Endorsement: Aaron Jones for the Walter Payton NFL "Man of the Year" Award

Drayton Florence is a former NFL player and co-founder of National Invest In Veterans Week® an organization that advocates for veteran business development. He is also a champion for veteran-focused initiatives and has received numerous awards for his advocacy work.

As a co-founder of National Invest In Veterans Week® it is my honor to endorse Aaron Jones for the Walter Payton NFL "Man of the Year" award. Jones' commitment to his community and his work with military veterans exemplify the values that the award represents.

The connection between the military and the National Football League is a strong one. Many NFL players have served in the military or have family members who have served. The discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills learned in the military translate well to the football field, and the NFL recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of military veterans.

Jones' work with his charitable organization, A&A All The Way Foundation, focuses on impacting the lives of children and military families. This work is especially meaningful to me as a veteran myself, and I have seen firsthand the impact that organizations like A&A All The Way Foundation can have on the lives of those who have served our country.

Through his foundation, Jones and his brother have hosted events like charity softball games and turkey giveaways, raising funds for programs that focus on youth recreation and fitness, children's basic needs, and military families. This kind of community engagement is essential to creating positive change and supporting those who need it most.

Jones' commitment to veterans extends beyond his foundation work as well. He has participated in the NFL's Salute to Service initiative, which honors military veterans and their families. He has also visited troops overseas and spoken about the importance of supporting veterans in his interviews with the media.

As someone who has dedicated his post-football career to supporting veteran business development and advocating for veteran-focused initiatives, I know firsthand the importance of having allies in the NFL community who are committed to this work. Jones' dedication to veterans and military families makes him a valuable asset to the NFL and the wider community.

It is my hope that the NFL will recognize Jones' contributions by awarding him the Walter Payton NFL "Man of the Year" award. This award is not just a recognition of Jones' achievements on the field but also a celebration of his commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.

I believe that Jones' work with A&A All The Way Foundation and his dedication to veterans make him a deserving candidate for the award. His example can inspire others to get involved in their communities and support those who have sacrificed so much for our country.

Thank you for considering my endorsement of Aaron Jones for the Walter Payton NFL "Man of the Year" award.

Sincerely,

Drayton Florence Co-Founder, National Invest In Veterans Week®

National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023 Celebrates Award-Winning Individuals and Organizations for Supporting Veteran Empowerment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023, a week-long celebration dedicated to promoting veteran entrepreneurship, employment, education, social impact, and advocacy, has recognized outstanding individuals and organizations for their significant contributions and impact in these areas.

The awards were presented during National Invest In Veterans Week®, which took place from March 6 to March 12, 2023. The awardees were recognized for their unwavering support of veteran entrepreneurship, raising awareness about the issues affecting veteran employment, outstanding success, innovation, and impact in their industry, commitment to empowering veterans through education, training, and other support services, significant social impact through their programs and initiatives, dynamic social media content advocating for and promoting the well-being and success of veterans, and consistent and effective advocacy for veterans' issues and needs.

The awardees are as follows:

• Champion of Veterans Entrepreneurship Award: Governor Greg Gianforte

• Trailblazer in Veteran Hiring Award: Bruce Thompson

• Veterans in Business Excellence Award: JDog Brands

• Empowerment Through Education Award: Action Zone Tampa

• Social Impact Action of the Week Award: A&A All The Way Foundation

• Social Media Influencer of the Week Award: EnergyUnited

• Veteran Advocate of the Week Award: Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General

"These awards reflect the significant contributions of individuals and organizations to the veteran business community and their ongoing commitment to supporting and empowering veterans," said Lonnell McCall, Director of Advocacy for National Invest In Veterans Week®." National Invest In Veterans Week® continues to celebrate these achievements and inspire others to join the movement towards a more inclusive and supportive community for veterans."

National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023 was a remarkable success, with events and activities that helped aspiring veteran business owners gain valuable insights, network with other entrepreneurs, and access the resources they need to grow their businesses. It was an inspiring demonstration of the power of community and collaboration, and it serves as a shining example of how we can all work together to support our nation's veterans and their families.

2023 Awardees Bios:

Governor Greg Gianforte was awarded the Champion of Veterans Entrepreneurship Award for his unwavering support of veteran entrepreneurship. His advocacy for policies and initiatives that promote small business ownership and economic empowerment has been a driving force behind the success of many veteran-owned businesses.

Bruce Thompson was awarded the Trailblazer in Veteran Hiring Award for his work in raising awareness about the issues affecting veteran employment and providing resources to help veterans manage these issues. His efforts have inspired many to follow in his footsteps and create more opportunities for veterans in the workforce.

JDog Brands was awarded the Veterans in Business Excellence Award for their outstanding success, innovation, and impact in their industry. As a veteran-owned business, JDog Brands has inspired and empowered other veterans to pursue entrepreneurship, making a significant contribution to the veteran business community.

Action Zone Tampa was awarded the Empowerment Through Education Award for their commitment to empowering veterans through education, training, and other support services. Their efforts have helped veterans transition into civilian life and achieve their goals, making a positive impact on their lives and their communities.

A&A All The Way Foundation was awarded the Social Impact Action of the Week Award for their significant social impact through their programs and initiatives. This civilian-led organization has created positive change in the veteran business community and beyond, inspiring others to follow their lead.

EnergyUnited was awarded the Social Media Influencer of the Week Award for their dynamic social media content advocating for and promoting the well-being and success of veterans. Their efforts have inspired and empowered others to support and uplift veterans, creating a more positive and inclusive community.

Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General, was awarded the Veteran Advocate of the Week Award for her consistent and effective advocacy for veterans' issues and needs. Her efforts have made a significant impact on improving the lives of veterans and their families, and she has been a longtime supporter of National Invest in Veterans Week®.

These awards reflect the significant contributions of individuals and organizations to the veteran business community and their ongoing commitment to supporting and empowering veterans. National Invest in Veterans Week® continues to celebrate these achievements and inspire others to join the movement towards a more inclusive and supportive community for veterans.

National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023 was a remarkable success, with events and activities that helped aspiring veteran business owners gain valuable insights, network with other entrepreneurs, and access the resources they need to grow their businesses. It was an inspiring demonstration of the power of community and collaboration, and it serves as a shining example of how we can all work together to support our nation's veterans and their families.

For more information on National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023 and how you can get involved, visit the official website at www.investinveteransweek.com.

National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023 Celebrates Veteran Entrepreneurship and Success

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023, a week-long celebration of veteran entrepreneurship and success, successfully promoted and advocated for the growth of veteran-owned businesses. From March 1st to March 7th, 2023, thousands of veteran business supporters, government agencies, and lawmakers participated in various events and activities in partnership with Action Zone Tampa.

The week kicked off with a special event in partnership with 1MC Tampa, where veteran business owners pitched their businesses to the community in search of advice, suggestions, and referrals to the resources they need to grow their businesses. The event was well-attended, and the veteran business owners received valuable feedback that they can leverage to take their ventures to the next level.

Other events featured several notable speakers, including Dewayne Kimble, an expert in the VA disability process, who led an information session titled "Understanding Your Disability Rating." In this session, veteran entrepreneurs learned how to get the most out of their VA claims and the resources available to them through the VA.

Throughout the week, National Invest In Veterans Week® celebrated the successes and achievements of veteran entrepreneurs across the country. One of the highlights of the week was the recognition of top achievers through the Veterans in Business Excellence Award, which recognized JDog Brands, a veteran-owned business that has demonstrated outstanding success, innovation, and impact in their industry, inspiring and empowering other veterans to pursue entrepreneurship.

The middle of the week saw various panel discussions that provided valuable insights into the resources available to veterans and their families to help them cope with the unique challenges they face. Troy Howell, MD, with the James A. Haley Veteran’s Administration, served on a Suicide Prevention Resources panel. Dr. Shane Smith, Director of Central Florida for the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, also participated in a panel discussion that focused on local resources for veterans and their families.

On the second to the last day, the VFW Post 4321 held a Military Spouse Networking event, followed by a talk from Kelly Douglas of the Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs (AMSE) at the SOCOM Resource Center at MacDill Air Force Base. These events were aimed at providing military spouses with valuable resources and information that can help them navigate the entrepreneurial landscape.

The week also featured a powerful panel of Veteran Service Organizations that delivered a message of hope to the many veterans in attendance who were looking to learn more about the VA Healthcare System. The panel discussed the various resources available to veterans and their families, including healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.

• Champion of Veterans Entrepreneurship Award: Governor Greg Gianforte

• Trailblazer in Veteran Hiring Award: Bruce Thompson

• Veterans in Business Excellence Award: JDog Brands

• Empowerment Through Education Award: Action Zone Tampa

• Social Impact Action of the Week Award: A&A All The Way Foundation

• Social Media Influencer of the Week Award: EnergyUnited

• Veteran Advocate of the Week Award: Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General

These awardees were recognized for their significant contributions and impact in promoting veteran entrepreneurship, employment, education, social impact, and advocacy. Congratulations to all the winners!

National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023 was a remarkable success, with events and activities that helped aspiring veteran business owners gain valuable insights, network with other entrepreneurs, and access the resources they need to grow their businesses. It was an inspiring demonstration of the power of community and collaboration, and it serves as a shining example of how we can all work together to support our nation's veterans and their families.

For more information on National Invest In Veterans Week® 2023 and how you can get involved, visit the official website at www.investinveteransweek.com.