Monthly Archives: March 2011

Country Comes Together

Posted on March 30, 2011 by | 2 Comments

The Academy of Country Music Awards are this weekend – and, while country has America’s special attention, it seems like a perfect time to do something special for our troops!
 
Country stars like Toby Keith, Montgomery Gentry and more are participating in USO’s Country Comes Together campaign – an all-out drive to provide our troops in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other outposts with thousands of USO care packages.

Join in as Country Comes Together for our troops. By donating now, you can be part of a dramatic display of support that will deliver much-needed items and a touch of home to the brave men and women who are putting it all on the line for America.

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Posted in Celebrity Entertainment, Donations

RIP Elizabeth Taylor

Posted on March 24, 2011 by | 10 Comments

When people look back over the life of Elizabeth Taylor, images of Cleopatra and Hollywood glamour come to mind first. Of course many people know she was also a great humanitarian – one of the first celebrities to really put a voice to the causes she believed in! But you may not be aware that she was deeply passionate about supporting our troops, going on hospital visits and entertaining the soldiers with the USO. In fact, she was a recipient of the USO Merit Award for all of her amazing volunteer efforts.

Here are some great memories the USO has of Elizabeth Taylor that we wanted to share with all of you. Liz, we salute you!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

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Posted in Celebrity Entertainment

USO Tour Takes Ex-NFL Pros Hoge, Millen, Muñoz to Middle East

Posted on March 21, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Former NFL stars Matt Millen (far right), Anthony Muñoz (middle in black t-shirt) and Merril Hoge (far left) have all done standout work on the field and have made post-playing careers of analyzing the sport they love. So it didn’t take them long to find the words to describe their feelings after their week-long tour to visit the troops serving in Middle East.

The tour allowed the ex-players to offer greetings and thanks to our service men and women and reaffirmed the trio’s admiration for our armed services.

“We couldn’t have been more impressed by what we saw and the people we met,” Millen wrote on his blog entry for ESPN.com. “I was so impressed by the dedication and professionalism of these young soldiers. They’re excited about their jobs and their spirits are so high. I’m really looking forward to the next stop on our USO tour.”

Read more and check out all the great pictures at USO.org!

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Posted in Celebrity Entertainment, Southwest Asia

Activision’s Call of Duty Endowment Grants $100K to USO

Posted on March 18, 2011 by | Leave a comment

The Call of Duty Endowment, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping veterans transition to civilian careers, awarded $500,000 in grants to five organizations which strive to train and place returning service members and wounded warriors into the workforce. The organizations that will receive funding include: the USO, AMVETS, Military to Medicine, Student Veterans of America and Veterans Green Jobs.

The five grant recipients will each receive $100,000 to assist them in their efforts with career training and job placement throughout the country. The programs chosen each have a different avenue and audience as to how they are combating the unemployment issue.

The USO will provide career support to wounded warriors and their families through the creation of two new facilities at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. and a new medical campus at Fort Belvoir, Va.

Read more about this great news at USO.org!

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Posted in Donations, Programs

Operation Cupcake

Posted on March 8, 2011 by | 2 Comments

The wounded warriors at the USO Warrior Center give their thanks to Georgetown Cupcake.

This past Friday, Georgetown Cupcakes of the TLC show “DC Cupcakes” sent 2,000 gourmet cupcakes to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. The medical center is often the first stop for the wounded from war zones and has treated more than 6,000 patients. The USO Warrior Center located there which provides internet, a gaming room and more, received a portion of these cupcakes to have for the wounded warriors, who were very happy to see and enjoy these delicious sweets! One commented, “I haven’t had a cupcake in such a long time, this is such a great treat and it’s awesome!”

The wonderful cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes.

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Posted in Centers, Donations, Europe, Troops

Texas A&M, USO Houston Honor Sacrifices of Soldiers, Wounded Warriors

Posted on March 1, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Last month, the Texas A&M basketball fans enjoyed a 71-66 victory over Iowa State in College Station, Texas, but the evening will be remembered more for what happened on the hardwood at halftime.

USO Houston and the university honored our nation’s service men and women and our wounded warriors at Military Appreciation Night, welcoming 22 soldiers and five wounded warriors as guests of honor. Each of the soldiers was presented with a flag in appreciation and recognition of their service by Marine Corps Lt. General Joe Weber.

USO Houston Director Susan Barlow said it was a powerful and emotional night for the student body, guests and veterans in attendance at Reed Arena as well as for the soldiers and wounded warriors. The event culminated with the men’s basketball team auctioning off their jerseys to support the USO.

Read more at USO.org

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Posted in Centers, Programs, Recognition, Troops, US