Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Brianna Green | 180525-N-HB733-0075 NEW YORK (May 25, 2018) Chief Yeoman Elivian Bush, assigned to...... read more read more
NEW YORK - Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen attended the 3rd annual USO “Operation: That’s My Dress” Boutique May 25, as part of Fleet Week New York City.
This program is offered all over the country and partners with top designers to give women free dresses, jewelry, makeup products and hair products.
“This event is about self-empowerment and beauty inside and out,” said Ray Kennedy, vice president of programs and services, USO Metropolitan New York. “It’s so great to see women come in their uniforms looking alike and then you see their individuality when they put on the dresses. This is a way to say thank you for your service and to give women a beautiful and expensive dress for special occasions.”
Kennedy added that the USO’s mission was to let service members know that the public cares and supports them.
“I had fun trying on dresses and I feel so supported,” said Information Technician 2nd Class Jessica Blandin. “They pampered us all day and there were a lot of positive and good vibes here.”
Information Technician 3rd Class Deaundra Moore Stanback also enjoyed her time at the event.
“Events like these make me feel happy,” she said. “Everyone is having a good time and there is so much camaraderie.“
The service members enthusiasm and gratitude was not lost on Miss USA 2018, Sarah Rose Summers, who was attending the event to show her appreciation and assist them with their dress selection.
“My grandfather was in the Navy and my other grandfather was in the Air Force,” said Summers, who grew up close to Air Force bases in Nebraska. “I just know the sacrifices they make to leave their families and friends and to leave their lives behind to sacrifice for our country and it is something so beyond words to describe how grateful we all are for these service members. I’m grateful to be here to put a face to them and chat with these amazing women. I was just chatting with someone who said they have never put on a gown before and she was crying and I was crying and its just a moment I will never forget.”
Now in its 30th year, Fleet Week New York is the city’s time-honored celebration of the sea services. It is an unparalleled opportunity for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services.
| Date Taken: | 05.25.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 05.25.2018 19:59 |
| Story ID: | 278530 |
| Location: | NEW YORK, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 92 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Yes to the Dress!, by SCPO RJ Stratchko, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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