USO San Diego Presents its 78th Annual Stars and Stripes Gala: Stand Up for Liberty
On Saturday, May 18, 2019 at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, USO
San Diego will hold its 78th Annual Stars and Stripes Gala: Stand Up for
Liberty. The Gala, themed “Stand Up for Liberty,” will support our military by
raising funds for local active duty military and their families. The event will
celebrate businessman and philanthropist, Ernest Rady, and Film & TV star
and military advocate, Gary Sinise. Co-Chairs of the event include Hélène
and George Gould, Reena and Sam Horowitz, Arlene and Richard Esgate,
Don Breitenberg* and Jeanne Jones, and Stephanie Brown.
Entertainment will be provided by Las Vegas headliner Frankie Moreno and
his ten-piece band and Joe Everson, Painter, TV artist and singer.
For nearly 80 years, the USO has been the nation’s leading organization to
serve the men and women in the U.S. military, and their families,
throughout their time in uniform. From the moment they join, through their
assignments and deployments, and as they transition back to their
communities, the USO is always by their side.
In 2018, USO San Diego helped more than 253,000 active military
members and their families, served more than 31,000 meals and provided
more than 5,500 toys to deserving children of our service members. Our
organization’s 1,200+ volunteers showed their loving care by donating
more than 52,000 hours, as we continued our commitment to
strengthening America’s military service members by keeping them
connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the
nation.
Our San Diego USO operates four centers, the Neil Ash Airport Center, the
Liberty Station Center, the Downtown Distribution Center and the Military
Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) location. All USO San Diego facilities
are equipped with quality programming, lounge areas, and amenities that
provide relaxation, comfort and support.
To ensure we can continue our dedication in per perpetuity, we need the
support of our community. USO San Diego receives no Federal funding
and must rely on the kindness and generosity of our wonderful donors to
make sure that our active duty military warriors and their families feel
connected and at home, even as they face deployment and separation
from their loved ones.
Photos courtesy of Dian Self
*in loving memory