Authors Clive Cussler, Sandra Brown and Kathy Reichs Join Fellow Writers on Morale Boosting USO Visit to Middle East

Accompanying Trio on Week-long “Operation Thriller II” Tour are ‘Black Hawk Down’ Author Mark Bowden and ‘First to Kill’ Author Andrew Peterson  

Twitter Pitch: @the_USO deploys @CliveCussler_2 and @KathyReichs among other best selling authors to Middle East on annual visit to Middle East

ARLINGTON, VA (Nov. 8, 2010) – The USO recently deployed five of today’s most critically acclaimed thriller authors to the Middle East on a week-long USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour designed to boost troop spirits. The tour, fittingly known as Operation Thriller II, will span one week and feature a series of base visits and autograph signings with the following best selling authors/International Thriller Writers members:

• Clive Cussler (Raise The Titanic, Sahara and Deep Six, among many, many others)
• Sandra Brown (French Silk, Smoke Screen, Smash Cut, Ricochet, The Crush and Unspeakable, among others)
• Kathy Reichs (The Temperance Brennan Series that became the basis for the popular Fox television series, “Bones,” Déjà Dead, Death du Jour, Fatal Voyage, Grave Secrets and Monday Mourning, among others)
• Mark Bowden (Black Hawk Down, Killing Pablo, Guests of the Ayatollah and most recently Worm, among others)
• Andrew Peterson (First to Kill, recently optioned for a motion picture, and Forced to Kill)
  
  
• Details:
• • Operation Thriller II is scheduled to visit two countries and tour six military posts downrange.
    
  • During their time downrange, the group will share tips on writing, pose for photos and shake hands with hundreds of Marines, soldiers, airmen, sailors and reservists. The group will also distribute copies of their books and lead Q&A sessions.
    
  • This is the first USO tour for the group and the first time the USO has ever sent female authors to a combat zone. The group was outfitted courtesy of 5.11 Tactical® - leader in delivering functionally innovative gear.
    
  • Longtime members of the ITW, each author is an avid supporter of America’s Armed Forces. Whether having served as an aircraft mechanic and flight engineer in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War (Cussler) or aided in the identification of service hero remains from World War II, Southeast Asia conflicts and ground zero of the World Trade Center (Reichs), each writer has a profound respect for those in uniform.
  • The USO deployed “Operation Thriller I” to Kuwait and Iraq in November 2010. The tour uplifted the spirits of hundreds of service members, and featured Steve Berry, David Morrell, Doug Preston, James Rollins and Andy Harp.

Multimedia:

Social Media and Other Web Sites:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/the_USO, http://twitter.com/thrillerwriters, http://twitter.com/@CliveCussler_2, http://twitter.com/KathyReichs, and http://twitter.com/armedforcesent
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theUSO, http://www.facebook.com/Armed.Forces.Ent, www.facebook.com/clivecussler?sk=wall, http://www.facebook.com/AuthorSandraBrown, www.facebook.com/pages/Kathy-Reichs/130352853704270, 
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/USO4troops
Web: www.uso.org, www.thrillerwriters.org, www.armedforcesentertainment.com, www.clive-cussler-books.com/, http://kathyreichs.com/

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About the USO

The USO (United Service Organizations) lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide. We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops and their families, wounded warriors and their families and the families of the fallen. 

The USO is a private, nonprofit organization, not a government agency. We rely on the generosity of our volunteers and donors.  In addition to individual donors and corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by President’s Circle Partners: American Airlines and TriWest Healthcare Alliance and Worldwide Strategic Partners: AT&T Inc., BAE Systems, The Boeing Company, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation and Procter & Gamble. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381).  To join us in this patriotic mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.

Contact:

Oname Thompson                                               
USO                                    
703.908.6471                                   
othompson@uso.org

USO
Oname Thompson
(703) 908-6471
othompson@uso.org 

About the USO

The USO (United Service Organizations) lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide.  We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops and their families, wounded warriors and their families and the families of the fallen.

The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. We rely on the generosity of our volunteers and donors.  In addition to individual donors and corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by President’s Circle Partners: American Airlines and TriWest Healthcare Alliance and Worldwide Strategic Partners: AT&T Inc., BAE Systems, The Boeing Company, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation and Procter & Gamble. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381).  To join us in this patriotic mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit http://www.uso.org.