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FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, Aug. 26, 2008 – Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind the program “Sesame Street,” and the United Service Organizations joined forces to bring “The Sesame Street Experience for Military Families” to 43 installations across the country. Amanda Moran of Military OneSource, helps Kassandra Chavez, 11, and her brother José, 9, put beading kits into a bag Aug. 10, 2008, at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The table was one of many with giveaways and information at the “Sesame Street Experience.” U.S. Army photo by Cheryl Harrison  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “The tour travels for...

Here's an act of compassion for our soldiers that needs re-doing today! "Hollywood Canteen" Plot Summary: Two soldiers on sick leave spend three nights at the Hollywood Canteen before going back to active duty. With a little friendly help from John Garfield, Slim gets to kiss Joan Leslie, who he has been dreaming about while in the Pacific. He meets her later at the Farmer's Market. On the third night, Slim is the millionth man into the Canteen, earning him a date with Joan. Slim thinks he's been duped when she doesn't show up at his train. Slim's buddy...

Imagine the delight on the faces of troops in Iraq when Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt arrive to put on a show. One can only assume that Montag will sing and Pratt will glare at soldiers with his simultaneously vacant and menacing Svengali leer. People.com reports that the reality show duo will visit the troops in homage to Montag's stepbrother, who served as an airborne ranger before he died in an accident stateside. Apparently, John McCain's daughter Meghan plans to help the two with their travel plans. From People:

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, July 16, 2008 – Modern-rock band Sevendust put on a performance like no other for servicemembers here July 12 at the final stop on their first United Service Organizations tour. Soldiers at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, pose with members of the band Sevendust after a July 12, 2008, performance by the band. The performance completed Sevendust’s first USO tour. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Scott Davis, Combined Joint Task Force 101  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Although the band is not known for playing acoustic sets, they still managed to put out a diverse sound that...

WASHINGTON, July 8, 2008 – Movies and games have always been popular among deployed troops, providing a break from the intense daily realities of their duties and a way to fill downtime while away from their loved ones. With that in mind, Blockbuster stores nationwide, in partnership with United Service Organizations, are making it easy for Americans to donate video games and DVDs to deployed forces. “The DVD and game drive is a way for Blockbuster stores and the American public to make life a little better for U.S. servicemen and women when they’re so far away from home,”...

July 5, 2008: A new morale building effort, for U.S. troops overseas, comes in the form of a suitcase size box containing a portable projector and screen, an Xbox video game, DVDs, magazines, snacks and a satellite based high-speed Internet hook-up. This box is for remote bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, manned by fewer than fifty troops. If the "USO In A Box" works, it will be distributed to small navy and marine contingents at sea. The box is, in fact, another effort by the USO (United Service Organizations) to cheer up the troops in wartime. The USO was formed...

My 66-year life with the Second and Orange USO began at age 7 when my father, active in the war effort, served on its dedication committee in April 1942. The war dominated my childhood and indelibly shaped my personal and professional life as a naval officer and historian. As a boy, I played war games with friends in our Forest Hills neighborhood, and we followed every inch of the news. We boys believed our troops overseas won the war because of us. To see, touch and talk to real soldiers and Marines, we visited them at the county’s USOs, including...

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2008 – When country music star Wynonna Judd stepped on stage in the Wagner Sports Center at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here yesterday, it was all about the love. Army Spc. Chauncy Clayton, a patient administrator at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, is called to the stage by Wynonna Judd so she could playfully correct his pronunciation of her name. He had improperly put the emphasis on “nona.” “It’s WHY-nona,” the star playfully chastised in her country accent. Defense Department photo by Fred W. Baker III  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “Over a year...

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, May 20, 2008 – Historically speaking, Vikings and Afghanistan don’t have much in common, but all that changed yesterday when five cheerleaders from the National Football League’s Minnesota Vikings pumped up a standing-room-only crowd of servicemembers here. New Zealand army Cpl. Murray Kinnell holds up the “No. 1” sign as Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders Amanda and Sarah cheer him on. Kinnell competed, and was unanimously voted best, in a “touchdown dance” competition during the cheerleaders’ performance at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, May 19, 2008. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace, Combined Joint Task...

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2008 – Servicemembers transiting through Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, near Washington, D.C., now have a new area to spend time between flights after the recent dedication of a new United Service Organizations lounge. Military and government leaders participate in a ribbing-cutting ceremony to officially open the new United Service Organizations lounge at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on May 8, 2008. From left are: Bill Fairl, of CACI; Paul Maladrino, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport manager; David Speck, of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority; Jon Love, with Pitney Bowes; Virginia Sen. Patsy Ticer; Ned Powell, with...

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- Country star Toby Keith was performing for U.S. troops in Afghanistan last week when the military base he was singing at came under fire, according to People. Keith and his band were in the middle of the song "Weed With Willie" when mortar fire on the base in Kandahar erupted, sending the band and the troops looking for cover. "We all ran about 100 yards to a concrete bunker," Curt Motley, the singer's agent who was with him on the USO tour, told People. Keith is currently on an 18-show USO tour throughout the Persian Gulf. The...

6th Annual Rally for the Troops will be held on Sunday April 20, 2008 at 11:00 PM in downtown Cleveland’s Public Square. Free Parking at Tower City Parking lots. Last year an estimated 5000 motorcyclist attended the Rally. Bikes will stage at 8:30 AM from Cleveland Harley Davidson Sales Company (W145 and Lorain), Lake Erie Harley Davidson (Avon Ohio); South East Harley Davidson (Bedford Hts. Ohio) and Western Reserve Harley Davidson (Mentor Ohio). Bikes will depart for downtown Cleveland at 9:30 AM. Jim Mantel of WGAR will MC the Rally and Monica Robins of WKYC will sing the National Anthem....

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2008 – Military spouses and United Service Organizations volunteers will have a chance to join the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in offering a “Toast to the Troops” and enjoy a performance by country music star Craig Morgan at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., April 19. The event will be the third year Jack Daniel’s and the USO have conducted the "Toast to the Troops" campaign. The goal this year is to assemble 10,000 USO Care Packages for troops serving overseas. But the day won’t be all work for those participating. They’ll also enjoy a special barbecue and...

SAN FRANCISCO, April 14, 2008 – As the sun began setting over the city here April 11, retired Air Force Col. Ray Slifka was on duty at the San Francisco International Airport United Service Organizations lounge, providing hospitality and assistance to travel-weary military travelers and their families transiting through the airport. Navy Seaman Melissa Marrs makes herself comfortable at the United Service Organizations lounge at San Francisco International Airport while awaiting a flight to San Diego as she makes a permanent-change-of-station move from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. Photo by Donna Miles  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Slifka,...

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- I talked with commissioner Roger Goodell Friday night about my USO trip... and I probably got a little excited about our week in the middle of the war. "Sounds like a life-changing experience for you,'' Goodell said. Not exactly, but close.

WASHINGTON — Comedian Ron White is hoping to tour with overseas troops again this summer, as long as the military lets him drink on stage. “We let them know I’m no angel, and I’m not coming over to convert anyone to ‘angelism,’” he said, taking a swig from his ever-present glass of whiskey. “I’m going over there to make some guys laugh who need a good laugh. “Luckily, they’ve been pretty liberal with me in the past.” White, best known for his work in the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, visited bases in Germany and Belgium two years ago as part...

3/6/2008 - MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFPN) -- Three National Football League stars and a senior sports writer visited Manas Air Base Airmen as part of a United Service Organizations tour March 4 here. San Diego Chargers Luis Castillo, Chicago Bears Tommie Harris, Carolina Panthers Mike Rucker and Sports Illustrated writer Peter King arrived in Kyrgyzstan to show their support as they visit servicemembers throughout the region. Manas AB is home to the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing, which serves as a mobility hub for Operation Enduring Freedom and International Security Assistance Force missions. Strategically situated as the only U.S. base...

Scarlett Johansson smiles after being pinned with gunnery sergeant rank during a meet and greet Jan. 20 in the United Service Organizations building at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. The 23-year-old bombshell met with nearly 600 service members at Camp Buehring, Kuwait Jan. 20 during her five-day United Service Organizations (USO) tour to the Gulf region Scarlett Johansson poses for a photo with Marines of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Jan. 20 in the United Service Organizations building at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. The 23-year-old bombshell met with nearly 600 service members at Camp Buehring, Kuwait Jan. 20 during her five-day United...

The chairman of the United Service Organizations defended its decision to pair with MoveOn.org to provide phone cards to U.S. troops after some USO board members were outraged by a partnership with a group that opposes the Iraq war. At least one board member, Vietnam veteran John Gioia, called for USO President Edward Powell to be fired over his decision to accept more than $350,000 from MoveOn's members to buy phone cards for troops overseas. In September, MoveOn angered opponents and even some supporters by placing an advertisement in the New York Times in advance of congressional testimony by Gen....

"And so we choose the men and women of the USO, bringing a little fun and a nation's thanks to those who serve us far from home."

U.S. AIR BASE, Kuwait – Army Staff Sgt. Andrew Guffey was assigned to the distinguished visitors just arriving to the airbase in the middle of the Kuwaiti desert. The 27-year-old native of Pangburn, Ark., with 10 and a half years of military service was on his first tour of the Middle East and assigned the duty of looking after members of the press. The occasion was the USO tour just before Christmas hosted by Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Guffey had the photographers and military media under control so he would have the time...

Kid Rock performs some of his most popular songs for the gathered troops during the 2007 USO Christmas show, Dec. 19, at Camp Ramadi. Photo by Spc. Ricardo Branch, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs. CAMP RAMADI — The United Service Organization brought its Holiday Troop Visit Tour to the service members and civilians here with a special show at the Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) center, Dec. 19. Adm. Michael G. Mullen, the 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, opened the show to an excited crowd of more than 600 attendees.“You all do a...

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Dec. 23, 2007 – Military men and women in eastern Kunar province were surprised Dec. 21 by a visit from the Army’s top enlisted soldier and several celebrities at the remote Camp Blessing, Afghanistan. Country music singer Darryl Worley (center) sings for military men and women Dec. 21, 2007, at the Camp Blessing dining facility in Kunar province, Afghanistan, accompanied by band mates Scott Randon (left), and Jeff Jared. Worley was a part of the sixth annual Hope and Freedom USO Tour, hosted by the sergeant major of Army. Worley, four Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders, fellow country...

<p>Fort Bragg — Southwest Airlines picked up the tab to fly 180 soldiers temporarily stationed at Fort Bragg home to Texas for the holidays.</p> <p>The members of the Texas National Guard were stationed at Fort Bragg and expected to be deployed to Afghanistan before the holidays, said John Lucy, assistant director of the United Service Organization's center at Raleigh-Durham International Airport.</p>

KABUL, Afghanistan - Robin Williams and Lance Armstrong took a swipe at the French, Kid Rock strummed "Sweet Home Alabama," comedian Lewis Black grumbled about the falling snow, and Miss USA told the troops to keep "kicking butt." Some 500 American soldiers watched an all-star USO cast perform under a steady snowstorm at a U.S. base in Kabul late Thursday. The stop was part of a six-day, 14-show tour that saw the entertainers begin their day with a performance in Iraq. The audience of soldiers — bundled in hooded jackets and warm hats — stood in the snow before a...

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Robin Williams and Lance Armstrong took a swipe at the French, Kid Rock strummed "Sweet Home Alabama," comedian Lewis Black grumbled about the falling snow, and Miss USA told the troops to keep "kicking butt." Some 500 American soldiers watched an all-star USO cast perform under a steady snowstorm at a U.S. base in Kabul late Thursday. The stop was part of a six-day, 14-show tour that saw the entertainers begin their day with a performance in Iraq. The audience of soldiers - bundled in hooded jackets and warm hats - stood in the snow before a...

KABUL, Afghanistan — Robin Williams and Lance Armstrong took a swipe at the French, Kid Rock strummed "Sweet Home Alabama," comedian Lewis Black grumbled about the falling snow, and Miss USA told the troops to keep "kicking butt." Some 500 American soldiers watched an all-star USO cast perform amid a steady snowstorm at a U.S. base in Kabul late Thursday. The stop was part of a six-day, 14-show tour that saw the entertainers begin their day with a performance in Iraq. The audience of soldiers — bundled in hooded jackets and warm hats — stood in the snow before a...

WASHINGTON (AP) - The liberal MoveOn.org, a leader of an anti-Iraq war coalition, is asking supporters to help pay for free phone calling cards for soldiers overseas in a partnership with the United Service Organizations, the charity that has helped troops for more than six decades. MoveOn.org e-mailed about 3.3 million people on its e-mail list Thursday with the request to donate $15, the cost to buy one phone card for USO's Operation Phone Home program. That program began in 2003, the same year that the war started. "MoveOn members are committed to seeing our troops come home as quickly...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2007 – American Forces Press Service reporter Jim Garamone is traveling with Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen and the holiday United Service Organizations show. Following are three vignettes on the group’s recent experiences. Kid Rock performs at the USO Holiday Tour stop at Logistics Support Area Anaconda, in Balad, Iraq, Dec. 20, 2007. The tour also included seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong and comedians Robin Williams and Lewis Black. Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley, USN  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Show in the Snow CAMP PHOENIX, Afghanistan, Dec. 20,...

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait, Dec. 17, 2007 – It was a rocking and rolling time at this logistics base, as the Chairman’s USO Holiday Tour entered high gear today. Comedian Robin Williams signs autographs for servicemembers at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Dec. 17, 2007, during the second stop of the 2007 USO holiday tour. Tour host Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was joined by award-winning recording artist Kid Rock, Miss USA Rachel Smith, comedian Lewis Black and seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong on the 15-stop,seven-country tour thanking the forward deployed troops for...

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq, Dec. 17, 2007 – Entertaining troops for the sixth consecutive year, the 2007 Hope and Freedom USO Tour stopped off here yesterday to entertain Multinational Division Center soldiers. The Army band “Downrange” performs its final song with other tour members and soldiers during the Sergeant Major of the Army Hope and Freedom tour, Dec. 16, 2007, at Camp Striker, in Baghdad. Photo by Pfc. Monica K. Smith, USA  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The crowd was engaging, with a few of its own comics, and kept entertainers such as singer Darryl Worley and comedian Sheryl...

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 17, 2007 – Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael G. Mullen is bringing United Service Organizations entertainers to visit with troops in seven countries in the Middle East, Central Asia and Europe through the next week. Airmen at a Southwest Asia air base enjoy the comedy of Robin Williams during the first stop of the 2007 USO holiday tour, Dec. 17, 2007. Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley, USN  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “We want to thank as many servicemembers as we can,” Mullen said. “The holidays are...

"Joining Admiral Mullen as his special guests are Academy Award-winning actor Robin Williams, Grammy Award-winning comedian Lewis Black, multi-platinum recording artist Kid Rock, seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, Miss USA 2007 Rachel Smith and Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan."

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2007 – Santa’s USO elves will be checking their list twice this weekend to ensure they’re ready to host about 2,000 troops slated to transit through Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport before catching flights home to their families and loved ones. The elves – actually volunteers from United Service Organizations of Metropolitan Washington – will work through the night Dec. 15 to prepare for a mass holiday exodus to begin at the suburban Maryland airport at 6 the following morning. As some 1,800 soldiers attending advanced individual training at nearby Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., await their flights,...

11/30/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- American Servicemembers were treated to a United Service Organizations show where they were exposed to the "Mind of Mencia" Nov. 28 in Southwest Asia. Comedians Carlos Mencia, who stars in the Comedy Central show "Mind of Mencia," and Brad Williams entertained more than 600 servicemembers with two shows. Mr. Mencia is familiar with the hardships servicemembers endure. Having five cousins in the Marine Corps, performing for servicemembers is nothing new. "After shows, I meet with servicemembers and there's always some kind of cool sentiment from them to me," Mr. Mencia said. "I find it...

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The sons of a late harmonica player want to pass along hundreds of his signature, pocket-size instruments to troops overseas. Herb Shriner's 53-year-old twin sons, actors Wil and Kin, found about 400 vintage harmonicas in their father's warehouse near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. They considered donating the instruments to schools or to youth groups, but now want to send them to soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. "It beats sending them tubas," Wil Shriner said. "They're pretty easy to pick up and play." Herb Shriner and his wife died in a car crash in 1970. Shriner...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25, 2007 – The vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a traveling USO show visited four different locations in Iraq to see troops during Thanksgiving. Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, standing, talks to servicemembers during a breakfast at Camp Liberty, Iraq, Nov. 23, 2007. Cartwright met with the troops to express his thanks for the job they're doing in Iraq. Defense Dept. photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam M. Stump  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright started at...

KANDAHAR AIR BASE, Afghanistan, Nov. 22, 2007 – Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and a traveling USO entertainment show visited troops at Bagram Air Base and Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan Nov. 20-21. Cartwright stopped in the country as part of a six-day, six-country troop visit, bringing with him actor Wilmer Valderrama, model Mayra Veronica and comedian Russell Peters. “My intent in being out here is to get those entertainers out here and try to give some of the troops—your people—at least an evening of drifting off into someplace other than...

NEW YORK (AP) — Bill O'Reilly thinks American troops aren't getting enough support — from the USO. After a surreptitious trip to Afghanistan last weekend, the cantankerous Fox News Channel commentator told The Associated Press that he's disappointed that the United Service Organizations "doesn't put anybody out there (in Afghanistan)." "I went to thank these guys on behalf of me and my audience," he said in an interview from Istanbul, Turkey. "As far as I know, the only famous people in the past year were (country music singer) Toby Keith and me." The USO — the organization that famously brought...

Microsoft and the USO Salute the Troops With a Spectacular Veterans Day Star-studded award ceremony and special showing of the 75th celebration of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular honor troops and their families. NEW YORK, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp., in partnership with the United Service Organizations (USO), put on a spectacular salute to honor the military community this Veterans Day. The centerpiece of the day was a private, complimentary performance of the 75th celebration of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Microsoft sponsored an entire performance of the Christmas Spectacular as a special thank-you to more than 5,500 troops...

Would anyone like a free dinner at Golden Corral? Well, there is an easy way if you are an American military veteran. Golden Corral just announced this year’s Military Appreciation Monday will be November 12, 2007, from 5 to 9 pm. For the past 6 years, Golden Corral has been honoring the US Military with a free “thank you” dinner and beverage at any Golden Corral restaurant on Military Appreciation Monday (first Monday after Veteran’s Day), to honor any person who has ever served in the United States Military. In the past the only requirement to receive the free meal...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2007 – Americans can now visit an online ballot to cast their vote for five people whose extraordinary contributions to the U.S. military go above and beyond the call of duty. With the first “Above and Beyond Awards,” Microsoft Corp. and the United Service Organizations, or USO, will publicly honor the outstanding commitment, exceptional service, sacrifice and achievements of individuals who have shown extraordinary dedication to brightening servicemembers’ lives over the past year, according to the awards’ Web site. From hundreds of promising nominees, officials have narrowed the field to 14 finalists in the following five...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2007 – Top military officials and five servicemember heroes hobnobbed with an army of celebrities here last night during the USO World Gala. Comedian Jeffrey Ross, left, presents the USO's Coast Guardsman of the Year award to Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel J. Walsh during the 66th annual USO World Gala in Washington, D.C., Sept. 21, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by John J. Kruzel  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Hundreds of guests were on hand at the National Building Museum for the exclusive, black-tie awards ceremony and celebration. The annual party is hosted...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2007 – For some servicemembers of past generations, the USO evokes images of comedian Bob Hope telling jokes while clutching a golf club. But during USO Night yesterday at RFK stadium here, troops on hand were treated to an up-close view of professional baseball players wielding Louisville Sluggers. Marine Sgt. Justin L. Clough; Army Spc. Marion D. Pettus, III; Air Force Senior Airman Nicole P. O’Hara; Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Samuel S. Jordan; Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel J. Walsh; and Ned Powell, president and chief executive officer of USO, pose with Screech,...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10, 2007 – The former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff praised the United Service Organizations yesterday for the support the group gives men and women in uniform. Retired Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, a new USO board member, represented the organization in accepting a check for $325,000 from S&K Sales. The company does business with the Defense Commissary Agency and raised the money through its annual fundraising effort. S&K has donated more than $2 million to the USO over the past 10 years, Mark Phillips, a USO spokesman, said. During yesterday’s check-presentation ceremony here,...

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq, July 29, 2007 – Comedians Dave Attell and Scott Kennedy are keeping troops laughing during an eight-stop USO-sponsored comedy tour for servicemembers deployed to the Operation Iraqi Freedom theater of operations. Dave Attell performs his comedy routine during a USO-sponsored show July 25 on Camp Adder in Iraq. Attell is traveling with fellow comedian Scott Kennedy. This was the one of eight tour stops in theater. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Robert W. Valenca  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Attell may be best known for his travelogue show on Comedy Central, "Insomniac," where...

Atlanta-Hartsfield/Jackson Intl Airport has a USO group that really welcomes home the troops. During a six hour wait for my flight, I watched these fine young Americans get a Welcome Home reception from all the travelers waiting in the central Atrium. About every 30 minutes, another group of returning troops would be queue'd up from the USO waiting area and led out. The leader would announce, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome home our troops who are returning home after service in Iraq". The waiting travelers would start clapping and cheering, whistles and shout-outs greeted the two-by column as they marched...

USA GARY SINISE IRAQ-epa01015224 In this picture supplied by the USO, US actor Gary Sinise (R) listens to US Army CW 4 Leif Neely (L) of Woodbridge, Virginia, tell about how he was wounded while flying his Kiowa Warrior helicopter on a mission over Mosul, Iraq during a visit by Sinise to the hospital at Forward Operating Base Mazur, Iraq, 20 May 2007. Sinise, famous for his role as Lt. Dan in the movie Forrest Gump and currently starring in the TV series CSI:NY, is on a USO-sponsored meet-and-greet tour to boost morale among US forces in the area. EPA/MIKE...

'To all of our service men and women, I salute you' Chuck Norris, the "Walker: Texas Ranger" star who now writes a column for WND, has been honored by the U.S. Marine Corps, which named him an "honorary Marine." "When I was asked to come to Washington, D.C., to meet and have dinner with Marine Corps Commandant, General James T. Conway, that was honor enough. When he informed me I had been named an honorary member of the Marine Corps, I was speechless," Norris said. Norris, whose lifetime exploits also are the subject of a special Chuck Norris Laughlines Forum...

WASHINGTON, April 16, 2007 – The United Services Organization of Metropolitan Washington officially opened its much-anticipated lounge at Dulles International Airport here today. John Marselle, Chairman of the board of United Services Organization of Metropolitan Washington, cuts the ribbon officially opening the new USO lounge at Dulles International Airport on April 16, 2007. Lynne Pace (left), wife of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace, Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter (second from right) and Elaine Rogers (right), president of USO of Metropolitan Washington lent helping hands when the ribbon put up some resistance before...