First Lady Michelle Obama teamed up with actor Bradley Cooper on Friday to advocate for veterans to have roles in the entertainment industry.
The two, along with other entertainment industry big-shots and veterans advocates, joined with advocacy group Got Your 6 Friday in Washington.
Using Cooper’s latest hit movie, “American Sniper,” as a reference point, the First Lady urged Hollywood to “change the conversation about our veterans and military families.”
“The vast majority of Americans will never see these stories,” Michelle Obama said, specifically talking about U.S. Navy Seal Chris Kelly’s story portrayed in Cooper’s movie. “They will never grasp these issues on an emotional level without portrayals like this. Films and TV are often the best way we have to share those stories.”
As the nation evolved on issues such as gay rights, women’s rights, interracial marriage and drunk driving, so has the entertainment world, Michelle Obama pointed out. Now is the time for the same thing to happen for military members, past and present, she urged.
“There’s another great untold story right now … That is the story of our troops, veterans and their families,” she said.
“If we do this right,” she challenged, “It can mean real change for how veterans are treated in their communities.”
Michelle Obama was the keynote speaker the Got Your 6 event — which is military speak for “I’ve got your back” — to help launch “6 Certified,” a new program that officially aims to “provide a more accurate and responsible portrayal of veterans in entertainment.”
“American Sniper,” which has been nominated for numerous Academy Awards and is shattering box office records left and right, is expected to be one of the first movies to become “6 Certified.” The certification, a badge to be displayed during credits, will be doled out to films and television shows by a designated review committee on a quarterly basis.
“Six Certified will recognize that projects that foster understanding between civilian and military,” Chris Marvin, managing director of the Got Your 6 effort said.
Air Force Major Gen. Sharon Dunbar, Charlie Ebersol, president and CEO of the Company, and Greg Silverman, president of Creative Development and Worldwide Production at Warner Bros. were among some attendees at Friday’s event.
