Smallscreen News

Michelle Obama, Bradley Cooper make Thank a Veteran PSA

By April MacIntyre Oct 21, 2010, 4:53 GMT

US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wave to the crowd EPA/GARY GARDINER

History has released a PSA campaign in support of its Thank A Veteran at Work initiative, featuring  the First Lady Of the United States, Michelle Obama and the Second Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden.

Bradley Cooper has taped a PSA as well.

According to History, Cooper is no stranger to supporting the troops, having traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan through the USO. Major League Baseball superstar Johnny Damon is also scheduled to tape a Thank A Veteran at Work PSA. The two-time World Series Champion is active with the Wounded Warrior Project, which works to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women.

Few Americans are aware that only 1% of its citizens serve in the Armed Forces. With the help of the White House and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), History encourages the remaining 99% of Americans to say thank you to the brave men and women who have sacrificed to protect their country.

As part of their ongoing efforts to raise awareness of the dedication and service of our soldiers and their families and to forge an enduring national commitment to support veterans, the First Lady and Dr. Biden are scheduled to tape a public service announcement (PSA) to run in conjunction with Veterans Day.

The PSA will air on History and can also be seen on veterans.com and serve.gov. 

“Thank a Veteran at Work” is designed to increase awareness and recognition of the service and contributions of Veterans from all eras. VA will join History this fall as Veterans Day approaches in encouraging all employers in the private and public sectors to support the effort and recognize Veterans in their work forces with a sincere “thank you.”

As part of the “Thank a Veteran at Work” initiative, “Thank You Veteran” stickers for companies and organizations will be made available to distribute to their employees on or around Veterans Day.  

“The ‘Thank a Veteran at Work’ program reminds all Americans that what Veterans do and have done for the country is important,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki, “just as what the country does for Veterans returning from service is vital for them and their families. Employer’s support and recognition of Veterans are particularly timely as our military forces return from overseas.”

"History is honored to have First Lady Michelle Obama and Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden, along with the VA, join us in spreading the word about our Thank a Veteran at Work program," said

Nancy Dubuc, President and General Manager of History and Lifetime Networks. "At History, we believe that now, more than ever, it is important to recognize the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country. We believe that Thank a Veteran at Work as well as its twin initiative, Take a Veteran to School Day, go a long way in helping all Americans give our veterans the thanks and support they so richly deserve."

VA is the leading federal agency for the national observance of Veterans Day on November 11. The Department will add “Thank a Veteran at Work” to the featured aspects of this year’s observance.