VMFP Announces Recognition Award Nominees for 2009
Bob Woodruff, Rep. Chris Smith Among the Nominees
August 25, 2009 - Washington, D.C. - Veterans and Military Families for Progress announced the nominees for its recognition awards to be given during its 2009 biennial national conference, including Members of Congress, veteran suicide prevention advocates, a noted author covering Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and ABC reporter Bob Woodruff.
“VMFP presents three awards at the biennial National Conference recognizing the achievements of those who embody the national membership organization’s mission,” said Matt Cary, president of the national membership organization advocating on behalf of veterans, active duty, and military families.
The Max Cleland Lifetime Achievement Award is given to a VMFP member, legislator, community leader or other advocate from within the veteran and military family community. The inaugural year’s award was given, naturally to former Senator and head of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Max Cleland. This year’s nominees include citizen advocate John Maino, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-4), and Ellen and Randy Omvig, parents of Iraq Veteran Joshua Omvig in whose name they lobbied Congress to ensure passage of the Veterans Suicide Prevention Act in 2008.
The VMFP Public Service Award is given to a member of the media for elevating awareness of the issues VMFP works on. The 2007 VMFP Public Service Award was given to Washington Post reporters Dana Priest and Anne V. Hull for their coverage on the conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. This year, VMFP members nominated Julie Sullivan, reporter for The Portland Oregonian; Talk show host John Maino; Ilona Meagher, author of Moving a Nation to Care and PTSDCombat.blogspot.com; Phillip Dine, journalist, author and speaker; Rachel Maddow, host of the MSNBC television show The Rachel Maddow Show; and Bob Woodruff, former ABC News anchor and founder of ReMIND.
The Torchbearer Award is given to a VMFP member who highlights the issues and courageously spreads VMFP’s message. The 2007 award winner was Annette MacLeod, the wife of Army reservist Del MacLeod who was injured while on duty in Iraq. Mrs. MacLeod courageously testified before Congress to the conditions at Walter Reed and the bureaucratic delays in her husband’s receiving proper care. The 2009 nominees include: VMFP’s President, Matt Cary; Ron Scott, Chair of the organization’s Government Affairs Committee; Bill Dooling, VMFP’s Executive Vice President; and Shawn Van Doren, Treasurer and Chair of the organization’s Finance and Membership Committees.
“We received excellent nominations from our members, reflecting the intense interest in this process, and will have a very tough time deciding amongst them to determine the winners,” Tom Howe, Awards Committee Chairman said, noting the difficult task ahead of his committee. The awards are to be given out during the 2009 Biennial National Conference being held at the Sheraton National Hotel, Arlington, Virginia, Sept. 25-27.
The weekend conference will feature a hospitality event Friday night, along with informative panels and general sessions with high-profile speakers throughout the weekend. VMFP members, government officials, and other veteran and military family advocates from across the country will be in attendance. The awards banquet is slated for Saturday night, Sept. 26. For more information, to register to attend, or to sponsor, visit the organization’s website at www.vmfp.org.
Veterans and Military Families for Progress is a 501(c)(4) organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. and recognized as a Veterans Service Organization by the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is made up of members from across the country, and from across the breadth of rank and military services, who served, are serving, or are members of families of those who have heeded the call to serve their country in the U.S. military.
Contact Information:
Veterans and Military Families for Progress
Maura Satchell, Conference Chair
media@vmfp.org
PO Box 66353
Washington, DC 20035
Cel: (615) 238-5500
