Blinded Vets Foundation Hosts Annual Congressional Awards Ceremony and Flag Day Events

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Blinded American Veterans Foundation (BAVF) hosts its 29th annual Congressional Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 12, 2014, followed by its annual Flag Day Picnic on June 14.  The Congressional Awards Ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. in Room 340 of the Cannon House Office Building, while the picnic will be held in Silver Spring, MD.  Both events are part of the Foundation's Flag Day observances honoring Members of Congress, the media, and volunteers.

"This is a special time of year for the Foundation," said BAVF President John Fales of Silver Spring, MD, "for it centers on the day our country pays tribute to the American flag.  It also gives us the opportunity to honor those in Congress and the media who have helped the millions of men and women who were willing to put their lives on the line in defense of our flag and for all it stands, as well as thank some of the many, many volunteers who have helped the Foundation since its beginning."

At awards ceremonies on June 12, U.S. Representatives Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) and J. Randy Forbes (R-Virginia) will receive the Foundation's George "Buck" Gillispie Award for Meritorious Service. The BAVF's Carlton Sherwood Media Award will be presented to Lindsey Boerma, senior video producer at CBSNews.com, and USA Today reporter Donna Leinwand Leger.  Volunteers Bruce Davis, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Shane Ostrom, Military Officers Association of America, will receive the BAVF's George W. Alexander Memorial Volunteer Award, with the Foundation's Corporate Award going to Ben's Chili Bowl.  Honoree at this year's picnic is Anthony Morella, Professor of Law Emeritus at Washington College of Law, and former vice president and general counsel at American University.

The Foundation's annual patriotic picnic attracts political figures, area civic leaders, veterans' services organization representatives, and the BAVF "family" of disabled and visually impaired veterans.  Flags that were flown over the U.S. Capitol will be presented to many guests.  As always, the picnic's famous hot dogs will be prepared and served by the gregarious Chef Lakis, a longtime Washington, D.C. fixture who has since retired from his cart at the northeast corner of 18^th and K Streets, N.W.

The Blinded American Veterans Foundation assists blinded and sensory-disabled veterans in attaining their full potential through research, rehabilitation, and re-employment.  It offers employment networking and rehabilitation and resource counseling, and provides funding for rehabilitation centers.  Other programs include a speaker's bureau, placement services, and a compilation of related statistics.  It also conducts research, educational, and charitable programs.  This valuable service is performed strictly with volunteers and without a paid staff.

SOURCE Blinded American Veterans Foundation