USO-Metro Recognizes Medal of Honor Recipients at 37th Annual Awards Dinner

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Hundreds gathered at the Omni Shoreham Tuesday with the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore for a remarkable celebration of the service and sacrifice of the United States Armed Forces, specifically highlighting the commitment and dedication of Medal of Honor recipients.

If you missed the chance to show your support, you can still share a financial contribution toward USO-Metro’s programs and services below:

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NFL Hall of Famer, Terry Bradshaw, Hosts Awards

USO-Metro President Elaine Rogers and NFL Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw emcee evening’s awards. USO-Metro Photo by Mike Theiler.

Master of Ceremonies and NFL Hall of Famer, Terry Bradshaw, entertained the crowd, while he presented USO-Metro’s Merit, Achievement and Patriot Awards.

Rob Gronkowski Honored with 2019 Merit Award

USO-Metro Photo by Mike Theiler

Following a special wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery Tuesday morning, Rob Gronkowski joined Terry Bradshaw and Monster Energy CEO Hilton Schlosberg on stage to accept USO-Metro’s Merit Award.

The Merit Award goes to an individual of outstanding creative talent who is dedicated to serving others through volunteerism, particularly for our military.

“It’s such an honor to be here,” Gronkowski said. “Going to that visit today, seeing the people in the rehab center, seeing their dedication, seeing their mindset, seeing what they’re all about — it’s just an honor.”

The retired New England Patriot spent the day with wounded, ill and injured service members at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

General Joseph Dunford and Spouse, Mrs. Ellyn Dunford, Recipients of 2019 Patriot Award

(From left to right) General Joseph Dunford and Spouse, Mrs. Ellyn Dunford share a moment at 37th Annual Awards Dinner with Chef Robert Irvine and Kevin Wensing, VP of Executive Office at the USO. USO-Metro Photo by Mike Theiler.

General Joseph Dunford, 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his spouse, Mrs. Ellyn Dunford were honored Tuesday as the recipients of USO-Metro’s 2019 Patriot Award.

“There is no clearer physical manifestation of the support of the American people than the USO,” Dunford said. “For generation after generation now, men and women have gone around the world to do what our country has asked them to do — and the USO has been with them bringing a little piece of home to them wherever they happen to be.”

Performances by Miss America 2019, Nia Franklin, Terry Bradshaw and the United States Army Chorus

Miss America performs Mariah Carey’s “Heroe” Tuesday at the Omni Shoreham Hotel for the 37th Annual Awards Dinner. USO-Metro Photo by Donna Parry

Host Terry Bradshaw performs “God Bless The U.S.A.” with the United States Army Chorus in a special tribute to USO-Metro’s 2019 Achievement Award recipient, Lee Greenwood. USO-Metro Photo by Mike Theiler

Learn More About USO-Metro Programs

The USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore is the largest chapter chartered by the USO, and supports hundreds of programs and areas of service annually.

Our support of service members and their families across the National Capital Region would not be possible without the support of nearly 1,300 active volunteers, community partners and special guests. In case you missed the special evening, learn more about two of USO-Metro’s programs and areas we support below:

Google Cloud Partners with USO-Metro to Present Combat2Canvas to Wounded, Ill and Injured Service Members

Google Cloud has generously donated enough funds for USO-Metro to offer a life-changing workshop called Combat2Canvas, one of its signature art resiliency programs. In the week-long workshop, participants tell the story of their military service through original works of art and writing. Read more at www.usometro.org/Combat2Canvas.

USO Warrior and Family Center at Bethesda Connects Community Partners with Walter Reed Murtha Cancer Center

WUSA9, Sheehy and USO-Metro paired up to surprise a military couple and their two kids with a trip to Disney World after their 4-year-old son was diagnosed with Leukemia. This special surprise follows a long-standing relationship between the USO Warrior and Family Center at Bethesda and the Walter Reed Murtha Cancer Center to offer USO-Metro’s signature, moral-boosting programs to military service members and their families in times of need. Read more at www.usometro.org/disneysurprise.

Special Thanks to Presenting Sponsor, The Boeing Company, and Steve O'Keeffe

USO-Metro Photo by Mike Theiler

Chairman of the Board Paul McQuillan shared the incredible success by our corporate partners for raising a record-breaking $1.4 million for USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore programs and services.

He offered special thanks to Presenting Sponsor, The Boeing Company, and Steve O'Keeffe, the Chairman of the Annual Awards Dinner Committee, for this milestone achievement.

“USO-Metro’s mission extends beyond our nine brick and mortar facilities and into the hearts of the tens of thousands of military service members and families who temporarily call the National Capital Region home,” McQuillan said. “Thank you so much for your hard work, along with our incredibly impressive staff and volunteers for making this dinner such an incredible success!”

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