Blinded Vets Foundation Sets 27th Annual Congressional Awards Ceremony

National Awards Program to Honor U.S. Representatives Bishop and Carter

WASHINGTON, June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Blinded American Veterans Foundation (BAVF), at its 27th annual Congressional Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 7, 2012, will present its George "Buck" Gillispie Award for Meritorious Service to U.S. Representatives Sanford Bishop (D-Georgia) and John R. Carter (R-Texas).  The ceremony will take place in Room 334 of the Cannon House Office Building.

"We're honored to recognize Representatives Carter and Bishop for their steadfast support of veterans' rights and services," said BAVF President John Fales of Silver Spring, MD.  "These national leaders continually stand up for the millions of women and men who have served or are now serving our country, and for their families.  The entire veterans' community joins us in applauding these heroes for their friendship, trust, and constant devotion to veterans' issues."

The BAVF will also present its Carlton Sherwood Media Award to Leon Harris, award-winning journalist and news anchor for ABC7-WJLA-TV, and to The GI Film Festival. The Foundation's George W. Alexander Memorial Volunteer Award will be presented to Virginia Copeland, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Michael Jernigan, a veteran and pioneer of the Paws for Patriot Program.  The Foundation's Corporate Award will be presented to the Marine Corps Brass Quintet.

The annual awards ceremony precedes the Foundation's annual Flag Day Picnic on June 9.  This annual patriotic gala attracts political figures, area civic leaders, veterans' service 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.  This year's picnic will honor Bob Madigan, WTOP's "Man About Town".  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.

Both events are part of the Foundation's annual Flag Week activities.

The Blinded American Veterans Foundation assists blinded ad 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 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