ARLINGTON, Va., June 27, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Northrop Grumman Foundation participated in today's groundbreaking of the United Service Organization's (USO) Wounded Warrior and Family Center, to stand adjacent to the new hospital located on the grounds of Fort Belvoir in Virginia. In front of a standing room only audience of over 250 military and industry representatives, media and invited guests, shovels wielded by elected officials, military dignitaries, industry supporters and USO leadership were used to break ground on the USO's first stateside Wounded Warrior and Family Center. Today's event also launched the Operation Enduring Care initiative of the USO.
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://media.globenewswire.com/noc/mediagallery.html?pkgid=9907
The center at Fort Belvoir will be a high-end, 25,000 square foot facility where wounded troops and their families can find respite and renewal in "home away from home" surroundings. The center will be operated by the USO of Metropolitan Washington.
In April this year, the Northrop Grumman Foundation announced a $5 million pledge to Operation Enduring Care, which is the largest single gift to the USO in the 70-year history of the organization, and the founding donation to this initiative.
"Through this special contribution from the Northrop Grumman Foundation, we are proud to play a major role in Operation Enduring Care. We are honored to be here at the very beginning to build this wonderful facility at Fort Belvoir, to care for our wounded warriors and support their families," said Sandra Evers-Manly, vice president Corporate Responsibility and president of the Northrop Grumman Foundation. "For more than 20 years, Northrop Grumman and its employees have partnered with the USO to serve our nation's military, veterans and their families. Supporting this remarkable center is just one way we express our gratitude to the men and women who defend our nation and their families. And special thanks go to the USO leadership team, staff and volunteers for being a beacon of light for troops, veterans and their families everywhere."
"This day would not be possible without the generous gift to Operation Enduring Care from the Northrop Grumman Foundation. More than 40,000 American wounded warriors are on the path to rebuilding their lives and Northrop Grumman Foundation's lead gift makes it possible to do everything we can to help these brave men and women who have served our nation," said Sloan Gibson, USO president and CEO. "We are immensely grateful to the Northrop Grumman Foundation for energetically engaging with us as partners to support wounded warriors."
The new center will support wounded warriors at the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital and the Warrior Transition Unit. During the transition from inpatient to outpatient care, which can take months, even years, the center will provide wounded troops and their families with tangible and intangible support. Families will have access to a setting that offers relief and understanding amid the rigors of rehabilitation and reintegration as well as the practical elements of day-to-day living, a bastion of comfort on the march out of disability.
The USO has undertaken a capital fundraising campaign, Operation Enduring Care, to provide resources for the USO's Wounded Warrior program (USO | Wounded Warriors), which will be used to create programs and partner with best-in-class organizations, as well as build two Wounded Warrior and Family Centers, one at Fort Belvoir and one at the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center at Bethesda, Md. Operation Enduring Care will underwrite construction of these two centers and create an endowment to cover the cost of operations and maintain them to serve Americans injured in combat and their families. All cash and cash-equivalent contributions will go to the initiative that supports wounded warriors. No funds will go to administration or overhead.
Northrop Grumman was the first corporate supporter of Operation USO Care Package and has been a generous contributor over the years by donating both corporate and employees' funds, resources and time to the care package program and to USO centers around the world. Since 2003, the company and its employees have donated more than $1 million to the USO in support of Operation USO Care Package. Northrop Grumman also sponsors a number of local USO programs around the country, including the USO Airport Lounge for military travelers at Washington Dulles International Airport and in 2010 became title sponsor of the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman benefitting the USO, a post-season college football game in Washington, D.C.
The USO of Metropolitan Washington is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization chartered by Congress and dedicated to "Serving those who serve, and their families" in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia. It is through the generous financial support of individuals and organizations in the local community that USO-Metro is able to fulfill its mission. With the help of nearly 5,000 devoted volunteers, USO-Metro provides programs and services for active duty service members and their families at area military hospitals; through its Mobile USO program; at five USO Centers; four USO airport lounges and through Operation USO Care Package. For more information please visit www.usometro.org.
The Northrop Grumman Foundation supports diverse and sustainable programs for students and teachers. These programs create innovative education experiences in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.
