Chuck Pagano, Andrew Luck, Dwayne Allen, David DeCastro, Diana DeGarmo, Ace Young, Dennis Haysbert, Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev, Phillip Phillips and Wee Man join Admiral James Winnefeld in Extending America’s Thanks!
ARLINGTON, VA (Mar. 4, 2015) – Nothing marks the end of a cold winter quite like the annual USO Spring Troop Visit led by the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral James A. Winnefeld, Jr. The eight-day, seven country USO tour is designed to appeal to troops of all ages and bring a much needed touch of home to those serving abroad. This year’s variety-style USO tour is a fusion of music, comedy and heartfelt messages of support featuring Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, quarterback Andrew Luck and tight end Dwayne Allen; Pittsburgh Steelers guard David DeCastro; “American Idol” alumni Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young; American film, stage and television actor Dennis Haysbert; Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev; platinum recording artist and season 11 “American Idol” winner Phillip Phillips; as well as motion picture and television personality Jason “Wee Man” Acuna.
- The tour will visit various countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific, as well as an aircraft carrier at sea.
- Three days into the moment-filled USO tour, the group has visited two military bases and created #USOMoments for more than 1,300 troops and military families. Among the locations visited so far are Ramstein Air Force Base (Germany) and U.S. Naval Support Activities Naples (Italy). Throughout the week, the group will travel to five more countries, perform countless more shows and visit many more installations.
- This trip marks the sixth USO tour for Haysbert; fourth for DeGarmo, third for Winnefeld and Young; second for Acuna; and first USO experience for Pagano, Luck, Allen, DeCastro, Kazantsev and Phillips.
Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev stated, “I am so honored and humbled to be included in the USO Spring Troop Visit. As Miss America, I have an incredible opportunity to represent our great country and support our troops. Through this tour, I have the great privilege of being able to personally thank the men and woman of the military who are serving abroad. On behalf of the Miss America Organization, we are so grateful to the USO for everything they do and for allowing me to work alongside them. I hope this tour brings great joy to our service men and women overseas!”