[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 55 (Monday, March 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E263-E264]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        USO ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 27, 2023

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, I was 
grateful to attend the

[[Page E264]]

United Service Organizations (USO) 2023, 41st Annual Awards Dinner at 
The Anthem, presented by The Boeing Company.
  I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Mr. J.D. Crouch who serves as 
the President and CEO of USO. Additionally, I had the honor of watching 
all the USO Service Members of the Year from each of the military 
services receive their awards from their respective military service 
chiefs for their unique acts of heroism.
  The honorees were the following service members: U.S. Army Sergeant 
Erick Ceja, U.S. Navy Cryptologist Seaman Ty Knight, U.S. Marine Corps-
Corporal Alec Cruz, U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Blake Metscher, U.S. 
Space Force Sergeant Octavio Castruita, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 
Second Class Jacob Flores, and U.S. National Guard Specialist Solomon 
J. Doss. I am grateful for each of these members and their steadfast 
dedication to our military families and the defense of our country.
  The USO Achievement Award was presented to Washington Commanders 
Coach Ron Rivera for his high standard of military appreciation and 
commitment to educating the National Football League community members 
on the significance of supporting our military and their families.
  The extraordinary program of deserved tributes was concluded by a 
stunning production of ``God Bless the USA'' by the beloved patriot Lee 
Greenwood.
  We appreciate each of this year's award recipients for their service 
to the American people and the United Service Organizations' support of 
U.S. troops since war criminal Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

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