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Our War Veterans: ‘Invest in Generational Leaders’ (VIDEOS)

Paul Rieckhoff — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 11:30:46 +0000

Troops coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan have made huge sacrifices to defend their country and the freedoms of others. They deserve nothing short of our absolute gratitude for everything they have done for America, and to protect the lives of those abroad they have never even met. The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America wants to make sure the public-at-large is well-connected to their troops and supports war vets coming home.

Watch IAVA CEO Paul Rieckhoff talk about the importance of supporting American troops and U.S. veterans:

“It’s really about connecting America with our community,” Rieckhoff said. “There are 2.4 million veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan … we want to connect everybody, every community with our cause, and let them know there’s a way for them to get involved.” Not sure what you can do to help support the troops? Watch Rieckhoff explain how you can get involved:

Paul Rieckhoff

The IAVA provides health, education and community programs to war veterans. But most people don’t realize veterans charities need so much help; they assume the government has it covered.

“We’re facing a spiking suicide rate, about a seventeen percent unemployment rate, and most of the non-profits in our space are still struggling – they’re living hand-to-mouth,” Rieckhoff said.

IAVA’s Veterans Support Fund is trying to raise $30 million to support programs for returning veterans. The easiest thing you can do is donate for this great cause.

“It’s a chance for people to invest in generational leaders,” Rieckhoff said. “We don’t think it’s a charity – we think it’s an investment.”

genConnect was credentialed press at the 2012 Aspen Ideas Festival in Aspen, Colo., where we interviewed the premier speakers and attendees at the conference. For more of our video interviews and articles from the Ideas Festival, click here.

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Paul Rieckhoff, Wes Moore Named ‘The New Greatest Generation’

Paul Rieckhoff — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:08:57 +0000

Left to Right: Dale Beatty, Wes Moore, Liz Young McNally, John Gallina, Paul Rieckhoff

August 18, 2011 marked a historic day for the Iraq Afghanistan Veterans of America. Five members of the country’s first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were featured on the cover of TIME magazine.

genConnect interviewed two of the five people featured in the cover story at the 2011 Aspen Ideas Festival : Paul Rieckhoff and Wes Moore. These two men impressed us with their innovative approaches to helping veterans and now you can be touched and help with their causes.

Paul Rieckhoff founded the IAVA in 2004 and is leading the way using social media to empower veterans to band together, secure employment, health care and build their lives at home. Watch our interview with Paul.

Wes Moore is an IAVA Board Member, Afghanistan combat veteran and up-and-coming leader in business and politics. He’s also the New York Times bestselling author of The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates, which was a topic of our conversation with him at the 2011 Aspen Ideas Festival. Watch our interview with Wes Moore.

The TIME featured story, by Joe Klein, titled “The New Greatest Generation,” profiled Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who are defining the next generation of leadership in politics, business and social entrepreneurship. Also profiled were Liz Young McNally, John Gallina and Dale Beatty. Klein writes:

“The returning veterans are bringing skills that seem to be on the wane in American society, qualities we really need now: crisp decision making, rigor, optimism, entrepreneurial creativity, a larger sense of purpose and real patriotism.”

Paul Rieckhoff on the IAVA site acknowledges the TIME article as a big achievement.

Paul Rieckhoff

“This is a historic moment for IAVA and for all Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. The TIME cover story proves the potential of a powerful new generation of American leaders. The five of us are humbled to have been chosen to represent our brother and sisters in the veterans community. But we are just the tip of the spear.

The ‘Innovation Generation’ embodies the diversity, skill and energy of all 2.3 million Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. It shows the entire world that veterans are not a charity, we’re an investment. We’ve led America in combat overseas, and we’re ready to lead at home.”

Plus: Watch genConnect with Joe Klein speak on the political landscape and Aspen Ideas Festival.

For more about the faces of the next generation and the TIME cover article click here.

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Paul Rieckhoff: 20 Percent of Iraq, Afghanistan Veterans Unemployed (VIDEO)

Paul Rieckhoff — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 10:00:26 +0000

Watch Paul Rieckhoff at the 2011 Aspen Ideas Festival spend ’2.5 Minutes With genConnect.’ We connected with the Executive Director and Founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

Click the play button below to watch genConnect Creative Director Kelly Hayes interview Paul Rieckhoff on how IAVA helps Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans:

Paul Rieckhoff is the executive director and founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). Rieckhoff led his platoon on hundreds of combat patrols while serving in the Adamiyah section of central Baghdad. He is currently an Infantry Officer of the New York Army National Guard. Rieckhoff is the author of Chasing Ghosts: Failures and Facades in Iraq: A Soldier’s Perspective and is considered an authority on the war in Iraq. He has appeared on numerous TV shows and radio programs and in 2004 was named one of “America’s Best and Brightest” by Esquire. Before going to Iraq Rieckhoff was a high school football coach and an investment banking analyst on Wall Street.

genConnect is credentialed press at the 2011 Aspen Ideas Festival in Aspen, Colo., where we are interviewing the premier speakers and attendees at the conference. For more of our video interviews and articles from the Ideas Festival, click here.

Sign up for genConnect.com and automatically be entered to win a trip to Aspen! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@genConnected) for additional Ideas Festival coverage (#AspenIdeas).

Memorial Day: Never Forget Those Who Died, by Paul Rieckhoff

Paul Rieckhoff — Fri, 27 May 2011 13:46:20 +0000

Head of The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America on the importance of remembering our fallen heroes on Memorial Day

Memorial Day is not just a time for family get-togethers, barbecues, and celebrating the forthcoming summer season – it is a day of remembrance for those who have died for our country. Some towns and cities hold parades, some people visit and bestow flowers upon the graves of loved ones who have died in service, some pray, while others take a moment of silence to thank those who have sacrificed so much for us.

This Memorial Day, The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) will attend ceremonies around the country to honor the sacrifices of our nations troops and veterans. In New York, for example, IAVA member veterans and supporters will be gathering at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum at 11 a.m. The organization is encouraging those who can’t join it on the ground this Memorial Day to honor the fallen by donating to support IAVA’s fight to end new veteran unemployment; over 200,000 new veterans were out of work searching for jobs last month.

Paul Rieckhoff

IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff said it is especially important to remember the fallen this year, as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan near their tenth year.

“Nearly 6,000 service members have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. We can never forget that. They, along with the over 1 million others who have given their lives in defense of our country in previous wars, will be remembered this weekend,” Paul said.

“For veterans of all generations, Memorial Day is a solemn time to remember those who made that ultimate sacrifice. As many Americans have barbecues and go to mattress sales, service members and veterans head to cemeteries to honor their fallen brothers and sisters. IAVA member veterans will be commemorating Memorial Day at Section 60, where Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are buried at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at ceremonies around the country in cities like San Francisco, Houston, Pittsburgh and Chicago.

“The entire country was filled with pride after the death of Osama bin Laden a few weeks ago. We hope Americans will remember that feeling and sense of unity this weekend. With the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan entering their tenth year, it is especially important this Memorial Day to honor the fallen by also supporting those who served alongside them. While veteran suicide and unemployment rates skyrocket, now is the time for all Americans to step up for this new generation of vets. Memorial Day provides an opportunity for the whole country to honor their sacrifices by showing them that we’ve got their backs.”

Let’s remember what Memorial Day is really about this weekend.

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Paul Rieckhoff on the Death of Osama bin Laden

Paul Rieckhoff — Thu, 05 May 2011 13:43:31 +0000

When we heard news of the death of Osama bin Laden, we reached out to Paul Rieckhoff, Iraq veteran, 9/11 first responder, and the Founder and Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).

In a blog post on IAVA.org, Paul captured the spirit that many serving in the armed forces as well as everyday citizens share.

“This is a proud day for America, and especially for every member of IAVA who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11,” said Paul. “We hope this news inspires renewed support and appreciation for the continuing sacrifice of our troops and veterans. More than 2.2 million service members have worked toward this day for almost 10 years and they all deserve praise.”

Click here for the complete powerful reflection on the death of Osama bin Laden.

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