In honor of our Nation’s birthday, I thought I’d say a great big thank you to an organization I, and many other current and former veterans love…the USO.

I created this photo several years ago while in school. I had a “photography in advertising” class and we were tasked with creating an ad based on an inspiration photo.  We could choose any photo as our inspiration and adapt it to create any ad we liked. It was an open assignment! I decided I wanted to do a USO ad with the cover of the book The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw as my inspiration photo. My husband and I are the models which is another reason I loved doing this so much! This is our love letter to the organization.

I’m sure most of you have heard about the USO and for our fellow veterans out there, you’ve probably come into contact with the organization at some point. For those that don’t know, the mission of the USO is to “lift the spirits of America’s troops and their families.” And they truly do just that!

The United Service Organizations was founded in 1941 in response to a request by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide services and support to uniformed personnel. This streamlined the present collaboration among the many foundations and groups already mobilized in support of the military and their families during World War 2. It is a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with the Department of Defense to provide programs, services and live entertainment to Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Marines at home and overseas in over 160 locations.

Now, you could read all that at their website or on wikipedia, but I want to personally tell you that they truly do make a difference. My only real encounter with them was at the airport lounges, but they were a saving grace, especially when I had to travel in uniform. It was so nice to walk in the lounge and be greeted by the most friendly volunteers you’ve ever met anywhere. Once in the lounge these angels don’t hesitate to serve up snacks and let you relax. They’ll set you up with their wifi, store your luggage, give you a place to nap and wake you up when it’s time to go. They are a sanctuary in an otherwise hectic and stressful kind of life.

So I just want to say thanks to the USO for all of their care and support and offer my support until every one comes home!

If you would like to find out more about how you can show your support for the USO, please follow this link.