dmiral Mike Mullen to Visit Military Leaders and Embark on Second Consecutive Summer USO Tour to Boost Troop Morale
Bradley Cooper, Warrick Dunn, Don Shula, D.B. Sweeney and Leeann Tweeden Among Those to Bring a Touch of Home to America’s Armed Forces
ARLINGTON, Va., July 13, 2009 – Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, is gearing up to leave the U.S. as part of a seven-day, three-country summer USO tour. Accompanying Admiral Mullen as his special celebrity guests are actor Bradley Cooper, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Warrick Dunn, NFL Hall of Famer Don Shula, actor/director D.B. Sweeney and sports commentator Leeann Tweeden. This trip will mark the first USO tour for Shula, the second for Dunn and Sweeney, the third for Cooper and the thirteenth tour for Tweeden.
Designed to boost morale and bring a touch of home to America’s armed forces, Admiral Mullen’s USO tour will make stops at military bases both large and small, including forward operating bases and a deployed ship at sea. Admiral Mullen and his special guests will also provide thousands of soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors with a much-needed break from day-to-day activities with a series of autograph signings and meet-and-greets.
“Each and every USO tour is unique and means the world to so many of our nation’s troops,” said Admiral Mullen. “The fact we are able to send them out regularly speaks volumes about our nation’s ongoing support for those in uniform. I’m privileged to be associated with something that brings so much happiness to those who sacrifice so much.”
One of the industry’s most sought-after young actors, Cooper currently can be seen in Warner Brothers’ hit film “The Hangover” and “He’s Just Not That Into You,” opposite Jennifer Connelly and Scarlett Johansson. Having recently reprised his role as ‘Aidan Stone’ on the critically acclaimed F/X drama “nip/tuck,” Cooper will next be seen in “All About Steve” with Sandra Bullock and “New York I Love You,” directed by Allen Hughes.