Salute to the Military

The latest from Hollywood on the Potomac.

Robin Bronk and Diedrich Bader — Photo by TCC

Written by Guest Contributor Tamara Buchwald

The Creative Coalition hosted an extraordinary evening of celebration, unity and recognition at the Creative Coalition’s 100 Leader Dinner & Salute to the Military honoring four organizations for their unwavering commitment to empowering military families and their innovative use of the arts as a powerful tool for healing and connection – Blue Star Families, TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces, and Armed Forces YMCA. The event brought together prominent figures from diverse sectors—entertainment, media, policy, business, and philanthropy—to shine a spotlight on the dedicated men and women who serve in the U.S. military, as well as the organizations that offer vital support to military families through the arts.

The evening got off to a wonderful start with comments from Robin Bronk, CEO of the Creative Coalition and Diedrich Bader (Veep, Better Things) expressing their gratitude to those who serve. Diedrich’s parents are buried at Arlington Cemetery. The evening continued with the extremely funny comedian Jeffrey Ross, who personally has participated in over 100 USO tours. Jeffrey acknowledged the room full of West Point Cadets “So shout out to the World War II vets and all the way down to the cadets that are here today. I don’t know what the drinking and uniform policy is these days, but I say it’s don’t ask, don’t tell.” After speaking to the young, bright cadets, I was assured that the future of our country is in great hands.

With these organizations, we are reminded what a crucial role the arts play in our society– from expressing ourselves, to entertainment and most importantly to working to heal those who serve our country.

Yolanda Ross presented the first award to the Armed Forces of the American Red Cross, which “provides support to military personnel, veterans, and their families through art therapy, which helps reduce symptoms associated with PTSD, fosters the ability to experience hope, gratification and confidence, and not to mention reduces isolation and stigma.” Accepting on behalf of the Armed Forces of the American Red Cross was Dr. Michael Jordan who was a US Marine Combat veteran and a gold star father who has served in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Desert Storm. Dr. Jordan established the Travis Jordan Healing Arts Gallery in honor of his son who played guitar. He explained it as follows: “[i]t is a guitar center. And so we’ve gotten a lot of donated guitars for the troops to come in and have a place of respite to getaway from all the hustle and bustle of their job war fighting and training to fight wars.”