With a generous donation of just $25, you’ll be supporting all of the wonderful USO programs and services that let our troops know we’re there for them — something that’s especially important this time of year. And as an added bonus, the USO will send you this free, limited-edition t-shirt to wear on Red Shirt Fridays – every Friday people throughout the nation wear red in support of our troops! That’s 52 times a year to show off your patriotic style!
With care packages full of the items they need the most, free phone calls to friends and family back home, programs and services committed to reintegrating our healing heroes and so much more, the USO is making sure our troops can always enjoy a touch of home.
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)
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!
My, how time flies! It seems like only yesterday that we were telling you about the “60 Second Cocktails” program, brought to you this summer by Bacardi USA to support the USO. Well summer’s almost over, but it’s not too late to show your support!
Now through Labor Day, we encourage you to click away and help us reach our goal. So far, we’ve only raised about 15% of our goal of an additional $25,000, and only YOU can help us reach the ultimate goal of $100,000 being donated from Bacardi to the USO. You can click as often as you like, share it on your own Facebook profile, and tell your friends by posting on their profiles, too!
We want to thank everyone who has shown their support with just a click this summer. As a special treat, we wanted to bring you this video clip from 60 Second Cocktails!
Former US Marine and top mixologist, Bryan Stowe, demonstrates how to mix a BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Collins Cocktail made with BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Gin. Delicious but perfectly simple, each of the 60 Second Cocktails can be crafted in 60 seconds or less. Prep your mixers and garnishes in advance, and be ready to impress your guests.
Don’t forget to “Like” 60 Second Cocktails on Facebook to download the recipe book and to help support the troops!
Jeffrey Ross entertains the troops at an USO show on Bagram Air Field, August 19, 2005. (U.S. Army photo by SPC Joshua Balog)
“Through Independence Day, HuffPost Impact is running a series of stories called “Breaking the Roles,” highlighting the servicemen and women of our armed forces who don’t typically see the media spotlight, and the remarkable work of the USO, who are tireless in their efforts to support all who defend our country.”
We’re thrilled to announce this six-part series, running online at the Huffington Post‘s in partnership with Causecast, that tells untold stories of those who support our men and women in uniform! Check back each day to see the latest interview.
Today kicks off with a hilarious interview of Jeffrey Ross, by Jonathan Daniel Harris. Ross is a longtime supporter of the USO and the military. His directorial debut, “Patriot Act: A Jeffrey Ross Home Movie” captured his own life changing experience traveling on a USO tour and entertaining American soldiers stationed around Iraq during the early days of the war. It screened at many top festivals and even won Best Picture at the Montreal Comedy Festival. Click here to read our latest blog post on Jeffrey Ross and be sure to follow him on Twitter.
You can also follow HuffPoImpact on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook. And let us know what you think of the series!
Regular readers of the blog are no doubt familiar with the USO’s official Facebook fan page, but did you know that USO’s around the globe are now joining in on the fun?
Below is a list of every USO Center that’s currently on Facebook. We encourage you to “Like” any and all of them, especially if you want to keep tabs on what’s happening to loved ones deployed overseas! And if we missed one, let us know (and include the link)! We’ll keep adding to the list as more come on board.
Former US Marine and top mixologist Bryan Stowe demonstrates how to mix a cocktail the right way. Delicious but perfectly simple, each of the 60 Second Cocktails can be crafted in 60 seconds or less. Prep your mixers and garnishes in advance, and be ready to impress your guests.
With Independence Day just a week away, many Americans are looking forward to a long weekend full of quality time with their family and friends. While it’s great to unwind and celebrate, it’s also important not to lose sight of what the holiday stands for, and to remember the men and women who have fought for our country. If you’re planning to entertain your friends and family in style this 4th of July, an easy way to support the troops at home and abroad while having fun is through the “60 Second Cocktails” program, brought to you this summer by Bacardi USA to support the USO.
As a former Marine and a bartender, the charity partnership is very close to my heart. In support of the program, I’ve come up with some awesome and easy party tips and cocktail recipes that are sure to impress your guests this summer. There’s nothing worse than throwing a party and spending the entire time slaving away in the kitchen. Just because you’re the host, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun too! The ‘60 Second Cocktails’ – made with a number of brands including: Grey Goose, Bombay Sapphire, Bacardi Superior Rum, Bacardi Limon, Cazadores and Dewar’s Blended Scotch Whisky – are the perfect solution.
First things first, make sure to prepare in advance. For décor, a great tip is to select ripe, colorful foods and beverages, which bring a natural flavor to the table. Bright, fresh ingredients, such as vegetable crudités, lend a fresh, vibrant touch perfect for summer. When selecting music, a great time-saver is to set your satellite radio before your guests arrive, then you can let loose and let your favorite songs play throughout your party without even thinking about it!
When mixing drinks, the most important thing I can emphasize is to use fresh ingredients! They make all the difference in the taste of your cocktails, and your guests will definitely notice the extra effort and better taste! Also, remember to always pack the glass fully with ice. A stronger body of cold provides for a better drink, especially during the hot summer months. And, remember to have a good time. Above all else, a great attitude will help your party flourish.
Another great way to save time is by batching your cocktails in advance. A great batched recipe that I love is the Cazadores Margarita! Create this margarita in advance for an easy way to please an extra-large crowd. When you make drinks in advance, always wait until they’re served to add the ice to avoid dilution. Also, if a recipe calls for a sparkling ingredient such as club soda, be sure to add that at the very end once your guests arrive so it doesn’t go flat.
Tequila CAZADORES® Margarita
Serves 129
4 liters of Tequila CAZADORES® Reposado
2 liters of triple sec (40 proof)
10 bottles (750 mL) of sweet and sour ready-to-use (not concentrate)
1 gallon of orange juice
1/2 gallon fresh lime juice
Mix all ingredients in a large container and stir; serve over the rocks with salt on the rim. Garnish with a lime
Remember to visit the 60 Second Cocktails Facebook page, for many more recipes, updates and interactive cocktail videos! And, be sure to visit the donate tab and click on the link, as Bacardi USA will donate $1 to the USO for every click up to $100,000. What an easy way to make a difference! Enjoy the holiday with delicious cocktails brought to you by Bacardi USA to support the USO. Happy Independence Day!
Bryan Stowe is a former US marine and top mixologist who knows it only takes 60 seconds to show support for our Troops. The opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of Mr. Stowe and do not necessarily reflect those of the USO.
