Photos: Stars and Starbucks Salute Veterans with The Concert for Valor
A first-of-its-kind event – presented by HBO, Chase and Starbucks – brought musical talent, celebrities and millions of Americans together to honor the courage and sacrifice of veterans, active duty service members and their families
Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Carrie Underwood and Eminem and others lit up the night sky in Washington, D.C. in honor of veterans, active duty service members and military families.
The Concert for Valor drew hundreds of thousands of people to the National Mall, with millions more watching on HBO and through a live video stream.
Along with performances by the Black Keys, Jessie J, Dave Grohl, Metallica, and others, a series of video vignettes told several stories of veterans and their service in the military and at home. Those profiled are also featured in “For Love of Country” written by Starbucks chairman, president and ceo Howard Schultz and Rajiv Chandrasekaran, a senior correspondent and associate editor of The Washington Post.
Schultz became deeply involved in veterans issues after meeting Leroy Petry, a Medal of Honor recipient who lost his right hand while serving in Iraq. Petry inspired Schultz to commit to hiring at least 10,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2018.
The book and first-of-its-kind Concert for Valor – staged by HBO, Starbucks and Chase – were intended to raise awareness of issues affecting veterans.
Photos by John Harrington