Defenders of Our Country Fix Their Sights on Defending Animals
For
Immediate Release:
May
8, 2012
Contact:
Kristin
Richards 202-483-7382
Norfolk, Va. -- In PETA's red-hot Sexiest Vegetarian Next Door competition, three U.S. military veterans—28-year-old Navy veteran Trevor McGuire of Baton Rouge, La.; 31-year-old Navy vet Stephanie George-Mello of Roseville, Calif.; and 45-year-old Army veteran Carmela Countz of Hilton Head, S.C.—are in the running for the grand prize. They have beaten out hundreds of other entrants from across the U.S. to become three of 20 finalists (10 male and 10 female). Two lucky winners—one male and one female—will each receive a free trip to Hawaii, courtesy of the PETA Member Advantage Program.
"On average, vegetarians are slimmer and healthier than meat-eaters are—and they save more than 100 animals a year," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "We salute our three military veterans for demonstrating that passion for one's country and compassion for all go hand in hand."
McGuire went vegan 12 years ago and lost 40 unwanted pounds. He's a mathematician and is currently working on his Ph.D. He says he's lost track of the number of loose dogs he's chased down and returned to their guardians, and he'll always stop his car to move turtles off the road and out of harm's way.
After a Navy friend's wife introduced her to delicious meat-free meals, George-Mello went vegetarian and then vegan—a move that she says dramatically improved her health. Trained as an emergency medical technician in the Navy, George-Mello is an outspoken advocate for animals and is studying to become a physician assistant.
Countz, who was stationed at Fort Stewart, Ga., went vegetarian 10 years ago—and later went vegan—to save animals' lives. Although you'd never believe it to look at her, Countz is a grandmother of a healthy 3-year-old vegan boy. Her two adopted dogs are aptly named Sergeant and Drill.
To see photos of all the sexy vegetarian finalists, please click here. The voting—which can be done on PETA's website and by texting—ends on May 14, and the two winners will be announced on May 21. For more information and to vote in the contest, please visit PETA.org or click here.
Three factors will be considered when PETA chooses the winners: the number of votes received from the public, the enthusiasm demonstrated by the entrants in living and promoting a vegetarian lifestyle, and PETA's assessment of the entrants' attractiveness.