Black Tie International: Global Stress Initiative / Stand For The Troops / David Richardson

Lorraine Silvetz, Barbara Meister Bender, Jane Pontarelli

Artist/Marine, Lt. Col David Richardson Supports Treatment of Service Members and Veterans Through Global Stress Initiative and Stand for the Troops.

Sharon Johnson, Joycelyn Engle, Julianne Michelle, Stacie Osburne,
and Lt. Colonel David Richardson

Lt. Colonel David Richardson

Lorraine Silvetz, Larry Romano and Julianne Michelle

Tomaczek Bednarek, Rita Cosby and Andrew Miller
Photo by: Jeff Smith

Count Joseph Di Palma and Joycelyn Engle

Tomaczek Bednarek and Rita Cosby

Leigh Held and Hansjuerg Raez

Vanity Fair celebrity interviewer George Wayne and Emmy Award Winning TV Host, Best Selling Author and daughter of POW saved by US Troops, Rita Cosby co-hosted an exhibition and benefit at The Solider and Sailors Club on Lexington Avenue last Thursday.

Additional co-hosts included founders of Global Stress Initiative (GSI) and Stand for the Troops (SFTT), Lorraine Silvetz, MSW and Eilhys England Hackworth respectively and award winning actress and star of the upcoming feature film, “Ivy and Mistletoe”, Julianne Michelle. Friends and supporters of GSI and SFTT, who provide innovative treatment for service members and veterans, were present for the special event. Among the packed house of attendees was a cohort of media heavyweights including Wall Street Journal Editor James Taranto, legendary Financial Times Columnist John Dizard and Vanity Fair Contributing Writer George Gurley. Other notable attendees included: Will Rockefeller, Whitney Wetherill Stroh and film producers, Noel Ashman, Bob Kravitz, Count Joseph Di Palma and Joycelyn Engle.

Rita Cosby, spokesperson for GSI states:

“I am so proud to align with Global Stress Initiative, Stand for the Troops and Lt. Col Richardson who all do so much to ensure our troops get the necessary help to deal with the unseen wounds of war after they leave combat.”

The chance to see David Richardson’s paintings in New York drew the creme de la creme of Gotham’s art establishment including gallerists Mark Murray, Cameron Shay, Andrew Miller and high powered collectors such as Brian Frasca and Leslie Barret. They auctioned an original piece by artist, author, and retired marine Lt Col David Richardson. The piece in question titled “Muscle Man,” which is acrylic and buck shot on plywood, also serves as the cover art for Lt Col Richardson’s debut novel War Story, due to be released by Permuted Press April 16th of this year.

Lieutenant Colonel David Richardson also donated proceeds from the auction of his cover art to both GSI and SFTT to fund further treatment for service members and veterans with PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Lt Col David Richardson states:

“I’m so happy to be able to support my fellow veterans by donating funds for partner foundations, GSI and SFTT who provide individualized transcranial magnetic stimulation (iTMS), a non-invasive treatment ,which is extremely effective in the treatment of PTSD”

Lorraine Silvetz, MSW and her husband, Robert Silvetz, MD donated treatment for 100 veterans at their clinic in Virginia between 2017-2018. Their goal is to bring the innovative protocol to the northeast where it is sorely needed.

Lorraine Silvetz, MSW states: “Global Stress Initiative is honored by Lt. Colonel Richardson’s generous offer of support for our treatment of service members and veterans. GSI donated treatment, utilizing individualized transcranial magnetic stimulation (iTMS), to 100 veterans with 99% reversal of symptoms between 2017-2018. Stand for the Troops is partnering with us to propagate this transformative protocol to as many veterans as possible.”

SFTT was founded by the late, great Colonel David Hackworth and his widow, Eilhys England Hackworth. Eilhys England Hackworth states:

“My late husband Col David “Hack” Hackworth and I founded Stand for the Troops because combat veterans need to be protected, post active duty, with more than lip service. The goal of our non-profit to heal as many veterans with PTSD/TBI as possible, as quickly as possible, so these men and women can once again become active members of their families and society.”

Award winning actress, Julianne Michelle states:

“I was honored to help support this very important cause, celebrating veterans who sacrifice greatly to protect our freedom and often suffer silently. To join in efforts to address their needs was extremely dear to my heart.”

For more information on Global Stress Initiative and Stand for the Troops go to www.globalstressinitiative.org and www.sftt.org.

And, for more information on Lt. Col David Richardson’s art go to www.derichardson.com