VetFamily

WeSalute Awards VetFamily: Honoring the Legacy of Dolly Parton (1946–2026) Music and entertainment icon Dolly Parton, a world-class musician, singer-songwriter, and philanthropist, passed away on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer. Beyond her legendary status in the entertainment world, Parton was a devoted VetFamily member, fiercely proud of her connection to the U.S. military through her late husband, Carl Dean, and her own decades of steadfast support for service members.

WeSalute Awards VetFamily: Mike Macdonald Next week the Seattle Seahawks go up against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, and Seahawk’s Head Coach Mike Macdonald’s military upbringing might help lead him to victory. At 38-years old, he’s one of the youngest coaches to reach the Super Bowl and he’s aiming to become the third-youngest to win. Born in Boston, his competitor’s territory, he hails from a military family. His father, Hugh, graduated from West Point and served in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1977, while his grandfather served in World War II and his aunts served in Vietnam as nurses.

WeSalute Awards Derek Jeter, Son of Two Army Veterans Derek Jeter’s superstar achievements confirm the New York Yankee traditions that have preceded him. But, unlike many of history’s prior pinstripe legends, the true measure of Jeter’s success is due to his play on and off the field – and it comes thanks in large part to his parents who both served in our nation’s military.

WeSalute Awards VetFamily: Pink, Daughter of Vietnam Veteran and Military Supporter “I have seen the rain. I've survived the pain. Oh I've been home 30 years or so, and I'm just stepping off of the plane...”

WeSalute Awards 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.

WeSalute Awards VetFamily: Pope Leo XIV Earlier this month, Pope Leo XIV was elected as the first American-born pope - and he comes from a military family. Born Robert Francis Prevost, the Chicago-native’s father served in the Navy during World War II, and his brother served in the Navy for 12 years.

WeSalute Awards VetFamily: Blake Lively Popular actress Blake Lively is best known for her TV and film roles in “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and “Gossip Girl.” While it’s widely known that she comes from a Hollywood family, she also has ties to the military. Her father, Ernie Lively, served in the Marine Corps in Vietnam before shifting to acting and coaching.

WeSalute Awards VetFamily: Tyra Banks Many know supermodel and television host Tyra Banks for her beauty, charm, and style, but few are aware she is part of a military family: her brother Devin served in the Air Force for more than 15 years and now works on Capitol Hill.  Banks is said to consider the military a "personal family thing" and visited her older brother in Okinawa when he served.

WeSalute Awards 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.

WeSalute Awards VetFamily: Steve Carell Actor Steve Carell is a household name known for his comedy. The brilliant Golden Globe winner’s latest film “Despicable Me 4” just opened at number one at the box office - and he comes from a military family. His father Edwin A. Carell served in the Army during World War II.

WeSalute Awards 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.

WeSalute Awards 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.

WeSalute Awards 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.

WeSalute Awards VetFamily: Bo Derek There probably aren’t a lot of actresses who are also an honorary Green Beret. Bo Derek is one. The model known for risque roles in 80s films like “10” and “Tarzan, the Ape Man” came from a military family and has worked extensively with veterans over many years, garnering her a high honor from the VA.

Military & Veterans News VetFamily: Cast of “Cheers” is Back Here’s good news for you 1980s retro fans. The long-running NBC sitcom Cheers is back in bar chats this week as part of the show’s original set goes up for auction. Several actors from the hit 80s tv-show come from military families, including George Wendt and John Ratzenberger, who reunited last week to sit at the familiar wooden countertop that’s up for grabs.

WeSalute Awards VetFamily: Jennifer Aniston Jennifer Aniston, star of the new Netflix movie “Murder Mystery 2” with Adam Sandler, is a household name. While she may best be known for her decade-long acting on the hit show “Friends,” the Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG award winning actress also comes from a military family.  

WeSalute Awards 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.

WeSalute Awards VetFamily: Travon Walker The NFL Draft’s number one pick Travon Walker is already succeeding in his debut season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, picking up his first sack in the Hall of Fame game earlier this month.

WeSalute Awards VetFamily: Jessica Alba Actress Jessica Alba hails from a military family - both her father and grandfather served our country. Among her other accomplishments on and off the screen, the movie star, philanthropist, and entrepreneur became one of six newly announced members of the board of directors at Yahoo this month.

WeSalute Awards VetFamily: Dave Roberts Dave Roberts, the 2020 World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers manager, credits his late father, who served 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, for his success as he leads the Dodgers into the 2022 season.

WeSalute Awards VetFamily: Betty White This week, America mourns the death of its favorite Golden Girl: Betty White passed away on New Year’s Eve, just two weeks before her 100th birthday. While best known for her seven decade-long career in Hollywood, the eight time Emmy-winning actress was greatly influenced by military service, including her marriage to Allen Ludden, a Bronze Star medal recipient and celebrity game show host and volunteering to support the troops in World War II.

WeSalute Awards VetFamily: Elizabeth Banks Actress, director, and producer Elizabeth Banks has a military family, and she proudly brought that connection to Hollywood.

WeSalute Awards VetFamily: Chris Pratt “We have the greatest armed forces the world has ever seen,” movie star Chris Pratt wrote on Instagram.

WeSalute Awards VetFamily: Jennifer Aniston Jennifer Aniston has had more success than most actors and actresses dream of, spending 10 years on the hit show “Friends” and moving on successfully to major films. It’s easy to forget that she comes from an acting family and, maybe more surprisingly, a military family.