USO Rings the NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell

USO President and CEO reflected on recent trip to Afghanistan and thanked the American people for their support during Closing Bell ceremony.

Arlington, VA (PRWEB) December 28, 2012

On the heels of the 2012 USO Holiday Tour led by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey, as well as time spent in the field delivering holiday gifts and lifting the spirits of thousands of troops via the USO Christmas Convoy, USO President and CEO, Sloan Gibson, closed Thursday's financial market with the ringing of the NASDAQ closing bell.

Jeffery Larocque of the NASDAQ OMX Group introduced Gibson, reminding the bustling New York crowd outside the NASDAQ studio in Times Square, and those viewers watching via the live webcast, that the USO is dedicated to lifting the spirits of America's troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of locations worldwide.

“The USO is a private, nonprofit organization, not a government agency,” said Larocque. “All of their programs and services are made possible by the American people, support of corporate partners and the dedication of USO volunteers and staff.”

During the 10 minute ceremony Gibson reflected on his recent trip to the Middle East with General Dempsey and USO Entertainers Kelly Pickler, Washington Capitals Matt Hendricks, Washington Nationals players Ross Detwiler and Craig Stammen and comedian Iliza Shlesinger.

“A few days ago I returned from visiting troops in Afghanistan. They are serving in harm's way while the rest of us were home for the holidays,” said Gibson. “Their steadfast service continues to inspire those of us who work every day to lift their spirits and let them and their families know their country has their backs.”

Gibson, who was accompanied during yesterday's ceremony by more than 20 local USO volunteers, could not leave NASDAQ without thanking the many generous volunteers and donors who support USO operations around the globe.

“I want to thank the 2-million individual donors and hundreds of corporations that make it possible for us to lift the spirits of America's troops and families around the world all year long, but especially this time of year,” said Gibson. “I also want to say a very special thank you to the 24,000 volunteers; without you, what we do wouldn't be possible. While our donors may be our lifeblood, you, our volunteers, are our heart and soul.”

For more information about the 2012 USO Holiday Tour, Christmas Convoy, or to support military and their families with a donation to the USO, visit http://www.uso.org.

Click here for photos from yesterday's ceremony.
Click here for photos and video of USO activities during the 2012 holiday season.

# # #

About the USO
The USO (United Service Organizations) lifts the spirits of America's troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide. We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases in the U.S. and abroad, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops, military families, wounded warriors and their families and the families of the fallen.

The USO is a private, nonprofit organization, not a government agency. All of our programs and services are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff. In addition to individual donors and corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by President's Circle Partners: American Airlines, AT&T, Clear Channel, The Coca-Cola Company, jcpenney, Kangaroo Express, Kroger, Lowe's, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Procter & Gamble, and TriWest Healthcare Alliance and Worldwide Strategic Partners: BAE Systems, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft Corporation and TKS Telepost Kabel-Service Kaiserslautern GmbH & Co. KG. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381). To join us in this patriotic mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/12/prweb10276886.htm