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Scott's View: Keeping the Dream Alive: MLK Day and the Veteran Community

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2025 is this coming Monday, January 20. “MLK Day” is more than just a day off. It's a time for reflection, remembrance, and renewed commitment to the ideals that shaped a nation. While we celebrate the progress made in the fight for racial equality, it's crucial to remember that the journey is far from over. Dr. King's message of love, unity, and nonviolence continues to resonate deeply, especially within the veteran community.

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VetFamily: Christine Duffy

It is impressive to find a President of a major travel company who is not only personally passionate about supporting the military and their families, but also embeds that value into the heart of their global brand. Christine Duffy does just that at Carnival Cruise Line. The leader of the world's largest cruise company comes from a strong military family and her son served in the Army.

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CelebVet: James Earl Jones, in Memoriam

James Earl Jones, a pioneer for Black actors, and a friend of WeSalute, passed away on September 9th 2024. James’ hard work and determination to prove his worth as an actor, earned him coveted awards reflecting the passion he had for his career. In 2011, he achieved “EGOT” status for winning an Emmy, Golden Globe, Oscar, and Tony award. Amongst many of his peers, Jones served in the military following the Korean War.

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VetFamily: Dennis Quaid

Actor Dennis Quaid has starred in dozens of movies, including “The Right Stuff,” “The Parent Trap,” “Breaking Away,” and next week’s new release entitled “Reagan” about the nation’s 40th president. Among his many awards, he received the New York Film Credits Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor in “Far from Heaven.” Throughout Quaid’s star studded career, his World War II veteran father motivated and inspired him.

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Cover Story: After 162 Years, Two Soldiers Finally Get Medal of Honor Recognition

Two Civil War veterans were posthumously awarded The Medal of Honor on July 3, 2024, just days before the 162nd anniversary of it being signed into law by President Lincoln. This recognition is the nation's highest award for military valor in action. To date, the Medal of Honor has been awarded to 3,519 service members who went above and beyond the call of duty.

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HeroVet: Captain Paul “Bud” Bucha: An American Hero

He was an Army brat, a competitive swimmer, a graduate of both West Point and Stanford, an infantry captain. He arrived in Vietnam in November 1967 commanding D Company -- the “Clerks and Jerks,” they were called -- the last company formed when the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division adopted a four-rifle company configuration.

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TopVet: Angelina Trillo

Angelina Trillo, Oregon Army National Guard medic, first-generation college student and daughter of an Army veteran, was recently named 2023 Student Veteran of the Year. She is the chapter president of the Student Veterans of America (SVA) for Oregon State University, where she will graduate this month with a B.S. in Political Science.

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Scott’s View: Remembering Army Veteran and Award-Winning Journalist, Charles Osgood

Award-winning journalist Charles Osgood, renowned for anchoring "CBS Sunday Morning" for 22 years and hosting the long-running radio program "The Osgood File," passed away at the age of 91. He was an Army veteran and friend of Veterans Advantage during our early days.

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TopRank: Ms. America Madison Marsh

Madison Marsh, a twenty-two year old, active duty Air Force Officer excited and inspired the country as she was crowned Miss America 2024 earlier this month.

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VetFamily: Kelly Ripa

Star talk show host Kelly Ripa started the 22nd season of her morning program “Live with Kelly and Mark” in September with her husband, Mark Consuelos. Besides being a likable personality with a successful television career, Ripa is a member of our military community. Both her father and father-in-law served in the military.

Admiral Lisa Franchetti. Photo Credit: U.S. Navy

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TopRank: Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti

Navy Admiral Lisa Franchetti made history last month by becoming the first woman to lead the U.S. Navy. The Senate voted 95-1 to name her Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). She becomes the first woman to join the elite group of senior military officers who make up the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The White House announced her nomination July 21 and she was sworn in as the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations in early November.

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VetFamily: Simone Biles

Olympic medalist Simone Biles re-entered the spotlight recently as the most decorated gymnast of all time, winning her 34th medal at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships this month in Antwerp, Belgium. In the stands to cheer her on was her dad Ron Biles, a United States Air Force veteran.

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VetFamily: Andy Reid

The 2023 National Football League season is in full swing, and once again the Kansas City Chiefs are favorites to take home the Lombardi Trophy as champions. With the discipline and leadership skills he learned growing up in a military family, Head Coach Andy Reid is looking to bring home a third championship since he joined the Chiefs in 2013.

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VetFamily: Dolly Parton

Music and entertainment Icon Dolly Parton will release her 49th solo album and first rock album this November. In addition to being a world-class musician, singer-songwriter, and philanthropist, the 77-year old country music star is married to a former military man and has proudly supported the U.S. military over her decades-long career.

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CelebVet: Tony Bennett

Tony Bennett, the timeless crooner and Army veteran, passed away on July 21 just a few weeks shy of his 97th birthday. His illustrious career won him 20 Grammy Awards and a recent resurgence in popularity through his musical collaboration with pop sensation Lady Gaga. He broke the Guiness World Record for oldest person to release an album of new material at age 95. Like many of his generation, Bennett served in the military during World War II.

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TopVet: Producers of the Movie "Jaws"

Jaws burst onto the silver screen in June of 1975 and become a historical icon for many reasons. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the movie became the prototype for the summer blockbuster.

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TopVet: Brian Armstrong

Marine Corps veteran Brian Armstrong is a transitioning veteran success story. From military recruiter to Lead Business Execution Consultant Program Manager for Wells Fargo, he has made the jump from service to success in the corporate world.

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TopVet: Chris Perkins, Veterans on Wall Street

When Lehman Brothers collapsed at the start of the 2008 financial crisis, Marine VETERAN Captain Chris Perkins was on the ground floor unphased. “People were screaming and crying. I had just come back from combat - I had seen worse.”

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TopVet: Dusty Baker

The Houston Astros have high hopes for capturing their second consecutive baseball championship. To get there, Astros fans have once again put their faith in baseball and military veteran, Dusty Baker, who proudly served as a U.S. Marine.

Benjamin Ferencz Nuremberg Trials Veterans Advantage HeroVet

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HeroVet: Benjamin Ferencz

Benjamin Berell Ferencz, the son of Hungarian immigrants, fought with the U.S. Army in World War II in Europe, witnessed the liberation of German concentration camps, and served as a lead prosecutor in the Nuremberg trials. For over 70 years, he has condemned atrocities against people of race or creed, and committed himself to settling disputes without the use of force.

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CelebVet: Zach Bryan

A Navy Vet made former President Obama’s list of favorite music of 2022, next to names like Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar.

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VetFamily: Gary Sinise Plays Winning Role in Veterans Advocacy

Gary Sinise's most famous military role may have been Lieutenant Dan Taylor in "Forrest Gump," but these days he's playing a leading role in veterans' advocacy off screen.

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TopRank: Lt. Amanda Lee of the Blue Angels

The Blue Angels, the famed U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron that has delighted millions with its thrilling air shows, added its first female pilot last week. Navy Lt. Amanda Lee was tapped as the first female F/A-18E/F demo pilot. She and five other officers are the newest members of the 2023 Show Season for the Blue Angels.

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CelebVet: Tony Bennett

Tony Bennett, the timeless crooner whose career won him 20 Grammy Awards, will celebrate his 96th birthday next month. He’s currently enjoying a resurgence in popularity through his musical collaboration with Lady Gaga. And like many of his generation, Bennett served in the military during World War II.

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