Monday Messenger Header 2012
Friday, March 29, 2015
In This Issue

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333 S. Wabash
16th Floor
Chicago IL, 60604
 
(312) 822-6699 

The USO of Illinois   annually  serves over 300,000 service members and their families at 5 USO Centers and through hundreds of programs and services. 

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Making Every Moment Count during Military Appreciation Month 

Throughout the month of May our nation celebrated National Military Appreciation Month, a time for Americans to reflect on the service and sacrifice of our nation's military. The USO of Illinois joined in the celebration and partnered with USO's across the globe to make one million moments for our troops and their families through the "Every Moment Counts" initiative (EMC). A moment could be a cup of coffee at a USO Center, tickets to a sporting event or show for a military family, or a meal at a USO No-Dough Dinner. To honor those who serve us every day, the USO of Illinois is highlighted these moments for our troops and their families, as an expression of our gratitude.

 

To kick off the month, the USO of Illinois, was featured on ABC7 TV's morning news program. "Here in Illinois alone, the USO serves 330,000 troops every year," said Alison Ruble President and CEO of USO of Illinois. "Now, more than ever, supporting our troops and their families is vital. Even as we lead our daily lives, our troops are training and deploying, facing separation from their families. It's vital to let them know, no matter what our nation stands behind them."

 

On May 3rd, the USO celebrated another special moment at a Chicago Cubs game. The Cubs have been a dedicated supporter of the USO through many avenues, including ticket donations, salutes on the field, and Cubs Caravan dinners. During a special military appreciation game, Abbi, a 6-year-old military child, had her dreams come true when she was selected to be the "Play Ball" announcer.

        

At USO Great Lakes on May 7th, the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana once again made their yearly donation to the USO through Operation Cookie Drop. Operation Cookie Drop is an annual initiative for the Girl Scouts in which local troops pledge and donate boxes of Girl Scout Cookies to hundreds of charities across the U.S. Here in Illinois, the USO was the benefactor of that donation and received over 3,000 cases of cookies to be enjoyed not only at USO Great Lakes, but also at all USO of Illinois centers and programs throughout the year.

 

Each year over 40,000 men and women complete the requirements to become enlisted Navy Sailors at the Navy's only boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes. On May 15th, the USO partnered with the Chicago Blackhawks to bring Tommy Hawk, the Chicago Blackhawks Mascot, and the Chicago Blackhawks Ice Crew to Recruit Training Command Great Lakes for a special congratulations to the new Navy graduates. The Blackhawks' representatives posed for pictures, handed out Every Moment Counts items and signed Blackhawks memorabilia.

 

O'Hare Airport celebrated Every Moment Counts on May 8, Military Spouse Appreciation Day, by setting up tables to greet military personnel and their families passing through Terminal 1. Stocked with on the go snacks, drinks and friendly smiles, the USO O'Hare staff and volunteers helped guide military personnel through the airport and safely on to their next destination.

 

USO Supports Memorial Day Parade 

During Memorial Day Weekend, the USO of Illinois joined thousands of patriotic citizens to remember and honor the courageous service and sacrifice of our nation's fallen heroes at the Chicago Memorial Day Parade. The Parade, founded in 1870, is widely recognized as the largest in the nation. The USO joined the City of Chicago and numerous other organizations, ROTC Cadets, and military groups to support the men and women of our nation's military and their families. The USO of Illinois once again partnered with the Northern Illinois Military Vehicle Preservation Association (NIMVPA), who brought antique military jeeps, motorcycles, trucks, and transport carriers to the parade. A special new addition this year were volunteers from Bridgeview Bank Mortgage Division, who joined a dedicated group of USO of Illinois volunteers to pass out flags along the parade route.

 

The Parade stepped off from State and Lake in the city's Loop with Brigadier General Alicia Tate-Nadeau, the Illinois National Guard's first female General, as Parade Grand Marshall. "This is a most amazing thing, to see so many Americans saying 'thank you' to our fallen heroes," she said.

 

Thank you to everyone who helped the USO of Illinois make
 Every Moment Count this May!



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