[caption id=“attachment_4239” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“USO President Sloan Gibson (center) poses with this year's Regional Honorees, including (l-r) Michael Lewis, Country Director, USO Germany; Robin Crouse, Center Director, USO Fort Hood; and Christine Gunderson, Duty Manager, USO Balad, who is accompanied by her mother, Colleen Curtis. (USO photo by Em Hall)”][/caption]

We’re so excited for our annual gala tonight!  Over 1,000 military leaders, celebrities and special guests will be in attendance as we honor our troops with the theme “A Salute to Military Families.”

We have a special treat for you, too, because for the first time ever we’re live streaming the USO Gala!  You can view the entire event on Military.com tonight beginning at 7pm.  We’ll also be live blogging the entire evening, as well as updating Facebook and Twitter.  If you’re also on Twitter, be sure to give us your feedback by using the hashtag #USOGala

We hope you’ll be a part of this amazing evening, as Master of Ceremonies Bill Engvall, musical guest Trisha Yearwood, and many more celebrities and special guests take the stage.  Admiral Thad Allen, Former Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, will be recognized as the Spirit of the USO Honoree

Our 2010 honorees include Sergeant Zachary C. Dispennette, U.S. Army; Petty Officer Robert D. Emley, U.S. Coast Guard; Staff Sergeant Gino P. Kahaunaele, U.S. Air Force; Petty Officer Kenton Stacy, U.S. Navy; Sergeant Eric B. Walker, U.S. Marine Corps; and USO Volunteer of the Year Herbert Carl Schmeling Jr., USO of Puget Sound Area, WA.

We’ll “see” you online tonight as we celebrate our troops and their families together!