HBO and Starbucks Team Up to Honor U.S. Veterans

2014 Concert for Valor details
The National Mall in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Business Wire)

HBO and Starbucks continue their commitment to U.S. veterans by teaming up on The Concert for Valor honoring men, women, and families who sacrifice for our country. The concert will take place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and will be produced by Tom Hanks, Joel Gallen, and Gary Goetzman. HBO will air it live on Veterans Day, November 11th at 7pm ET/4pm PT, and the network will be making it available to non-subscribers via their affiliates.

Among the artists scheduled to perform are Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood, Eminem, Jamie Foxx, Dave Grohl, Metallica, John Oliver, Rihanna, and the Zac Brown Band. Hanks, Steven Spielberg, and Meryl Streep will also be appearing at the concert.

Announcing the tribute to America’s veterans, HBO chairman and CEO Richard Plepler said, “We are honored to play a small role to help raise awareness and support for our service men and women. Their immeasurable sacrifice deserves our nation’s gratitude. This event will not only celebrate their service, but help remind Americans of the many challenges they face on and off the battlefield. We are delighted to join with Starbucks in our mutual effort to pay tribute to our veterans and those currently serving in the military.”


And Starbucks chairman, president and CEO Howard Schultz added, “The post-9/11 years have brought us the longest period of sustained warfare in our nation’s history. The less than one percent of Americans who volunteered to serve during this time have afforded the rest of us remarkable freedoms – but that freedom comes with a responsibility to understand their sacrifice, to honor them and to appreciate the skills and experience they offer when they return home. As many now seek reemployment, now is the time to offer them opportunities to work in our communities to do what they do best: solve problems and lead with selfless service. The Concert for Valor represents a significant and historic opportunity to demonstrate our country’s potential to come together as a nation, and do right by those who have done so much for us. They’ve stepped up. Now it’s our turn.”

Details on The Concert for Valor:

The Concert for Valor will provide a national stage for ensuring that veterans and their families know that their fellow Americans’ gratitude is genuine. Millions of people, including veterans, active duty service members, their families and Americans from all walks of life are expected to watch the free concert in person or on television, with the goal of raising awareness for veterans service organizations dedicated to education, wellness, reemployment and reintegration. The event will be presented from the National Mall between the Capitol and the Washington Monument, and HBO will offer its affiliates the opportunity to open the signal, allowing non-subscribers to view the special. Former U.S. Secretary of Defense and Starbucks board member Robert Gates and former Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen are serving in an advisory capacity with regard to veterans outreach and veteran service organizations that will be recipients of concert donations.

-By Rebecca Murray

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