Film industry unites to support vets with "Got Your 6" initiative

(CBS/AP) Hollywood's power players, who are often rivals when it comes to fighting for fair contracts, hot scripts and top talent, are uniting in their support for American veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Movie studios, TV networks, talent agencies and the entertainment unions, together with a host of nonprofit groups, have created the "Got Your 6" initiative, a multipronged effort to support military veterans and their families.

"It's an opportunity for all of us," said Universal Studios chief Ron Meyer, who announced the campaign Wednesday. "I can't think of anything more important than supporting the troops that are coming back from active service."

More than a million veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are expected to return to the U.S. over the next five years, said Chris Marvin, director of Got Your 6.

"Got your six" is military lingo, an expression of solidarity that means "I've got your back and I know you've got mine," Marvin said.

Through scripted story lines, celebrity public service announcements and employment and education outreach, Got Your 6 aims to ease veterans' return to civilian life by encouraging Americans to recognize them as valuable community leaders.

The effort was inspired by Michelle Obama's Joining Forces campaign and conceived with the support of the Clinton Global Initiative.

"The entertainment industry captures our imaginations, opens our eyes and touches our hearts, and I'm proud to work with them on our Joining Forces initiative," the first lady said in a statement Wednesday.

"By sharing the stories of strength and resilience that define our military families, we can motivate even more Americans to honor these courageous individuals in new ways."

Public service announcements featuring stars, including Tom Hanks, Alec Baldwin, Sarah Jessica Parker and Michael Douglas, will begin airing Thursday, and the industry's commitment to Got Your 6 is ongoing.

Among the elements of the campaign is a promise from Disney and Comcast to hire 1,000 veterans apiece.

[ncrdbl1]

Sickens me to see Hollywood use our troops for propaganda. Many in the commercial have been very vocal against the troops in the past. Now they are trying to make it look as if they now support the troops.

[Veritynow]

In reply to "mountainstates1":

The audience at that debate was not "booing" the troops - just the individual who was dissing the candidates (who happened to be a gay vet). Are you nuts? I am the daughter of a decorated combat veteran of Korea and Vietnam (two tours in each conflict), raised on Army bases. The military is overwhelmingly conservative and Republican. Mrs. Obama and these celebrities only a few years ago were putting down the troops and their missions. So disingenuous to now "support" the military because Mr. Obama is running for re-election.

[ncrdbl1]

Many do not remember how much of a hypocrite these "stars" are.

[GPfilms]

Some soldiers will be left behind.
Real-life celebrity art teacher and ex-Marine, Conni Gordon, helps a blind soldier win back the woman he loves using an unlikely weapon - his paintings.
Based on true story this is a fifteen minute version of the feature film Blind Heart.

http://youtu.be/fWojuKM27DQ

[mountainstates1]

Republicans "boo'd" our troops at one of their clown presidential debates this past fall. I'll never forget that. I'm voting for Obama. He stands with our military.

[DRO2525]

WOW.. what planet are you on?? Obama doesn't stand with our military. He cares about his family and what he can get from the tax payers of this country! He needs to GO!

[Linda_Falke]

Mountainstates1, I am a conservative, Christian *Republican*, who is the daughter of a Vietnam War vet. I, for one, support our troops 100%. Don't make the arrogant, misguided, ignorant assumption that all Republicans are like the ones you talked about, or that all Democrats support our troops. Shame on you for making that assumption in the first place!

[NinthSt78]

Good joint venture between the Global Initiative and Joining Forces projects. A pair that can work together goes a lot farther than a pair that can't.