AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- The United Services Organization kicked off its 2012 Spring Troop Visit tour here on April 16.
Team Aviano welcomed celebrities from various venues of entertainment to include acting, sports and music as the stars showed their support and appreciation for members of the Armed Forces. This year's tour consists of Anthony Anderson, Dennis Haysbert, Randy Johnson, Diana DeGarmo, Ace Young, Jason "Wee Man" Acuna, and three of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
Aviano Airmen and their families from across the base anxiously gathered to watch the celebrities perform and sign autographs during the late morning event.
One fan, Airman 1st Class Jorge Silva, 31st Dental Squadron dental technician, said he really appreciated the stars taking time out of their busy schedules to recognize the Airmen.
"At times we don't feel appreciated, but they definitely showed us that someone does," he said.
The first USO tour began in May of 1941 when Bob Hope decided to have a group of celebrities perform for those Airmen stationed at March Field, which is now known as March Air Force Base, in Calif. This marked the start of a tradition where celebrities from the likes of Jay Leno to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders would give of their time to uplift the spirits of America's troops stationed abroad.
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders joined the tour in 1979 and have been participating ever since. They were the first recipients of the USO's Spirit of Hope award in 1997. This year marks their 33rd tour and fourth time cheerleader participant Brittany Evans, said she is honored to take part.
"I enjoy cheering in the stadium on game days, but doing the tour is the best and most rewarding part of my job because we are allowed the opportunity to show our support and love to the men and women that risk their lives for our country," she said.
The USO's Spring Tour Troop Visit has several more stops overseas before wrapping up April 21, to include Italy, Germany and Afghanistan.