WASHINGTON – Actress and singer Jennifer Love Hewitt has teamed up with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to promote Veterans Day and youth volunteerism.
“We are excited to have Jennifer join VA as a national spokesperson,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. “Jennifer shares VA’s commitment to veterans and she’s helping to spread the news to America’s youth about our courageous veterans.”
Hewitt is best known to television audiences as “Sarah Reeves” in the hit drama series “Party of Five.” Most recently, she starred in the feature film “Tuxedo” and is currently on tour promoting her fourth music album.
“I want to show the kids of America that veterans are not just grandparents, uncles and aunts, they’re our classmates, neighbors and friends,” Hewitt said. “Veterans deserve our utmost respect and admiration for the sacrifices they have made for each and every one of us. I want to bring their stories to the attention of those who need to understand that freedom isn’t free.”
As National Honorary Spokesperson for Veterans Day, Hewitt will be visiting VA medical centers and sharing the stories of veterans with school-age children nationwide. She will also be involved in public service announcements promoting awareness of veterans’ issues.
After meeting recently with national leaders of DAV and VFW, Hewitt announced she would partner with DAV to promote its national youth volunteer program and with VFW to publicize its veterans in the classroom program.
“We welcome Jennifer Love Hewitt’s involvement with the youth volunteer program at VA medical facilities,” said Edward R. Heath Sr., National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans. “Her enthusiasm for veterans can serve to inspire other young people to help give back to those who have given so much for all of us.”
“Jennifer Love Hewitt’s commitment to veterans reflects the true spirit of today’s generation of young people which is often overlooked or wrongfully maligned,” said John Senk Jr., National Adjutant General of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. “Jennifer will be an outstanding spokesperson for VA’s youth volunteer program and a terrific role model for thousands of young Americans to emulate.”
For additional information on the DAV and VFW programs, visit them on the Web at http://www.dav.org/ and http://www.vfw.org/.
For detailed information about Veterans Day, visit VA’s Web site at http://www.va.gov/vetsday/.
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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.
Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions.
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