2010 Fourth of July commemoration at the WH

Mullen and USO

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Mike Mullen hosted a USO care package stuffing party Friday at the Pentagon.

The USO is Kid Friendly

Military kids, who have a deployed parent, can get 2 free tickets to a Washington Nationals Baseball game July 4th.

Warrior Games

The first-ever Warrior Games enters the final full day of competition today in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Warrior Games II

SSgt Amy Forsyth brings us a special update from the Warrior Games.

Warrior Games

An interview with Air Force Staff Sergeant Marc Espisito who is competing in several events at the Warrior Games.

Motivation for Recovery

A Wounded Warrior, competing in the Warrior Games, talks about his motivation to recover and compete.

USO Awards Dinner

The USO of the Metropolitan Washington area recognizes the efforts of troops and volunteers during its annual banquet.

USO Provides Skype

DNU Flash - The Fleet Landing USO at Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan, installs Skype on all computers.

Female Care Packages

The USO is creating care packages specifically for women.

USO Celebration

The Nation's largest USO facility celebrates 10 years of service.

Fort Hood Aftermath – How YOU Can Help

It was just last week, on the afternoon of November 5th, that a lone gunman opened fire on troops gathered at the Soldier Readiness Processing Center at Fort Hood, Texas, killing 13 American soldiers... wounding 30 others... and shocking the nation and the world.

Fort Hood has been "home" to the USO for nearly a decade, and our Fort Hood Center, located a short distance away from the site of the shootings, was locked down for five hours, as 35 service members anxiously waited inside. Within minutes of the "all clear," the USO's Fort Hood Mobile Unit was driven directly to the site of the tragedy, and immediately began providing 24/7 support to first responders, FBI, SWAT teams, and Emergency Response Units. A second Mobile USO Unit arrived on site within hours of the incident, redoubling our efforts.

In the wake of this tragedy, the USO has gone all out to sustain the Fort Hood community in a variety of ways: helping to make counseling available to those who have lost a loved one or been emotionally impacted by the event... providing meals and snacks to GIs, their families, first responders, and the community at large... and offering troops a "safe haven" and a chance to gain some perspective on the violence so unexpectedly brought so close to home.

This tragic event could not have been anticipated (or even imagined), nor could we plan ahead to meet the sudden dramatic needs of the Fort Hood victims and their families. Fortunately, our Fort Hood USO Center is staffed with dedicated professionals and volunteers who have jumped into the fray to do whatever is needed.

But these sudden demands have created a sudden need for funds: to help the families of the fallen and the entire Fort Hood community. That's why we're emailing you, our most loyal donors, to ask for your help. We need to support not only the USO's efforts, but also those of other volunteer organizations working at Fort Hood in the aftermath of this tragedy. One hundred percent of every dollar you contribute will be used to assist the soldiers and families of Fort Hood who have been most directly affected by this tragedy. Won't you please give as generously as you can?

On behalf of the people of Fort Hood, and all those we serve, "Thanks!"

*CLICK Here to Support the People of Fort Hood*

Bahrain Family Support

DNU Flash - Naval Support Activity Bahrain, provides support for returning family members.

Tillman USO Re-opens

The Pat Tillman Memorial USO at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan has re-opened its doors after major renovations.

USS Ronald Reagan USO Visit

DNU Flash - Celebrities visit the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

Yokosuka USO Receives Skype

DNU Flash - Naval Base Yokosuka, Japan's United Services Organization receives Skype.

Tillman Memorial USO

The Pat Tillman Memorial USO at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan was recently reopened after receiving major renovations.

In Iraq, Colbert Does His Shtick for the Troops

By CAMPBELL ROBERTSON - The New York Times

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq — It was Sunday night in Baghdad, and President Obama was ordering Gen. Ray Odierno, the commander of the American troops here, to shave Stephen Colbert’s head. (Not to give everything away, but the general is not as brutal with an electric razor as one would expect a bald man to be; Mr. Colbert’s hairdresser, on the other hand, has a merciless streak.)

War, as things go, is a fairly unironic exercise. Sure, there are endless incongruities to be found and parodied in the speeches about war from politicians, generals and heads of state. But war itself — the dirty, dangerous business of soldiers on the ground — seems to be about as earnest a trade as you can find.

Into this comes Mr. Colbert. He is taping four episodes of “The Colbert Report,” the Comedy Central show featuring his egotistical, fake-macho, nationalist blowhard alter ego, in Baghdad this week. It’s the first time in the history of the U.S.O. that a full-length nonnews show has been filmed, edited and broadcast from a combat zone.

The week of shows, taped a day or two before they are broadcast, is called “Operation Iraqi Stephen: Going Commando,” and it has a pretty fancy guest list (in addition to General Odierno, and the president, whose appearance was taped ahead) that includes Iraq’s deputy prime minister. But there is also something kind of meta about the whole thing. Mr. Colbert’s entire career is based on being gleefully insincere, a man who literally wraps himself in the flag to the screaming of majestic computer-generated eagles.

On the other hand he is unquestionably a real supporter of the troops, raising money through donorschoose.org for school supplies for children of soldiers, through his WristStrong bracelets for the Yellow Ribbon Fund, which helps injured veterans, and by donating to the U.S.O. proceeds from iTunes downloads of this week’s episodes.

So it was easy to wonder if, given the setting, he would be a little less mock Bill O’Reilly and a bit more risk-free Rich Little.

Any doubt was dispersed the minute Mr. Colbert ran out onstage wearing a business suit made of Army camouflage and, shortly afterward, declared himself the only person man enough finally to declare victory in Iraq. (General Odierno, whom Mr. Colbert compared to Shrek, diplomatically talked that declaration down.)(Continue - Link)

Stephen Colbert in Iraq

Comedian Stephen Colbert took his political-parody show, The Colbert Report, to Iraq last week, much to the delight of servicemembers in the audience.

Make THIS Memorial Day a "special" one for a GI in harm’s way...

Dear Friend of The USO: A few days from now, Memorial Day celebrations will be held in small towns and big cities all across America. Bunting will be everywhere. Parades will feature bands, antique cars, kids on bikes, and veterans of many conflicts… all marching proudly to show their patriotism and love of country. At the same time, half way around the world, 170,000 brave young men and women will demonstrate their patriotism in another way: by putting their lives at risk to defend everything America stands for. As we gather in our backyards for cookouts and picnics, our troops overseas will grab an MRE and head out to patrol crowded streets and back alleys where insurgents continue to lurk. As we play softball or watch a parade, they'll spend their afternoons in harm's way: a "place" where rounding any corner can mean a deadly ambush… where stopping any car or passerby can trigger an explosion and sudden death. As we "ooh" and "aah" at fireworks displays, they'll duck live rounds and remain alert for the sudden rush of an incoming rocket-propelled grenade. Today, the nation's economic crisis continues to push the ongoing violence in Iraq and Afghanistan off the front pages; some Americans may even have forgotten about the brave men and women who are doing their job overseas, but counting the days till it's their turn to share the home-town celebrations with their loved ones and friends. However, the USO hasn't forgotten; we've already geared up to provide extra services to our troops… not just for Memorial Day, but throughout the weeks and months ahead. With American troops spread all over the globe… We must recruit more stars to man our Celebrity Entertainment Tours to combat zones… not just to entertain, but also to shake hands with our GIs and say face-to-face, "Thanks! We're here for you. You're the real star!" We need to buy more pre-paid phone cards, so our troops can call home for free whenever they get a chance, even from a pay phone in Baghdad. We must staff up and supply our overseas Centers and Mobile Canteens; with the War in Iraq now in its sixth long year, they'll have to stay open extra hours to provide our guys and gals in uniform with a cold Coke, a warm smile, and a chance … even if just for a few moments … to escape from the War and enjoy a taste of home. Meeting these special challenges, on top of all the everyday services we provide to our troops and their families, will take a huge effort, cost a lot of money, and stretch our resources to the limit. Many people are surprised to learn that the USO is not a government agency; in fact, we rely on individual citizens who want to support the troops, and who always seem to stand behind us at the times we need them most. Now is one of those times. Please send your tax-deductible donation today, to help the USO make certain that every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, and Coast Guardsman around the world knows that the folks back home are thinking of them, and that we honor their dedication, their heroism, and their sacrifice. As Americans, we count on them. They count on us. I hope we can count on you. On behalf of those we serve,

Sloan D. Gibson USO President