Home > Publications Index > News Releases Index > 2008 News Releases

Photo Caption: Actor and National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Chairman Mike Vogel stops to pose for a picture with Kimberly Breen, a female veteran patient, during his visit to the Baltimore VA Medical Center.  Vogel appeared in movies “Cloverfield,” “Rumor has It,” and “Poseidon,” the 2006 remake of the “Poseidon Adventure.”

March 12, 2008

Actor Salutes Hospitalized Veterans

Actor Mike Vogel - who played Jason Hawkins in the recent, big-screen thriller “Cloverfield” - visited veteran patients at the Baltimore VA Medical Center on March 5, 2008 as part of the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Program. This year, Vogel is the national spokesperson for more than 90,000 volunteers serving veterans at VA facilities across the nation. National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans is the VA's annual patient recognition program inviting the public to visit and honor hospitalized veterans.

The youngest celebrity to lead the National Salute, Vogel brings youthful energy to the program at a time when the number of young combat veterans under VA care is growing and VA is looking to younger generations of American’s to replenish an aging volunteer force.

“My generation has been focused on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but sometimes we forget about the veterans who are receiving care in VA medical centers,” Vogel said.  “I think it is important to thank these hospitalized veterans for what they’ve done and to give them a handshake.”

Vogel became personally involved in supporting veterans after his cousin’s husband was killed during military duty in Iraq in 2007. Both of his grandfathers fought in World War II. One was a tank commander and veteran of the Battle of the Bulge; the other a Seabee in the Navy.

Vogel began his acting career in 2001 on the Fox Network television series “Grounded for Life.” He has appeared in a variety of movies since, including “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” “Rumor has It,” and “Poseidon,” the 2006 remake of the “Poseidon Adventure.” Currently, Vogel has a starring role in the new feature film “Cloverfield,” released in January 2008.