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Texas A&M, USO Houston Honor Sacrifices of Soldiers, Wounded Warriors

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Last month, the Texas A&M basketball fans enjoyed a 71-66 victory over Iowa State in College Station, Texas, but the evening will be remembered more for what happened on the hardwood at halftime.

USO Houston and the university honored our nation's service men and women and our wounded warriors at Military Appreciation Night, welcoming 22 soldiers and five wounded warriors as guests of honor. Each of the soldiers was presented with a flag in appreciation and recognition of their service by Marine Corps Lt. General Joe Weber.

USO Houston Director Susan Barlow said it was a powerful and emotional night for the student body, guests and veterans in attendance at Reed Arena as well as for the soldiers and wounded warriors. The event culminated with the men's basketball team auctioning off their jerseys to support the USO.

"I consider it an honor to serve my country and even after being wounded twice in Iraq, I'd go back and do it all again," said Ret. SSG Matt Lammers, 1st Infantry Division, who is pictured in the black t-shirt to the left. "A lot has changed in my life since leaving the battlefield but one thing has remained unchanged: That the USO has always been there for me. Whether it was care packages and phone cards in country, or USO visits at the hospital or now USO Houston helping me transition and letting me know they are always out there for me. Ms. Susie [Barlow] and her volunteers keep me busy with all sorts of events and visits to their USO Centers to talk to other troops, and it makes me feel good to be a part of this USO Houston family. I cannot thank USO enough for their support."

Barlow and her volunteers are equally appreciative.

"USO Houston is so very thankful to be allowed to be a part of the lives of our wounded warriors," she said. "What inspirational and amazing heroes we have had the good fortune to meet. All the wounded warriors thank us repeatedly for what USO Houston is doing for them, having often times truly felt forgotten or lost in the transition, but it is all of us, staff and volunteers alike who unanimously agree that our lives have been enriched and blessed by the opportunity to meet these fine, upstanding and courageous men and women."

Such events are points of pride for USO Houston.

"USO Houston takes great pride in hosting events for our troops and family members but we are truly passionate about taking care of our wounded warriors and their families," Barlow said. "Our USO Houston volunteers go the extra mile to assist our wounded warriors by making home visits, providing home cooked meals and planning special days out which can be anything from a day at the movies to fishing off the coast."

And Texas A&M is not alone in assisting USO Houston in its outreach efforts. Barlow lists other area sporting organizations as being partners and lauds them for their cooperation and generosity.

The Houston Texans have provided season tickets purchased by the players while also hosting wounded warriors during training camp as players, cheerleaders and staff get the chance to rub elbows with our nation's military. During the season, the Texans have hosted USO Houston and more than 300 wounded warriors at the Week of the Warrior events every October where troops can watch private practice sessions, meet the players and get a behind the scenes tour of Reliant Stadium and the Texans training center.

Meanwhile, the Houston Astros and USO Houston have partnered for Operation Home Sweet Home for every Sunday home game where the wounded warriors and their families are hosted by the owner, Drayton McLane and attend the game, a meet-and-greet and get to attend and participate in batting practice and run the bases. A sumptuous buffet and recognition during the seventh inning stretch on the field round out a memorable day at the ballpark for the service men and women.

Upcoming events include rodeo concerts, a Pike's Pits BBQ Cook-off for wounded warriors with a "battle of the bands" concert on April 1-3 and a Galveston fishing tournament on April 9. USO Houston is also gearing up for the Houston Astros' baseball season and the Impact a Hero run for wounded warriors in June where volunteers assist wounded warriors to run or wheel in a 5K race.

Follow USO Houston online and donate to USO Wounded Warriors initiatives.