Phil Hulett, Anaheim Ducks: The Case for National Invest In Veterans Week®
TL;DR
Legendary Anaheim Ducks announcer Phil Hulett is calling for a national shift from symbolic applause to economic action. By spotlighting bipartisan legislative wins in South Carolina and Douglas County, Oregon, Hulett makes the case that the most meaningful way to honor veterans is through hiring, mentorship, and sustained support of veteran-owned businesses during National Invest In Veterans Week® (March 1–7)—now amplified by a newly launched AI-powered civic engagement platform.
The Hulett Declaration: Why the “Voice of the Ducks” Is Putting the Economy in the Penalty Box for Veterans
In professional sports, recognition is loud. It comes in standing ovations, goal horns, and packed arenas. But in veteran advocacy, Phil Hulett—the 40-year broadcasting veteran and unmistakable public-address voice of the Anaheim Ducks—is calling for something quieter, more durable, and far more consequential: economic action.
Hulett’s national endorsement of National Invest In Veterans Week® reframes how Americans should think about honoring service. His message is direct: applause fades; investment compounds.
“I’m Phil Hulett, 40-year broadcaster and voice of the Anaheim Ducks. In the arena, we cheer for heroes. In the economy, we invest in them.
National Invest In Veterans Week® is about more than recognition—it’s about action. And across the country, leaders are stepping up.
In South Carolina, the General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing National Invest In Veterans Week®, uniting both the House and Senate to honor veteran-owned businesses and their impact on the state’s economy and communities.
In Douglas County, Oregon, commissioners went a step further—issuing a formal proclamation and honoring veteran-owned businesses, employers who hire veterans, and individuals who invest in veterans through mentorship and leadership.
This is what leadership looks like. This is how you support those who served. Follow their lead. Support veteran-owned businesses. Join the movement at InvestInVeteransWeek.com.”
A Legislative Power Play: South Carolina and Douglas County, Oregon
Hulett’s call resonates because it is anchored in results, not rhetoric.
In South Carolina, lawmakers achieved something increasingly rare: a unanimous, bipartisan resolution recognizing National Invest In Veterans Week®. The action formally acknowledges veteran-owned businesses as a strategic economic asset, not a symbolic constituency.
In Douglas County, Oregon, local leadership expanded the model further—recognizing not only veteran entrepreneurs, but also the employers, mentors, and community investors who actively create pathways for veteran success. Together, these actions form a replicable blueprint for states and counties nationwide.
The Economic Imperative
Angel Shuford, President of National Invest In Veterans Week® and an Army veteran, emphasizes that voices like Hulett’s help bridge the gap between service and long-term prosperity.
“Investment changes lives,” Shuford said. “National Invest In Veterans Week® is about building sustainable pathways—for veterans, their families, and the communities they continue to serve.”
The premise is simple: veterans do not need charity. They need market access, mentorship, and policy alignment that allows the leadership skills forged in uniform to scale in the civilian economy.
A Platform Built for Action, Not Just Awareness
As part of its continued evolution, National Invest In Veterans Week® has launched a new AI-powered on-site assistant designed to help users navigate proclamations, endorsements, legislative models, and verified resources in real time.
Unlike generic chat tools, the AI is embedded directly into the NIVW platform and trained on the initiative’s official recognitions, media coverage, and civic pathways—transforming awareness into coordinated action for businesses, legislators, and community leaders alike.
How to Answer the Call in 2026
As the 2026 observance approaches (March 1–7), the directive from Phil Hulett and the National Invest In Veterans Week® leadership is clear:
Support: Prioritize veteran-owned businesses in everyday spending.
Mentor: Offer professional guidance to transitioning service members.
Advocate: Encourage local governments to follow the South Carolina and Douglas County models.
Join the movement at InvestInVeteransWeek.com.
