ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 14, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Service Member Support (SMS) Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting our wounded warriors, is announcing that Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Thomas G. Bowman is the recipient of the 2018 Veterans Advocate Award. The award, presented during the 14th Annual Operation Jumpstart event at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington Virginia on February 12, is given to the individual or organization that has demonstrated the most impactful advocacy on behalf of America’s veterans.
“Tom is the son of a Navy Chief and enlisted pilot who survived Pearl Harbor, so his devotion to country and service was formed at an early age,” said Edward Meagher, executive director of the SMS Foundation as part of his remarks during the award presentation. “Tom has shown a lifelong dedication to service members and veterans, first while taking care of the Marines under his command as a 30-year Marine Officer and then during his 10-year career as Deputy Assistant Secretary and Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the VA. And, most recently, he served as Staff Director of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. While Tom is best known as a pragmatic problem solver he has never been reluctant to speak up on behalf of what is best for the veteran. We congratulate him on this recognition.”
Accepting the award on Mr. Bowman’s behalf was Richard Chandler, the Deputy Assistant Secretary and Chief Financial Officer for the Office of Information and Technology at the VA.
Operation Jumpstart is a program of the SMS Foundation. The purpose of the event is to show support for our wounded warriors from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom as they transition to civilian careers. The annual event gives wounded warriors an opportunity to network with members of the IT community who provide employment and internship opportunities with both large and small firms in this space.
To donate to the Operation Jumpstart program, please visit the website.
About the Service Member Support Foundation
The Service Member Support (SMS) Foundation was formed to support the immediate and transitional needs of sick, injured and wounded active duty military service members, medically retired sick, injured and wounded military veterans and their immediate families and their caregivers in the Washington DC metropolitan area. For more information, visit www.smsjumpstart.org.
Contact:
Edward Meagher
Executive Director
Service Member Support Foundation
emeagher@me.com