Answering Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Call to Service

• Oct 24, 2019

  Do You Know These 6 Important Military Medals of America?

  There are hundreds of military awards and decorations – each with their own significance, criteria and history – across all of the different branches of the U.S. military. Here are six important medals of America that you can easily spot with a quick glance.

• Oct 21, 2019

  Healing After the 1983 Beirut Bombings at USO North Carolina-Jacksonville Center’s ‘Beirut Room’

  The 1983 Beirut Bombing—when a suicide bomber attacked a Marine barracks in Lebanon, killing U.S. and French service members, as well as civilians—had a deep impact on the Jacksonville, North Carolina community. So, the USO created a special room to honor the victims, survivors and family members affected by the bombing.

• Oct 20, 2019

  'Top Chef' Stars Cook Up Competition at USO Tour Stop in Wyoming

  Things heated up during a friendly cooking competition at F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, the first stop of the 2019 USO Celebrity Chef Tour, featuring David Viana, Kevin Scharpf and Justin Sutherland.

• Oct 17, 2019

  Mobile USO Boosts Airmen's Morale During High-Stress Task

  The Mobile USO team delivered USO location services on wheels to service members responsible for changing the nuclear codes of the U.S. ballistic missile defense system in remote locations for weeks at a time. This high-pressure task can take its toll, but the USO was there to lift spirits and boost morale at these missile sites.

• Oct 16, 2019

  What You Need to Know About USO Airport Lounges

  At airports across the country and the world, active duty service members and their military families can take advantage of USO airport lounges. But what do these USO airport lounges do and who exactly can use them? Find out everything you need to know about USO airport lounges here.

• Oct 15, 2019

  A New Look at Bob Hope: 11 Rare Photos from the USO Archives

  Get to know the legendary Bob Hope and his 50 years of work with the USO entertaining troops through these rare 11 photos from the USO archives.

• Oct 11, 2019

  7 Things to Cheer On The Navy’s Birthday

  October 13 is the U.S. Navy’s 244rd birthday! Originally established during the Revolutionary War in 1775, the Navy has played a central role throughout history and today, it continues its mission of maintaining the freedom of the seas. Here are seven reasons to cheer the Navy’s birthday!

• Oct 10, 2019

  How Navajo Code Talker Marines Used Their Indigenous Language to Help Win World War II

  The Navajo Code Talkers–U.S. Marines of indigenous Navajo descent who developed and utilized an unbreakable code to transmit sensitive information in the Pacific during World War II–are legendary figures in military and cryptography history.

• Oct 8, 2019

  Why this Iraqi Translator Moved to the U.S. and Enlisted in the Air Force

  Before he became an American citizen and enlisted in the Air Force, Iraq-born Saeed Shnawa was an Iraqui translator for the U.S. military.

• Oct 7, 2019

  During a Reunion in Kuwait, Father-Son Duo Reflects on Deployments and Army Life at USO Camp Arifjan

  Cole grew up with his father, Teddy, calling him from the USO. Now the pair, both serving separate deployments, got a chance to catch up and reflect on life in the Army in a modern-day USO phone room during a quick reunion in Kuwait.

• Oct 3, 2019

  North, South, East, West and Beyond: 5 Military Exploration Expeditions Throughout the Universe

  Did you know that the U.S. military has contributed to some of the most important exploration expeditions throughout world history? Learn about these five groundbreaking military explorations that traveled north, south, east, west and beyond, trailblazing their way into the record books.

• Oct 2, 2019

  From “American Idol” to American Airman: How One Woman Chose Service Over Fame

  Nalani Quintello quit “American Idol'” to be in the U.S. Air Force. Now, she's serving her country as the lead singer of Max Impact, the branch's six-member rock band. Its mission? To travel the world honoring our vets, connecting with communities and inspiring patriotism through music.

• Oct 1, 2019

  These 5 Italian Americans Made World War II History

  For many Italian Americans, World War II was a difficult era. However, despite the U.S.’s war with Italy and tense domestic sentiments at home, more than half a million Italian Americans proudly served in the Armed Forces during the war. In honor of Italian American Heritage Month this October, here are five Italian Americans who made WWII history.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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."

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.