Last Month's Updates for USO Supporters

YOUR USO AT WORK [USO]( [DONATE NOW »]( YOUR USO AT WORK Issue 106 / Oct. 2022 USO EMERGENCY ALERT: In the wake of Hurricane Ian, we are working around the clock to support our troops. As thousands of National Guard troops rush to save lives and help communities that have been devastated by this disaster, we are providing vital resources like food, water and a space to take a brief moment of rest. [Please, will you donate now to help make sure our heroes have everything they need at this critical moment?]( Last month marked 21 years since the September 11 attacks changed our country forever. As we recognize the anniversary of this tragedy, we're working harder than ever to make sure today's service members in every corner of the world know how much the American people appreciate everything they do to defend our freedom. [If you haven't already, please sign the card for our troops in memory of 9/11 to thank them for their service and sacrifices.](vdsw/c3JOd3VxT29ISWMweVZoeTJEK1dpeityTFhvNGpVeVRVTnFZWkJYSjNmZi8vdDVkTWJVRHJYSHhSS05VNWJJWTFKL29KV1hDV21JZkVPZjdtdWZWc0Q3bWtNYldldVZqZHVYN0pVWjVOTjg9S0/UU5DUFQyZFVmdkJ2ZW5FbnNmNVdmZlBZV05MK1RjbGhPWktja3dEUjkzZz0S1) Thank you for making this important work possible, and we hope you enjoy these highlights from the last month. USO FRONT LINES [Deployed service members walking toward military airplanes on route to Eastern Europe]( Seven months into the war in Ukraine, your support is making a difference As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine escalates and U.S. service members continue to deploy to Eastern Europe, unsure of when fighting will end or when they will be able to return home, support from the USO community is helping provide home-cooked meals, care packages, phone calls home and so much more. [Watch this inspiring video to see how your support ensures troops in Eastern Europe know Americans have got their back no matter what.]([»]( [Photo of USO and NFL tent]( Photo by the USO USO and NFL celebrate 55-year partnership as football season kicks off! On September 8, fans joined NFL, the USO and volunteers from FedEx and Lowe's in assembling 10,000 care packages in Long Beach, California. These care packages will be delivered to service members around the world – including troops deployed in Eastern Europe – during the upcoming holiday season. Participants also helped prepare snack packs filled with popular food and drink items to bring a bit of home to troops abroad. These care packages help express America’s gratitude to our Armed Forces while strengthening their connections to family, home and country during the holidays. [Learn more about the many ways the USO and the NFL are working together to salute our service members!]([»]( GET INSPIRED [Photo of Man running outdoors]( Photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Jackson Navy veteran brings awareness to military suicides by running around the world September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and the suicide rate among service members is at its highest level since World War II. One Navy veteran is running around the world to raise awareness about the mental health challenges our troops and veterans face. [Learn more about his journey and how the USO is also working to address this important issue.]([»](C4~eV4cD/c3JOd3VxT29ISWMweVZoeTJEK1dpeityTFhvNGpVeVRVTnFZWkJYSjNmZi8vdDVkTWJVRHJYSHhSS05VNWJJWTFKL29KV1hDV21JZkVPZjdtdWZWc0Q3bWtNYldldVZqZHVYN0pVWjVOTjg9S0/UU5DUFQyZFVmdkJ2ZW5FbnNmNVdmZlBZV05MK1RjbGhPWktja3dEUjkzZz0S1) GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT [Image of Mitch Albom]( USO’s Military Virtual Programming (MVP) hosts bestselling author Mitch Albom Mitch Albom recently joined the USO for an MVP session where he spent time with service members and military families around the world. Albom answered questions live with look-ins from Yokota Air Base, Japan, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, and Colorado. Mitch Albom is the author of many fiction and nonfiction books, which have collectively sold more than 40 million copies in 47 languages worldwide. [Watch a recap of this uplifting discussion]( [»]( EVENTS [Image of Canine Cuddles event] Photo by the USO USO Iwakuni celebrates National Dog Day with “Canine Cuddles” event In honor of National Dog Day last month, USO Iwakuni hosted our inaugural "Canine Cuddles" event, inviting local community members to bring their furry friends to visit service members at the Marine Corps Air Station barracks. The event was an incredible success, and the joy in our troops’ faces was so inspiring! BY THE NUMBERS 181,510 That’s how many service members were inspired to enlist in the year following the Sept. 11 attacks. Another 72,908 joined the enlisted reserves. [Read a few of their stories here.]([»]( VOICE OF THE USO “The USO has always been there for me when I needed them most. The USO Hampton Roads and Central Virginia staff and volunteers have treated me like family and provided me with the encouragement, support and space I needed to prepare for this year’s games.” —An Air Force veteran and competitor in the 2022 Warrior Games [Learn more about how the USO supports this annual competition in which over 200 wounded, ill and injured service members and veteran athletes compete in 12 adaptive sporting events.]( CORPORATE PARTNERS [Salute to Service]( USO Gaming Highlight: USAA sponsors this year’s Salute to Service Madden Tournament With a trip to Super Bowl LVII as the grand prize, the NFL and the USO are partnering to host the second annual tournament of its kind for service members. USAA also returns as a sponsor of the Salute to Service Showdown, which is open to active-duty service members, National Guard members, and military reservists across the United States. Winners of the showdown will be awarded tickets to the Super Bowl from the NFL. USO Gaming is proud to support our military with a moment of normalcy and fun away from the pressures of their service. [Learn more about the tournament and these exciting partnerships]( [»]( [Image of ODFL and USO]( Photo by the USO USO Partnership Highlight: Old Dominion Freight Line In November 2021, Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) announced a multi-year partnership with the USO. To commemorate this special partnership, ODFL unveiled a back-door trailer wrap this year in honor of Memorial Day and helped pack 1,000 snack packs for the troops. ODFL will be wrapping the back of 10-12 more trailers across the country to show their support for the USO. ODFL is proud to employ many veterans and has also supported service members transitioning into civilian life by presenting 2 USO MVP sessions on careers in logistics. [Learn more about ODFL]( [»]( [SNHU and USO partnership]( USO and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) partner for their diploma delivery program! For active-duty service members, spouses and veterans pursuing their higher degrees through online programs, attending an in-person graduation ceremony often isn’t possible. That’s why the USO and SNHU are working together to deliver diplomas and celebrate the accomplishments of troops all over the world! [Learn more about this inspiring partnership.]( [»]( 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.]([»]( 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). 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