University of St. Thomas President Dr. Robert Ivany, a retired Army major general, was on hand June 4 to help kick off the “Pizza for Patriots” (P4P) Initiative at the DHL Express location in North Houston.

The P4P Initiative, the world’s largest pizza party, is a partnership between DHL and Pizzeria Uno to make and deliver 25,000 pizzas on July 4 to our military troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Ivany spoke from first-hand experience to 250 DHL employees about how important and meaningful it is for soldiers to receive care packages from folks at home while actively serving their country.

Ivany served 34 years in the U.S. Army. During his various commands as an armored cavalry officer, he led soldiers in the United States, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the Federal Republic of Germany and in Vietnam where he was wounded in action and decorated for valor. He also has two sons who serve in the military.

P4P’s goal is to provide every service member with a slice of home on Independence Day. For more information on the program, go to www.pizzas4patriots.com.

Photo Cutline: (l to r) SPC Errick S. Blair, CPT Brian Wilson, PO1 Anthony Broussard and UST President Dr. Robert Ivany