We’re just ten days away from the 69th Anniversary of the USO! We’ll be celebrating every day until then with exclusive historical photos. And don’t forget to tell us YOUR story; read the details here.
USO Mobile units travel to the Canal Zone, early 1940s
Our anniversary is right around the corner: we ’ll be 69 on February 4th! And to help celebrate, we’re asking for YOUR USO stories.
Have a recollection about an entertainment tour that changed you life? A picture from your favorite USO Center? Or the story about how you met your future spouse at a USO dance? We’d love to hear them all.
It’s simple: send an email of your USO story to commrequest@uso.org and include any attachments. We’ll publish some of our favorites all throughout our birthday week on this blog and the On Patrol Blog.
Happy (almost) Birthday to us and we can’t wait to hear from YOU!
On Jan. 21, 2010, the USO welcomed home Fort Drum’s 3rd BCT in style after a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan. Nearly 800 soldiers and their loved ones were treated to an evening of food, entertainment and a special performance by the Fort Drum Army band. Comedians Steve Burr and Dan Liberto brought laughs and smiles, with Johnny Spezzano of The Border 106.7 (WBDR-FM) and Whirlin’ Disc DJ’s keeping people on their feet. The event was made possible by Alfred Weissman, longtime USO supporter and New York businessman. Welcome home!
Soldiers relax upon returning home (USO Photo by Jason B. Cutshaw)
A Fort Drum Band drummer entertains during the event (USO Photo by Jason B. Cutshaw)
Delicious food made homecoming extra special for those returning from deployment (USO Photo by Jason B. Cutshaw)
There to show support were Col. David B. Haight, 3rd BCT commander, with Mr. and Mrs. Weissman, Karen Clark and Lt. Col. Jeffrey Abbott (USO Photo by Jason B. Cutshaw)
A 3rd BCT Soldier cuts loose on the dance floor with his son (USO Photo by Jason B. Cutshaw)
Comedian Steve Burr takes the stage and the laughs continue (USO Photo by Jason B. Cutshaw)
The Weissmans with the Haights and Karen Clark - thanks for making this possible! (USO Photo by Jason B. Rickshaw)
Posted in Centers, Donations, Support, Troops, US
Tagged Afghanistan, comedy, Fort Drum, homecoming
Country music star Kellie Pickler reunites with Jamey Johnson (far right) and Randy Houser (far left), and kicks off 2010 with USO entertainment tour to Persian Gulf. Seen here, the trio visits and performs for service members stationed at FOB Bucca Jan. 14, 2010. (USO PHOTO BY DAVE GATLEY)
Troops line up for autographs and photos following a USO concert at COS Kalsu Jan. 16, 2010. (USO Photo by DAVE GATLEY)
Country music newcomer Randy Houser performs a song for troops stationed at Continuing Site Camp Scania Jan. 16, 2010. Catapulting into country music stardom following the release of debut album and emotional ballad “Anything Goes,” Houser is quickly winning over audiences with his believability and riveting vocal prowess. (USO PHOTO BY DAVE GATLEY)
Country music singer Kellie Pickler encourages troops stationed at FOB Bucca to join her in singing one of her songs, which soldiers Jenna Stenger, 24, and and Gina Velasquez, 30, cheerfully accept Jan. 14, 2010. (USO PHOTO BY DAVE GATLEY)
At Continuing Site Camp (CSC) Scania, soldiers gather around as country music singers Kellie Pickler, Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser perform a private USO concert Jan. 16, 2010. In the Persian Gulf to extend their thanks, the trio is visiting numerous combat outposts and performing a series of shows exclusively for U.S. troops. (USO Photo by DAVE GATLEY)
Troops hold up a sign reading "We Love You - 354th MP Company" during a USO performance in the Persian Gulf Jan. 14, 2010. The concert featured country music star Kellie Pickler, singer/songwriter Jamey Johnson and country music newcomer Randy Houser. (USO Photo by DAVE GATLEY)
Singer/songwriter Jamey Johnson sings a song for troops stationed at FOB Basra Operations Center Jan. 14, 2010. A former U.S. Marine, who served eight years of military service, Johnson is known for his songwriting skills and has worked with some of the best in the business including Trace Adkins, George Strait, Lee Ann Womack, Willie Nelson and the Oak Ridge Boys. (USO PHOTO BY DAVE GATLEY)
Singer/songwriter Jamey Johnson (3rd from L) talks with Army and Navy River Patrol Boat operators during a break before a USO concert at FOB Basra Operations Center Jan. 14, 2010. In the region with pals Kellie Pickler and Randy Houser, this is Johnson's first USO tour. (USO PHOTO BY DAVE GATLEY)
Kellie Pickler and the tour group arrive by a CH-47 helicopter at FOB Bucca to perform another USO concert Jan. 14, 2010. A former “American Idol” contestant, Pickler released her self-titled sophomore album in 2008. (USO PHOTO BY DAVE GATLEY)
Posted in Celebrity Entertainment, Southwest Asia, Support, Troops
Tagged country music, Jamey Johnson, Kellie Pickler, Randy Houser
Each year, National Geographic names an “Explorer of the Year,” and for the first time ever, YOU get to decide! We highly recommend Marc Hoffmeister, a U.S. Army veteran and leader of Operation Denali.
Army Lt. Col. Marc Hoffmeister is among four wounded warriors who are attempting to summit Alaska's Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, the highest point in North America, June 1, 2009. U.S. Army photo
From his profile in National Geographic: “On June 1, 2009, a team of five men and one woman flew in to the Kahiltna Glacier at the base of Denali. Besides Marc and Gayle Hoffmeister and a longtime able-bodied friend of Marc’s, Bob Haines, the party included three other Iraq veterans: Jon Kuniholm, an ex-Marine who’d lost an arm to an IED; Matt Nyman, an Army Ranger whose leg had to be amputated after his chopper was shot down; and David Shebib, an Army combat medic who’d suffered severe head and chest injuries after stepping on an IED.”
Hoffmeister’s courage and bravery – combined with a can-do spirit and sense of adventure – make him the perfect candidate for Explorer of the Year! He has this to say about the experience, “We are thrilled to be honored among an amazing group of people. The only disappointment of this recognition is that it is an individual award. I truly feel this is and should be a team recognition. Every member of our team poured their heart and soul in to the effort. They made it happen and their inspirational example continues to impact wounded warrior’s like us every day.”
Click here to vote for Hoffmeister in the Reader’s Choice Poll and watch a video Operation Denali below! Winners will be announced later on this year.
