Tour Experiences

  • Karl Malone

    " I have many friends and family members who have served (or are currently serving) in our nation’s Armed Forces and I have such a profound respect for what they do day in and day out. This USO tour is especially meaningful because of the friends I have met and I am honored to be apart of it. " - NBA Hall of Famer Karl Malone

  • David Blaine

    " As a magician nothing is more amazing than going overseas on the front lines and witnessing first hand the dedication, bravery and self-sacrifice of our nation's troops. This USO tour has been eye-opening and life-changing. " - Illusionist David Blaine

  • Jon Stewart

    " No matter how many times I talk to a service member or visit with wounded warriors I walk away feeling overwhelmed by humility and gratefulness. Their stories are inspiring and their bravery is unparallel. This USO tour was no different and I thank Admiral Mullen for the opportunity to tag along. " - "The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart

  • Robin Lopez

    " I have had a lot of highlights throughout my career and this tour is now among them. There is something about talking to service members, listening to their stories and meeting their families and being able to extend my thanks directly. " - NBA center Robin Lopez

  • Al Horford

    " I am so excited to be here and enjoy some down time with our nation's military families. So far, this tour has been enlightening -- I've learned so much about the important work our troops do for us and I can’t thank them enough. " - NBA center Al Horford

  • Derrick Rose

    " Supporting our nation's military community has always been important to me. Whether I am extending my thanks to our troops on the front lines, visiting military families back at home, playing ball with wounded warriors, or participating on USO tours like this that are designed to uplift the spirits of those stationed around the globe, it is an honor for me anytime I am able to give. " - NBA All-Star Derrick Rose

  • " What better way to show them we care, than by traveling to the Persian Gulf on a USO tour and rocking out America’s soldiers. The USO has a rich history of delivering a touch of home to our men and women in uniform, and Saving Abel is honored to be a part of that legacy. " - Saving Abel

  • Zac Brown Band

    " Playing our music on the front lines and in front of thousands of America’s troops is an opportunity of a lifetime. We’ve toured all around the world, but nothing compares to what we’ve seen on our USO tour. Being able to hear first-hand what it’s like to live in a combat zone and get a true sense of what it means to protect and serve, it is truly amazing. " - Zac Brown Band

  • " Boosting troop morale, spending time with the military community and working with the USO are things I truly believe in and firmly support. I am excited for this opportunity and forever grateful for the service and sacrifice of America’s troops and their families. " - Nigel Barker

  • Drew Brees

    " I look forward to heading out...and to focusing on what matters most – those who volunteer to put themselves in harm’s way for us each and every day: our troops. " - NFL quarterback Drew Brees

  • " Performing for our men and women in uniform means more to me than I can put into words. Music is a powerful tool, it can transport you to another time and place, and connect you with loved ones. And that’s what this tour is all about - lifting spirits and delivering a touch of home. " - Zac Brown

  • " Our armed forces are the most highly skilled, best-trained men and women in the world. Their character is on display on a daily basis because they’re an all-volunteer force. We all owe them a debt of gratitude and this trip is a small way of saying thank you. " - Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings head coach

  • " It’s an honor for me to have the opportunity to spend some time with our young men and women serving overseas, who get up every day and fight for the rights of others. The men and women of our U.S. Armed Forces embody the true spirit of heroism. " - Rich Ellerson, West Point

  • " I don’t think anything could have prepared me for how profoundly affected I was by my USO tour and by the troops I had the privilege of meeting. This tour was nothing short of amazing. " - University of Oregon head football coach Chip Kelly

  • " This was not something I had to think about and I committed to it on the spot. We have two recent Harvard Football players who are at Camp Pendleton (Calif.) as Marine Corp officers awaiting deployment to Afghanistan and it’s the least I can do to show my support for them and all the brave men and women of our armed forces. " - Tim Murphy, Harvard University

  • " I will never forget the troops I met on this tour, the stories they shared with me and the experience of traveling in a war zone. It was an adventure, but it was also very humbling. Once you take a look into the lives of these brave men and women, you can’t deny how much they give up to serve our nation. I can’t thank the USO enough for this wonderful opportunity. " - Tommy Tuberville, Texas Tech

  • " To say that my USO tour has had an impact on me would be an understatement. There is something profound about following in the footsteps of our troops and taking part in the activities that shape their everyday lives. I only wish everyone had this opportunity. " - Ron Zook, University of Illinois

  • " I view the opportunity to spend time with our troops as a privilege. " - John Fox. Carolina Panthers head coach

  • " This USO trip is one small step that I can take to say ‘thank you.’ I don’t know that you’d call it a ‘sacrifice’ on my part, because I am very much looking forward to the experience, but I hope my presence can be helpful in letting our troops know how much they are appreciated back home. " - Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals head coach

  • " This trip is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To be able to spend time with them during their tour of duty is an honor. " - Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles head coach

  • " I loved every moment of this trip, from being in the desert meeting service members to sharing this experience with my cast mates. I know that each of us walked away from our USO experience with a greater sense of how much these young men and women sacrifice on a daily basis. I can’t wait to do it again! " - Kim Coates of Sons of Anarchy

  • " After spending time with the brave men and women serving on the frontlines, I can say that this trip has exceeded my expectations. " - Mark Boone, Jr. of Sons of Anarchy

  • " But this trip wasn’t about the war. It was about the troops and letting them know that they aren’t forgotten and that we appreciate the sacrifices they make every day. This USO trip was a humbling experience. " - Theo Rossi of Sons of Anarchy

  • " Thank you to the men and women who serve this country and thank you to the USO for making this trip happen. I honestly don’t know what else to say, this was an experience of a lifetime and I am so grateful to have been a part of it. " - Dayton Callie of Sons of Anarchy

  • " Our troops are some of the brightest and bravest men and women I've ever met. Sadly, they don't always get the appreciation and recognition they deserve. The USO allows me the privilege to meet them in person, show them my gratitude and thank them for their service. " - James Gandolfini

  • " Having the opportunity to travel on a USO tour with Admiral Mullen and visit our nation’s troops was the opportunity of a lifetime. My eyes were opened like never before and I walked away with a greater sense of pride, respect and honor. I know countless others have said it before, but I am forever changed. " - Rose McGowan

  • " The USO tours I’ve been part of have definitely been the highlight of my career and my life. It has been the most impactful, life-changing thing I’ve been able to do. " - Kellie Pickler

  • " I can finally relate to them and tell others how important it is to work with the USO and support our troops. War or no war, our soldiers are remarkable and need our support. " - Jon Stinchcomb

  • Toby Keith

    " I’ve been traveling with the USO since 2002, and every year I look forward to spending time with the men and women who serve this great country. When I get on stage and look out into a crowd of uniforms, it gives me a great sense of pride to know that I am giving back to them. " - Toby Keith

  • " Elmo is so excited to come and see all his military friends and family. We’ll sing fun songs and even learn something with Elmo, Rosita, Cookie Monster and Zoe. See you there! " - Elmo

  • " Visiting troops and performing for military families never gets old, no matter how many bases or USO tours I go out on. Each visit is unique and is life-changing in different ways. I always walk away with a renewed sense of their sacrifice, a new story to share, or a message to relay to a loved one left behind at home. It’s those times when I am most proud to be an American. " - Gary Sinise

  • Gary Sinise

    " I am proud and honored to be a volunteer in support of the brave and courageous men and women of the United States Military. I have loved every minute of performing for them around the world. So, thank you to all those who choose to serve, thank you to your families who sacrifice so much, and thank you to the USO for being there until everyone comes home. It has been a great pleasure to be a part of the USO team these past several years. " - Gary Sinise

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