Positive and embracing energy was in the air at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on May 24, 2025, as the Military & Veteran Entertainment Awards rolled out the red carpet for its inaugural ceremony. The awards were established to recognize and honor military veteran creatives and distinguished military members for their service and achievements.
“There’s a little frustration in that the community doesn’t recognize veteran stories and creators enough,” Joe Ramirez, Commander of the Ronald Reagan Post Palisades Post 283 and the mastermind Marine Corps veteran behind the event, told We Are The Mighty. “So we said, let’s do it ourselves. Let’s come together and tell the world.”
The Military & Veteran Entertainment Awards, emceed by comedian and Air Force veteran BJ Lange and Marine Corps and Navy Public Affairs veteran Amy Forsythe, hosted military guests, politicians, celebrities, and Gold Star family members. The ceremony featured famous guests and military heroes alike.
No other event is likely to see actors like Cybill Shepherd, Linsay Rousseau, Maurice P. Kerry, Sam Humphrey co-mingle with dignitaries like Penske Vice Chairman Gerry Byrne, Congressman Brad Sherman, Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, Councilwoman Traci Park, Brigadier General William C. Hannan, Jr., and Vietnam-era Medal of Honor recipient Gary Littrell.
“As an actor and Air Force veteran, it was an honor to co-host the inaugural Military & Veterans in Entertainment Awards show,” said Lange. “The MV Awards is an incredible opportunity to relive that camaraderie we cherished in the military. It was truly uplifting to recognize the hard work and creativity of our military service members and veterans who contribute so much to the entertainment and media industry.”
Military & Veteran Award Winners:
Best Male Actor: Ryan Gangl, “Life After Oblivion”
Best Female Actor: Rhonda Gulliver, “Back by Monday”
Best Short Documentary by a Veteran: “Honor Song”
Best Long Documentary by a Veteran: “The Gift”
Best Documentary by Non-Veteran: “Voices of Valor: World War II Heroes in Their Own Words”
Best Vietnam Film: “A Place of Honor”
Best Comedy Film: “Big Decks”
Best Short Film by Non-Veteran: “Little Boy | WWII Narrative Short Film”
Best Short Film by a Veteran: “Stone Garden”
Best Supporting Male Actor: Hawthorne James, “In the Matchbox”
Best Supporting Female Actor: Jennifer Simmons, “Louise”
Best Writer: Simone Silva, “Code Specter”
Best Director: Alysha Daniele Haran, “Stone Garden”
Best Feature Film: “Salsipuedes Street”
Best Overall Film: “Stone Garden”
The show was like most award shows, featuring engaging and sometimes humorous presentations from guests who announced the winners. Unlike most award presentation events, the Military & Veteran Entertainment Awards featured a silent auction that included items such as a Stan Lee-signed Spider-Man print and a G.I. Joe-branded Sherman tank.
Donna Qwatch, VIP presenter and Army veteran, shared, “From the depths of the battlefield, through pain and suffering, our extraordinary filmmakers and media personnel brought forth their experiences and shared their stories through their lens of what we call creative artistry. They pull from the soul, evoking the kind of emotion that spoke from their heart, which makes this night unlike any other.”
“The energy and atmosphere at the inaugural Military and Veterans Entertainment Awards gala was truly unique in a deeply, mutually celebratory fashion,” said presenter and Army veteran Brian McLaughlin. “I’ve been to many events for the entertainment industry and veterans, but combining the two in a setting like the beautiful and historic Beverly Wilshire was like no other experience. The joy and camaraderie were electrifying.”
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