"Your USO at Work" Newsletter (November 2009, Issue 5) |
|
* Wounded Warriors return to Iraq
* Happy Birthday to the USO Warrior Center
* NFL On Demand
* A new lens on World War II
* USO turns Centers into classrooms
* Credit card for patriots
* Upcoming events
U.S. Army SFC Joshua Olson (left), who lost a leg in a rocket propelled grenade attack in 2003 in Iraq, and SGT Rob Brown, who was wounded by a sniper and lost a leg near Ramadi, prepare to board a Black Hawk helicopter at Baghdad's Victory Base Complex on October 15, 2009. Olson and Brown returned with a group to Iraq as part of the wounded warriors initiative Operation Proper Exit, co-sponsored by the USO and Troops First Foundation.
USO photo by Mike Theiler.
When Marine Sgt. John Eubanks first went to Iraq, he was an infantryman and a weapons specialist. In the middle of his second tour in 2005, he suffered back injuries and a traumatic brain injury when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. Since then, Sgt. Eubanks has undergone numerous medical procedures, but perhaps none has been as therapeutic as his recent return to Iraq as a visitor. During his recovery, Sgt. Eubanks wrote about what such a journey would be like for him and other wounded warriors.
In October, when Sgt. Eubanks and six other wounded soldiers returned to Iraq as part of Operation Proper Exit, those written wishes became reality.
"I believe these visits by our Wounded Warriors are important as they allow them to see the improvements in Iraq and that their sacrifices weren't made in vain," said MNF-I Commanding General Ray Odierno of the visit.
This was Operation Proper Exit’s second trip, a new program sponsored by the USO in partnership with the Troops First Foundation. Thirteen wounded warriors have returned to Iraq to answer the questions left there when they abruptly were taken off the battlefield on stretchers. To read more about these healing journeys and watch the warriors' personal stories, please visit: www.USOonPatrol.org.
General Carter Ham, Private First Class Jesse Hamilton, and Sergeant Sheena Whitney cut the ribbon, opening the USO Warrior Center at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center October 21, 2008.
USO photo by Jaime Goloyugo.
The USO Warrior Center in Landstuhl, Germany, celebrated its first birthday on October 21. USO staff and volunteers remembered the past year of providing a home away for home for wounded warriors at the largest American hospital outside the U.S.
As one wounded warrior put it:
"If I could spend more time here it would be like heaven. Heaven is missing some angels 'cause they are all here at the USO."
The Secretary of Defense and the President have visited the Center, along with a long line of celebrities and VIPs. But what matters most is the sense of comfort and community the Warrior Center provides through free phone calls, video game access, DVDs, and meals around the USO's kitchen table for those wounded in defense of our nation.
U.S. troops, fans of former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher, wait in line with Terrible Towels and autograph sheets for their chance to meet the NFL coaches on tour at Forward Operating Base Maraz in Mosul, Iraq, July 2, 2009.
USO photo by Mike Theiler.
Sunday means football. But for most troops stationed overseas, watching a live NFL game can be close to impossible.
Until now, that is. This season, NFL Game Pass — which allows instant access to NFL games — will be available in USO Centers in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Germany, Italy, Korea, and Japan thanks to the National Football League. More Centers will be added as the season continues.
"Through the latest technology, we are proud to now be able to allow service members across the globe to watch every single NFL game live and on demand," said David Krichavsky, the NFL's director of community affairs. "With NFL Game Pass, troops can always catch their home team in action."
A Marine officer communicating battle orders to his units fighting on a Pacific island. Archival still from HISTORY's new series WWII in HD premiering Sunday, November 15th at 9pm EST.
Courtesy of HISTORY/Lou Reda Productions
It’s World War II like no one has seen it before: in color and High Definition.
HISTORY's new "World War II in HD" series is set to air from November 15 through November 19, from 9 P.M. to 11 P.M., telling the story of the war through the eyes of 12 members of the greatest generation.
"What you see is really there as it happens," said Lou Reda of Lou Reda Productions. Reda, a longtime friend of the USO, has also produced a film called "The History of the USO: Soldiers in Grease Paint" for the organization's 60th anniversary.
Reda’s son, Scott, was intimately involved with the HISTORY production and scoured thousands of hours of color footage. His production company also digitized what they found, much of which has never been viewed by the public.
"It’s kind of a cross between a documentary and a feature film," Scott said. "We're following a lot of these guys from before the war to the end of the war. Everybody knows what happens (in World War II) … nobody knows what happens to these [soldiers]."
USO Korea has been offering classes to Korean locals since 2003.
USO Korea
In the spring of 2003, USO Korea began a program called the Virtues Development Program, helping Koreans learn English. Six years into the program, thousands are attending Saturday classes twice a month. This year, there are 3,936 regular students.
"The virtues program has created a bridge between the U.S. military and the local Korean communities," said Elizabeth Boucher, Director of Operations for USO Pacific. "It has shed a positive light on U.S. service members and provided an outlet for interaction between the cultures."
Bank of America is offering a USO Visa platinum card. See Bank of America's Web site for further details.
Courtesy Bank of America.
Bank of America has just made it easier to support our military through the USO!
Through a new partnership, Bank of America is now issuing USO branded debit, checking, and credit cards. Bank of America makes a donation to the USO every time a new card is activated or a new account is opened. Plus, when you use the card to make a purchase at a retail store, a portion of your purchase will be given to the USO to help support our men and women in uniform.
"We are very proud to show our support for the U.S. military through the USO partnership by offering their branded financial service products through Bank of America," said Jeff Fincher, Partnership Sales executive. "The USO's mission is so very important in letting active duty military personnel know the citizens of the U.S. appreciate their efforts."
To sign-up for the card or to learn more, please click here:
* The USS NEW YORK -- made from the steel of the World Trade Center -- will be commissioned in New York on November 7.
* Happy 234th Birthday, U.S. Marine Corps (November 10)!
* The USO is off to the races on November 7, when the Breeders' Cup and the USO partner to bring 350 service members and their families to the infield to enjoy one of horse racing's premier events!
* November 11 — Veterans Day.
* "The Way We Get By," the story of the Maine Troop Greeters who welcome our service members home at Bangor International premieres November 11 on PBS. Check local listings.
* November 13 marks the grand opening of two new Centers at USO Dover to help and comfort families on Dover's hallowed grounds.
* On November 26, thank a member of our U.S. Armed Forces for their service on Thanksgiving.
Subscribe to our online newsletter and breaking news alerts to get up-to-date information from the USO. You'll receive regular updates on USO Center events, entertainment tours, programs and services, and partner and sponsor information.
Also, be sure to keep up with the USO on Facebook and Twitter!
Questions or comments? Contact us via e-mail at newsletter@uso.org.