{"id":925,"date":"2019-11-21T21:06:33","date_gmt":"2019-11-22T05:06:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hiringourheroes.org\/hiring-our-heroes-honors-bonnie-amos-award-recipients-at-2019-gala\/"},"modified":"2022-06-29T17:41:17","modified_gmt":"2022-06-29T21:41:17","slug":"2019-awards-gala","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hiringourheroes.org\/stories\/2019-awards-gala\/","title":{"rendered":"Hiring Our Heroes Honors Bonnie Amos, Award Recipients at 2019 Gala"},"content":{"rendered":"

Each year, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation\u2019s Hiring Our Heroes initiative recognizes the tremendous contributions of those who have gone above and beyond to help our nation\u2019s heroes by honoring companies, organizations, and individuals at its annual awards gala.<\/p>\n

The 9th annual Lee Anderson Hiring Our Heroes Awards Gala<\/a>, presented by Toyota, returned to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce\u2019s Hall of Flags on November 13, 2019. The evening featured the presentation of seven awards, the celebration of the accomplishments made during the past year, and honoring those who have served and still serve.<\/p>\n

Besides celebrating the award recipients, the event highlights included a catered dinner and dessert reception prepared by Chef Robert Irvine, a Royal Navy veteran and founder of the Robert Irvine Foundation, which supports service members and first responders.<\/p>\n

U.S. Army General Paul Nakasone, commander of U.S. Cyber Command and director of National Security Agency\/Chief, Central Security Service, along with Ed Laukes, group vice president of Toyota Division Marketing at Toyota Motor North America, gave special remarks at this year\u2019s gala.<\/p>\n

\u201cToyota has a longstanding dedication and commitment to training and hiring veterans. In fact, 5% of our total workforce are veterans,\u201d Laukes said. \u201cWe are proud to be part of this team assembled in this room that has helped more than 31,000 veterans and military spouses obtain good jobs and employment opportunities through Hiring Our Heroes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Navy Lt. (Ret.) Brad Snyder served as the gala\u2019s emcee. Snyder is a five-time Paralympic gold medalist with Team USA and a Hiring Our Heroes and Toyota Personal Branding Ambassador<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Navy<\/p>\n

The Hiring Our Heroes awards are presented in seven categories: Overall Effort in Veteran and Military Spouse Employment; Nonprofit Leadership in Supporting Veteran and Military Spouse Employment; Post-9\/11 Veteran Employment; Wounded Veteran and Military Caregiver Employment; Military Spouse Employment and Mentoring; Individual Excellence in Veteran Employment; and the President’s Award for Lifetime Achievement.<\/p>\n

2019 President\u2019s Award for Lifetime Achievement<\/h3>\n

The 2019 President\u2019s Award for Lifetime Achievement was presented to Bonnie Amos<\/a>, former first lady of the U.S. Marine Corps and Hiring Our Heroes and Toyota Personal Branding Ambassador.<\/p>\n

\u201cBonnie is a national treasure who has helped our program in immeasurable ways. I can\u2019t think of a more deserving recipient of the award,\u201d said Eric Eversole, president of Hiring Our Heroes and vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

From October 2010 until September 2014, Bonnie Amos served alongside General James Amos while he was the Marine Corps Commandant. Always a staunch advocate for military families, it was during this time Bonnie Amos had the opportunity to influence policies and programs within the Marine Corps and the Department of Defense.<\/p>\n