Vet News: The USO Marks 65 Years of Service, Honors Military Heroes at Annual Gala

ARLINGTON, Va. – Celebrating 65 years of service to military personnel and their families, the United Service Organizations (USO) also will pay tribute to service heroes from each branch of the armed forces at its annual gala Sept. 28 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

Entertainment will be provided by country music performer Jo Dee Messina and comedian/actor Sinbad. Deborah Norville will serve as master of ceremonies. Among the celebrity guests are actor Dennis Farina, comedian/author Al Franken, NBA star Scottie Pippin, MISS USA® 2006 Tara Conner, “Sopranos” star Vincent Pastore, country music performer Craig Morgan, “The Wire” star John Doman, MSNBC analyst Jack Jacobs, actor/comedian Blake Clark, comedian Jeff Ross and “Sex and the City” star David Eigenberg.

Senior representatives of the Department of Defense, top government officials, corporate leaders and Members of Congress will attend. The service members, selected by Senior Enlisted representatives of each service branch, will receive the USO Service Member of the Year Award.

For the third consecutive year, TriWest Healthcare Alliance secured the Chairman’s sponsorship package for the Gala. This leading military health care service administrator also will be the sponsor of the honorees’ reception. Ernst & Young Global and ITT Corporation are premier sponsors. The two companies will be the presenting sponsors of evening’s activities, including the red carpet arrival, and the dessert and dancing reception.

About the USO: For more than 65 years, the USO (United Service Organizations) has been providing morale, welfare and recreational services to U.S. military personnel and their families. The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services. The USO is supported by Worldwide Strategic Partners AT&T Inc., BAE Systems North America, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Military Channel, S & K Sales Co., TriWest Healthcare Alliance and The Walt Disney Company. Other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-0600), have joined thousands of individual donors to support the USO. For more information on the USO, visit our Web site at uso.org