“Our partnership with JCPenney and JOE Joseph Abboud demonstrates the importance of working together to provide these vets with the benefits and resources they need to ensure a successful future.”

“New veterans are coming home to one of the toughest economies in decades and thousands are struggling to find employment,” said Paul Rieckhoff, founder and executive director of IAVA. “Our partnership with JCPenney and JOE Joseph Abboud demonstrates the importance of working together to provide these vets with the benefits and resources they need to ensure a successful future.”

To be eligible, troops and veterans must be confirmed IAVA members. Veterans can register for their free membership at iava.org prior to signing up for the reward, which becomes available Oct. 8, 2010 on IAVA’s website. The first 5,000 qualified entries will receive $200 in certificates to purchase career apparel from JOE Joseph Abboud, a collection of sportswear, tailored clothing, dress furnishings, footwear and accessories for men available exclusively at JCPenney. Qualified entries from female veterans may select professional apparel from Worthington^®, JCPenney’s modern career wear brand. All active duty servicemembers, National Guard, reservists and veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are eligible for the giveaway.

“As a company that has a strong American heritage, we are so proud to partner with these two organizations to support our heroes,” said Anthony Sapienza, chief executive officer of JA Apparel Corp. “By helping veterans during their re-entry into the civilian workforce, we are able to thank them for their service to our country.”

To generate awareness of the Welcome Home Joe campaign, JCPenney is encouraging customers to help give away $1 million in professional wardrobes by inviting friends and family members who served in Iraq and Afghanistan to sign up with IAVA. Marketing for Welcome Home Joe features real veterans and IAVA members who describe their military experiences in a video diary filmed during a photo shoot for JOE Joseph Abboud apparel. Customers can view footage from the shoot and read more about some of the military servicemembers who served overseas by visiting www.jcp.com/WelcomeHomeJoe.

About JCPenney

JCPenney, one of America's leading retailers, operates over 1,100 department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as one of the largest apparel and home furnishing sites on the Internet, jcp.com. Serving more than half of America’s families each year, JCPenney offers a wide array of private, exclusive and national brands which reflect the Company’s vision to be America’s shopping destination for discovering great styles at compelling prices. Traded as “JCP” on the New York Stock Exchange, the $17.6 billion retailer is transforming its organization to support its Long Range Plan strategies to build a sustainable, profitable enterprise that serves its customers, engages it associates and rewards its shareholders.

About JA Apparel Corp.

The Joseph Abboud brand embodies a modern approach to the sophisticated American menswear lifestyle. The Joseph Abboud brand instills confidence through collections that are crafted from the world’s finest fabrics and defined by superior fit, exceptional quality and remarkable luxurious style, while reflecting the increasingly youthful attitude of men of all ages. Since 2004, the Company has made a successful transition from men’s suit designer to global lifestyle brand. Joseph Abboud can now outfit a man in style throughout his entire life, thanks to lines of clothing for men and boys and a growing collection of casual wear. In addition, the Company has an expanding universe of products ranging from luggage to footwear to eyewear to home furnishings. JA Apparel Corp. brand names include Joseph Abboud, JOE Joseph Abboud, Joseph Abboud BOYS and Joseph Abboud Home. JOE Joseph Abboud, which launched exclusively at JCPenney in 2009, includes sportswear, tailored clothing, dress furnishings, outerwear, footwear and accessories with prices ranging from $50 - $180 retail. Joseph Abboud branded products are available in superior department stores and specialty stores throughout the United States, Latin America, China, Indonesia, Canada, Japan and Taiwan.

About IAVA

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the country’s first and largest non-profit, non partisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has more than 180,000 veteran members and civilian supporters nationwide. Its mission is to improve the lives of this country’s newest generation of veterans and their families.