To all the men and women who served so bravely for the sake of our freedom, today is all about you!! It was an honor when my friends at the USO told me I had been requested for several appearances to celebrate this day. I could not say no, I love this job so much. And thus I was off on a 33 hour straight marathon of Veterans Day celebrations!
New Beginnings Veterans Day Ball
The night before the big day, we joined members and supporters of Long Island's New Beginnings Community Center for Brain Injury Rehabilitation to celebrate the many veterans who are part of their family. The disco themed night honored Jim and Carol Dunn. Jimmy suffered a TBI but despite limits to his motor and verbal capabilities had no shortage of spark, and his wife has helped him through every step. An absolute vision of love. The Bells were there to entertain!
COSMO Kisses For the Troops
Cosmopolitan Magazine and Maybelline New York has partnered with the USO to bring their card that will be sent overseas to military members for New Year's Eve. Because everyone deserves a kiss at midnight. Visitors to their Times Square booth get dolled up with Maybelline lipstick and leave a smooch and message on a post card. For every kiss, COSMO and Maybelline donated $1 to the USO! Packs of ladies came out to share a kiss and meet Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale, one of the day's celebrity guests. The Bells were on hand to assist and greet military members who came over for a hot coffee and some major attention from the crowd.
NASDAQ Closing Bell
In honor of Veterans Day, the Liberty Bells joined Cooking with the Troops to ring the closing bell. Cooking with the Troops is a charity that supports U.S. and Allied troops, their families, and caregivers worldwide. We joined several dozen military members for a pre-bell feast and then sang the anthem as WWII veteran Phil Perugini presided over the closing bell ceremonies. I can't believe this is my fifth time at the closing bell!
War Horse Veterans Day Benefit
USO joined up with Lincoln Center Theater, The National Theater and producer Bob Boyett for a special performance of Tony Winning Best Play War Horse. Net proceeds from tickets for tonight's show were donated to the USO. The show has captured hearts because of its story of the demands and pains of war, an issue not foreign to us over the past decade. The house was sold out and we helped collect cash donations during the evening, hearing so many patrons share their stories of connections to the USO. The emotional power of art will never cease to amaze me.
Thank you to everyone who participated in today's events and to the organizations who so beautifully supported the USO!!
I have been blessed with the privilege of working with the USO for three years now and have been given opportunities to volunteer all along the way. I've seen elderly veterans jump from their wheelchairs to dance their favorite Andrews Sisters tune, hugged a military wife as all five of her children hopped on brand new donated bicycles, and seen a marine with tears down his face watch from his base overseas as his wife gave birth to their new baby girl. The comforts and joys that this organization facilitates are immeasurable.
If you haven't yet, find out about getting involved in your local USO. The experiences you will have are well worth the time. This organization puts nearly $.90 to every dollar they receive back into programming, which is made possibly by the support of the thousands of volunteers that get involved each week. USO needs volunteers, because our military needs it's USO. God bless our Veterans and military!! Happy Veterans Day!
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