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.
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TopVet: Dr. Marco Gargano
Dr. Marco Gargano is an Army National Guardsman and dentist in Kansas City, Missouri who serves the veteran community with affordable dental care.
WeSalute Awards
TopVet: Thomas Sowell
Prominent economist Thomas Sowell will celebrate his 95th birthday in June but shows no signs of slowing down. The Marine Corps veteran is widely published, quoted, and sought after for guidance on current economic issues. The author of more than 45 books, he is a known voice in the Black conservative movement.
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.
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CelebVet: Dick Van Dyke
“I'm looking for work if anybody has," joked 98-year old comedian and entertainer Dick Van Dyke recently. Best known for his iconic roles in television shows and films like “Mary Poppins,” “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” the actor also served in World War II like most of his generation.
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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.
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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.
WeSalute Awards
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.
WeSalute Awards
VetFamily: Ryan Seacrest
Household name Ryan Seacrest will make new regular appearances in the homes of viewers of one of the most popular game shows next month. The son of an Army veteran, Seacrest will begin hosting the 42nd season of “Wheel of Fortune” in September, taking over for longtime host Pat Sajak. Sajak served in the Army in Vietnam as a DJ for the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service, and hosted the family favorite TV show for four decades.
WeSalute Awards
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. 
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.
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TopVet: Air Force Captain Ed Joseph Dwight
90-year old retired Air Force Captain Ed Joseph Dwight held his fists in the air sporting a smile from ear to ear last week as he exited rocket-capsule combo New Shepard. He became the oldest person to reach space, 63 years after President John F. Kennedy selected him, a former test pilot, as a candidate to be the first Black astronaut in 1961.
WeSalute Awards
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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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. 
WeSalute Awards
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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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
WeSalute Awards
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.
WeSalute Awards
HeroVet: Rob Newson
From the front lines to the White House, to the front office of the NBA, former Navy SEAL and anti-cancer advocate Rob Newson is an inspiration.