USO Gala to Honor Military Heroes and Volunteers for Extraordinary Service and Sacrifice

Star-Studded Evening to include Master of Ceremonies Comedian/Actor Carlos Mencia and Country Music Legend Randy Travis

WHAT:            2011 USO Gala and USO Service Member of the Year Awards

WHEN:            Thursday, October 6, 2011

            6:30 p.m. Reception

            7:30 p.m. Dinner, awards and entertainment

(1)  Media must be in place by 6:00 p.m. (2) USO photos will be available upon request.

WHO:                        USO President

• Sloan D. Gibson

Master of Ceremonies

• Carlos Mencia, comedian/actor

Entertainment

• Randy Travis, country music superstar

Special Guests and Presenters

• Karl Malone, Hall of Famer
• Alyssa Campanella, Miss USA 2011

USO Service Members of the Year

• Corporal David J. Bixler, 2nd Brigade Combat Team (Strike), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY, United States Army
• Sergeant Lucas J. Chaffins, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA, United States Marine Corps
• EOD1 Chad R. Regelin, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile, Unit Three, Naval Base San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States Navy
• Senior Airman James A. Baynard, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Security Forces, Washington, DC, United States Air Force
• AST3 Christopher R. Austin, USCG Sector Columbia River, Astoria, OR, United States Coast Guard

- more -

                        USO Volunteer of the Year

• Sergeant Milfred Shane Williams (USO Kaiserslautern- Warrior Center)

                        Spirit of the USO Award Recipients

• General James L. Jones, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), and Diane Jones

WHERE:            Marriott Wardman Park Hotel

2660 Woodley Road, NW
Washington, DC 20008

CHAIR:            David McIntyre, TriWest Healthcare Alliance

CO-

CHAIRS:            Rima Al-Sabah, Barbara Levin, Patricia McKeon, Mary Murphy, Mary Jo Myers and

                        Margaret Gibson

WHY:            The USO is continuing a time-honored tradition of recognizing the bravery and sacrifice of an enlisted hero from each branch of the military. Also being recognized are USO Volunteer of the Year and Spirit of the USO recipients.

For 70 years, the USO has been lifting the spirits of America’s troops and their families. An estimated 1000 guests will gather to pay special tribute to our men and women in uniform. Guests will include Washington dignitaries, Members of Congress, military leadership, members of the USO Board of Governors and USO Corporate sponsors. The star-studded event will also be streamed LIVE courtesy of Military.com, to view online visit http://www.military.com/uso-gala-2011.

The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services.

                        The cost to attend the 2011 USO Gala is $1,000 per ticket. To inquire about ticketing please send an e-mail to gala@uso.org. To learn more about the USO, visit uso.org.

###

Gayle Fishel

703-908-6433

gfishel@uso.org