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 CelebVet: Dick Van Dyke “I'm looking for work if anybody has,” joked the now 100-year-old comedian and entertainer Dick Van Dyke. Best known for his iconic roles in films like Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and the classic television series The Dick Van Dyke Show, the beloved actor has officially joined the centenarian club. Van Dyke celebrated his 100th birthday on December 13, a milestone marked not by a lavish Hollywood gala, but in true Van Dyke fashion: with a low-key day at home watching Jeopardy! reruns with his wife, Arlene Silver.

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 TopRank: Scott Ruskan Petty Officer 3rd Class Scott Ruskan was recently named an “American hero” by the Department of Homeland Security after saving 165 lives at Camp Mystic, a girl’s summer camp along the Guadalupe River in Texas where 27 people died in the July Fourth weekend's catastrophic flooding. It was his first rescue mission with the Coast Guard.

WeSalute Awards TopVet: Howard Tucker The world’s oldest practicing doctor, a Navy veteran, will celebrate his 103rd birthday next week. Dr. Howard Tucker was born in Cleveland, OH on July 10, 1922. He served from 1944 to 1945 during World War II while at medical school and was the chief neurologist for the Atlantic fleet during the Korean War. He’s been practicing medicine since 1947 and was the 2021 recipient of Guinness World Records’ title of “Oldest Practicing Physician.”

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 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.

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 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.

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: 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.

WeSalute Awards 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.

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.

WeSalute Awards 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 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 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. 

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.