CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS HELP WITH CARE PACKEGES MADE FOR TROOPS

 

USO President Sloan D. Gibson, left, discusses the contents of a care package with U.S. Rep. Bill Posey of Florida and Sesame Street's Cookie Monster during a biannual USO care package service project event on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., May 22, 2013. DOD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Congressional Leaders Help USO Build Care Packages for Troops
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2013 - Congressional leaders pitched in on Capitol Hill yesterday to load care packages for service members abroad.

At the USO's biannual care package service project event -- a joint effort with Sesame Workshop -- volunteers placed phone cards, writing utensils, popcorn, tissue and other useful items into 2,000 individual packages for troops.

"Even though our presence may be winding down in Afghanistan, these packages are going to mean an awful lot to our troops who are serving in harm's way," said USO President Sloan D. Gibson. "We're sending a clear message to our troops that are serving our country overseas, [and] we appreciate everyone who has volunteered to be here today to help us."

Gibson expressed his gratitude to the Sesame Workshop, which has partnered with the USO since 2008 and has entertained 368,000 military family members in more than 630 shows at 143 bases in 33 states and 11 countries.

"And they've traveled over 125,000 miles during that period of time," he added. "We're really proud of that partnership."

Lynn Chwatsky, vice president for outreach initiatives and partners for the Sesame Workshop, also shared her appreciation for the opportunity to continue helping America's families.

"This partnership with the USO has truly allowed us to deliver on our mission of helping all children in need, [and] to help all children grow and achieve their highest potential," she said.

Whether it's helping children learn their alphabet and their numbers, showing them how to maintain a healthy lifestyle or helping them through some challenges in their lives, Sesame is there for them, Chwatsky noted.

"And we're committed to our military families -- we have been since 2006, with our Military Families Initiative," she said. "What this amazing partnership with the USO allows us to do is reach these families directly."

Chwatsky said the care packages would deliver some "love, joy and hope" to service members, and let them know "their friends in the USO and Sesame are there for them."

Gibson also welcomed the newest USO congressional caucus co-chairman, U.S. Rep. Tim Walz of Minnesota, who retired as a command sergeant major in the Army National Guard and was one of many congressional leaders who stopped by to load care packages.

"Thank you to each of you, the volunteers that are here," Walz said. "I can't express my gratitude [enough,] on behalf of the people of southern Minnesota and across this country. Thanks for bringing a little bit of comfort to our warriors who are down range, and just as importantly, to their families. When you're on the receiving end of these packages like [our troops] have been, it really means a lot."

Congressional volunteers also included U.S. Reps. Buck McKeon of California, Bill Posey of Florida and Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, as well as U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and many congressional staffers.

NEW WARRIOR CENTER

Senior Army leaders, United Service Organizations leaders, and corporate sponsors participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new 20,000-square foot warrior and family care facility at Fort Belvoir, Va., Feb. 5. DOD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
New Warrior Center ‘Gift From American People’
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service

FORT BELVOIR, Va., Feb. 5, 2013 – The USO, two days after its 72nd birthday, again demonstrated its commitment to wounded, ill and injured U.S. troops and their families by opening its largest center in the world.

The USO hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony here today to showcase its new 20,000-square foot Warrior and Family Care Center which will serve all U.S. service members and their families.

Sloan D. Gibson, USO president, identified a number of corporate sponsors such as the Northrop Grumman Foundation which, at $5,000,000, provided the largest donation in the USO’s history for the center.

"But what you won’t see are the names of nearly a quarter of a million individual Americans that have made a donation honoring the wounded, ill and injured troops and their families to Operation Enduring Care," he said.

"I think when we talk about this center being a gift from the American people that’s what we’re talking about," Gibson said.

The USO says this new center will support the non-clinical needs of wounded, ill and injured troops and their families throughout their rehabilitation. It will be staffed by USO of Metropolitan Washington and 350 volunteers.

Army Lt. Gen. William J. Troy, director of the Army Staff, said this new center will help troops and their families cope as they recuperate from their injuries.

"This will give the families a place to come -- a home away from home if you will -- to relax and visit," he said. "And to have a place that will be very supportive and nourishing to them as they go through this."

"It’s extremely important that they have a place that they feel comfortable -- that they feel at home," Troy said. "Especially when you’re going through some of the things that you have to go through as a wounded warrior or someone who’s here at Fort Belvoir for treatment. It’s a great asset to have a place like this here."

Army Col. Gregory Gadson, garrison commander of Fort Belvoir, praised the USO for recognizing the need for a warrior care center.

"The USO has not only identified a need, but they’ve taken action, and that is so commendable," he said. "And it’s their leadership and their partners – corporate, private, volunteers, members of the board – that have mustered the efforts that have made this day possible."

"I’ve had the privilege, over the past few years, of watching the USO’s efforts evolve as they’ve continued to provide for our service members," Gadson said. "[And] not just overseas, but in a very visible way, stateside."

Gadson, a double amputee, said the USO’s efforts in building the center in two and half years will vastly improve the quality of life of troops and their families.

"I know that my family and so many other families are in a better place because of the efforts of the USO," he said. "And there’s a lot of personal emotion that I have as I’ve seen this building."

"And now it’s about to come alive with so much hope and so much promise," Gadson added.

USO AND KELLIE PICKLER

Kellie Pickler, a country singer and former contestant on the television show "American Idol," sits in a mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle simulator wearing during a USO holiday tour show stop at the Transit Center of Manas, Kyrgyzstan, Dec. 15, 2012. DOD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
Pickler, DOD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

USO Trouper Kellie Pickler Entertains, Salutes Troops

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service

BAGRAM, Afghanistan, Dec. 17, 2012 - Country music star Kellie Pickler is among the celebrity entertainers taking part in Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey's annual USO holiday show tour, which entertained Afghanistan-deployed U.S. troops posted here and at Kandahar Airfield.

On this trip, the USO troupe also has entertained service members aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis and at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan.

Pickler, an Albemarle, N.C., native, is traveling on her sixth USO tour and she's keenly aware of the difficulties troops and their families endure during the holiday season.

"It's always different coming here this time of the year," she said. "[During] the holidays -- Thanksgiving has already passed -- everyone wants to be home with their families and loved ones.

"Then, Christmas is right around the corner," Pickler continued. "It's a hard time for all of you."

The country music singer and former "American Idol" contestant said she enjoys touring with the USO and has done so for quite some time.

"I love it," Pickler said. "My very first trip was in [2007] ... and it's by far the most life-changing thing I've ever been a part of."

Pickler performed with her husband, Kyle Jacobs, and with David Michael Baker, who provided the musical backdrop for her vocal performances.

"We look forward to doing shows, but I think that the small intimate moments -- just having breakfast together, lunch together, dinner together ... [are] where we can just sit, talk and listen to one another," Pickler said.

The singer, who said she comes from a military family, "gets" how hard it is for troops being away from their loved ones.

"I know it's just as hard for your families back home, so they're making a sacrifice as well," Pickler said.

Pickler said she always looks forward to USO trips.

"I always take a little something from each place when we go to each base," she said. "I always have a little special memory that I cherish and I never forget about it."

She said the USO tour's visit to a hospital was one example of those special moments.

"We were able to go to the hospital and try to take a little piece of home in there," she said. "[And] that's our goal coming out here. We just want to bring a little piece of home to you all."

Pickler was accompanied on the tour by Washington Nationals Major League Baseball players Ross Detwiler and Craig Stammen; Matt Hendricks from the National Hockey League's Washington Capitals; comedian Iliza Schlesinger, winner of NBC's Last Comic Standing.

Sloan D. Gibson, president of the USO, and Shane Hudella, of "Defending the Blue Line," an organization that donates hockey equipment to military families, also joined the celebrities.

Pickler praised U.S. troops and their families for their sacrifices, and wished them all happy holidays as she joined Dempsey in serenading the troops with Bing Crosby's "A White Christmas."

"I just want to say thanks so much for all that you do," she said. "Thank you to your families -- we know that they make a huge sacrifice."

"This time of the year is really hard so I hope that you know that we love you," Picker said. "The USO, all of us, we are praying for a safe return home for you all. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN & FAMILY SHARE DEPLOYMENT EXPERIENCES

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
Vice President Joe Biden (center, far right) meets with military children and families at the District of Columbia National Guard Armory in Washington, D.C., June 9, 2012. The Biden family participated in a United Service Organizations of Metropolitan Washington-hosted reading of Dr. Jill Biden's book, "Don't Forget, God Bless Our Troops." The book teaches coping methods for military children who are dealing with the absence of loved ones during deployment. DOD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

Biden Family Shares Deployment Experiences at USO Event
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
WASHINGTON, June 9, 2012 - Vice President Joe Biden, accompanied by his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, and their five-year-old granddaughter, Natalie, shared their first-hand experiences on how the deployment of a military parent can impact children during a United Service Organizations-hosted book reading here today.

The Bidens traveled to the District of Columbia National Guard Armory to meet with children of members of the D.C. National Guard. Dr. Biden read from her new book, "Don't Forget, God Bless Our Troops."

Dr. Biden's book teaches coping methods for military children who are dealing with the absence of loved ones during deployment. The book provides a personal account of Natalie's experience in coping when her father, then-Army Capt. Joseph R. "Beau" Biden III, departed in the fall of 2008 for a year-long deployment to Iraq with his Delaware National Guard unit. Biden, a military lawyer, has since been promoted to major.
"There are tens of thousands of beautiful kids just like this all over the country," Vice President Biden said at the armory. "What we found out ... was when your mommy and daddy are away it's a hard thing. It's a difficult thing."

"So Jill found out there's a lot of ways to kind of make you feel better," he added. "By the way, it's not just little kids. You don't have to be four, five, six, seven or eight. You can be 17, 18, [or] 19. It doesn't matter."

Elaine Rogers, president of USO of Metropolitan Washington, explained to the children who Dr. Biden was and why she came up with the idea to write a book to help military families.

"She loves children," Rogers said of Dr. Biden. "But do you know which children are very special to her? Military children -- children who have ..." [one or both parents] "in the military."

Rogers said Dr. Biden knows things can be hard when parents are away because of her experiences with her own two grandchildren, Natalie and Hunter.

"This is Natalie's story, as well as your story, because how many your moms and dads have gone to Iraq or Afghanistan?" Dr. Biden asked the children. "What I realized when I went around this country, is that many Americans don't even know anybody, at all, in the military."

"And they don't know how strong you are and how resilient you are when your moms and dads are away," she added.

Prior to reading the book in its entirety, the Bidens provided free copies to each child at the armory. Proceeds from book sales, Rogers said, will be donated to the USO to support the education of military children.

"We're going to make scholarships for kids like you when you get ready to go to college," Rogers told the children.

Vice President Biden reminded the children to remember they are not alone in their experiences and their parents are constantly thinking of them.
"Just remember when your daddy and mommy are working for the country and they're away -- they're always, always thinking about you," he said. "And parents, thank you very much. Thank you for your service. It's amazing what you do."

ACTORS FOUNDATION BUILDS HOMES FOR WOUNDED WARRIORS

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE 
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, May 14, 2012 - Actor Gary Sinise's efforts to help wounded warriors were highlighted by journalist David Martin on last night's broadcast of the CBS program "60 Minutes."

In the 1994 film "Forrest Gump," Sinise portrayed "Lt. Dan," an Army officer who loses both legs while serving in the Vietnam War and overcomes adversity following his discharge.

Since visiting Iraq as part of a USO tour in 2003, Sinise and his foundation have worked to support service members and veterans. Martin's "60 Minutes" story focused on Sinise's foundation helping to build custom "smart homes" for real-life amputees, such as Marine Corps Cpl. Juan Dominguez, who lost both legs and an arm to a roadside bomb in Afghanistan in 2010.

In his report, Martin said that as of May 1, 1,459 service members from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have had limbs amputated. Of those, 439 lost more than one limb, and Dominguez is one of 39 who'd lost three, he said.

"I basically thought I was worthless until one of the [quadruple] amputees that were there, he was walking around like it was nothing," Dominguez said in the "60 Minutes" report. He was referring to Marine Corps Cpl. Todd Nicely, one of five surviving quadruple amputees.

"I have a feeling 10 years down the road I'm not even [going to] remember what it was like to have arms and legs," said Nicely, who was injured in March 2010 when he stepped on a booby-trapped bridge in Afghanistan.

Martin reported that Nicely and his wife, Crystal, are about to move into a new house being built in Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., and paid for by Sinise, who performs throughout the year with his Lt. Dan Band, raising money for wounded service members.
Nicely explained to Martin during the interview what the new home will mean to his family.

"For me, it means getting my life back -- you know, being able to do a lot of the things on my own," he said.

Living without hands is the hardest thing, Nicely told Martin, but he added that having the house will make life 10 times easier.

Martin noted during the interview that Sinise's foundation assists the severely wounded by building new homes. But triple amputee Bryan Anderson said he doesn't want one.
"I'm good," he said. "Like, I get around just fine. I do everything I [want to] do. I don't need it, so give it to somebody that would take it, and I would feel guilty taking something away from somebody that could actually need it."

Anderson explained how he'd met Sinise and became friends with the actor while learning to use his new prosthetic legs during physical therapy at Walter Reed Medical Center. "I just put my arms out and I landed on the first person that I could grab, and then I look up. I'm like, 'Oh, holy crap, it's Gary Sinise.'

"And he looks at me," Anderson continued. "He's like 'Holy crap, the real Lt. Dan,' and I'm just like, 'No, no, no, no, you'll always be Lt. Dan,'" Anderson said.
Anderson said he and Sinise began to talk about everyday things. "It was like he was talking to me as a person and not just a wounded soldier," he added.
Anderson said he is now in a "very good place" in his life and credits some of that to Sinise.

"Gary's responsible for the beginning," he said. "I've done a lot on my own for myself. Gary was the one to show me that I can do everything -- that it is possible. He really showed me that I can still do anything. It doesn't matter that I'm in a [wheelchair]. If this guy can see that, why can't I?"

USO CONTINUES TO ENTERTAIN MILITARY PERSONNEL

PHOTO:  WIKIMEDIA
Date1 May 1986
 Bob Hope and Elizabeth Taylor perform in a United Service Organization (USO) show aboard the training aircraft carrier USS Lexington (AVT 16) stationed at Naval Air Station, Pensacola during the celebration of the 75th anniversary of naval aviation. 


FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
USO Spring Tour Thrills Wounded Warriors, Base-wide Crowd
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service
SOUTHWEST ASIA, April 17, 2012 – The USO’s spring tour, lead by the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs and his “Vice Squad,” continued to entertain service members overseas as its fourth stop brought morale and high spirits to wounded warriors and other troops serving here today.                                                     

“We are here to see you and thank you so much for coming out to see us,” Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr. told an enthusiastic audience. “This is the opportunity for some really fantastic people who have come out to do this USO tour, some real terrific celebrities – people who love our country and who loves soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, to come out here and thank you all for what you're doing for your country.”
Following a brief visit and show on the USS Enterprise as it patrolled the seas, the Vice Squad arrived here to an excited, base-wide crowd who were treated to barbecue and other refreshments.

Service members listened to a short monologue from each USO celebrity before a short performance and photo opportunities with comedian/actor Anthony Anderson; Major League Baseball pitcher Randy “Big Unit” Johnson; performer Jason “Wee-Man” Acuna, actor and pitchman Dennis Haysbert; Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders Allyson Traylor, Brittany Evans and Kelsi Reich; and American Idol contestants Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young.

Before the show, the vice chairman celebrated those who sacrificed for the nation and recognized a special group attending the USO show.

“You are the people who have volunteered to come out here,” Winnefeld noted. “You've deployed away from your wonderful families, serving your country, doing the right thing and supporting our troops on the ground.

“And by the way, can we get a round of applause for our eight wounded warriors we've got here tonight?” he added. “Thank you guys – we're with you all the way.”
Winnefeld also recognized the USO for their years of commitment to the military dating back to the Vietnam War era.

“I want you to know, the USO has been doing this for a long time – many, many decades,” he said. “It goes all the way back to Bob Hope and Vietnam and a lot of giving, wonderful people over the years.”

“And I want to thank the USO folks for setting this tour up for us,” Winnefeld said. “This is a remarkable audience and it's going to be a really unique evening for us to have a chance to meet you [all].”



F

ADMERAL JAMES A. WINNEFELD JR. KICKS OFF USO TOUR

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
Vice Chairman Greets Troops, Kicks Off USO Tour
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy, April 16, 2012 - The vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff thanked service members here today on the first stop of a USO tour.
Accompanied by his wife and a troupe of celebrities, Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr. is bringing a taste of home to troops stationed in Europe and Southwest Asia this week.

"What a great privilege and pleasure it is for all of us to be here with all of you," Winnefeld said. "Mary, my wife, joins me in thanking you for being here today and for doing what you do -- all you young men and women in uniform and your families."

The USO tour is a way to help the nation thank them for all they do, the admiral told the service members here. "And especially for the tremendous work ... that you all have done over the last year -- sending folks to Iraq, helping get rid of a tyrant in Moammar Gadhafi. Good job on that."

The vice chairman also thanked the troops for helping deployed service members on the ground in Afghanistan. "It's been a fantastic year, and I congratulate you for it."
Winnefeld also thanked the celebrities joining him for the USO tour, and told troops they look forward to interacting with them.

Joining the vice chairman on the tour are comedian/actor Anthony Anderson; former Major League Baseball pitcher Randy "The Big Unit" Johnson; performer Jason "Wee-Man" Acuna; actor and pitchman Dennis Haysbert; Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders Allyson Traylor, Brittany Evans and Kelsi Reich; and former "American Idol" contestants Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young.

Winnefeld commended the USO for its decades of service and commitment to troops and for its efforts in coordinating this tour.

"I do want to thank the USO for the fantastic job they have done for decades, to say nothing of the fantastic job they've done putting this trip together," Winnefeld said.