(Washington, D.C. ) – The casts of the hit Broadway musicals “Jersey Boys,” “Mamma Mia,” and “The Times They Are A-Changin’ ” have joined the list of celebrities who have donated their time to take part in “Broadway to Baghdad,” a star-studded special event sponsored by Vietnam Veterans of America on Tuesday, October 17, in New York City.

Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera, Miss USA Tara Conner, and Miss Teen USA Katie Blair will join the Broadway stars in participating in the first part of the event, which will honor America’s fightingmen and women—a USO-type show from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the HBO Theater. “Broadway to Baghdad” also includes an 8 o’clock performance of  “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” the new Twyla Tharp musical, at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.

The Broadway stars and the reigning Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA have videotaped tributes to America’s military personnel serving overseas. Those “shout-outs” will be shown to those attending the show at the HBO Theatre and then sent to American troops abroad in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere overseas.

“Vietnam Veterans of America’s motto is ‘Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another,’ ” said VVA President John Rowan “We have come a long way from the days when Vietnam veterans were ill-treated when they returned home from serving their country. It is very gratifying that these young people are joining us in this event, one of many VVA efforts to honor the newest generation of American veterans and to reach out to them to help them adjust to life back home.”

Special sponsorship packages, including opportunities to help active-duty service members attend the events, are available. To find out more, contact Pat Gualtieri at 877-727-2333 or go to www.vva.org 

“Baghdad to Broadway” is made possible through the generous contributions of many organizations, including Home Box Office, U-Haul International, Veterans Advantage, Banfi Vintners Foundation, Veterans of Modern Warfare, Research Foundation of the City University of New York, Masons, AFL-CIO of New York State, the Vietnam Veterans Assistance Fund, the VVA New York State Council, Stories of Service, Samaritan Village Veterans Program, and Seneca Gaming Corporation.