By Sandi Moynihan

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J.—It was a magnificent afternoon.

In celebration of their upcoming film, actor Chris Pratt, actress Haley Bennett and director Antoine Fuqua visited Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst to treat hundreds of service members and their families to an afternoon of fun and an advance USO screening of “The Magnificent Seven.”

“My dad and my grandfather, they are both veterans. So to be here and share this day with you … it’s like I wish my family could be here to see this,” Bennett said. “I just appreciate you guys so much and what you do for us.”

As part of their visit, Pratt, Bennett and Fuqua visited the flight line, surprised service members at work, held an intimate meet-and-greet for military families and participated in a Q&A session with the movie audience. This was the first USO experience for Pratt, Bennett and Fuqua.

“I have lots of friends and family who have served,” Pratt said. “I love my country. I also love the men and women who protect it, it is the way I grew up. This is my first USO tour and hopefully not my last.”

You can send a message of support and thanks directly to service members via the USO’s Campaign to Connect. Your messages will appear on screens at USO locations around the world.