[caption id=“attachment_2668” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.), (left), and USO volunteer Nancy Lee Fiscus grab items to include in USO care packages. (USO photo by Mike Theiler)”][/caption]

Yesterday, members of Congress led Hill staffers, donors, military leadership and other volunteers in stuffing more than 2,000 USO care packages for troops deploying to Afghanistan, Iraq and other overseas locations.

[caption id=“attachment_2676” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Volunteers move down rows of items as they stuff the packages with care. USO photo by Mike Theiler”][/caption]

Care packages provide items requested by service members, including prepaid international phone cards, toiletry kits with shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush and toothpaste and shaving kits, sunscreen, snacks, refreshments and other entertainment items. Each care package also contains a special message of support from the donor.

[caption id=“attachment_2679” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas), (right), and his wife Carolina stuff peanuts and bandages in care packages. USO photo by Mike Theiler”][/caption]

Members of the USO Congressional Caucus in attendance included Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas), Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Texas), Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.): Rep.Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.). Also present were Annie McChrystal, wife of Gen. Stanley McChrystal, Commander, International Security Assistance Force/Commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan; Ed Reilly, American Management Association president and chairman of the USO Board of Governors; and senior military leadership and their spouses attended this event.

[caption id=“attachment_2678” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), (center), makes remarks on the importance of Operation Care Package as Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), (left) and USO Board Chairman Ed Reilly listen. USO photo by Mike Theiler”][/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_2677” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Military spouses (left to right) Dale Rowe (wife of Army Maj. Gen. Richard J. Rowe), Sandee Cartwright (wife of USMC Gen, James E. Cartwright) and Annie McChrystal (wife of Army Gen Stanley A. McChrystal) show off some completed care packages. USO photo by Mike Theiler”][/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_2680” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.) and California National Guard Adjutant Brig. Gen. Mary J. Knight stuffed two bags at a time before handing them to USO volunteers to ship overseas. USO photo by Mike Theiler”][/caption]