Backstage at the USO Honors Service Members and Military Supporters

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  Aug 13, 2019

  What do Marines do and Why Are They Part of the Navy?

  Did you ever wonder what U.S. Marines do and why they are part of the Navy? The answer begins with taking a deeper, historical look at what Marines are and what they do.

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  Aug 12, 2019

  Two Game-Changing Military Spouse Benefits: USO Coffee Connections and Military Spouse Networking Events

  They don't wear camouflage or drive humvees, but military spouses serve in their own way. To help military spouses connect with each other and their community, the USO created Military Spouse Networking Events and Military Coffee Connections.

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  Aug 8, 2019

  Why Marlene Dietrich Was One of the Most Patriotic Women in World War II

  Actress. Singer. Spy. USO Tour Veteran. Marlene Dietrich was many things, but to soldiers in World War II, she was a morale-boosting entertainer willing to go right to the front lines to support our nation’s military. Here are five ways Dietrich supported American troops – and the USO – during World War II.

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  Aug 6, 2019

  8 Things You Need to Know About the Purple Heart Medal

  To recognize Purple Heart Day on August 7, here's 8 facts about the Purple Heart and its recipients.

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  Aug 6, 2019

  'I Don’t Ask for Anything in Return': Navy Veteran and USO Volunteer Connects Over Deployment Stories

  USO Wisconsin volunteer Judy Adank has been part of the military family her whole life. From growing up as an Army brat, to serving in the Navy herself, it only made sense to turn the USO when she decided to start volunteering in her spare time.

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  Aug 5, 2019

  A Day in the Life of a Military Working Dog

  From detecting improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan to being on the front lines, military working dogs have been used to help service members win battles for generations.

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  Aug 2, 2019

  When is Coast Guard Day?

  To celebrate Coast Guard Day, which takes place on place on August 4, the Coast Guard birthday, here's nine facts you need to know the military branch within the Department of Homeland Security.

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  Aug 1, 2019

  What is the Navy Medical Service Corps?

  The Medical Service Corps is made up of Naval officers who serve mainly as research scientists and medical specialists, providing cutting-edge, 24/7 medical care to sailors, Marines their families all around the world.

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  Jul 29, 2019

  Everything You Need to Know About the Military and Sharks for Discovery Shark Week 2019

  As the longest-running cable television programming event in history, Shark Week has been terrifying and educating viewers on sharks since 1988. But did you know the U.S. military is also connected to these monsters of the deep?

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  Jul 28, 2019

  Helping Wounded Warriors and Their Families Through Adaptive Sports and More at USO Warrior Week

  USO Warrior Week, which is held in Virginia Beach, Fort Campbell, Kentucky and El Paso, is an annual event helping wounded warriors and their military families through free adaptive sports and other therapeutic recreational activities.

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  Jul 26, 2019

  The True Story Behind the Coast Guard’s Only Medal of Honor Recipient

  During World War II, Coast Guardsman Douglas Munro gave his life so a detachment of 500 Marines could live. He was honored with the Medal of Honor for his actions and is the only member of the Coast Guard awarded the medal.

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  Jul 25, 2019

  Twin Sisters Enlist and Retire Together After 34 Year National Guard Career

  Twin sisters who began their Army National Guard careers together, went to war in Afghanistan together and share a house together, are now planning their retirements from the New York Army National Guard together.

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  Jul 24, 2019

  How One Military Bride Gave Back to the USO in Her Wedding Registry with Facebook Fundraisers

  For most engaged couples, a wedding registry is an exciting chance to furnish and decorate their new home. But for newlyweds Ellie Daniels and Army Lt. Col. Kirk Daniels, they decided their wedding registry was a unique opportunity to use Facebook fundraising to give back to the USO.

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  Jul 23, 2019

  ‘Takes One Click’: Why This Navy and Marines Mom Hosted a USO Facebook Birthday Fundraiser

  For her birthday this year, military mom Karin Frostholm wanted to do something different to honor her two active-duty sons. So, she started a Facebook birthday fundraiser for the USO, raising $297 for the military charitable organization that's always by the side of her family's two service members.

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  Jul 22, 2019

  Is the USO a Nonprofit? Yes!

  At the USO, we talk a lot about what we do, because we believe that the service members who we support are the ones that deserve the spotlight. However, we sometimes don’t talk enough about who we are as an organization and whether or not we are a nonprofit. The USO is in fact a nonprofit, non-government organization and we rely on generous donors like you to fuel our support of the nation’s military.

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  Jul 19, 2019

  Celebrating 'One Giant Leap': Facts About the U.S. Military in Space in Honor of Apollo 11's 50th Anniversary

  The military has a long and storied relationship with spaceflight and NASA. With July 20th marking the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, here’s a quick refresher on just how intertwined the military is with the U.S. space program.

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  Jul 18, 2019

  50 Years after Apollo 11 Moon Landing, Army Doctor Takes 'Giant Leap' to Space

  Fifty years after Neil Armstrong said, "One small leap for man, one giant leap for mankind," during the historic Apollo 11 moon landing, one U.S. Special Forces battalion surgeon will take the next giant leap into space.

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  Jul 17, 2019

  During Deployments, Military Families Get a Night Off of Dinner Duty with USO Spangdahlem in Germany

  Deployments can change everything in a military family's life. But research says the best thing military spouses can do to cope with partner’s absence is to reach out to military support organizations, like the USO, to help alleviate some of the small stressors in their life, like cooking dinner.

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  Jul 16, 2019

  After Boot Camp, Hurricane Maria and Learning English, Puerto Rican Coast Guardsmen Builds a Career With the USCG

  Seaman Rafael Omar Gomez Negron, a young, Spanish-speaking Coast Guardsmen from Puerto Rico, joined the military just before Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria devastated his island. From fearing the health of his family while enduring basic training to diligently learning English to advance his military career, this new Coastie, who now lives in Washington, D.C., is a determined member of the force.

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  Jul 15, 2019

  'Old Ironsides,' Ozzy Osbourne and Operation Torch: 6 Things to Know About the Army's 1st Armored Division

  The 1st Armored Division is the Army’s sole armored division, organized at Fort Knox, Kentucky on July 15, 1940. The unit, based near El Paso, fought on the battlefields of North Africa and Italy during World War II and even hosted Ozzy Osbourne as part of 2002 USO tour to South Korea.

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  Jul 12, 2019

  Boot Camp, Deployments and Homecomings: How One Navy Family Leaned on the USO Every Step of the Way

  From boot camp to PCS moves, deployments to homecomings, Jennifer Ohrvall, a Navy spouse and mom living at Great Lakes Naval Station, Illinois has seen it all. So what's her secret weapon to taking all the ups and downs of military life in stride? The USO.

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  Jul 10, 2019

  Newcomers PCSing to Kaiserslautern, Germany Get a Warm Welcome and Tour From the USO

  For newcomers PCSing to Kaiserslautern, Germany, there's a fast, fun and free way to learn about their new home: the Ramstein Air Base Newcomers Tour, which is co-hosted by the USO, the 86th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center.

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  Jul 9, 2019

  Skiing, Sen. Bob Dole and the Von Trapp Brothers: 10 Facts About the 10th Mountain Division

  The 10th Mountain Division is the only unit of its size that is specially trained to operate in winter conditions and arctic terrain. It is among the most deployed units in the United States military.

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  Jul 9, 2019

  Bringing 'Enjoyment to the Deployment': USO Tour Entertains Troops and Educates Performers Over 4th of July

  Air Force Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, headed on a USO tour over the July 4th holiday with "Big Bang Theory" actress Mayim Bialik, singer Laura Bryna, comedian Anjelah Johnson, Ms. America 2019 Nia Franklin, "Seal Team" actress Toni Trucks, "The Voice" champ Cassadee Pope and former UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

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  Jul 8, 2019

  Gen. Lengyel Embarks on USO Tour Overseas

  Air Force Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, embarks on his first USO tour with "Big Bang Theory" actress Mayim Bialik, singer Laura Bryna, comedian Anjelah Johnson, Ms. America 2019 Nia Franklin, "Seal Team" actress Toni Trucks, "The Voice" champ Cassadee Pope and former UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

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  Jul 5, 2019

  How a USO2GO Kit Transformed an Empty Room Into a Relaxing Oasis at Del Din

  For soldiers stationed at the Caserma Del Din in Vicenza, Italy, life outside of daily duties could be quiet and isolating with nowhere to socialize beyond their barracks. Without funds or resources to build an entirely new USO center, Army leadership got creative: they requested a USO2GO expeditionary kit and made a USO presence and community space for soldiers on base possible.

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  Jul 3, 2019

  Brush Up on Your Independence Day History Before Celebrating on July 4

  The Fourth of July makes us think of a lot of things: Barbeques. Parades. Fireworks. Lots of red, white and blue. Will Smith’s movie “Independence Day.” Oh yeah, and the freedom that our founding fathers declared to the world over 200 years ago.

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  Jul 2, 2019

  13 Uniquely American Things to Do on July Fourth Weekend

  American troops have served for more than two centuries to keep our nation free. And while we should always honor their sacrifices, it’s also important to take time to enjoy the freedoms they provide. Here are 13 ways you can do just that this July Fourth weekend.

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  Jul 1, 2019

  15 Things You Should Know About the Canadian Military in Honor of Canada Day

  In celebration of our Canada Day on July 1, we've rounded up 15 need-to-know facts about the Canadian Armed Forces, one of America's closest allies.

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  Jun 28, 2019

  10 Need-to-Know Facts about the B-52 Bomber Plane

  The Iconic B-52 has been at the forefront of America's defense for over 60 years and is poised to continue its mission for years to come.