WASHINGTON — Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi recently presented the American Veteran Awards (AVA) with one of the top honors of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“For the last seven years, the American Veteran Awards, through their nationally televised programs, have furthered support for a wide range of issues important to veterans,” Principi said.
Principi presented the VA’s Secretary’s Award during a press conference here Feb. 1. Accepting on behalf of AVA was Harry Shaw, veteran, businessman and AVA chairman. Shaw said many people have worked diligently to make the AVA program a success.
The award was given, according to an accompanying certificate, “in gratitude for the work of the American Veteran Awards to honor those who have gone ‘above and beyond the call of duty’ in service to America’s past, present, and future soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen.” It also cites AVA’s efforts to stimulate patriotism, educate the nation’s citizens about the military’s role and encourage Americans to volunteer to serve at VA medical centers.
The ceremony featured Jack Valenti, president and chief executive officer of the Motion Picture Association of America and AVA’s honorary chairman; Janet Cohen, AVA’s Co-Host; and actor Gerald McRaney, chairman of the 2002 National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans.
Since 1996, AVA has honored celebrities, political leaders, corporations and other groups for their efforts on behalf of veterans. Honorees have included First Lady Laura Bush, actor Robert De Niro, broadcaster Sam Donaldson, AARP and the Boeing Corp.
AVA’s next award’s broadcast is scheduled for Feb. 10 at 7 p.m., (EST), on The History Channel.
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Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov
Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.
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