by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki
Photo credit: Brendan Kownacki
Hey, isn’t that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank California? Hey, isn’t that a gaggle of White House staffers walking behind him? Yes and No are the answers….it was a whole parade of recognizable faces gathered at Warner Bros, some actual Washington politicos and some who just played them on TV.
This past week, cast members from the original DC on TV show, The West Wing reunited to launch a new PSA campaign in support the organization Justice for Vets and its Veterans Treatment Court programs. The Veteran Treatment Courts are judicial programs around the country that take a sensitive approach to veterans who end up in the judicial system because of substance abuse, rather than just throwing the metaphorical book at them.
Staffers from the fictional Bartlett White House reunited earlier this year to film the PSA to help spread awareness of these growing programs and try and continue to bolster support for vets. In a day when there are still an estimated 22 veteran suicides per day, with substance abuse tied closely into the epidemic, all the strong voices that will stand up for the cause are needed.
Melissa Fitzgerald
Enter, Melissa Fitzgerald. For seven years Fitzgerald portrayed Carol Fitzpatrick (the plucky assistant to Allison Janney’s C.J. Cregg) and has now taken her passion for policy into the real world, moving from Hollywood to DC nearly two years ago to take on the role of Senior Director for Justice for Vets. Drawing in support from her longtime castmates was a natural idea. The group had their first major launch event at the Warner Theater in September 2014 with another mini West Wing reunion.
“Veterans Treatment Courts are spreading across the country because they work, but there is an urgent and growing need for more,” said Fitzgerald. “Justice For Vets is grateful to the incredible cast of the ‘The West Wing’ for supporting this life-saving program and urging the public to get involved. Our hope is that this PSA inspires millions to join Justice For Vets in the mission to put a Veterans Treatment” Court within reach of every veteran in need.”
Dulé Hill
For many millennials, The West Wing anchored a sense of Washington idealism that drove many young folks to seek out opportunities as staffers hoping that the same good will and virtue of the show could survive in real DC. The jury is definitely still out on that one, but Fitzgerald’s former West Wingers feel like she’s living in real life the spirit that all their characters had in fiction Washington from. Bradley Whitford who portrayed Josh Lyman called Fitzgerald out as a leader. “It’s incredible what Melissa has done,” he said. Dulé Hill who portrayed President Bartlett’s personal aide Charlie Young said, “there’s times when we get together and we hang out…or there’s times when we get together where we use this good will that we have to shine a spotlight on something that I believe deserves support.” Hill agreed with Whitford that Fitzgerald is a bold presence in all she takes on; “beyond being a phenomenal actress, she’s a phenomenal person, putting her heart where her mouth is, she actually walks the walk.”
Brad Whitford, Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, Mary McCormick and Dule Hill join Justice For Vets Senior Director Melissa Fitzgerald
Whitford and Hill were on hand at Warner Bros. to formally launch the new PSA along with Allison Janney, Mary McCormack, Richard Schiff. Also appearing in the PSA were Janel Moloney and Martin Sheen. The PSA which is circulating online and will be aired across Comcast’s multiple platforms was directed by Brent Roske of Chasing the Hill fame and was written in part by Academy Award winning screenwriter Josh Singer, who worked early-on in his career on episodes of The West Wing.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald
Real life Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald was on hand for the event to praise the Veteran Treatment Court model and the work of Justice for Vets. “The VTC model surrounds the vet with VA and community services,” said McDonald emphasizing that we can’t leave our service members out on an island alone to deal with the problems they are facing. “It’s about putting the needs, expectations and interests of veterans first, and putting their families right close behind.”
Allison Janney poses with Dee Dee Myers, EVP & Dir. Corp Comms, Warner Bros. (and former White House Press Secretary)
Another recognizable DC face on hand was that of former Clinton Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers who is now a EVP and Director of Corporate Communications for Warner Bros.
The idealism of The West Wing world might not be as spot on as you have seen on TV, (anyone who is paying attention to the current election knows that) but one thing is clear. When a dedicated group of strong willed people bring their voices for a good cause, especially a cause like our veterans, than anything is possible for our future.
Take a look at the Justice for Vets West Wing PSA:
