Honoring Those Who Serve!

Honoring Those Who Serve!

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki
Photo credit: Brendan Kownacki

Celebrating those who serve; it’s a message worth repeating as nearly 1,000 guests gathered at the Washington Convention Center for the annual USO Gala to honor the men and women of America’s military. As always, the gala also served as the forum to celebrate six select service members and two USO volunteers for their extraordinary service.

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The USO was founded in 1941 and maintains hundreds of locations across the globe to help members of the armed forces retain connection to family, home, and country as they serve at posts worldwide. Partners and volunteers are the lifeblood of this dedicated organization and the gala each year is a celebration of that spirit.

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General Paul J. Selva, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Mrs. Ricki Selva

Air Force General Paul Selva, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff served as keynote speaker for the evening and offered a reminder of the importance of thanking service members for their dedication and sacrifice to their country. “I’m not here as the senior military leader or as an officer in the United States Air Force, but as a citizen of the United States,” said Selva. “As a member of the greatest nation in the world that is defended by some of the greatest young men and women humanity has to offer. And to say thank you, not for standing in our shadow but for standing by our side and taking care of us and our families when it’s most important.”

Many people also remember the USO for the entertainment that it provides to service members through it’s tours to military installations around the world. From Bob Hope’s comedy to music and everything in between, the USO is able to offer troops a moment of mental relaxation by delivering care packages and putting on shows while service members are away from their families.

Robert Patrick

Robert Patrick

“I have a lot of respect and gratitude [for members of the military,]”said actor Robert Patrick who served as emcee for the gala evening. “The USO is a significant part of the morale of the men and women of the armed forces, and also for their families.” Patrick, who comes from a military family knows the sacrifice of wearing the uniform even though he never served. Patrick has played a member of nearly every military branch on film, but in real life, his grandfather fought in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Patrick said this is part of why he knew he had to seize on the opportunity to get involved with the USO.

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Chef Robert Irvine

A fall-themed menu was a perfect accompaniment for the crisp October evening care of USO tour veteran and star of Food Network’s Restaurant: Impossible, Chef Robert Irvine. Irvine himself served in the British Navy and said, “It’s about saying thank you to them (the troops). It’s not about television, it’s not about press, it’s not about me. It’s about them.” Later this year, Irvine will embark on his third USO tour of the year. “For me it’s about giving back.”

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Michael W. Smith

Entertainment for the night came when Grammy Award winning recording artist and best-selling author Michael W. Smith hit the stage with a heartfelt tribute to the troops that helped everyone reflect on the contribution of the military in the room and those troops currently deployed who couldn’t be present.

For God and Country, honoring those who serve…the USO connects the dots for all those in uniform and the families they bring.

Listen to some of the talent from the evening talk about the cause:

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