ARLINGTON, VA., Feb. 17, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
WHAT: USO/NFL Tour Featuring the Indianapolis Colts
WHO: Chuck Pagano, head coach
Mike Adams, safety
Anthony Castonzo, offensive tackle
Pat McAfee, punter
D'Qwell Jackson, linebacker
WHEN: February 15-21, 2016
WHERE: Japan
WHY: On the heels of kicking off its 75th anniversary and Super Bowl 50, both the USO and NFL celebrate yet another milestone – their 50-year partnership. To mark the longstanding relationship, the organizations deployed their first of many USO/NFL team-themed tours to come. First up are the Indianapolis Colts, who will visit service members and military families stationed in Japan between Feb. 15th and 21st. Among the participants are USO tour veteran and head coach Chuck Pagano, safety Mike Adams, offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo, punter Pat McAfee and another USO tour veteran, linebacker D'Qwell Jackson.
During the group's USO/NFL tour to the Pacific, they will visit eight military bases, travel aboard a naval ship, tour the newly opened USO Camp Kinser and participate in a 75th anniversary USO celebration at USO Camp Hanson. The group will also pay a special USO/NFL visit to several military worksites including a security forces unit, a fire prevention team and a rescue squadron, among others. Camp Zama and Fleet Activities Yokosuka (Feb. 17); the USS Ronald Reagan (Feb. 18); Camp Foster, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Camp Kinser and Kadena Air Base (Feb. 19); and Camp Shields and Camp Hanson (Feb. 20) are among the installations and duty stations the USO/NFL tour will visit.
The NFL first teamed up with the USO in 1966 and became the first sports organization to send players to Vietnam and other parts of Asia. Over the days, months and years that followed, the organizations have worked together to help keep service members serving stateside and abroad connected to family, home and country. In addition to its ever-popular goodwill USO/NFL tours and the operation of its Pat Tillman USO Center in Afghanistan, the league has also shown its commitment to the military and the USO through its National Salute to Service initiative, which has created programs and moments of recognition throughout the year.
QUOTE: Attributed to J.D. Crouch II, USO CEO and President:
"We are excited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the NFL/USO partnership. The NFL has been a great supporter of the USO at not just the team and player levels, but also the corporate level. We couldn't be more pleased with what we achieved together, and we look forward to many more anniversaries to come."
About the USO
The USO strengthens America's military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. At hundreds of locations worldwide, we are united in our commitment to connect our service members and their families through countless acts of caring, comfort and support. The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Our programs, services and entertainment tours 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: AT &T, the BNSF Railway Foundation, Clark Construction Group, LLC, The Coca-Cola Company, Johnson & Johnson, Kroger, NFL and Four-Star Partners: BIC, ConAgra Foods, FedEx, GEICO, JCPenney, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, Starbucks, TKS and the Wawa Foundation. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381). To join us in this important mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.