The Veterans Leadership Luncheon is an annual event held to convene experts and leaders in veterans affairs to discuss the challenges facing our nation's veterans. At the event, we honor several local heroes and also hear personal stories of triumph over adversity.
Keynote Speaker
Louis Zamperini will deliver a powerful keynote address based on his inspiring life journey of perseverance and dignity. Mr. Zamperini is a World War II P.O.W., Olympian and the subject of Unbroken – the latest book from the best-selling author of Seabiscuit, Laura Hillenbrand.
Mr. Zamperini was a bombardier in the South Pacific during World War II. On a reconnaissance mission his aircraft crashed into the Pacific Ocean. Mr. Zamperini and another crewmember survived in a life raft for 47 days drifting 2,000 miles into Japanese controlled waters. As a prisoner of war, he experienced the worst of mankind. Mr. Zamperini later revisited and forgave the men who tortured him during his capture. He is truly unforgettable.
2011 Honorees
• Stephen Falk, Northwestern Memorial Foundation
• Marie Tillman, Pat Tillman Foundation
• Harris Bank and their Veterans Advisory Council
Previous Honorees:
• Pat Quinn, Governor of Illinois
• Secretary of State and U.S. Veteran, Jesse White
• Richard M. Daley, Mayor of Chicago and the City’s Department of Community Development
• Daniel Grant, Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs
• Walter Burnett, Alderman of the 27th Ward
HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE
• ATTEND THE EVENT There are no tickets to buy because the “price of admission” is an investment in
supporting our Nation’s Veterans.
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BE AN EVENT SPONSOR Your sponsorship will not only directly support VOA of IL’s programs for Veterans, it will also be publicized to an entire community of Veterans, Civic leaders, Politicians, Businesses and other individuals who care about Veterans. Opportunities range from $1,500 to $20,000. Contact
info@voail.org for more information about sponsorship opportunities.
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MAKE A DONATION Any donation made through / to the event will go directly to support programs for
veterans right here in the Chicagoland area. Any donations made prior to the event will appear in the event
program and in the annual report.
VOA of IL CEO, Nancy Hughes Moyer, WWII Hero Ed Ogonowski, IDVA Director Dan Grant