Charlotte, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers, Bank of America and the USO
of NC have teamed up to support the troops. Service members and
veterans from the Carolinas visit the Panthers' training camp this
month, allowing the Panthers and Bank of America to recognize and
thank military personnel for their duty to our nation. Soldiers from
Fort Bragg were the first to visit the Panther training camp at
Wofford College on August 4, followed by Marines from Cherry Point on
August 11 and soldiers from Fort Jackson on August 13. Each military
group enjoyed watching a team practice from the field and each member
was given an array of Panthers souvenirs, including a white Panthers
shirt to get autographed by the players. Following practice, the
military VIPs toured the training facility, stopped by the locker room
for a quick visit and ended the day by sitting down for a meal with
the players.
"We were right on the field … so close that we even had to get
out of the way of a play," says Harvey Auger, USO of NC center
administrator for theCharlotte Douglas International Airport who
accompanied the military VIPs. "This was an unbelievable,
unforgettable experience." Charlotte Douglas International Airport is
one of four centers operated by the USO of NC as it supports more than
220,000 active and retired military and their families who annually
either live or travel in the Carolinas.
One of the many highlights of each day was the surprise
presentation of a Panthers 'challenge coin' to each service member. A
long tradition in the military, a challenge coin is a small coin or
medallion bearing the insignia or crest of a branch of service that
all members carry at all times. Members good-naturedly challenge each
other to produce the coin. If the challenged service member can't
produce the coin, he/she is good-heartedly required to buy a drink of
choice for the challenger.
"America's military – the Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen,
Coast Guardsmen – lay it on the line every day. There is a natural
bond between these warriors and the professional football player,"
highlights retired Carolina Panther Mike Rucker, who serves as a USO
of NC ambassador. "It is amazing to see the interaction between them –
each in awe of the other."
"We are excited that our troops are able to enjoy this once-in-a-
lifetime experience," says John W. Falkenbury, USO of NC president.
"These special events help us maintain our mission of providing a
'home away from home' environment for our military members that
supports, among other things, their positive spirit and high morale.
Most of these troops have had multiple deployments into combat zones.
The efforts of the Carolina Panthers and Bank of America to bring them
to the camps helps their transition back to normality and reflects the
strong commitment to and respect for our troops." The USO was
established in 1941 to meet a presidential request for civilian
support of the military. The first USO facility opened that year in
Fayetteville, N.C., home to Fort Bragg, and the USO center in
Jacksonville, home to Camp Lejeune, is the longest continuously-
operating USO facility in the world. The organization that later
became the USO of NC was officially established in 1987, a separate
entity from the national USO.
On August 24 and 25, Bank of America, partnering with the USO of
NC, is inviting 35 troops from the Carolinas to attend Panther
training camp each day. They will enjoy brunch and a program in the
Panthers Den on the Club Level of Bank of America Stadium. Following
brunch, the military personnel will view a team practice on the
Panther practice fields, participate in an autograph session with the
players and have an insider's tour of the stadium. Troops are coming
from all services – Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and National
Guard – as guests of Bank of America.
In addition, Bank of America will be hosting 40 military
personnel and area veterans, some who are wounded warriors, to the
August 29 pre-season game and hospitality tent as the Carolina
Panthers battle the Baltimore Ravens. The Panthers are donating 40
tickets to the USO of NC and are inviting military members or a family
member to the Ravens game.
With essential help from over 700 dedicated volunteers, USO of
NC provides valuable services and programs to members and their
families of theAmerica's military. USO of NC is there to greet the
nation's warriors when they depart and come home, links children and
their military parents through special reading and outreach programs,
gives travel assistance, and properly cares for the fallen heroes and
families passing through its airport centers.
About the USO of NC:
The USO of North Carolina's vision … leading the way to enrich the
lives of America's military in the Carolinas. The mission of the USO
ofNorth Carolina is to serve and support America's military and their
families. For more than 67 years, the USO (United Service
Organizations) of NC has been providing morale, welfare and
recreational services to U.S. military personnel and their families.
The USO of NC is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the
generosity of North Carolinians to support its programs and services.
The USO of NC is supported by Marine Federal Credit Union, LC
Industries and other corporate donors. The United Way and the Combined
Federal Campaign have joined thousands of individual donors to support
the USO of NC. For more information on the USO of NC, please visit our
website at www.uso-nc.org.
