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American Morning

Ask CNN: Does The USO Still Work With Soldiers

Aired August 31, 2001 - 09:43   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICOLE POOLE, WHITTIER, CALIFORNIA: Hello. My name is Nicole Poole from Whittier, California. My question is:

I recently read an article about the USO and their involvement cheering the troops during World War II. I was wondering if their still active today, and if so, what sorts of projects they're involved in?

GEN. JOHN TILELLI (RET.), PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE USO: Well, Nicole, that's a great question. The USO today is as alive and well as it was during World War II. In a real sense, it is more active today that it was back then because there is so many more programs that the USO does around the world.

And we do everything from the celebrity entertainment, to recreation centers, to family readiness centers, to airport centers, to mobile canteens. We do it in both the continental United States and we do it overseas.

Celebrity entertainment is still a pillar within the USO deliverables. In a real sense, we think of celebrity entertainment as Bob Hope, who is an icon in the USO entertainment business. Celebrities volunteer their time. They go overseas. They entertain our troops. And what the troops get from it is more than entertainment.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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