Hollywood On The Potomac
USO Gala….

USO Gala….

Social Chronicles

by  |  on October 20th, 2014  | 

Photo credit: Chris Brown

Continuing a time-honored tradition of recognizing the bravery, resilience and heroism of an enlisted service hero from each branch of the military, the USO presented its annual USO Service Members of the Year Awards at the 2014 USO Gala in Washington, DC .

Featured: Mistress of Ceremonies Aisha Tyler, actress, comedian, author and podcaster; Kellie Pickler, country music artist and USO tour veteran and Keynote Speakers The Honorable Chuck Hagel, U.S. Secretary of Defense General Martin E. Dempsey, U.S. Army, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Dr. J.D. Crouch II, President and CEO of the USO.

USO-2

Melanie Mahoney, Sgt. Andrew J. Mahoney, U.S. Army, 2014 recipient of the USO Service Member of the Year Award, and Aisha Tyler

“I am very proud that I have had a small part to play in helping continue to build this institution, many years ago,” said Hagel. “And I have been a strong supporter, not just as the Secretary of Defense but as a former soldier but probably more importantly as an American.”

USO-8

 

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel

“In times of war and in times of peace, your USO has been a constant reminder to generations of troops and military families, that their country supports them. From the day they join the military, through numerous deployments and moves around the world, to going in harm’s way and transitioning home for what comes next in their lives – the USO is there,” added Dr. J.D. Crouch II, USO President and CEO.

Dr.Crouch

Dr. and Mrs. J.D. Crouch II

While guests were dressed to the nines and mingled with ‘brass’ nothing visual ever really compares to The Presentation of  the Colors, established to inspire feelings of patriotism in our country.

USO-9

“The pride of the men and women who serve is just absolutely inspiring,” said Gen. Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff .  “And that’s why all of you who serve with the USO do what you do because you want to match their pride with your commitment.”

USO-4

Gen. Martin Dempsey

The 2014 USO Service Member of the Year Honorees:

  • USO Soldier of the Year: Sergeant Andrew J. Mahoney, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division (Fort Carson, CO)
  • USO Marine of the Year: Sergeant Matthew E. Belleci, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365, Marine Corps Air Station New River (Jacksonville, NC)
  • USO Sailor of the Year: Petty Officer 1st Class Troy A. Cromer, Explosive Ordinance Disposal Mobile Unit 12, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek – Fort Story (Virginia Beach, VA)
  • USO Airman of the Year: Senior Airman John C. Hamilton, 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, 720th Special Tactics Group, 24th Special Operations Wing (Hurlburt Field, FL)
  • USO Coast Guardsman of the Year: Petty Officer 3rd Class Brett R. Bates, Coast Guard Air Station Houston (Houston, TX)
  • USO National Guardsman of the Year: Sergeant Andrew J. Mehltretter, 1163rd Area Support Medical Company, Kentucky Army National Guard (Shelbyville, KY)

Additionally, as part of the evening’s program the USO remembered longtime friend, USO celebrity volunteer and military supporter Academy Award-winning actor Robin Williams with a photo montage from his six USO tours.

Kelli Pickler:

Share