd Weiler, shows off his red carpet smile, alongside his gallant husband. The two fiercely represented the uniqueness and beauty of our military and veterans community. Mr. Weiler was a 4th Vettys nominee for the Employment Award.
AUSV at the Mission Impossible: Fallout Premiere
AUSV president, Assal Ravandi | Actor, Henry Cavill | Blue Star Families CEO, Kathy Roth-Douquet at the D.C. premiere of Mission Impossible; Fallout Premiere. 30 tickets were offered to AUSV members to attend the red carpet premiere along with Tom Cruise and the cast.
General John F. Kelly at the 3rd Vettys
John Francis Kelly is a retired U.S. Marine Corps general attended the 3rd Annual Veterans Awards as an honored guest. Kelly enlisted in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and then commissioned as an officer near the end of college. He rose through the ranks, eventually serving in his last military post from 2012 to 2016 as the four-star General leading United States Southern Command, the unified combatant command responsible for American military operations in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
Los Angeles Season Premiere & Meet & Greet with the cast of SEAL Team
Academy of United States Veterans and Blue Star Families hosted the season premiere of CBS' hit series, SEAL Team. David Boreanaz and the entire cast of SEAL Team arrived in Hollywood for a special meet & greet and screening of the first episode of the seasons 2.