Rose, Johnson and Horford to Visit Schofield Barracks, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam and Kaneohe Bay Marine Corp Base on ‘Hoops for Troops USO Tour’

D.J. Augustin, Tyreke Evans, JaVale McGee, Brook Lopez, Robin Lopez and Mike Miller  to Join Trio on Week-long Morale Boosting Visit with Military Families 

WHAT:           

‘Hoops for Troops’ USO Tour to Hawaii

WHO:              

Derrick Rose, Chicago 
Joe Johnson, Atlanta
Al Horford, Atlanta
D.J. Augustin, Charlotte
Tyreke Evans, Sacramento
Brook Lopez, New Jersey
Robin Lopez, Phoenix
JaVale McGee, Washington D.C.
Mike Miller, Miami

WHEN:         October 23 – 28, 2011

WHERE:       Hawaii

NOTES.            

(1) Interested media to cover Game No. 1 (to include pre- and post-game interviews) must RSVP with Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam PAO Grace Hew Len at (808) 473-2926 with your name, outlet affiliation, contact information, and e-mail address by 8:00 a.m. on October 25.
                       
(2) Interested media to cover the USO Press Conference at The Kahala Hotel & Resort must RSVP with USO PAO Oname Thompson at (703) 864-5980 with your name, outlet affiliation, contact information, by 6 p.m. on October 25.

(3) Interested media to cover Game No. 2 (to include pre- and post-game interviews) must RSVP with Scofield Barracks PAO Jack Wiers at (808) 656-3157 with your name, outlet affiliation, contact information, and e-mail address by 8 a.m. on October 27. For media personnel driving onto the military installations, he/she must provide a valid state-issued photo ID, proof of insurance and a current registration to enter the installation. Media who do not RSVP by the time above will not be permitted to attend.

WHY:  

Nine of today’s biggest stars on the court, to include Derrick Rose, Joe Johnson, Al Horford, D.J. Augustin, Tyreke Evans, Brook Lopez, Robin Lopez, JaVale McGee and Mike Miller, will participate in their first USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour Oct. 23-28. In Hawaii to extend their gratitude, the group will visit Schofield Barracks, Joint Base Pearl Harbor – Hickam and Kaneohe Bay – Marine Corp Base Hawaii. As part of the lineup of USO activities, the group will visit wounded warriors, lead two youth clinics, dine with troops and visit multiple military units. The players will also play in two basketball games alongside service men and women. This tour is open to all military ID card holders and their families.

This USO tour was made possible with help from East West Private (EWP), a Cincinnati-based global market expansion firm that aims to serve as a bridge                                     between International and U.S. Based Companies, and by the Wasserman Media Group, a sports marketing and entertainment company with global expertise in athlete management, consulting, media rights, partnership and business development and action sports. Adding to those who contributed to making this tour a life-changing experience for troops is Carson Wrapped Hershey’s Chocolates, who has been helping people celebrate memorable occasions by delivering extensive graphic services and premium printing for a world-class Hershey's chocolate experience.

In previous years other notable players on USO tours abroad, included Hall of Famers Karl “The Mailman” Malone and David “The Admiral” Robinson - who traveled on a USO Summer Tour with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen in 2011 and 2009.

QUOTES:    

Attributed to Joe Johnson
“I am honored to participate in this USO tour and look forward to not only time on the court with our nation’s armed forces, but also learning more about what they do on a daily basis.”

Attributed to Al Horford
“I immediately jumped at the chance to work with the USO and spend some time with our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, and their families.  I am most looking forward to visiting with wounded warriors and talking with military schoolchildren at the clinics.  We are ready to do whatever we can to support the troops.”

Attributed to Scott Frederick, President of Business Operations, Carson Wrapped Hershey’s Chocolates
"My wife, Sharon, and I are so very honored to have a part in bringing this spectacular USO tour to our troops and would like to extend our personal thanks to the men and women who serve our nation.  Sports events have been bringing American families together for years and what better way to connect with service men and women than with some competitive gaming and the opportunity to spend some quality time with their families."

Attributed to USO President and CEO Sloan Gibson
“There is no better way to celebrate our seventy years of providing morale boosting programs and services to troops and their families, than by deploying                                     nine of today's most recognizable basketball players on a USO tour to Hawaii.  All of our tours generate a great level of excitement among troops and their families and sport themed tours like this are certainly among the top of the list.  We are excited by all the smiles this tour is sure to deliver by making this happen for our friends in Hawaii."

NOTES:           

USO tour photos will be available starting October 26. If you are interested in receiving photos as well as more tour information and/or would like to request interview please contact Oname Thompson at othompson@uso.org.

###

CONTACTS:

USO – Oname Thompson
(703) 864-5980
othompson@uso.org

Schofield Barracks – Jack Wiers
(808) 656-3157
jack.wiers@us.army.mil

Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam – Grace Hew Len
(808) 473-2926
grace.hewlen@navy.mil

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.

CONTACTS:

USO – Oname Thompson
(703) 864-5980
othompson@uso.org
 

Schofield Barracks – Jack Wiers
(808) 656-3157
jack.wiers@us.army.mil

Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam – Grace Hew Len
(808) 473-2926
grace.hewlen@navy.mil

Schofield Barracks – Jack Wiers

(808) 656-3157

jack.wiers@us.army.mil

Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam – Grace Hew Len

(808) 473-2926

grace.hewlen@navy.mil