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Hollywood Actors, a Texas Gentleman and Corporate Philanthropists Honored During the 2012 GI Film Festival

Contact:  D’Ann Long – 951-315-6534, cell; or Laura Law-Millett – 800-928-6307 ext 101

Washington, DC – Wednesday, May 23, 2012 – The GI Film Festival honored H. Ross Perot, Actor Joe Mantegna, Lifetime Television’s Army Wives, USAA and TriWest Healthcare Alliance with 2012 GI Film Festival Awards.

Lifetime Hero Award:

The Lifetime Hero award is presented to an individual who by the way they give their personal resources are considered an inspiring example to others.  Is it fitting that the first ever GIFF Lifetime Hero Award was presented to H. Ross Perot.  Perot, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and longtime advocate for veterans’ causes, has spent decades improving the lives of GI’s and their families.

“It’s been a real privilege to be able to work with the military and help people, and it’s very nice of them to recognize it tonight,” answered H. Ross Perot when asked about the honor.  “But the real issue is, we’ve got to take care of those people.”

GI Spirit Award:

Actor Joe Mantegna received the festival’s GI Spirit Award during a congressional reception held on Tuesday, May 15th.  The GI Spirit Award is presented to an entertainer who embodies the spirit of an American GI in their creative and philanthropic endeavors.  Joe embodies that spirit and dedicates time, talent and to helping the troops and their families.

“I am so honored to be recognized by the GI Film Festival,” said Joe Mantegna.  “We all have the same goal in the end – to support our troops in any way we can and celebrate the tremendous sacrifices our military men and women make in and out of the arena of war.”

GI Family Award:

Army Wives actors Brian McNamara and Sally Pressman were on hand to represent the cast of the entire show.  Their fictional depictions of Army life resonates with the real-life military spouse community.  The show’s commitment to presenting Army life in a positive way was one of the reasons the GI Film Festival chose to honor Army Wives with the GI Family Award.

“I could not be more proud to represent the show at the GI Film Festival,” explained Brian McNamara, who plays Major General Michael Holden on Army Wives. “Both our show and the festival work toward the same goal – to highlight the tremendous sacrifices military families make on our behalf every day.”

Corporate Patriot Awards:

The 2012 GI Film Festival presented two (2) Corporate Patriot Awards – to USAA and TriWest Healthcare Alliance.  Corporate Patriot Awards are given to businesses in recognition of their ongoing support and appreciation of the U.S. military and their families

GI Film Festival 2012 – reel stories, real heroes.

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