NFL players team up with USO to tour troops and families in South Korea
Chicago Bears quarterback Chase Daniel, New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski, Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack and New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan will embark on a weeklong, NFL-USO tour to South Korea to visit U.S. troops and their families at military bases, the NFL announced yesterday.
An extension of the NFL’s Salute to Service, this year’s NFL-USO tour will feature an array of base activities including unit visits, one-on-one meetings with installation leadership, and visits with the Security Forces K-9 Unit and Fire Department Unit. Additionally, each of the players will have the opportunity to spend time with service members and their families, having the unique experience to see a day in the life of our Nation’s heroes.
“The NFL is proud to work with the USO on another tour overseas,” said NFL Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility Anna Isaacson. “The League’s connection to the military is longstanding, due in large part to a 50-plus year partnership with the USO. We appreciate the opportunity to continue these tours, as it provides a unique opportunity to honor the brave individuals who fight for our safety every day. We are grateful for their service and sacrifice.”
For over 50 years, the NFL and USO have worked together to support the military by connecting them to family, home and country throughout their service to the nation. In 1966, the NFL teamed with the USO and became the first sports organization to send players on a tour to Vietnam and other parts of the Far East.
Participation has spanned across generations – more than 250 NFL players, coaches and executives, including Terry Bradshaw, Drew Brees, Bill Cowher, Larry Fitzgerald, Von Miller and Jason Witten, have traveled on USO tours to 26 countries to thank more than 96,000 service members.
“The USO and the NFL have a rich history of partnering together to support America’s men and women in uniform. We’re honored to team up once again to bring current NFL players overseas to meet service members and their families,” said Alan Reyes, USO Chief Operating Officer.
“This tour is just one of many ways the USO and the NFL work together to salute and honor those who protect and defend our freedoms. We thank the NFL for their continued dedication as a Force Behind the Forces.”
In addition to overseas morale-building visits, the NFL has supported several different USO projects through Salute to Service including flag football programming and the expansion and refurbishment of USO centers and programming. In 2018, the NFL announced a new $5 million commitment to aid new projects that will reach service members and their families via more than 200 USO locations worldwide.
For more information on the USO, see uso.org.
(Source: NFL)
~ Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
