May 2022 Military Supporter Highlights

See what your support made possible this month. [USO](3sL/d1VmRThNS1JsQU1lTkZtRXNHd2NTVEl2MVhBUFdNSkdMN0hwTVlTeWJuNHBQc3R1cDAvVHVlWG5wM3ZSLzZ3NGVJa0hwZE5tVko4TmxhUkM0alZ1U2FldnVuSFk3clh5OUVXR0ppNk5hc2c9S0/NXJyZmJoR2k5ZWY2TWMyNFQ3VUJxV2diVi9udmtYd1FuZ0cvNldsSlV1VT0S1) [DONATE NOW »](8eXCWbd-3TA/d1VmRThNS1JsQU1lTkZtRXNHd2NTVEl2MVhBUFdNSkdMN0hwTVlTeWJuNHBQc3R1cDAvVHVlWG5wM3ZSLzZ3NGVJa0hwZE5tVko4TmxhUkM0alZ1U2FldnVuSFk3clh5OUVXR0ppNk5hc2c9S0/NXJyZmJoR2k5ZWY2TWMyNFQ3VUJxV2diVi9udmtYd1FuZ0cvNldsSlV1VT0S1) YOUR USO AT WORK Issue 102 / May 2022 May is always a busy month for the USO. It’s Military Appreciation Month, a time to go above and beyond to make sure our service members know how much the American people appreciate everything they do. We just debuted this year’s official USO T-shirt — a prime way to show your appreciation for our service members. [Donate $29 or more to receive your 2022 USO T-shirt before they’re gone!](HW/d1VmRThNS1JsQU1lTkZtRXNHd2NTVEl2MVhBUFdNSkdMN0hwTVlTeWJuNHBQc3R1cDAvVHVlWG5wM3ZSLzZ3NGVJa0hwZE5tVko4TmxhUkM0alZ1U2FldnVuSFk3clh5OUVXR0ppNk5hc2c9S0/NXJyZmJoR2k5ZWY2TWMyNFQ3VUJxV2diVi9udmtYd1FuZ0cvNldsSlV1VT0S1) [Image of t-shirts]( [GET YOUR 2022 USO T-SHIRT]( Keep reading to see what else your support made possible this month! USO FRONT LINES [Eastern Europe]( Report from the frontlines: Eastern Europe Edition Since the war in Ukraine began, thousands of service members have been deployed to Eastern Europe in support of our NATO allies. As they undertake this incredibly important mission, the USO is there for our troops every step of the way, helping them call their families, providing reminders of home and boosting morale. [Read more about how the USO is helping troops in Eastern Europe stay connected to home and country.]([»]( [USO Hawaii]( Making Honolulu MEPS a home for recruits and their families Every service member’s military journey begins with a visit to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), where the recruit begins a process of physical, aptitude and background testing that can take days. For prospective troops living in remote areas of the Pacific, this means a long journey to Honolulu, often with their families in tow. [Learn how USO Hawaii supports recruits and their families throughout their visit to Honolulu’s MEPS.](VZ7fP/d1VmRThNS1JsQU1lTkZtRXNHd2NTVEl2MVhBUFdNSkdMN0hwTVlTeWJuNHBQc3R1cDAvVHVlWG5wM3ZSLzZ3NGVJa0hwZE5tVko4TmxhUkM0alZ1U2FldnVuSFk3clh5OUVXR0ppNk5hc2c9S0/NXJyZmJoR2k5ZWY2TWMyNFQ3VUJxV2diVi9udmtYd1FuZ0cvNldsSlV1VT0S1)[»]( GET INSPIRED [Derek Melendez]( Boston Marathon Runner Spotlight: Master Sergeant Derek Melendez Sgt. Derek Melendez was inspired to join the Army after the September 11 attacks and went on to serve tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He represented the USO in this year’s Boston Marathon, raising more than $20,000 to support our active duty troops and their families. [Learn more about this inspiring event.]([»]( [Armed Forces Families Foundation]( Major Gift Spotlight: Armed Forces Families Foundation The Armed Forces Families Foundation has supported the USO since 2011, donating more than $1.8 million to support various USO projects and centers. Their support has helped build or renovate 21 USO centers in the last 10 years, and we couldn’t be more grateful for their partnership. [Learn more about how valued partners like AFFF are supporting the USO.]([»]( USO Pathfinder® Success Story: USO and Coursera team up to support troops’ transition The USO Pathfinder® Transition Program helps troops and their families plan for life after the military, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to tackle challenges in the civilian world head-on. We’ve partnered with Coursera, one of the world’s largest online learning platforms, to give troops a chance to learn marketable skills no matter where they are in the world. [Read one service member’s journey from soldier to software engineer.](VZ7fNP/d1VmRThNS1JsQU1lTkZtRXNHd2NTVEl2MVhBUFdNSkdMN0hwTVlTeWJuNHBQc3R1cDAvVHVlWG5wM3ZSLzZ3NGVJa0hwZE5tVko4TmxhUkM0alZ1U2FldnVuSFk3clh5OUVXR0ppNk5hc2c9S0/NXJyZmJoR2k5ZWY2TWMyNFQ3VUJxV2diVi9udmtYd1FuZ0cvNldsSlV1VT0S1)[»]( GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT [Top Gun]( Military Virtual Programming Spotlight: Talking with the stars of Top Gun: Maverick As part of last month’s Military Virtual Programming (MVP) series, we hosted an exciting live discussion and Q&A session with Top Gun: Maverick stars Miles Teller, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. [Check out the MVP website for information about upcoming USO Entertainment experiences.]( [»]( EVENTS [USO Chicago]( USO Chicago looks forward to a fun-filled summer Military supporters in the Midwest have the chance to attend two exciting events in support of our troops this summer: USO Clark After Dark, a public street festival in River North on August 18, and the USO Chicago Salute Gala on September 10. [Learn more about how USO Illinois supports our heroes in uniform.](C4XjNZHr/d1VmRThNS1JsQU1lTkZtRXNHd2NTVEl2MVhBUFdNSkdMN0hwTVlTeWJuNHBQc3R1cDAvVHVlWG5wM3ZSLzZ3NGVJa0hwZE5tVko4TmxhUkM0alZ1U2FldnVuSFk3clh5OUVXR0ppNk5hc2c9S0/NXJyZmJoR2k5ZWY2TWMyNFQ3VUJxV2diVi9udmtYd1FuZ0cvNldsSlV1VT0S1) [»](qgM8/d1VmRThNS1JsQU1lTkZtRXNHd2NTVEl2MVhBUFdNSkdMN0hwTVlTeWJuNHBQc3R1cDAvVHVlWG5wM3ZSLzZ3NGVJa0hwZE5tVko4TmxhUkM0alZ1U2FldnVuSFk3clh5OUVXR0ppNk5hc2c9S0/) [2022 Military Village at Dover Motor Speedway]( 2022 Military Village at Dover Motor Speedway The USO just wrapped up its support of the Military Village at Dover Motor Speedway. This annual military expo featuring interactive displays from various military branches is an event we’ve been honored to be a part of for more than a decade. [Learn more about our annual military expo at the Dover Speedway.]( [»]( [By the Numbers]( BY THE NUMBERS: 12 This month, we unveiled the design for the 12th USO T-shirt. Over the past 12 years, the annual limited edition USO T-shirt has become the official uniform of military supporters and a tradition beloved by our troops, their families and the entire USO community! [Get your official 2022 USO T-shirt before supplies run out!]([»]( VOICE OF THE USO One longtime donor recently asked, “Does it matter how gifts are structured between my heirs and the charities we want to support?” I explained that gift structure can make a difference to taxes, especially retirement assets like IRAs or 401(k)s. Income tax will be paid on the retirement plan distributions to family, which reduces their inheritance. Charitable gifts of retirement plan assets in a will or trust avoid this tax. Your heirs get more while the USO receives a nice legacy gift! Careful planning is always important when drafting a will or trust. – Mike Welling, Planned Giving Director, USO Contact Mike at mwelling@uso.org to receive a free brochure about planned giving and find a gift plan that fits your needs. CORPORATE PARTNERS [Razer] USO and Razer work to entertain our troops with USO Gaming Centers [Razer]( Since 2021, the USO has partnered with Razer, maker of gaming equipment and peripherals, to outfit USO centers with gaming materials to help our troops unwind. [Learn more about how the USO and Razer are working together to support our service members.]([»]( [Lockheed Martin] Corporate partner Lockheed Martin helps send care packages to troops around the world In April, volunteers from Lockheed Martin’s Military Veterans Leadership Forum assembled 2,500 USO Care Packages for our troops. Thanks to them, we’ll be able to provide critical resources and connections to home to service members around the world. [Learn more about how we are supporting troops deployed to Eastern Europe.]([»]( OTHER WAYS TO GIVE BE A FORCE BEHIND THE FORCES® Help make sure our troops have the support they need the moment they need it As our service members put their lives on the line around the world to keep us safe, it's up to patriotic Americans like you to have their backs. Your monthly donation will go so far in ensuring our military heroes have the resources they need no matter what they're facing. [Set up a monthly donation now](.[»]( GIVE MORE THAN THANKS® There are many ways you can support our nation’s heroes as they work to ensure our safety, health and security. Some gifts allow you to make an impact for service members today, while others allow you to extend your support into the future for the brave men and women who protect our country. [Explore smart ways you can stand behind our service members in 2022.]([»]( From all of us at the USO, thank you for being a dedicated and proud military supporter! The USO is a nonprofit organization and not part of the Department of Defense (DOD). The appearance of DOD visual information does not imply or constitute DOD endorsement. ©2022 USO, Inc. All Rights Reserved P O Box 96 860 Washi ngton, D C 20 077-7677 1-888-484-3876 [Click Here to Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [State Disclosures](