WASHINGTON, D.C. – Seven active members of America’s armed forces will be honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award during a White House ceremony on Friday, May 16, 2008, to recognize their outstanding service to others in need.

Hosted by USA Freedom Corps Director Henry Lozano, in honor of Military Appreciation Month, the event will launch a new initiative to highlight volunteer service among America’s military personnel, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense. General James Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as Mary Jo Myers, member of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation and wife of General Richard Myers, and actor Stephen Baldwin, will join Director Lozano in thanking the awardees from various branches of military service for their service to causes greater than self.

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

WHO:

• Deputy Assistant to the President and USA Freedom Corps Director Henry Lozano
• General James Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
• Mary Jo Myers, President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation
• Stephen Baldwin, President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation

WHAT:

• Ceremony honoring military personnel with President’s Volunteer Service Award

WHEN:

• Friday, May 16, 2008
  9 a.m. EDT

WHERE:

• The White House
  Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB)
  Indian Treaty Room

Members of the press should arrive at the Northwest Appointment Gate by 8:30 a.m. EDT to ensure entry.

NOTE: Members of the press who do not have a White House press credential should contact the White House Office of Media Affairs at (202) 456-6238 for credentialing information.

In his January 2002 State of the Union Address, President Bush called on all Americans to make a difference in their communities and across the globe through volunteer service. He created USA Freedom Corps, an Office of the White House, to help Americans answer his Call to Service. Visit www.volunteer.gov or call 1-877-USA-CORPS to find an existing volunteer service opportunity and to find more information about volunteer service programs.

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