Backstage at the USO Honors Service Members and Military Supporters

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  Sep 30, 2019

  Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with These 5 Heroes Making Modern Military History

  For Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 – October 15, we took a moment to highlight five modern-day Hispanic American service members who are making modern military history.

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  Sep 27, 2019

  Gold Star Mom Reflects on Her Hero's Journey

  Carlene Cross remembers the day her son told her he had reenlisted in the Army and was headed for the most dangerous place on Earth. Then, a few months later, she got the worst news and became something no parent wants to be: a Gold Star Mother.

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  Sep 26, 2019

  Gold Star Mothers Have a Place to Call Home in Washington, D.C.

  Gold Star Mothers are military mothers who have a child who died while serving in the military. When they visit the nation's capital, they have a place to call home at the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. house.

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  Sep 25, 2019

  Navy Brat and TV Star Christopher Sean Connects with Service Members in Japan

  As a former Navy brat, Christopher Sean, a "Hawaii 5-0" television star, understands how much of a difference the USO can make in the lives of military families, which is why he leapt at the chance to travel on a USO tour to Japan this month.

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  Sep 24, 2019

  What is a Gold Star Family?

  A Gold Star Family is one that has lost an immediate family member in the line of duty of military service. There are thousands of living Gold Star Mothers, Gold Star Wives and other family members who lost loved ones in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and other conflicts.

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  Sep 21, 2019

  As Coast Guard and National Guard Respond to Tropical Depression Imelda, the USO Is There Too

  As active-duty and guard service members help with the cleanup effort after Tropical Depression Imelda in Southeast Texas, the USO is right by their side.

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  Sep 20, 2019

  Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with 5 Stories of Hispanic American Military Heroes

  Throughout U.S. history, Hispanic Americans have served proudly and bravely in all branches of our nation’s military. Here are some incredible moments of courage and valor of five Hispanic American service members, in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

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  Sep 19, 2019

  What is the Black and White Flag Flown on POW/MIA Recognition Day?

  The POW/MIA flag, a solemn black-and-white banner, stands as a tribute to the troops who fought in Vietnam and remain missing or unaccounted for. Typically, it is flown POW/MIA Recognition Day on the third Friday in September, but in some locations, it is displayed all year round.

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  Sep 19, 2019

  Observe National POW/MIA Recognition Day with These 4 Great Reads

  More than 80,000 Americans have yet to come home from past conflicts. National POW/MIA Recognition Day, the third Friday in September, is a day to both honor the service and sacrifice of our missing and captive.

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  Sep 18, 2019

  Second-Longest Held POW in American History Details How He Was Captured

  When Everett Alvarez, a young naval aviator, told his crewmates he'd see them "later" when he ejected over North Vietnam on August 5, 1964, he didn't think that moment would lead to 8 years of captivity, making him the second-longest held POW in U.S. history.

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  Sep 18, 2019

  Bob Ross, Pararescuemen and a Falcon Mascot: 10 Facts for the 72nd Air Force Birthday

  The military's youngest branch celebrates its founding on September 18. Here are 10 facts for the Air Force birthday you'll want to put on your radar.

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  Sep 17, 2019

  With a Terminal ALS Diagnosis, this Airman Faces His Fate with Resilience

  Despite being diagnosed with a terminal illness — amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (better known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) — Air Force Capt. Cole Holloway maintains a positive outlook and is looking forward to the next chapter in his life.

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  Sep 16, 2019

  Military Mom Uses the Power of Community for Her Facebook Fundraiser

  This military mom was inspired to start a Facebook Fundraiser for the USO in honor of her birthday after her son enlisted in the Navy and she saw how much the USO supports our service members.

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  Sep 13, 2019

  9 Must-Know Facts about the Army's 1st Cavalry Division for its Birthday

  As the 1st Cavalry Division celebrates its birthday on Sept 13, here’s nine things you may not know about the Troopers who make up America's "First Team."

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  Sep 12, 2019

  5 Ways to Learn About Aviation Through Military Airshows

  The best way to learn about planes, pilots and military aviation is to experience them yourself at a military base airshow. Here are five ways to learn about military aviation through airshows.

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  Sep 10, 2019

  How One Grown-Up Military Brat Gave $10k With A Facebook Fundraiser

  Orlan Boston of EY (formerly Ernst & Young) was inspired by his childhood as a military brat and his work on the USO Board of Governors to donate his Facebook Birthday Fundraiser to the USO, raising over $10,000.

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  Sep 6, 2019

  Before He Was a Children's Book Author, Dr. Seuss was in the Army and Wrote "Private Snafu"

  Long before he wrote "The Cat in the Hat," Dr. Seuss, whose real name is Theodor Seuss Geisel, was a soldier in U.S. Army during World War II.

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  Sep 5, 2019

  As Coast Guard and National Guard Respond to Hurricane Dorian, the USO Is By Their Side

  As Hurricane Dorian threatens the South Carolina coast this morning, the National Guard stands ready to provide disaster relief — and the USO will be by their side.

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  Sep 4, 2019

  These 5 Heroic Women of World War II Should Be Household Names

  Here are five heroic women of World War II whose work and service to the nation should make them household names.

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  Sep 3, 2019

  Meet the Air Force Reserve 'Hurricane Hunters' Chasing Storms Like Hurricane Dorian

  The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, aka the “Hurricane Hunters," is the only Air Force unit tasked with the mission of collecting data from the inside of a storm and flying into the eye of hurricanes, like Hurricane Dorian.

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  Aug 29, 2019

  Toys for Tots, ‘Fighting Fourth’ and ‘Pappy Boyington’: What to Know About the Marine Corps Reserve

  The Marine Corps Reserve was created on August 29, 1916. To celebrate its birthday, here are 11 facts you’ll want to know about the citizen-warriors of the Marine Corps Reserve.

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  Aug 28, 2019

  Mother Finds Comfort in Son’s Deployment to Kuwait Thanks to USO and Batman

  This Army mom was nervous when her son was leaving for Kuwait on his first deployment - but with the help from some USO volunteers at the airport and her son's exciting experience with a Batman-themed USO tour, she was able to find some comfort.

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  Aug 27, 2019

  Military Families Connect While Volunteering at USO Okinawa Beach Cleanup

  Thanks to USO Camp Hansen's Learning, Engaging, Activity, and Play program (LEAP) military families on Okinawa can connect with their community through a variety of free activities, like volunteering at beach cleanups.

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  Aug 26, 2019

  Everyday is Dog Day for Marine Military Working Dog Handlers and Their Canine Companions

  Today might be national dog day, but when you rely on your teammate as much as Marine military working dog handlers rely on their canine partners, every day is a dog day worth celebrating.

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  Aug 23, 2019

  When National Guard Troops Deploy for Hurricane Relief, the USO Is There to Help

  Thanks to contributions from supporters like you, the USO is prepared to deploy during hurricane season 2019 to provide a touch of home to troops activated for any rescue and relief efforts.

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  Aug 22, 2019

  What is the U.S. Navy Dental Corps?

  The U.S. Navy Dental Corps is made of the more than 1300 dentists and oral surgeons responsible for maintaining oral health and readiness of the Navy and Marine Corps.

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  Aug 20, 2019

  National Guard 'Ready to Respond' During 2019 Hurricane Season

  The National Guard is busy preparing for hurricane season 2019, which runs from June 1 through November 30.

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  Aug 19, 2019

  This Is What Would Happen if People Stopped Giving Charitable Donations

  Imagine a world where people stop giving toward the charity of their choice, all because they think their one $20 or $45 charitable donation doesn’t make a real impact. Multiply that by a few thousand people and it’s not a pretty picture.

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  Aug 16, 2019

  Why Should You Care About Military Spouse Employment?

  Military spouse unemployment rates are at least four times the national average and 56% of spouses consider themselves to be underemployed. Here's how you can help.

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  Aug 15, 2019

  Meet the USO Volunteers of the Quarter for Summer 2019

  These four USO volunteers exemplify what it takes to keep service members and military families connected to family, home and country. Meet our USO volunteers of the quarter for summer 2019!