FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 27, 2007
CONTACT: Michael Houston, IAVA (212) 982-9699 or

Interactive Times Square Sign Will Let Americans Send Messages of Thanks to the Troops
"Operation New Year's Eve" Text Messaging Campaign Launches this Week

NEW YORK - Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, is taking part in "Operation New Year's Eve," an exciting holiday campaign that will let Americans send text messages in support of U.S. service members serving overseas to a sign in Times Square.

Supporters can send text messages for the troops to 94444. All messages will be collected by "Operation New Year's Eve" and broadcast on a digital LED screen at the top of 4 Times Square, the tallest building in New York's Times Square. More than a million Americans are expected to gather in Times Square for the New Years Eve celebration, with an additional 50 million people watching at home. The messages will be broadcast worldwide via a live video stream at www.operationnewyearseve.org. Sign Lab Media and The Durst Organization are proudly sponsoring "Operation New Years Eve" in association with Fountainhead.com.

$.99 will be charged to users' phones for each text message sent. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). "Operation New Years Eve' provides Americans with a fantastic way to show support for U.S. service members serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's critical that amidst all the celebration, we stop to think about the men and women who are away from their families and in harm's way," said Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA Executive Director. "We are grateful to The Durst Organization and Sign Lab Media for sponsoring such an innovative campaign to help Americans say thank you."

Rob MacMillan, CEO of Sign Lab Media, is producing this historic event. A former Reservist, he intends to draw upon the Internet and social networks to lead the charge. "This is a profoundly simple yet powerful way for all Americans to connect with the men and women overseas."

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the nation's first and largest group for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, IAVA represents more than 70,000 veteran members and civilian supporters in all 50 states. For more information contact Michael Houston, IAVA, at or (212) 982-9699.

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