Armed Forces Foundation Honors America's Heroes with Tribute Event

Congressional Gala Raises Funds & Awareness to Benefit Members of the Military
Community
WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
Members of Congress, members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Department of Defense
officials, and Department of Veterans' Affairs officials honored nearly 200
wounded service members from Walter Reed Army Hospital, Bethesda National Naval
Medical Center, and H.H. McGuire VA Medical Center on March 18th, 2009, at the
5th Annual Armed Forces Foundation (AFF) Congressional Gala. The event raised
nearly one million dollars. The two largest sponsors of the event were Northrop
Grumman and General Dynamics (GD); GD has been a top donor at the Gala for three
years in a row. The gala took place at the Ronald Reagan Building and
International Trade Center and was hosted by Congressman C.W. Bill Young
(Ranking Member, House Subcommittee on Defense Appropriations), Senator John
McCain (Ranking Member, Senate Armed Services Committee), Congressman Duncan D.
Hunter (Member, House Armed Services Committee), Congressman Gene Taylor
(Chairman, House Subcommittee on Sea Power and Expeditionary Forces), and
Senator Daniel K. Inouye (Chairman, Senate Appropriations Committee).The Gala
honored individuals for their outstanding contributions to the military,
including Admiral Eric T. Olson (Commander of United States Special Operations
Command), andMr. Dana White (President and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting
Championship).

"Tonight we are celebrating men and women that have demonstrated their support
to our troops in unique and extraordinary ways," said Patricia Driscoll,
President of the Armed Forces Foundation. "The Armed Forces Foundation is
honored to recognize our heroes and their supporters for all of the work that
they do for us."

The AFF awarded the Bill and Beverly Young Humanitarian of the Year Award to
Admiral Eric T. Olson. Admiral Olson is SOCOM Commander and received his award
live via satellite from Afghanistan. "Admiral Olson has served with great
strength, compassion and patriotism; he is a wonderful embodiment of what it
means to represent this country as a member of the Armed Forces," said Patricia
Driscoll. "Through his service to his country and to his brothers and sisters in
arms, he has set an example we can all follow."

The night's second award honored Mr. Dana White, president of the Ultimate
Fighting Championship (UFC) for his and his company's dedication to the welfare
of our men and women in uniform. The AFF awarded Mr. White the Sheldon Adelson
Patriot Award for humanitarianism in industry. The UFC has been a national
leader in raising money and awareness for research and development in the field
of Traumatic Brain Injury, one of AFF's focuses as a nonprofit organization.

In conjunction with the Gala, comedian Ron White performed a benefit show on
Sunday March 15. Mr. White performed with comedians Dave Attell, Kathleen
Madigan, Alex Reymundo, Drew Hastings, and Pat Dixon for a night of comedy and
charity. All proceeds from the show benefited the Armed Forces Foundation.

Reaffirming their support for our nation's troops and families, sponsors General
Dynamics Corporation, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, AM General, Cubic Corporation,
TriWest Healthcare and the Issa Family Foundation all provided sizable
donations. As a result of the overwhelming support of the corporate and
nonprofit community, the Gala served as one of the most successful tribute
events in the Foundation's history.

Other notable attendees included Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
General James Cartwright, General George Casey (Chief of Staff of the United
States Army), Admiral Gary Roughead (Chief of Naval Operations), General James
Conway (Commandant of the Marine Corps), Secretary Michael Donley (Secretary of
the Airforce), LTG Stanley McChrystal (Director of the Joint Staff), General
Norton Schwartz (Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force), and UFC fighter
Kenny Florian.

About the Armed Forces Foundation

In 2001 the Armed Forces Foundation (AFF) was established as a 501(c)(3)
organization under the U.S. Department of Defense's America Supports You
program. AFF offers vital assistance to active-duty and retired personnel,
National Guard, Reserve Components and military families as they cope with
difficult circumstances. Through a multitude of programs the Armed Forces
Foundation assists military families with utilities and rent; hotel and travel
costs; holiday gifts for military children; and therapeutic recreational
activities. The Armed Forces Foundation has been recognized by the President of
the United States, the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans
Affairs, the Department of Education and the Department of Energy for its
dedication to America's Service Members. For more information on our Foundation
or to aid us in our mission please visit us at our website
www.armedforcesfoundation.org.

Armed Forces Foundation (AFF)
Matthew Berry, 651-402-5604
mberry@armedforcesfoundation.org

Copyright Business Wire 2009