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Phoenix, Az., August 17, 2009 - The U.S. Army’s Director of Freedom Team Salute, Colonel David Griffith, addressed thousands of members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) at their 110th National Convention today here in Phoenix. He provided details to the convention attendees about the recent partnership agreement between the VFW and the Army’s Freedom Team Salute program. Griffith says it is the Army’s mission to reconnect with Army Veterans.
“The Army wants to recognize all VFW Army Veterans and honor them with Freedom Team Salute Commendations,” said Colonel Griffith. “We want to build a partnership that benefits the Army and the VFW by engaging individuals and organizations that support the VFW and the Army mission. Our goal is to have an enduring and mutually beneficial partnership that will help expand the Army family.”
Commendations, which are customized with the VFW name, consist of a personalized letter and certificate signed by the Army Chief of Staff, General George W. Casey Jr. and the Secretary of the Army, Pete Geren. Honorees also receive an official Army lapel pin and The Salute, a quarterly newsletter that contains information of interest to the Army family.
Other objectives of the new partnership include strengthening the bond between the Army and the VFW and supporting the VFW’s membership recruitment by sending commendations to inactive Army Veterans to encourage them to rekindle their affiliation with the nation’s largest Veteran Services organization.
“The men and women of the United States Army have been among the first to answer the nation’s call to service ever since the Army was chartered by the Second Continental Congress in 1775,” said Griffith. ”Throughout our history, when the security of the nation has been challenged, men and women in the Army have responded leaving their families, homes, jobs and their communities to live out the Army values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage.
Today’s Soldiers stand on the shoulders of our Army Veterans as they continue to uphold the proud traditions and standards of our great Army. That’s why this partnership with the VFW and the Army’s Freedom Team Salute program is so important.”
Freedom Team Salute was established in 2005 by the Secretary of the Army and the Army Chief of Staff to give the public the opportunity to thank all U.S. Army Veterans for their service by recognizing them with Commendations.
The program also honors and recognizes the Parents, Spouses, Employers, and Supporters of Active Duty, Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers. Over 2 million individuals have been honored with Army Freedom Team Salute Commendations.
For more information on Freedom Team Salute and honoring Army Veterans, go to www.freedomteamsalute.com
Contact:
Lindsey Brothers
Media Relations
U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute
Lindsey.Brothers@us.army.mil
703-325-3965 (office)
410-977-2082 (mobile)
David Thompson
Media Relations
U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute
David.Thompson57@conus.army.mil
703-325-3963 (office)
301-785-7670 (mobile)
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