Admiral James Winnefeld, Jr. to Embark on His Third and Final USO Tour as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Arlington, VA (PRWEB) February 27, 2015 -- WHAT: USO Tour Led By Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral James A. Winnefeld, Jr.
WHO: Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck
Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen
Pittsburgh Steelers guard David DeCastro
American Idol alumni Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young
American film, stage and television actor Dennis Haysbert
Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev
Platinum recording artist and season 11 “American Idol” winner Phillip Phillips
Motion picture and television personality Jason “Wee Man” Acuna
WHEN: Winter 2015
WHERE: Various locations
Note. For security reasons, the country names and tour dates cannot be released at this time.
WHY: Admiral James A. Winnefeld Jr. will soon head out on his third and final USO tour as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where he will once again bring the best of sports, music, television and film together to visit troops and their families. Designed to be a moment-filled trip complete with hi-energy shows and memorable base visits, the eight-day, seven-country USO Spring Troop Visit (which is coming early this year) will feature Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, quarterback Andrew Luck and tight end Dwayne Allen; Pittsburgh Steelers guard David DeCastro; “American Idol” alumni Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young; American film, stage and television actor Dennis Haysbert; Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev; platinum recording artist and season 11 “American Idol” winner Phillip Phillips; as well as motion picture and television personality Jason “Wee Man” Acuna.
Part of an ongoing USO tradition of partnering with senior leaders and working with celebrities to bring a touch of home to troops serving abroad, Admiral James A. Winnefeld Jr. has led two USO tours to seven different countries and created moments for more than 22,000 troops. Among the locations he has visited with the USO are Afghanistan, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Djibouti, Spain and the United Arab of Emirates as well as the aircraft carrier, USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), at sea.
This trip will mark the sixth USO tour for Haysbert; fourth for DeGarmo, third for Winnefeld and Young; second for Acuna; and the first USO experience for Pagano, Luck, Allen, DeCastro, Kazantsev and Phillips.
QUOTES: Attributed to Admiral James A. Winnefeld, Jr.:
"America's military – men and women who represent the best of our communities – is serving in all corners of globe to protect our great nation and our freedoms. As we embark on this eight-day, seven-country USO tour, our group of athletes and entertainers will express their personal gratitude to those serving by sharing their talents. This tour is particularly significant to Mary and me, as this is our last USO tour in this position as the Vice Chairman. We look forward to visiting America's sons and daughters who keep our nation safe and showing them that they will always have the support of those they serve."
Attributed to J.D. Crouch II, USO CEO and President:
“When our troops and military families are deployed overseas, they miss the everyday comforts of home and USO tours become a welcome distraction from their daily routines. The USO is proud to once again partner with Admiral Winnefeld and all of these wonderful celebrity volunteers to let our military community know how much they are truly appreciated.”
Attributed to Dennis Haysbert:
“I’m overjoyed to be going out on Admiral Winnefeld’s third and final USO spring troop visit. It is an honor and a privilege to travel with him again to visit our troops.”
Attributed to Diana DeGarmo & Ace Young:
“We are honored and thrilled to be touring again with Vice Chairman Winnefeld and his wife Mary to bring a bit of home to our service members.”
Attributed to Jason “Wee Man” Acuna:
“I am so happy to go on this USO trip. It feels like I am bringing a piece of home to the troops we visit and I get to let them know how grateful I am for everything they do around the world!”
NOTE: The USO’s “Every Moment Counts” campaign invites Americans to join the Vice Chairman and his friends in honoring, saluting and creating moments that matter for our nation’s troops and their families. The campaign, much like this tour, centers around the countless every day moments – from family dinners and date nights to children’s births and bedtime stories – that our troops and their families selflessly sacrifice due to their commitment and service to our country. To learn more visit USOmoments.org.
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, 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, GEICO, 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]
Share this article