[caption id=“attachment_3245” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen, participates in a USO Care Package Stuffing party at the Pentagon, in Arlington, Virginia, July 2, 2010. (USO photo by Mike Theiler)”][/caption]

“Thanks for doing this,” Admiral Mullen told the volunteers. “I’ve been in the field with the troops a lot, and I know what a difference this makes.”

USO of Metropolitan Washington hosted military leaders, staff aides, and USO and Pentagon volunteers for a morning devoted to assembling 2,000 packages to be distributed to US military forces deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his wife, Deborah, were among the volunteers.

“[USO’s support of military members] gives us strength, it gives us inspiration, and it helps us in what are very, very difficult times,” the chairman told Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden of American Forces Press Service.

We’d like to thank everyone who came out to show their support  - and care package stuffing skills! - for this perfectly patriotic event.  Check out more pictures below…

[caption id=“attachment_3246” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Active duty service members take time to assemble USO care packages that will be sent to deployed troops, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, during a care package event at the Pentagon on July 2, 2010. (USO Photo by Mike Theiler)”][/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_3243” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Sandee Cartwright, wife of Gen. James Cartwright Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, joins Elaine Rogers and Cheryl Laaker Hall, of USO of Metropolitan Washington, during a Pentagon care package event on July 2, 2010. (USO Photo by Mike Theiler)”][/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_3242” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“The USO Liberty Bells take time to assemble care packages at an Operation USO Care Package party at the Pentagon on July 2, 2010. (USO Photo by Mike Theiler)”][/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_3247” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“More than 100 Pentagon employees and friends assembled 2,000 care packages during an Operation USO Care Package party on July 2, 2010. (USO Photo by Mike Theiler)”][/caption]