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FIRST LADY HELPS SURPRISE MILITARY MOMS FOR MOTHER'S DAY

No Author — Mon, 14 May 2012 06:33:00 EST

By Malini Wilkes

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- First lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden joined dozens of Congressional spouses Thursday to assemble Mother�s Day gift boxes for the wives, moms and girlfriends of deployed troops.

�I can only imagine the challenge that this time brings for people with loved ones deployed,� Mrs. Obama said.

The USO teamed up with Full Circle Home to acquire and assemble 2,000 packages to be delivered to women across the country.

�Troops serving in harm�s way just want to know that someone back home is looking out for their loved ones,� said USO President and CEO Sloan Gibson.

FULL CIRCLE HOME COLLABORATES WITH USO TO SUPPORT MILITARY WIVES, MOTHERS

No Author — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:41:00 EST

By Christian Pelusi

It started out pretty simply for Vickie Durfee. In 2006, her deployed son Gil needed help getting his girlfriend Ashley a present for Christmas. As a director for Mary Kay cosmetics, Vickie quickly suggested mimicking that company�s '12 Days of Christmas' idea, spreading the tidings across the holiday season. Vickie's suggestion was right on target and Ashley was thrilled.

The following Christmas, Gil was based in Iraq and Vickie's thoughts turned to offering the service to Gil's 12-man platoon. But as her excitement for the project grew, so too did the interest among the troops. The end result: Vickie and her new corps of volunteers shipped 150 boxes. Vickie began to feel this was a calling and the idea of Full Circle Home was born.

KANDAHAR WARRIOR RECOVERY CENTER, USO RELAXATION ROOM PROVIDE CRUCIAL 'IN COUNTRY' CARE

No Author — Wed, 09 May 2012 06:21:00 EST

By Christian Pelusi

The USO strives to give deployed troops touches of home in even the most remote parts of the world to provide servicemen and women a mental and physical break from their duties. And that goal is spreading to other areas of the military support structure.

The Kandahar Warrior Recovery Center (WRC) is a comprehensive clinic that performs case management for traumatic brain injuries (TBI), wound and injury care, nonemergency care (neurology, sports injury, orthopedic), behavioral care and chaplain services. Opened on Feb. 12, the WRC contains 64 beds in 32 rooms but is also large enough to welcome hundreds of walk-ins. It�s designed to help those carried off the battlefield to those that need stress counseling during their deployment.

GEORGE W. BUSH INSTITUTE HIRES 26-YEAR ARMY VETERAN TO LEAD MILITARY SERVICE INITIATIVE

No Author — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 06:25:00 EST

COL. Michael T. Endres to Shape Programming that Helps Raise Awareness and Support for Service Members and Military Support Organizations

DALLAS, TX - The George W. Bush Institute announced the appointment of COL. Michael T. Endres as the inaugural director of the organization�s Military Service Initiative. COL. Endres joins the Bush Institute after a serving in the United States Army for 26 years. A 1986 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, COL. Endres most recently served as the Academy�s Deputy Director of Admissions.

�I am truly honored to serve with all of the talented people at the Bush Center under the visionary leadership of President and Mrs. Bush,� said COL. Endres.

The Military Service Initiative is inspired by the courage of the military, who serve and sacrifice to defend the United States in support of enduring freedom. The Initiative also highlights organizations that support U.S. service personnel and their families during deployment and after they return home.

PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH TO HOST SECOND ANNUAL WARRIOR 100K - RIDES WITH HOMETOWN HERO

No Author — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 08:34:00 EST

Mountain Bike Ride for Wounded Warriors

DALLAS � From April 26-28th, President George W. Bush will host the second annual Warrior 100K (W100), a 100-kilometer mountain bike ride for United States servicemen and women seriously wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. This year�s ride will take place at Palo Duro Canyon State Park, just outside of Amarillo, Texas.

�I am honored to host 20 of our nation�s bravest souls for the second annual W100 in the Palo Duro Canyon,� said President Bush. �I look forward to spending time with these wounded warriors in a beautiful part of Texas. Laura and I want to remind our troops and veterans that we admire and respect them a lot. And the W100 is a great way to remind all our fellow citizens of the unbelievable courage, skill, and sacrifice of those who wear the uniform of the United States.�

A DIGNIFIED FINAL RIDE FOR FALLEN HEROES

No Author — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:21:00 EST

By Malini Wilkes

Ken Tigges was shocked and troubled when he saw how the coffin of a service member killed in Iraq was handled as it came off a plane at the Raleigh-Durham airport back in 2006.

Crews simply loaded the crate onto a regular old baggage cart and hauled it away like any other luggage.

�That was it,� says Tigges, 77, a Vietnam veteran and volunteer at the USO of North Carolina. �No ceremony, not a very dignified or honorable transfer.�

What was worse, he thought � the widow who arrived to receive her husband�s remains wasn�t even allowed on the tarmac. She watched the crate being dragged around from a terminal window.

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA, DR. JILL BIDEN ANNOUNCE WINNERS OF JOINING FORCES COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

No Author — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 06:58:00 EST

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden Wednesday, April 11, announced the five winners and �The People�s Choice Winner� of the Joining Forces Community Challenge. The Challenge was created to �recognize and celebrate the extraordinary efforts of citizens and organizations across the country that are working to improve the lives of military families.�

The Challenge also helps to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the launch of Joining Forces, the national initiative started by the First Lady and Dr. Biden to support and honor America�s service members and their families. The USO has been proud to support Joining Forces and has been able to continue lifting the spirits of troops and military families with this initiative.

The Joining Forces Community Challenge, launched last July, captured the innovative ways Americans have stepped up to support and honor our military families. The Joining Forces Community Challenge winners include:

PATTERSON PURPLES UP FOR MILITARY KIDS

No Author — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:36:00 EST

VLB website goes purple today in support of Texas Operation: Military Kids

AUSTIN � The website more than 1.7 million veterans living in Texas rely on for information about their benefits � www.texasveterans.com � will go today in a show of support for Texas Operation Military Kids.

�The VLB will Purple Up! For Military Kids and we hope you will join us,� said Jerry Patterson, chairman of the Texas Veterans Land Board. �Children whose parents serve our nation deserve our support.�

The second annual Purple Up! For Military Kids campaign urges everyone to wear purple today as a visible show of support. Purple is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military, as it is a combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red and Navy blue.

OPERATION HOMEFRONT AND CHASE DONATE HOME TO IRAQ VET AND WIFE AT HOUSTON ASTROS GAME

No Author — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 06:00:00 EST

HOUSTON � It was a home game for the Astros, facing the Colorado Rockies, but the big winner was in the stands, as Operation Homefront and Chase donated a home to a deserving veteran of the war in Iraq, Quintin Muirhead, a medically retired Army Specialist, and his wife Jennifer.

Just a few months into Muirhead�s deployment to Iraq in 2009, swine flu spread among the troops. When he grew weak and went to the medic, doctors discovered something much more serious. A number of tests revealed he had both pneumonia and leukemia. He fell into a coma on his way to a medical facility in Germany, where the diseases continued to weaken his body. After two months in a coma, he awoke and the pneumonia was gone. The leukemia, however, was not and Muirhead spent the next few months undergoing chemotherapy.

SKYDIVING MILITARY WIDOWS FIND ADVENTURE, FORGE FRIENDSHIPS

No Author — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 06:18:00 EST

By Malini Wilkes

�You spend all that time planning a wedding, and then all of a sudden you�re planning your husband�s funeral. Who at 26 is planning a funeral?�

Terri Starliper had been married only five weeks when her husband, Air Force Master Sgt. Christopher Sheaffer, was killed in a training accident.

A military freefall instructor in Yuma, Ariz., he was doing a night jump with a group of students in September 2000 when one student collided with him in midair. Both were killed instantly.

4-H'ERS ASK TEXANS TO 'PURPLE UP' FOR MILITARY KIDS, FAMILIES

No Author — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 06:00:00 EST

WESLACO � Carlos Tamez wrote two letters a few years ago, to be delivered to his children in the event of his death while on active duty in Iraq.

The Black Hawk helicopter pilot from Weslaco poured his soul into his words, offering love and the best advice he could muster to his two young children, just in case they had to grow up without their father, he said.

Fortunately, the letters never had to be delivered. Tamez came home safely from the Middle East in 2009 to rejoin his wife Patty and two children, Celeste Ariana, 14, and Carlos Aaron, 9.

�I came home with two Bronze Stars and they belong to my kids,� said Tamez, a U.S. Army Reserve helicopter pilot who flew countless missions transporting dead and wounded soldiers out of combat zones during four tours of duty.

GOOD FOR THE SOUL: CHAPLAIN CONNECTS FAMILIES WITH UNITED THROUGH READING'S MILITARY PROGRAM

No Author — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:08:00 EST

By Joseph Andrew Lee

His mission was to care for the souls, the minds and the families of soldiers assigned to Task Force Talon, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, during their deployment to Afghanistan.

Army Chaplain, Capt. Paul Roman, a combat veteran, knew exactly how to accomplish that mission. Before his unit left last summer he would introduce his soldiers to a program he himself used and found invaluable during his first deployment�United Through Reading�s Military Program.

The USO partners with United Through Reading® to keep our men and women in uniform connected with their children during long tours of duty overseas.

MAYOR PARKER, ASTROS ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF WELCOME HOME PARADE FOR IRAQI VETS

No Author — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 06:24:00 EST

HOUSTON, TX - Mayor Parker and Houston Astros Owner and Chairman Jim Crane invite all Houstonians to come downtown Saturday, April 7, 2012 for a welcome home parade honoring returning Iraq veterans. The parade, sponsored by the City of Houston in partnership with the Astros 2012 opening weekend festivities, will step off from the corner of Texas and San Jacinto at 4 p.m. and then proceed east on Texas to Crawford and then north (left) on Crawford to Congress, ending at Minute Maid Park.

'I want to thank Jim Crane and the Astros for joining with the city in planning this event,' said Mayor Parker. 'It is an opportunity to support and thank the men and women who have sacrificed their lives and time away from loved ones to preserve our freedom. We owe them a debt of gratitude and recognition that their service is appreciated. Please come show your support.'

STRONGER FAMILIES ORGANIZATION AIMS TO SOLIDIFY MARITAL BONDS AT USO CAREGIVERS CONFERENCE

No Author — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:12:00 EST

Stronger Families, an organization with the mission to 'Fuel a grassroots movement to change the culture around marriage, so that more kids grow up with their mom and dad,' will be presenting at the 2012 USO Caregivers Conference in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, this May. It will be Stronger Families first appearance at a USO Caregivers Conference.

Executive Director Noel Meador (pictured left) took some time to talk about what his organization's goals for this year's conference will be and what attendees can expect.

A 'PRECIOUS' GIFT: CAREER HELP FOR CAREGIVERS

No Author — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 06:27:00 EST

By Malini Wilkes

�My husband really needs support, and I give him the support he needs... but he pulls on me emotionally all day.�

Precious Goodson, 42, is describing a �new normal� way of life after her husband was severely injured in Afghanistan two years ago. �I can�t just get up and go to an eight hour job and come home and cook and get up the next day,� she says.

Her husband is an Army sergeant who sustained back and neck injuries after a fall and is still being evaluated for traumatic brain injury. He�s also recovering from post traumatic stress and major depression.

TOO PROUD TO QUIT: COLONEL WOUNDED IN IRAQ NOW HEADS ARMY WOUNDED WARRIOR PROGRAM

No Author — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:47:00 EST

By Malini Wilkes

A Black History Month profile

�Even in some occasions where I�ve experienced unfairness, racism in my life, I�ve always resisted the temptation to convict the system, to say that everything�s against me.�

When Col. Greg Gadson talks about his 20-year Army career, he admits he sometimes faced discrimination as an African American soldier rising through the ranks.

Sitting with him now, in his office in Alexandria, Va., it�s hard to believe this broad-shouldered officer with a wide, confident smile could ever have moments of doubt or despair.

WWE WRESTLERS LIFT SPIRITS OF TROOPS WITH VISIT TO SOUTHEAST ASIA

No Author — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:09:00 EST

By Christian Pelusi

Top grapplers from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) stepped outside the squared circle to head on a USO visit to troops stationed in Southwest Asia earlier this month.

Superstar wrestlers John Cena, Chris Jericho and Kofi Kingston mingled with members of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing to show their gratitude for the job they do and to bring a little fun from home. The WWE stars met with over 200 airman and soldiers for handshakes, photos and the occasional headlock.

'I love coming out to visit the troops,' Jericho said.

PRESIDENT OBAMA, NATIONAL ENDOWMENT OF THE ARTS HONOR USO WITH NATIONAL MEDAL OF ARTS

No Author — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:34:00 EST

President Barack Obama and the National Endowment of the Arts announced Friday that the USO will be presented the National Medal of Arts for its 71 years of providing excellence in entertainment to America�s service members and their families, becoming the only military charity to receive the honor in the medal�s 28-year history.

The medals will be presented in a ceremony at the White House on Monday afternoon and are bestowed annually in several different artistic disciplines with an organizational category, as well. The other recipients for 2012 include: Will Barnet (painter); Rita Dove (poet/author); Al Pacino (actor/director); Emily Rauh Pulitzer (curator/art collector/philanthropist); Martin Puryear (sculptor); Mel Tillis (singer); Andre Watts (pianist/teacher).

USO WISHBOOK OFFERS DONORS TREATS TO GIVE TROOPS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

No Author — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:43:00 EST

Last year, the USO aimed to deliver a new tool that would help Americans lift the spirits of troops and their families. That goal was realized with the creation of USO Wishbook, which provides supporters a new way to donate to the USO.

'It's the first [first alternative gift website] of its kind that allows gift giving that helps America's servicemen and women around the world,' USO vice president of marketing Marguerite Kirst told The USA Today in a Nov. 2011 interview. 'That's really tangible, and that's something we really think Americans can respond to. ... They know (it) is going to help the troops and their families.'

During the 2011 holiday season, USO Wishbook ran for approximately six weeks and during that time, the USO sold more than 14,000 gifts. 

USO ROME REUNITES MARINES, FAMILIES WITH 'MEET THE PARENTS' PROGRAM

No Author — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:05:00 EST

By Christian Pelusi

Roughly two years ago, USO Europe Regional Vice President Walter Murren challenged the USO Rome staff to look for ways to increase its interaction with the 10 Marines assigned to guard the U.S. Embassy in Rome and their families.

Despite limited field budgets, Murren pushed the goal further, asking USO Rome to devise new programs to further bind the USO and Marines with the Roman community.

USO Rome answered the call with the 'Meet the Parents' program. Now in its second year, USO Rome awards two trip packages annually to two Marines through generous in-kind donations from local businesses.

WOUNDED VETERAN PEDALS TOWARD SECOND CHANCE AT REPRESENTING COUNTRY

No Author — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 09:12:00 EST

By Joseph Andrew Lee

All Justin Widhalm ever wanted to do was to represent his country.

In 2005, a catastrophic injury cut his first opportunity short. While serving as an Army sniper in Iraq, he was exposed to traumatic brain injury in 14 separate explosions.

He was finally evacuated after a sudden gust of wind knocked him out of a Blackhawk helicopter. He fell more than 25 feet and landed in a concrete irrigation canal, severely injuring his feet, knees and back.

The recovery was long and painful.

DEDICATION TO FAMILY LEADS USO FORT CAMPBELL DIRECTOR TO CURRENT POST

No Author — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:56:00 EST

By Christian Pelusi

It was a simple decision for Kari Burgess Brown. About a year and a half ago, her brother-in-law Kevin was preparing for his fourth deployment and her sister Melissa was in her third trimester with their second child. Knowing that her sister could use a few more in-house hands, Kari and her husband James decided to move from Baltimore to Fort Campbell, Ky.

Kari would begin studying for her MBA in the evenings at Lipscomb University, giving her time to dedicate to the family while her husband James would work as a registered nurse at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital.

USO SAILOR OF THE YEAR DIES IN ACTION IN AFGHANISTAN

No Author — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 06:51:00 EST

By Christian Pelusi

Navy EOD1 and 2011 USO Sailor of the Year Chad R. Regelin of Anderson, Calif., was killed in action by a roadside bomb on Monday while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

His older brother Justin told the Redding Record-Searchlight that Petty Officer Regelin was killed just an hour after speaking with his family over the phone.

'He called us while he was on watch,' Justin said. 'He was really upbeat because he had just gotten his orders to come back stateside on Feb. 15. He told us that he had about a week to go (in Kandahar) before they could helicopter in the replacement team.'

PAT TILLMAN MEMORIAL USO BRINGS GLAD TIDINGS TO BAGRAM AIR BASE AND BEYOND

No Author — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:36:00 EST

By Christian Pelusi

'As a USO employee over here, knowing you make a difference in the lives of the soldiers you serve is why we make the sacrifices we do to live here.' -- Sara Lottie, Duty Manager, Pat Tillman Memorial USO, Bagram, Afghanistan

Sometimes it's for a respite before or after a flight into or out of country. Sometimes it's to enjoy the comforts of a living room in a home away from home. Whatever the reason, Sara Lottie and Christine Gunderson bring a bit of warmth to Bagram and beyond.