General Martin Dempsey to Lead USO Holiday Tour as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Jordin Sparks, Minka Kelly, Robert Horry and Thomas ‘Nephew Tommy’ Miles to Join Chairman on Morale Boosting Trip

WHAT:           

USO Holiday Tour Led By General Martin Dempsey

WHO:           

19 Recordings/RCA Records recording artist/actress Jordin Sparks
Actress/model Minka Kelly
Seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry
Comic/’Steve Harvey Morning Show’ co-host Thomas ‘Nephew Tommy’ Miles

WHEN:           

December 2011

WHERE:           

Various locations
Note. For security reasons the countries and tour dates cannot be released.

WHY:           

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey will soon journey overseas and lead his first-ever USO holiday tour featuring Jordin Sparks, Minka Kelly, Robert Horry and Thomas ‘Nephew Tommy’ Miles. Continuing a time honored tradition, General Dempsey’s USO tour will deliver smiles and boost morale with countless opportunities for troops to take photos, obtain autographs and spend time with his star-studded guests.

The USO has worked with the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff since 2000. This fall, the USO bid a farewell to Admiral Mike Mullen, who led ten USO tours to 13 countries and lifted the spirits of more than 79,000 service members. Like many senior leaders before him, General Dempsey will ensure all Marines, airmen, soldiers, sailors, Coast guardsmen and serving civilians are touched by leading his tour to four countries in eight days.

Taking a break to salute America’s troops, 19 Recordings/RCA Records recording artist Sparks just wrapped up filming her first major motion picture “Sparkle” and USO tour veteran/actress Kelly recently starred in the feature film “The Roommate” opposite Leighton Meester. Adding to the line up is seven-time NBA champion Horry, and Miles, who portrays widely popular ‘Nephew Tommy’ on the nationally syndicated “Steve Harvey Morning Show.”

This trip will mark the first USO tour for Sparks, Horry and Miles, and the second for Kelly, who traveled to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2008 and visited hundreds of troops and military families.

QUOTES:           

Attributed to Jordin Sparks:
"It is such an honor to be invited by General Dempsey on his first official visit overseas as the new Chairman and to be a part of a USO holiday tour. I have such a profound respect for our men and women in uniform and can’t wait to thank them in person for their service."

Attributed to Minka Kelly:
“I really enjoyed my previous trip to Guantanamo Bay a couple of years ago as I learned so much. I am thrilled for the opportunity to work with the USO again and to accompany the new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is a real privilege.”

Attributed to Robert Horry:
“As the son of a former soldier I know too well the sacrifice our troops and their families make each and every day they put on their uniform. It is an honor for me to participate in this USO tour and accompany General Dempsey as he makes his way abroad to visit troops."

Attributed Thomas ‘Nephew Tommy’ Miles:
“Making jokes is what I do for a living but I am taking this trip very seriously. It is a privilege to have been asked to accompany Chairman Dempsey on his annual USO holiday tour and I look forward to the trip."

Attributed to USO President Sloan Gibson:
"The USO is proud of our tradition of partnering with senior military leaders to deliver goodness and cheer to our troops, especially at the holidays.  It is a great honor to support the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey on his trip to visit the troops and we extend our deepest gratitude to our celebrity volunteers who are so graciously donating their time at this important time of the year."

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Oname Thompson, USO
(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.

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