The USO's 'Hope and Freedom Tour 2005' Brings Cheer to Troops in the Persian Gulf

The USO's 'Hope and Freedom Tour 2005' Brings Cheer to Troops in the Persian Gulf

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth Preston and a group of celebrities will soon embark on a USO tour to the Persian Gulf region. During the tour, the celebrities will perform shows, visit with troops, sign autographs and tour military facilities at a number of locations in the region.Preston serves as the Army Chief of Staff's personal advisor on all enlisted-related matters, particularly in areas affecting soldier training and quality of life. Last year, Preston and a group of celebrities traveled to Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan to visit service members during the holidays.

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[code] Tour participants include:
* Comedian and best-selling author Al Franken, hosts daily radio talk-show
on Air America Radio;
* Perennial favorites, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders participating on
their 58th USO tour;
* Country singer Mark Wills, earned Billboard's number one "Most Played
Song in 2003" with "19 Something";
* Hip-hop trio Souljahz, toured with No Doubt, Ashanti and Erykha Badu;
* Country vocalist Craig Morgan, recorded "Redneck Yacht Club," which
reached number two on Billboard's country chart;
* Former Army Ranger and country singer Keni Thomas, featured in the movie
"Sweet Home Alabama;" and
* The U.S. Army Band, "Pershing's Own," performed for service members
stationed in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan in December 2004.[/code]

This tour continues the USO tradition of bringing entertainment to troops serving far from home, especially during the holidays. Several celebrities and bands have made trips for the USO so far this year, including Toby Keith, Charles Barkley, Jessica Simpson, Nick Lachey, Drowning Pool, Gary Sinise, Rascal Flatts and Adema.

For nearly 65 years, the USO (United Service Organizations) has been providing morale, welfare and recreational services to U.S. military personnel and their families. The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services. The USO is supported by World Partners, AT&T Corporation, Avon Products, Inc., BAE SYSTEMS, Bass Pro Shops, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Military Channel, National Football League, S&K Sales Company and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-0600), have joined thousands of individual donors to support the USO. For more information on the USO, please visit our Web site at http://www.uso.org/.