Military Appreciation LETTER CAMPAIGN
Join our online series of MILITARY GUEST SPEAKERS
& spend a few minutes WRITING A LETTER of thanks to their units.
OUR MISSION
We invite you to join one of our Guest Speakers -- Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Coasties -- and learn first-hand about their frontline missions stateside and abroad.
The goal is to inspire you to write a letter of appreciation or two — digitally or by snail mail — to their units and to their families. These letters makes a huge difference to our service members morale!
For your convenience, there are two sessions each day listed: 12pm PST / 3pm EST + 1pm PST / 4pm EST
This Military Guest Speaker Online Series & Letter Writing Initiative is hosted by the following Veteran Networks, Veteran Employment Resource Groups, and Veteran Nonprofits: ViacomCBS Veteran Network, FOX Vets, Lionsgate Vets, WarnerMedia Salute, Veterans Network NBCUniversal, BFAM Cooking, Veterans in Media & Entertainment, Vets2Set, Blue Star Family, and American Legion Hollywood Post 43.
GUEST SPEAKERS & LETTER-WRITING SESSIONS
JAVITS CENTER IN NYC: This place went from Ground Zero in March 202o to the most prolific vaccination center in the US in March 2021.
JAVITS CENTER: From COVID Ground Zero to 10,000 Vaccinations a Day to New York City
FEATURING: Major Michael O’Hagan, Air National Guard
DATE: TUESDAY, MAY 11th @ 12pm PST & 1pm PST | 3pm EST & 4pm EST
Task Force Mission: In March 2020, New York City was the nation’s hotspot for COVID. That’s when a multi-agency team made up of over 600 service members (Soldiers, Airman, Marines and Sailors) as well as members from the Department of Health, the Javits Center staff and other NY state agencies, immediately set up a hospital in the Javits Center — the heart of New York City. Men and women in uniform bravely stepped up and stepped out when few understood the virus. Last January, the Javits Center was tasked to vaccinate as many New Yorkers as safely and orderly as logistically possible. Since the start of this new operation, more than 500,000 vaccinations have been administered by this team alone making the Javits the largest mass vaccination site in the United States. How did this come together so quickly? An insider’s look at the lightning style- logistics and embodiment of selfless service over the last 12 months.
Our Letters Mission: Thank the service members who willing showed up to build a hospital in March 2020 to working 18-20 hour shifts to ensure that the maximum number of vaccinations are able to occur. New York City was a COVID hotspot and the support of these soldiers brought calm to the chaos.
Hosted by: FOX VETS with Evelyn Infante, Sue Kinzie
A SECRET LIFE UNDERWATER: What is life like in the darkness of the ocean aboard a nuclear-powered submarine?
A SUBMARINER’S LIFE: Literally Living 200 Feet Underwater
FEATURING: Broderick VanBuren Berkhout, Captain (Ret)
DATE: WEDNESDAY, MAY 12th @ 12pm PST & 1pm PST | 3pm EST & 4pm EST
A Submarine Mission: The primary role for a US Submarine includes Peacetime Engagement, Surveillance and Intelligence, Special Operations…and Precision Strike. Life aboard a submarine is cramped, isolated and heavily-armed. To even be eligible to be a crewman aboard a submarine applicants must pass a series of grueling tests, psychological evaluations, and intensive courses. Of course, even once qualified, serving aboard a submarine is not a walk in the park. So, why do it? Hear from Captain Berkhout who spent
Our Letters Mission: Thank the Sailors / Submainers of the USS Seawolf (SSN 21) who are brave enough to endure these extraordinary underwater missions that keep America safe.
Hosted by: FOX VETS with Evelyn Infante, Sue Kinzie
AMERICA’S GLOBAL RESPONSE FORCE: The 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade deploys often from medical to combat missions. Their families must learn to cope without a spouse or parent at home over numerous deployments.
“WE GO ANYWHERE”: From Fort Bragg in North Carolina to the Middle East & The Families of these Deployed Soldiers
FEATURING: 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade (soldiers + family members)
DATE: TUESDAY, MAY 18th @ 12pm PST & 1pm PST | 3pm EST & 4pm EST
Brigade Mission: Based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the mission of the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade is to rapidly deploy whenever the United States calls on them. They have many important missions, from providing air support to troops in contact, reconnaissance missions, and MEDEVAC support. This is the emergency aviation response to America’s Global Response Force. We will hear from a Soldier in the Middle East and from his wife back in North Carolina and how they overcome the challenges of constant deployment.
Our Letters Mission: Thank our Soldiers of the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) for their willingness to deploy at a moment’s notice providing combat to medical support. We also want to thank their family members who have to go it alone while their spouses often serve multiple deployments abroad.
Hosted by: Lionsgate Vets with Kevin Carter, Jacob Thielen, Dean Duensing
COAST GUARD CUTTER IN ARTIC: The Cutter Polar Star in the Arctic on a scientific research mission.
“BREAK IT UP”: Welcome Aboard the Coast Guard’s Polar Icebreaker in the Arctic & Antarctica
FEATURING: Captain William Woityra, Coast Guard
DATE: WEDNESDAY, MAY 19th @ 12pm PST & 1pm PST | 3pm EST & 4pm EST
Polar Star’s Mission: Homeported in Seattle, Washington, US Coast Guard Cutter POLAR STAR (WAGB 10) is the United States' only heavy icebreaker. Commissioned in 1976, she has three aviation-grade gas turbine engines which goes up to 75,000 horsepower, making her the most powerful ship in the US Coast Guard. Each year, POLAR STAR travels the Antarctica to lead Operation Deep Freeze and break miles of ice up to 21 feet thick to break a channel in the fast ice to McMurdo Station, the American base located near the Ross Ice Shelf. POLAR STAR then escorts research and supply vessels into McMurdo. Deep Freeze port calls may include various Pacific Islands, Australia, the Far East and South America .Most POLAR STAR deployments were generally three-month deployments to the Arctic ice regions. The primary purpose of those deployments was scientific research to support at-sea studies in the fields of geology, volcanology, oceanography, sea-ice physics and other disciplines.
Our Letters Mission: Thank the Coast Guard “Coasties” crew working long shifts in freezing weather and dangerous seas to ensure the Arctic and Antarctic seaways remain clear for scientists conducting research work and to escort ships needing safe passage.
Hosted by: NBCUniversal Veterans Network with Lisa Wernick
THE OLD GUARD: serving with honor and dignity during COVID at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and on Casket Duty.
THE OLD GUARD NEVER SLEEPS: Serving in Solitude during COVID in Arlington, Virginia
FEATURING:
Sergeant First Class Chelsea Porterfield (Sergeant of the Guard, Badge #688)
Ethan Morse (Badge #548, Old Guard Sentinel)
Captain Lauren Glover first female leader of the Drill Team)
DATE: TUESDAY, MAY 25th @ 3pm EST & 4pm EST | 12pm PST & 1pm PST
Old Guard Mission: The Old Guard's current duty is providing funeral details at Arlington National Cemetery, guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, providing honor guards for visiting dignitaries, supporting official ceremonies and providing a quick reaction force for the Washington, D.C. area.
During Covid, funerals at Arlington National Cemetery only allowed 10 people of which six were the Army Soldiers providing the escort and burial service. The other four were family. These Soldiers provided hundreds of funerals and gave comfort to the grieving families.
Our Letters Mission: Thank the men and women who serve on the Casket detail and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They have been comforting the grieving families who, due to COVID, cannot bring their family and friends to be part of their burial services.
Hosted by: ViacomCBS Vets with Betty Diaz, Melanie Gonzalez, Tiffany Pilgrim, Bryon Stopfer
SURVIVING & SAVING: An Air Force Pararescue Team saving lives off the coast of Alaska.
PARARESCUE JUMPERS: Daring Missions in Untamed Alaska & Beyond
Featuring: Colonel Matthew Komatsu, Air Force & Captain Dan Warren
DATE: WED, MAY 26th @ 3pm EST & 4pm EST | 12pm PST & 1pm PST
126th Mission: Learn about the most dangerous rescue missions of an elite Air Force Pararescue Team based in Alaska. From the brutal Alaskan Wilderness to the frigid waters of the Arctic, to the peak of Denali, and in war zones across the globe -- Alaska PJs and their aircrew save nearly one hundred lives a year. Historically known as “Air Rescue men” - they are on rescue alert 24/7/365 days a year. They go into the wilderness and waters when no other entity can —or will — go.
Our Letters Mission: Send our words of thanks for these men and women who brave the most dangerous conditions to save lives under the most dangerous and terrifying conditions imaginable.
Hosted by: WarnerMedia Salute with Tracy Martin
