NAPLES, Italy - The USO brought an all-star cast of athletes and performers to the Naval Support Activity Naples high school gym during its Spring Troop Visit, March 3.
Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr. hosted the interactive event, which was part of his third and final USO tour. The eight-day, seven-country tour is scheduled to visit thousands of service members stationed around the world.
“The USO is such a wonderful organization with many thousands of volunteers all across the globe taking care of our young men and women in uniform and they are also helpful in producing tours like this,” said Winnefeld.
The USO Spring Troop visit featured Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts starting quarterback Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen, Pittsburgh Steelers guard David DeCastro, American Idol season 11 winner Phillip Phillips, former American Idol contestants Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young, Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev, American film, stage and television actor Dennis Haysbert, and motion picture and television personality Jason “Wee Man” Acuna.
“It’s a chance for us to bring a little bit of Americana to our troopers and our families overseas and a chance for some really successful people who don’t really have to do this kind of thing to come out to say thank you to our troops and to their families,” said Winnefeld.
Wee Man drew laughs while on stage and kept the crowd of more than 300 energized for a song from Miss America.
“I’ve been doing USO tours for a few years now and I come from a military family, so I just love showing my appreciation for our military,” said Wee Man. “It’s just something for me to give back and say thanks. I want service members to know that when they’re out here wherever in the world, that we’re back home thinking about them and appreciating what they do.”
Andrew Luck threw footballs to audience members running routes across the gym. A few students caught some long passes, which earned huge applause from the more than 300 witnesses.
After the show, the visiting stars took time to take photos with the military members and their families. USO volunteers were standing by as well to hand out autographed cards from the stars.
“This is my first USO event I have been able to attend and I definitely enjoyed it,” said Intelligence Specialist 3rd Class Joshua Vail. “I’m thankful the USO has events like these because it really feels like a part of home has made it overseas and it’s a huge boost to moral.”
| Date Taken: | 03.03.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 03.05.2015 10:58 |
| Story ID: | 156058 |
| Location: | NAPLES, IT |
| Web Views: | 52 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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