Air Force One Pavillion

SIMI VALLEY, CA — “One Night For The Love of Our Country” drew a sold-out audience of over 300 people on December 15 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library to benefit the SEAL – Naval Special Warfare Family Foundation (SEALNSWFF) and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). The event, emceed by comedian Adam Carolla, was staged in the Air Force One Pavilion and featured live entertainment from Kevin Costner and Modern West, as well as seven-course meal and a silent auction. The SEAL – NSW Family Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that raises awareness and funds for special programs in direct support of the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) families on a local, national and global scale. IAVA has been looking out for new vets and their families since 2004 — from fighting for body armor to fighting unemployment, IAVA fights to improve the lives of the New Greatest Generation.

Quinton Aaron

Stacy Dash Interviewed

Ken Robinson, vice chairman of Threat Deterrence, LLC, Michael Thornton, retired Navy SEAL and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, and Dr. Cagan Randall, DC of the Carrick Brain Center, were the keynote speakers. Actress Stacy Dash was in attendance and donated signed memorbilia for the silent auction as was Quinton Aaron, lead actor in award-winning movie The Blide Side and Recording Artist Vaja; Rich Wyatt of Discovery Channel’s “American Guns” donated a gun from their Gunsmoke Guns in Denver, CO as well as a day on the set of the American Guns TV show.

Kim Merrill, Vaja, Mike Thornton, Susie Wimbish

Kim and Traci Merrill with Vaja and guest

Kevin Costner and Modern West

Kevin Costner and Modern West

The event featured a Silent Auction featuring a day on the set with Kevin Costner, a movie part from a Hollywood director, sky diving and other adventure packages with ex-Navy SEALs, three-month unlimited flights from private California airlines, a giant bottle of 1999 Cristal Champagne, and a number of other travel, hospitality and adventure experiences. The event was graciously hosted and organized by Darla Drendel and her team.

Vaja and Adam Carolla

Vaja and Kevin Costner

About SEAL — NSW Family Foundation

The SEAL – NSW Family Foundation’s vision is to provide support services to the NSW community. This is pursued by collaborating with the leaders in Family Support to better understand the effects of deployment; by frequent analysis to ensure we are meeting current needs; by the delivery of exceptional programs; and by educating and involving the civilian population in support of these elite warriors. NSWFF programs include Family Resiliency and Services, NSW Kids, Bereavement Support, Transition Assistance, Counter Deployment, Global Outreach, Emergency Assistance and Wounded Warriors. For more information on the NSW Family Foundation, visit www.sealnswff.org

About IAVA

Founded in 2004 by an Iraq veteran, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the first and largest organization for new veterans and their families, with nearly 300,000 members and supporters nationwide. IAVA is a 21st century veterans’ organization dedicated to standing with the 2.6 million veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan from their first day home through the rest of their lives. For more information visit, www.iava.org