By Sandi Moynihan

The vice chairman is a popular guy.

Adm. James Winnefeld Jr., the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is currently leading an eight-day, seven-country USO tour with a robust roster of entertainers, celebrities and sports stars.

NFL players Andrew Luck, Dwayne Allen and David DeCastro, Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, musicians Phillip Phillips, Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young, actors Dennis Haysbert and Jason “Wee Man” Acuna and Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev are all circling the globe with the admiral to greet and entertain troops and their families.

“This is my third opportunity to take a group of talented entertainers overseas on a USO trip,” Winnefeld said. “The strength of the USO [is the] vibrancy, character and values which it provides as it helps bring comfort to our men and women in uniform and their families. The USO represents a certain certainty during uncertain times and provides unwavering commitment to service members and their families.”

This is the sixth USO tour for Haysbert, who was the master of ceremonies at the 2013 USO Gala and has also lent his trademark voice to USO public service announcements. It’s the fourth USO tour for DeGarmo, third for  Young, second for Acuna and the first USO experience for Pagano, Luck, Allen, DeCastro, Kazantsev and Phillips.

“This trip has been nothing short of amazing so far,“ Phillips said. "We’ve got to meet so many great men and women in uniform, and see so many interesting places. I can’t thank Adm. Winnefeld and the USO enough for this life-changing experience.”

You can send a message of support and thanks directly to service members via the USO’s Campaign to Connect. Your messages will appear on screens at USO locations around the world.