(Arlington, VA, Thursday, May 6, 2021) – May is Military Appreciation Month and the USO’s T-Shirt Campaign is in its 11th year. The campaign is a way for Americans to show their support of the military by donating to the USO – and in return, they receive a t-shirt. Dubbed the “Official Uniform of the Military Supporter,” the t-shirt is a great way to show support for our military.
The campaign is part of the USO’s Give More Than Thanks initiative, which raises awareness of the military’s role in our everyday lives and how – through the USO – Americans can support their military beyond a “thank you.” Each year thousands of service members around the world vote on a design. This year’s design was crafted by award-winning graphic artist and former Marine Corps Reservist Kit Hinrichs.
Notably, May 6 is the 80th anniversary of Bob Hope’s first-ever USO show!
Throughout May, people can visit http://www.uso.org/tshirt and make a donation of $29 or more to receive their very own t-shirt.
The USO’s Global Ambassadors and USO Tour Veterans Kellie Pickler and Wilmer Valderrama are encouraging people to donate and get their shirt to show their pride and support of the American military. The USO tour veterans can speak to their firsthand experiences of being with service members and seeing how the support from Americans boosts their spirits.
There is still a great need to support the morale of service members and their families, especially during the pandemic.
USO Global Ambassadors Kellie Pickler and Wilmer Valderrama discuss the importance of supporting our military.
About Kellie Picker:
- First tour in 2007 to Iraq
- 12 USO tours visiting 13 international locations (Afghanistan, Germany, Iraq, Kosovo, United Kingdom, Kuwait, Bahrain, Kyrgyzstan, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Norway, Poland) and a ship at sea; and three domestic locations
- Five USO Holiday Tours with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (2008, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018)
- USO Military Virtual Programming (MVP) session with husband, Kyle Jacobs, broadcast worldwide to 34 locations in the U.S., Qatar, Guam and Japan
- Recipient of Department of Defense Spirit of Hope Award, Operation Troop Aid Chris Kyle Patriot Award and USO of North Carolina Heart for the Warrior Award
About Wilmer Valderrama
- First tour in 2007 to Germany
- Eight USO tours visiting nine international locations (Germany, Poland, South Korea, Afghanistan, Djibouti, Greenland, Norway, Bahrain, Iraq) and a ship at sea; and three domestic locations
- One USO Holiday Tour with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2018
- More than 40 USO performances
- USO MVP session broadcast worldwide to 13 installations in the U.S., United Arab Emirates, Germany, Japan, Italy and Iraq
About the USO:
The USO strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. At hundreds of locations worldwide, the USO is united in their commitment to connect service members and their families through countless acts of caring, comfort and support. The USO is a private nonprofit organization, not a government agency. The USO’s programs, services and entertainment tours are made possible by the American people, support of corporate partners and the dedication of volunteers and staff. To learn more about the USO, visit USO.org.