(photo courtesy of Jose Martinez)

The Hollywood American Legion Post 43 hosted the inaugural U.S. Veterans Comedy Choice Awards on April 30  to benefit Assistance for Veterans, an organization supporting homeless and at-risk veterans. Actor Dick Van Dyke (right), pictured with the show’s host Paul Rodriguez, received a Lifetime Achievement Award. An Emmy, Tony and Grammy winner, Van Dyke said he intended to become a pilot during World War II when he was a senior in high school but was denied a chance to enlist because he was underweight. He later served as a radio announcer before joining the special services and entertaining troops in the United States. The fundraiser, which was hosted by Rodriguez and comedian Kiki Melendez, will be broadcast on June 19 at 7 p.m. on stations to be announced on the Charter Cable network and the Armed Forces Network. For information, visit www.assistanceforvets.org.