The title says it all. Still soldiers to be seen, still a party to be had... and stacks and stacks of those red solo cups! How do they find their way all the way to Afghanistan anyway?! Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines (and maybe even a few Guardians? Let me know if you're out there!) lined up in what has to be the longest line I have seen since coming to theater. We're talking city blocks. There was a buzz in the air, and I tell ya, you've never seen people so happy to be standing in line!
While these visits are an incredible morale booster, I want to mention the USO's work in addition to bringing over celebrities, and how greatly it affects the daily lives of our deployed troops. The USO has morale and recreation centers throughout Southwest Asia that offer free phone calls home, free computer and internet access, and, often the most important thing after a long day in the field, a comfortable place to sit down and relax. In addition, they push their services far out into the reaches of Afghanistan with their USO2GO program, bringing the comforts of home to very appreciative, secluded soldiers. Find out more at www.uso.org. Thank you to the USO for your work everyday, and for partnering with such an incredibly genuine artist like Toby Keith to keep our soldiers positive, connected back home, and ready to face tomorrow.
-ER
