HeroVet
WeSalute Awards
HeroVet: Paul Newman, A Legacy of Film, Family and Philanthropy
When WWII Navy Veteran Paul Newman died on September 26, tributes came from as far away as Iran as well as from Hollywood colleagues, many of whom wondered how such a global star, solid family man, businessman and philanthropist could defy many of the leading Hollywood conventions and stereotypes.
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HeroVet: Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA Founder
Many serve, few are chosen, but even fewer find a way to lead. For Paul Rieckhoff, the War on Terror has shown its face in many ways, and at each turn he's become more committed to one politically unifying goal: re-architecting the way those who serve are thanked by the nation they defend.
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HeroVet: Greg Islan, on College Tuition
Millions of Americans carry the heavy burden of making college tuition payments in an era of skyrocketing educational expenses. We all need help, but for the families of fallen servicemen, sending children to college can be an extraordinary challenge. Greg Islan’s goal is to meet that critical challenge, offering financial assistance to dependents surviving the death of a parent in uniform. His hard work and persistence in promoting this program sends a strong, patriotic message and demonstrates his resolve to stand behind the men and women who protect and defend our freedoms and care for those left behind.
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HeroVet: Paul W. Bucha - 2007
Nearly 40 years after his moment of military heroism, Medal Of Honor (MOH) recipient Paul W. “Buddy” Bucha stands as more than a role model. He’s in the business of showing people how to become role models themselves.
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HeroVet: L. Gordon Sumner Executive Director, National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (NCESGR)
With a unique blend of civilian and military expertise, L. Gordon Sumner, Jr., Ph.D. leads 4,200 volunteers who serve as a vital lifeline between the war on terror overseas and Americas’ employers and families, as they welcome back our National Guard & Reserves.
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HeroVet: Wesley Autrey, Bush Lauds Subway Hero
New York City subway hero and Navy veteran Wesley Autrey was hailed by the President and Congress Tuesday night -- another honor to go along with his medal, his 15 minutes of fame, and the admiration of millions for risking his life to save a man from an oncoming train.
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HeroVet: Mike Ilitch, Supporting Entrepreneurial Veterans
What does a big-time sports team owner and businessman know about veterans? Quite a lot. The Marine Corps very own, and pride of Detroit, Mike Ilitch has created an employment program to save Vets up to $68,000 in starting their own business--A Little Caesars Pizza franchise.
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HeroVet: Chris Gardner, Inspiration Through Determination
Navy Vet and former San Francisco Veterans hospital employee Chris Gardner inspires America with his epic journey from rags to riches.
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HeroVet: David Robinson, All-Star status
Former Navy midshipman David Robinson finished in style, rounding out a prolific basketball career with a second National Basketball Association Championship in 2003. And even though he is "retired" from the sport, he retains All-Star status in his personal and charitable pursuits.
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HeroVet: Bart Buechner, US Navy (Ret)
Bart participating in “the world’s largest torchlight Armed Forces Day Parade” held annually in Spokane, WA Bolstered by the service of two generations of wartime soldiers before him, and a supportive mother, Capt. Bart Buechner rounded out 30 years of service and sacrifice to our country in 2008. But, for this extraordinarily dedicated Navy man, it’s just a beginning.
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HeroVet: Dale Dye An Advocate for Vets in Hollywood
Captain Dale Dye, USMC (ret.) has seen battle, bloodshed and bands of brothers. And although he is out of uniform today, he engages in an everyday mission to ensure the military experience is accurately portrayed by the big and small screens of Hollywood and television.
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HeroVet: Art Goodearl, teacher
Each year at about this time, millions of students graduate across the country, a magical and memorable time for so many American families. It’s also a time we acknowledge those who make it happen-our teachers. In the Army’s own Art Goodearl, we honor those who teach our young people to go the extra mile, and help them develop the skills they need to become young adults and to survive life’s ups and downs beyond just a strong SAT score.
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HeroVet: Rick Monday, Major League Baseball and Saving Old Glory
As a Marine Corps reservist and pro baseball player, Rick Monday’s two paths led him to perform what many considered a heroic act for a split second in history—at a place you would never have expected it to happen.
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HeroVet: LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr., M.D, Army Vet and Leading Cancer Surgeon
One of the Army’s finest leads the charge in the battle against one of our nation’s biggest threats: Cancer. Surgeon, oncologist, medical educator and leader of numerous professional and civic organizations, Dr. LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr. is an influential voice in the fight against cancer.
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HeroVet: Malcolm S. Pray, Pray Achievement Center
This Veterans Day, we recognize a former serviceman and business entrepreneur. The U.S. Air Force’s very own Malcolm Pray is using his considerable wealth, knowledge and enthusiasm to inspire young people and help them to realize their dreams.
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HeroVet: Capt. Pamela M. Iovino, U.S. Navy (Ret)
Any beltway expert will tell you—supporting our nation’s Veterans out of Washington DC is tough work. There are multi-billion dollar budgets, a global war on terror, and the political skirmishes around the capitol, all of which can make the DC area a tricky battlefield itself. For all of those reasons, we honor one of the US Department of Veterans Affairs’ top leaders, Pamela M. Iovino, Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs, for her tireless service on behalf of those who’ve served. Rounding out over two-years assisting two VA S
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HeroVet: David Karnes, Marine Corps and 9/11 Hero
There’s no such thing as an "ex-Marine," as they say in the Corps. And on the eve of a highly touted 9/11 movie release, one of the heroes of the film clearly epitomizes these words. David W. Karnes, a 23-year veteran of the Marine Corps is at the center of the movie ’World Trade Center,’ a recounting of his heroic action after two planes slammed into New York City’s Twin Towers on a fateful day that transformed the lives of millions. A Deloitte & Touche Senior CPA on 9/10/2001, Karnes was a Marine again on 9/11—the events spurred him to re-enlist in the Marine Corps Reserve and today, he serves in Iraq.
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HeroVet: Admiral Thomas Fargo (Ret)
In a post 9/11 era where a premium is placed on military & intelligence cooperation between countries & cultures, Admiral Thomas Fargo demonstrated these skills in textbook fashion as leader of the U.S. Pacific Command, a region that covers more than half of the globe.
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HeroVet: William "Bill" Holloman, Legendary Tuskegee Airman
As a child, William "Bill" Holloman (Lt. Col., USAF, Ret.) dreamed of flying across the Atlantic like Charles Lindbergh did in 1927. Little did young Holloman know that he would do that, and a whole lot more: Most noteworthy, as a member of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen.
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HeroVet: Alfonso R. Batres, PhD, Disabled Vietnam Vet Battling "Second War" at the VA
There's an old adage about Vets encountering their "second war," the one that starts when they return home to an uncertain reception. And the psychological toll of that second war can sometimes be just as dangerous.
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HeroVet: Vice Admiral Norbert R. Ryan
For Vice Admiral Norbert R. Ryan, remembering those who put their lives on the line for our country is a daily reflection - he keeps a list of those lost in the September 11, 2001 Pentagon attacks on his desk. As one of the Navy’s top legislative officers who worked near the crash site at the time, his desktop list fuels his drive to fight for those who serve, to preserve and increase their benefits, to
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HeroVet: Paul McHale, Leads at the Front Line as the DoD's Chief of Homeland Security
It’s been said that there’s no such thing as an "ex-marine," and Paul McHale continues to prove that point, as the Department of Defense’s chief homeland security leader.
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HeroVet Lt. Col. Andrew Lourake, Inspiration for Veterans Overcoming Disabilities
In the military, breaking a leg could seem rather insignificant in the grand scheme of things, although still quite painful. And yet on October 31, 1998, Lt. Col. Andrew Lourake broke his after a freak motocross accident, and is now making the world a better place for so many of this nation’s bravest returning wounded from Iraq and Afghanistan.
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HeroVet: Tom Corey, Veterans Activist
The day he was hit, Tom Corey had a premonition. It was January 31, 1968, the second day of what soon became known as the Tet Offensive. The young 1st Cavalry trooper, a veteran of eight months in the bush, "had a really bad feeling. When we were told to saddle up, something just didn’t feel right. The other guys said, ‘Oh, don’t worry. You’ve been in firefights before.’ " But Corey was still uneasy.