Salute Our Troops

THE CHARITIES

The USO is a private, nonprofit organization that provides morale and recreational services to members of the U.S. military, with programs in 140 centers worldwide. Since 1941, it has worked in partnership with the Department of Defense (DOD), and has provided support and entertainment to U.S. armed forces, relying heavily on private contributions and on funds, goods, and services from DOD. Although it is not a government agency, it is recognized by the DOD, Congress and President of the United States, who serves as Honorary Chairman of the USO.

The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Its purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP’s vision is to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded warriors in our nation’s history.

The U.S. Veterans Corps was an idea that was based on the experiences that Veterans Andrew Ladner and Chris Lawson had while deployed to New Orleans, LA for the season finale of ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition and the local veterans project Operation: Coming Home. Operation Coming Home was a project where the members of the Home Builders Association (HBA) built and donated a brand new Hero Home for a disabled combat veteran. Andrew Ladner produced and directed the Operation: Coming Home Key Ceremony event for the HBA.

STATE-BASED PROGRAMS

• Enlisted Association of National Guard of Tennessee Auxiliary Soldier Airman Relief Fund Inc.
• Florida National Guard Foundation
• Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation
• North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Fund
• South Carolina Military Family Care Association
• United States Veterans Corps based in North Carolina
• USO of North Carolina USO-NC.org