The United Service Organizations (USO) Works to Support our Nation's Troops and Families

While serving in Afghanistan, Army Sgt. First Class Aaron Causey lost both legs in a blast and had to be transported to the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility in Ramstein, Germany, for rehabilitation. Upon hearing of his injury, the United Service Organizations (USO) stepped in to help the Causey family.

"[The USO did] just incredible, incredible things," said Causey's wife Kat Causey, a USO Fort Drum volunteer at the time.

Throughout their journey, Kat Causey has stayed in contact with the USO and recently addressed a USO of Metropolitan Washington meeting. She also spoke on behalf of the organization at the Charity Works Dream Ball earlier this fall.

Since 1941, the USO's mission has been to lift the spirits of America's troops and their families. Often this mission is best achieved through partnerships with other military support organizations. The USO has adapted over time, developing new programs and services to meet the ever-changing needs of the troops and their families who need us most.

Marine Cpl. David Leland relied on one of the USO's programs while he served in one of the most dangerous areas of the world – Afghanistan's Helmand province. When Leland's wife, Heather, gave birth to the couple's second son, the USO coordinated with Leland to make sure he witnessed his son's birth via Skype – thousands of miles away.

"Though I could not physically be there, everyone made sure that I was there to watch as my son was born," said Leland. "Hearing him cry, then seeing him there and knowing that he was healthy was a great relief off my shoulders."

In 2011, the USO's more than 160 locations were visited more than 8 million times by troops and their families worldwide. Throughout the year, more than 24,000 volunteers contributed more than 1.2 million service hours to USO-created programs.

How to Help

The United Service Organizations is one of the organizations supported by The Fund in Support of Our Troops, a Raytheon employee-sponsored, donor-advised fund that benefits nine armed services organizations.

To learn more about the United Service Organizations visit www.uso.org.