12 Jan American Humane Association And Philanthropist Lois Pope To Unveil Major Initiative To Help Active Duty Heroes, Veterans, Their Families, And Military Dogs
Charity that has worked with military for 100 years to reveal initiative at special “Tribute to America’s Military Heroes” Event in Palm Beach on February 2
It will be a heroic evening in Palm Beach on February 2nd as American Humane Association, which has worked with the U.S. military for 100 years, and philanthropist Lois Pope unveil a new national effort to benefit the country’s active duty heroes, veterans, their families and military dogs at their “Tribute to America’s Military Heroes” event at the Brazilian Court Hotel.
For a century, American Humane Association has worked with our nation’s military heroes, helping them on the battlefield and on the home front. The organization’s Red Star® Rescue team was born on the battlefields of Europe during World War I as it provided care to 68,000 horses a month used in the war, and it were there to help provide the comfort and healing of animal-assisted therapy to veterans coming home from World War II in 1945. The organization continues this proud legacy today with powerful programs to protect those who protect us and help our veterans redeploy their unparalleled experience, skills and know-how here at home to defend the defenseless and build a more humane world for all of us and this lifesaving announcement will be welcome news for anyone who is currently serving, has served, or has a family member deployed.
A number of decorated war veterans will be speak at the event, including distinguished honored guest USMC Colonel Scott D. Campbell, the Commanding Officer of the Wounded Warrior Regiment in Quantico; honorary event chair and American Humane Association national ambassador Sergeant Matt Eversmann, a hero of the Battle of Mogadishu and the inspiration for the movie “Black Hawk Down”; and honorary event chair and American Humane Association national ambassador Colonel Dick Baumer, a veteran with a distinguished military career who managed the military working dog kennels in Vietnam. Also appearing will country be country music legend and American Humane Association board member Naomi Judd and Captain Jason Haag, USMC (Ret.), American Humane Association’s new National Director for Military Affairs. Capt. Haag is partnered with his service dog Axel, named the Service Dog of the Year at the 2015 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards®.
“American Humane Association is extremely proud and honored to celebrate 100 years of working with the nation’s military,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane Association’s president and CEO. “While we can never truly pay our heroes back for all they have done for us, we believe this major announcement will go a long way to protect those who protect us. I wish everyone in Palm Beach could come, but you must act fast as seating is limited. Thank you to Lois Pope for her patriotism and generous sponsorship of the event.”
In 2014, Mrs. Pope saw the completion of a decades-long dream with the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial dedicated by President Obama in Washington, D.C. This moving memorial, funded by her, will forever stand as a reminder to the public of the courage and sacrifices of the millions of living disabled veterans and all those who died before them.
“Every American owes a tremendous debt of gratitude for the men, women, and animals who have served and continue to serve in the military, as well as their families who endure so much while one or more members are deployed around the world,” said Mrs. Pope. “American Humane Association is the one organization that knows more than anything the heroism, bravery, and sacrifices that our heroes – human and dog alike – make to protect our freedoms.”
Just last year, American Humane Association clinched a major victory for military working dogs everywhere, after language advocated by the organization was included in the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act passed with bipartisan support by both houses of Congress and signed into law by the president that guarantees all military working dogs retirement on U.S. soil and gives their former human handlers the first right at adoption. American Humane Association is also working with Banfield Pet Hospital to provide complimentary veterinary care to retired military working dogs.
Tickets for the “Tribute to America’s Heroes” are limited so you must act fast. Please contact Mari Harner at 561-537-5887 or marih@americanhumane.org for more information.
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About American Humane Association
American Humane Association is the country’s first national humane organization and the only one dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Since 1877, American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting our most vulnerable from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today we’re also leading the way in understanding the human-animal bond and its role in therapy, medicine and society. American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.