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Hundreds of veterans gathered with members of the entertainment industry at Universal Studios Hollywood to kick-off Veterans Day 2012: Celebrating Leadership and Service.

 

The star-studded event was hosted by Ron Meyer (President and COO of Universal Studios), J.J. Abrams, Eric Greitens (CEO of The Mission Continues), and Chris Marvin (Managing Director of Got Your 6), together with The Mission Continues (a non-profit Veterans organization) and Got Your 6 (a campaign led by the entertainment industry and a commonly uses the phrase meaning “I got your back”), two organizations that help veterans and military families secure jobs and become leaders in their communities.

 

“Veterans Day is a chance to recognize our country’s service members not only for the leadership they exhibited in military service, but also for their desire to continue their service here at home,” said Eric Greitens. “Through events like this one, we hope to inspire communities across the country to embrace veterans as critical community assets who bring about positive change every day.”

 

Many Hollywood stars such as Jon Favreau, Tom Arnold, Hanna Simone, Christopher Gorham, Greg Grunberg, Brandon Routh, and more came out in support of the event and stood side-by-side with veterans to fill more than 5,000 backpacks (donated by JCP) with food and other household essentials for a service project dedicated to help feed Los Angeles children.

 

 

 

 

Upon completing their “mission”, the veterans and celebrities distributed the care packages to over a dozen food-insecure children in the Los Angeles Unified School District, something much-needed and appreciated!

 

 

“When veterans and the entertainment industry team up, it’s a powerful force for social good,” said Chris Marvin. “This event is just an example of the ways in which our veterans stand ready to help and serve at home. But, more importantly, it enables veterans to personally and directly connect to their community through service.”

 

It all started in 1919 when U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed November 11 as Armistice Day, stating: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."

 

 

- Felix Kay, YH Staff