USO-Metro’s Annual Awards Dinner – Best Patriotic Evening Ever!

Last night, the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore (USO-Metro) hosted its 32^nd Annual Awards Dinner at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Crystal City. We attended the dinner, providing PR support, as we have for the past 18 years, and were once again inspired by this exceptional organization!

The evening’s theme was Celebrating Our Moments Together and was devoted to honoring outstanding individuals from each branch of service, as well as the exceptional people who support our nation’s service members through volunteerism and USO-Metro’s countless charitable programs. Attended by senior government and military leaders, celebrities, business and community leaders, over 600 guests honored the tireless work USO-Metro does for our nation’s heroes and their families.

This year, we also celebrate the opening of the USO Warrior and Family Center at Bethesda, which opens with its official ribbon cutting ceremony today. This state-of-the-art USO Center will provide a “home-away-from-home” for the nation’s wounded, ill and injured active duty service members and Reserve and National Guard troops, as well as their families and caregivers. The new facility, located at the Naval Support Activity Bethesda, home of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, will provide a beautiful, peaceful environment to bring families together and an opportunity to prepare for a happy and fulfilling life ahead.

During the event, Chef Robert Irvine was honored with the USO-Metro Merit Award, presented by Gary Sinise; The American Military Spouses Choir received the Legacy of Hope Award, and the Next Generation of Hope Award went to music prodigy Ethan Bortnick. This year’s Colonel John Gioia Patriot Award was presented to Don Blanchard, the father of fallen Capt. Aaron R. Blanchard (USA). Don teamed up with USO to create A Father’s Tribute Ride, during which he rode his motorcycle to all four corners of the country, honoring his son and raising money to help military nonprofit organizations.

The evening was a touching tribute to our service members and their families, and we were honored to be a part of it. Advice Unlimited’s involvement with USO-Metro allows us to pay tribute and give back, serving as a constant reminder of the extreme sacrifices these heroes and their families make for us every single day. If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved in this outstanding organization, please contact me at slevine@adviceunlimited.net.