We Salute You

Inspired by Those Who Serve

On April 1, twenty-five Bank of America associates in Los Angeles, including those from Merrill Lynch and US Trust, were inspired into service by those who have served and continue to serve our country.

One hundred veterans from across the country under the age of 35 came together in Los Angeles to dialogue and discuss issues facing returning veterans. The "Beyond the Welcome Home Summit" was sponsored by ServiceNation: Mission Serve, Mobilize.org, MTV, Goldhirsh Foundation, McCormick Foundation and Bank of America.

In a pre-summit activity, the 100 veterans joined Bank of America associates at an Operation United Service Organizations (USO) Care Package party, assembling more than 7,200 care packages for troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and Haiti. Each care package contained an assortment of items that troops have requested; including prepaid international calling cards, disposable cameras, toiletries and entertainment items. Since 2006, the USO care package program has prepared more than 1.8 million care packages and is the only program of its kind recognized by the White House and the Department of Defense.

The event was organized by the Local Market Delivery Team, in partnership with the Market President Network, as part of Global Service Month. "Supporting our communities is part of our culture here at Bank of America. I am proud to see so many Los Angeles associates from different lines of business connecting to support our great military men and women serving abroad." Said Garrett Gin, Senior Market Manager, Global Corporate Social Responsibility.

Garrett Gin, GCSR and Ron Wise, National Director of the USO Care Package program

Associates from across many lines of businesses were represented; including many that are veterans themselves or have friends and loved ones who have served.

"As a Vietnam veteran, I recall that many who returned home from that conflict did not receive the warm welcome back into civilian society that they hoped for and deserved. So I felt honored to spend a day helping to prepare thousands of care packages for our active duty military. This provided the opportunity to personally meet many young veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, to listen to their stories, and most importantly to personally thank them for their service. "said Paul F. Sutherlen, SVP, Government Banking West Region. "These young heroes truly lit up my day!"

"When I was deployed, I was often the recipient of these care packages and they truly made my day." said Donald Hicks, Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch and former marine. "I jumped at the chance to help provide that for some of my fellow military brothers and sisters."

Donald Hicks and Doug Longo, Merrill Lynch and both former Marines

Many associates have been touched by war in their personal lives. "As someone who has experienced war at a very young age living in Iran, I know all about the sacrifices endured by men and women in military and know that despite all the hardships caused by war it is the love and support of family and community that keeps them going." Armond Aghakhanian, Banking Center Manager. "I am very proud to see that the company I work for is involved in such a noble cause."

Regardless of the military connection, volunteers were honored to work with the young veterans in preparing these special care packages that will be in the hands of active duty soldiers by the next week. "Working side by side with veterans who have fought to maintain the freedoms we often take for granted was an honor and a privilege. The opportunity to help put together care packages that will brighten a soldier's day is both rewarding and humbling. It was a memorable day." said Rosemary Ringwald, Managing Director, U.S. Trust.

Kalyani Chirra and Rosemary Ringwald, US Trust

David Arquette and associates Christina Rivera-Loya and Deirdre Nicole Hilario with Merrill Lynch