Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
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Contact: Jeanne H. Schmedlen
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2008
Pennsylvania House Salutes Liberty USO at Special Ceremony
HARRISBURG – Honoring the men and women of the Liberty USO who have helped thousands of Pennsylvania troops and their families for nearly seven decades, the organization was saluted today at a special celebration by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
“Liberty USO’s innovative family and individual service member programs and services are delivered 365 days per year by volunteers at military installations and other service centers throughout this Commonwealth and southern New Jersey,” said Speaker Dennis O’Brien (R-Philadelphia), who served as emcee of the event.
Since 1941, thousands of Commonwealth soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors and their families have benefited through United Service Organizations (USO) programs such as Families of the Fallen Weekend, Comfort Bear, Hero Kids Summer Camp, Project Einstein and United Through Reading programs, as well as numerous service center operations and deployment support of many tens of thousands of military personnel departing to and returning from Iraq, Afghanistan and other worldwide deployment locations.
The organization includes hundreds of volunteers who provide thousands of hours of service each year at its locations at the Philadelphia International Airport, Willow Grove and Fort Indiantown Gap, as well as southern New Jersey locations.
“When soldiers are called to duty so are their families -- and the USO has been coming to the aid of both for 67 years,” said Adjutant General Jessica Wright, a featured speaker at today’s ceremony. “I hold the USO dear to my heart, because they take care of my soldiers and airmen. The USO has willingly extended a helping hand to our men and women in uniform through peace and war, through good times and bad. No other organization fosters as much goodwill in our nation’s military as the USO.”
The organization has served the needs of America’s active duty, National Guard and reserve military personnel and their families throughout Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Liberty USO is supported solely through voluntary contributions and receives no government funding.
“We pledge to support and better the lives of our military men and women at the state level every day, but the USO takes that a step farther at the federal and even international level,” said Rep. Tony Melio (D-Bucks), Democratic chairman of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. “The USO has been reaching out to troops and their families since before the days of World War II and has been a constant in our society both in times of war and peace. No service they provide is too small and no thanks we give them can be too much.”
“The boost to morale that the USO personnel have given cannot adequately be measured,” said Rep. Russ Fairchild (R-Snyder/Union), Republican chairman of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. “Whether it has been facilitating communications with family and loved ones, offering summer camp to their children, planning educational workshops, or helping fund an important trip home, our troops have always appreciated the USO and all their work.”
During 2006, Liberty USO served more than 180,000 service personnel -- active duty, guard and reserve -- and their families. Services include all types of recreational, entertainment and morale-boosting activities.
The volunteers and staff were also honored with House Resolution 730, which the House unanimously adopted today, designating May 13 as “Liberty USO Day” in Pennsylvania.
“I’m so happy the House is honoring the volunteers of the USO as their constant support enables us to fulfill our mission,” said Robert Baumann, president and COO of Liberty USO.
The Cedar Cliff High School Octet, an a cappella choir under the direction of James Hoffman from the West Shore School District, sang two selections during the ceremony.
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