Hundreds of Troops in the Middle East Flock to USO Screenings of Jay Z and BEYONCÉ’s HBO Special, “ON THE RUN,” and Ring in the New Year Together
Arlington, VA (PRWEB) January 06, 2015 -- It was a New Year’s Eve to remember for approximately 2,000 troops stationed in Kuwait and Afghanistan as they were treated to USO screenings of HBO’s “ON THE RUN TOUR: BEYONCÉ AND JAY Z,” courtesy of the couple themselves. The USO screenings, which took place during the countdown to 2015, were attended by servicemen and women stationed at Camp Arifjan and Camp Buehring in Kuwait, and at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. The New Year’s-themed concert events kicked off with a pre-taped, heartfelt message from BEYONCÉ – who thanked troops for their service and sacrifice, and wished them (and their families back home) a happy new year. Throughout the first full week of 2015, photos, video and New Year’s Day messages from troops poured into the USO reflecting the moment-filled experience. ***USO photo and video link below***
"Thanks (BEYONCÉ and Jay Z) for taking the time out to recognize your fans who are serving over here during this holiday season. Many of us wish we could have been there (at home) in person, but we're deployed overseas. It was an amazing show and it was a great surprise. Thank you for taking us back home for a few hours," said 1LT Daniel E. White of Milton, New York, who is stationed at Camp Arifjan.
Troops from all branches united as one and brought in 2015 simultaneously at all three overseas military installations. Brought together by the USO and their love of music, the screenings were designed to bring a touch of home to troops during the holidays and serve as a welcomed distraction from day-to-day challenges and responsibilities. To do this, the USO Camp Arifjan center hosted the New Year’s Eve screenings on multiple screens throughout their facility and passed out fruit and coffee flavored holiday
mocktails to troops in attendance. Not too far away, the USO Camp Buehring center hosted the special screening at its annual, festive Glow Party – complete with laser lights, glow sticks and a midnight balloon drop.
"It was awesome to see the message from BEYONCÉ before the show, it made me feel special," said LT Cross at Bagram Airfield. Echoing Lt Cross’ sentiments was SPC Johnson of the 101st BSB 1st Brigade 1ID at Camp Buehring who said, “the message was heartfelt and it is amazing that someone at her level has the awareness and appreciation for what we do. The concert is (also) exquisite… the attention to details, the precision, and the energy is the same thing we try to bring into our training."
Meanwhile, more than 2,000 miles away at Bagram Airfield, hundreds of troops poured into two of the base’s new MWR Coalition Theaters at 8 p.m., counted down to 2015 and danced-in the new year. They swayed in their seats and rocked out to such mega hits as “Bonnie & Clyde,” “Crazy in Love,” “Tom Ford” and “Part II (On the Run),” among 40 other memorable hit performances. An encore USO screening was shown on January 1st; so that more troops could experience HBO’s “ON THE RUN” USO screening in a
movie-style setting, similar to that from back home – complete with surround sound and plush seating.
"Watching the ‘ON THE RUN’ concert made me forget I was in Afghanistan for the holidays…. thank you,” said SSGT Ferguson, who is stationed at Bagram Airfield.
As the world celebrates another new year, the USO once again invites Americans to join them – as well as USO supporters Jay Z and BEYONCÉ - in showing their gratitude to our nation’s troops and military families. Moments like HBO’s “ON THE RUN” screening is just one example of how the USO is working to create, share and thank troops for their service in 2015. Last year, the USO created nearly 11 million special moments for our nation’s military community and is setting out to deliver another 11 million moments worldwide this year. For more information about the Every Moment Counts campaign, visit USOmoments.org or join the conversation on Facebook or Twitter using #USOMoments. To obtain photos and see videos featuring troops in attendance at HBO’s “On The Run” USO screenings visit http://bit.ly/1AFcdwO.
About the USO
The USO lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide. We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases in the U.S. and abroad, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops, military families, wounded warriors, troops in transition and families of the fallen. The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Our programs and services are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff.
In addition to individual donors and corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by President’s Circle Partners: American Airlines, AT&T, BNSF Railway, Clark Construction Group, LLC, The Coca-Cola Company, Grand Canyon University, JCPenney, Jeep, Johnson & Johnson, Kroger, Northrop Grumman Corporation and TriWest Healthcare Alliance and Worldwide Strategic Partners: BAE Systems, BIC, The Boeing Company, ConAgra Foods, FedEx, Harris Teeter, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft Corporation, Procter & Gamble, TKS Telepost Kabel-Service Kaiserslautern GmbH & Co. KG and Wawa Inc. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381). To join us in this important mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.
Oname Thompson, USO, http://uso.org, +1 703-864-5980, [email protected]
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