Eglin Is Next on Jack Daniel’s Tour

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According to PR Newswire, Eglin Air Force Base in northwest Florida will be the site of the next Jack Daniel’s/USO “Toast to the Troops” event on April 15th as military spouses, USO volunteers and others will assemble thousands of Operation USO Care Packages for the troops serving overseas.

The Jack Daniel Distillery started the program in 2005, and has been collecting personal messages of support in the form of “toasts” to include in USO care packages, and has hosted 13 other “stuffing parties” at military installations across the country. More than 150,000 care packages have been sent to our troops through the “Toast to the Troops” program.

The 14th “Toast to the Troops” party will continue the tradition of having a “thank you” barbeque for all the package stuffing volunteers followed by a free base-wide concert headlined by country music star and Army veteran Craig Morgan.

“I’ve been honored to be a part of the Toast to the Troops program since it began six years ago and it’s always inspiring for me to perform for our troops and their families,” said Morgan. “I know how much it means to receive a care package out in the field and to know that you are supported. Our troops, their spouses and families sacrifice so much, and I’m glad to get the chance to let them know how much we value their efforts.”

The Operation USO care packages, sponsored for $25 each, include items requested by service members such as prepaid international calling cards, toiletries, sunscreen, playing cards, disposable cameras, and snacks. The packages are assembled for troops deploying to Afghanistan, Iraq and other overseas locations, as well as troops arriving and departing on R&R flights.

“We thank Jack Daniel’s for their continued support,” said Elaine Rogers, president and CEO of the USO of Metropolitan Washington, which administers the Operation USO Care Package program. “Since 2005, these events have been an excellent opportunity for local communities to demonstrate their support for our men and women in uniform and their families.”