Throughout her 30-plus years as a producer, writer and director, Suzanne DeLaurentiis has been involved with over one hundred feature films and has been honored for her work with numerous prestigious awards and her dedication and support for veterans. The first thing you see when you walk into Suzanne’s office, is not her film awards, but her accommodation medal from the Oregon National Guard. “I make movies, and the men and women of our military make it possible for me to do what I do for a living. In the grand scheme of things, I think it’s obvious which one of us has the most harder job.”
Recently, Suzanne returned to Oregon to show her continued support for the Oregon National Guard and The Reintegration Team. Suzanne was presented for the second time with the Oregon Commendation Plaque, a true honor, and one that she doesn’t take lightly. Her mission is to make sure the Vets know how much they are appreciated for protecting our country and make sure they all are able to find jobs upon their return home.
On Saturday March 10, Suzanne went out in less than stellar weather conditions to the tarmac to see Captain Tyler Eikenberry, commander of 7-158 Aviation, off as he left to go on his mission to Afghanistan. Watching him board the Blackhawk Helicopter was a particularly moving event for Ms. DeLaurentiis. “I can never quite comprehend the selflessness of our soldiers. It’s something you never get used to.”
“What most people don’t realize is that our Veteran’s return from horrors that most of us don’t even want to imagine and are then put in a position where they have to put their lives back together. These are men and women who put their lives on the line every day that they are in the service, and when they come home, they can’t even get a job.”
Suzanne DeLaurentiis and Veterans
When Suzanne first heard about the Oregon National Guard and the Reintegration Team, spearheaded by Master Sgt. Vinnie Jaques, she knew that she had to get involved, and she has been ever since. She’s hosted numerous charity events for the Organization, adds messages promoting the Military at the end of every film, and is constantly reaching out to her Hollywood colleagues both for donations and to spread the word about the lives our Veterans are coming back to.
LA’s The Place sat down with Suzanne DeLaurentiis and asked her about her dedicated involvement with veterans and how she is making a difference in their lives, even putting them to work in her film projects!
More about Suzanne DeLaurentiis: www.suzannedelaurentiisproductions.com.
