This Tuesday, August 19, Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonpartisan Iraq and Afghanistan veterans group, will address the annual Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) convention in Orlando, FL. As part of his major speech on veterans' issues, Rieckhoff will announce the launch of an extensive outreach campaign to help veterans take advantage of their new GI Bill benefits. President Bush and Presidential hopefuls Senators Barack Obama and John McCain will also speak at the national gathering. Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) will accept the VFW Gold Medal and Citation of Merit for his leadership on the GI Bill.
"I am honored to address the thousands of VFW members assembled. The VFW has demonstrated a clear commitment to our country's newest generation of veterans," said Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). "This gathering is about showing appreciation for all of the men and women who have proudly served our country and IAVA is thrilled to be a part of it."
The VFW convention takes place from August 16-21 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. Paul Rieckhoff will deliver his address on Tuesday, August 19 at 10:30am. Additional speakers include Senators Obama and McCain and President Bush. For more information, please visit www.vfw.org. The convention is open to registered and credentialed media. To inquire about covering the convention or arranging an interview with IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff or any other IAVA veterans, please contact Kara Horowitz at (212) 982-9699 or kara@iava.org.