YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- The Vice Chairman’s annual USO Spring Tour kicked off here today with a performance for service members and families assigned to the 374th Airlift Wing near Tokyo.
The eight-day tour includes seven shows in six different countries to thank U.S. service members, civilians, and their families for their service and sacrifice.
This is Selva’s third USO tour since becoming vice chairman.
“I sleep soundly at night because of the two million men and women who wear the uniform in defense of our nation,” Selva said. “They are the defenders of everything America holds dear, and this USO tour is first and foremost about thanking them and their families for what they do every day for our nation.”
This year’s tour includes comedian Jon Stewart, country music artist Craig Morgan, celebrity chef Robert Irvine, professional fighters Paige VanZant and Max Holloway, and NBA legend Richard “Rip” Hamilton.
“As a veteran, I can tell you what the USO does to keep service members connected to family, home, and country is incredibly important,” said Morgan, who is on his tenth USO tour. “It's why I want to work with the USO as a force behind the forces to bring a little bit of home to service members overseas.”
“It’s an honor to represent the NBA family on this tour and bring a little cheer to the men and women serving our country,” said Hamilton, who is touring for the first time with USO. “These are the folks that allow our nation’s freedom, and I am excited to do my part to thank them.”
All USO performers volunteered to travel to participate in variety-style shows and troop engagements to show service members that America remembers them and values their service.
The USO strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. For more than 77 years, the USO, a private, non-profit organization, has served the men and women of the U.S. military and their families throughout their service-from the moment they join, through their deployments and as they transition back to their communities. To learn more, visit: www.uso.org/force.
Follow the tour on the Joint Staff’s social media accounts:
http://www.facebook.com/TheJointStaff
http://www.instagram.com/thejointstaff/
http://twitter.com/thejointstaff
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thejointstaff
Photos can also be found on a DVIDS feature page:
http://www.dvidshub.net/feature/USOSpringTour2018