Monthly Archives: June 2011

U.S. Army Celebrates 236th Anniversary

Posted on June 14, 2011 by | Leave a comment
Army

Lt. Gen. David Huntoon, director of the Army staff, and Sergeant Major of the Army Sgt. Maj. Kenneth O. Preston, lead the annual Army Birthday Run at Fort Myer, Va. in 2009. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army/Adam Skoczylas, the Pentagram)

From a band of militias to a branch of the most formidable fighting force in the world, the U.S. Army celebrates 236 years of existance today. On June 14, 1775, the Continental Army was created by Congress a year prior to the Declaration of Independence as tensions began to rise in New England. A day later, George Washington was chosen as General and Commander in Chief of the Continental Army.

This clip from the Army’s YouTube channel was posted last year, but nicely encapsulates how the Army was formulated in just 45 seconds.

If you are a member of the Army, past or present, add any special plans that you may have to celebrate in our comments section. – Christian Pelusi, USO

Also: Celebrate ‘Old Glory’ and Flag Day With Five Fast Facts

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Posted in History, Troops, US

A Tasty Cake for Flag Day

Posted on June 14, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Flag Cake Happy Flag Day! Today we honor of the adoption of the American flag on June 14, 1777. The national flag which we see these days has been effective since July 4, 1960. This was following the inclusion of Hawaii in the United States of America. However, this flag featuring 50 stars on a canton against the background of 13 stripes – 7 red and 6 white – has been evolved through a long period of eventful years.

Old Glory is 234 years old today, happy birthday! In celebration, why not make a delicious cake. “Taste of Home” has a great recipe and, better yet, every time someone views the recipe they’ll donate 10¢ to the USO! When you make the cake, be sure to post a picture of it on the USO Facebook Page!

And watch as Taste of Home Editor-in-Chief Catherine Cassidy shows Fox and Friends co-host Steve Doocy how to make a flag cake.

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Posted in Donations, Support, Troops

Troops Gather Job Leads at Career Opportunity Day in Virginia

Posted on June 13, 2011 by | Leave a comment
Career Opportunity Day

Veterans talk jobs with employers in Springfield, Va. last Friday. (Photo credit: Ian Wagreich / U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

Last week, the USO, Hire Heroes USA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce hosted a Career Opportunity Day outside Fort Belvoir in Virginia. Connecting veterans with employers in a stress-free, one-on-one setting, the event provided targeted assistance for wounded warriors by helping to identify transferable skills, preparing resumes and learning interview techniques  for transition to the civilian workforce.

Following the last Career Opportunity Day event at Fort Carson in April, 25 percent of the veterans that attended were extended job offers.

“Wow…this experience is breathtaking. I am flabbergasted,” said the Marine Corps’ D. Underwood. ”I interviewed with FEMA and they came in saying ‘we want this guy.’ I am transitioning out in fourth months and I already have offers.”

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Posted in Programs, Troops

United Through Reading’s Military Program Hosted by the USO Grafenwoehr

Posted on June 9, 2011 by | Leave a comment

PFC Gonzalez gets ready to read to his child (Photo by Henry Wilson)

This week USO Grafenwoehr in Germany hosted a United Through Reading event for the 2-28 Infantry Unit preparing to deploy to Afghanistan. A total of 13 readings were conducted with the help of USO employee, Henry Wilson. The USO partnership with United Through Reading allows our deployed troops the ability to read their kids a bedtime book and virtually be there, even when they can’t be there in-person. Service men and women simply read a book aloud while being recorded on DVD for their child and the USO mails the DVD and book to the child and family back home!

United Through Reading®, a California-based nonprofit organization, has served over one million beneficiaries since1990. Since partnering with the USO in 2006, more than 100,000 books have been read at USOs worldwide, recorded, and enjoyed by families. A complete United Through Reading® location list is available and for more information, please visit www.unitedthroughreading.org.

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Posted in Centers, Europe, Families, Programs

Pro vs. GI Joe Hits E3 Expo

Posted on June 7, 2011 by | Leave a comment

E3 ExpoPro vs. GI Joe pulls into the E3 Expo in Los Angeles today. Literally.

The group is using the annual video game conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center to show off its tricked-out 40-foot trailer (click for photos) that houses seven HD TVs, gaming systems and more to allow gamers and troops to go head-to-head virtually.

The Pro vs. GI Joe crew will be hosting gaming tournaments and connecting with deployed service men and women from USO Centers in Iraq and Afghanistan for online gaming from Tuesday, June 7 to Thursday, June 9.

For those going to E3, (which stands for Electronic Entertainment Expo), find the map at the bottom of the linked page to visit the trailer, watch all the action and maybe get to wish our troops well. – Christian Pelusi, USO

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Posted in Programs, Troops, US

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D-Day Anniversary Brings Reflection, Feelings of Pride

Posted on June 6, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Many call June 6, 1944, the beginning of the end of World War II. The amphibious D-Day invasion of France’s Normandy coastline has been lauded for the ambitiousness of the Allied leaders, the bravery of the deployed troops and the secrecy of strategy and planning by all. Film great Steven Spielberg’s stark, honest and captivating portrayal of the landings casts vivid images that remain with the millions of moviegoers who watched the opening scenes of “Saving Private Ryan” in 1998. Later, the Spielberg- and Tom Hanks-produced mini-series “Band of Brothers” appeared on HBO in 2001 to give the world a peek into how the 101st Airborne’s “Easy Company” (2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment) dropped behind enemy lines in advance of the landings to secure the flanks prior to the invasion.

 The History Channel’s This Day in History for June 6 gives a terrific summation of the lead up to and the events during D-Day. But the late Stephen Ambrose, one of the world’s foremost historians and author of “Band of Brothers,” “D-Day, June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II” (which in many ways was the basis for “Saving Private Ryan”) and several other World War II-related books, capsulated some poignant moments in an interview with CSPAN2′s Book TV. His expertise and observations give the day’s events true grit.

Add your own memories and thoughts on this important date in American history in the comments section of this post. – Christian Pelusi, USO

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Posted in History