USO-Metro 27th Annual Awards Dinner

Department of Defense Photo Essay

  • Comedian-politician Al Franken, far right, talks about his commitment to the United Service Organization and military members after being honored by the wounded warriors on stage with him during the USO-Metro 27th Annual Awards dinner, Arlington, Va., March 25, 2009. DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
  • Academy Award winning actress Renee Zellweger, applauds the festivities at the head table during the United Service Organizations of Metropolitan Washington 27th Annual awards dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Arlington, Va., March 25, 2009. DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
  • Miss America 2009 Katie Stam sings the national anthem to kick off the the United Service Organizations of Metropolitan Washington 27th Annual awards dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Arlington, Va., March 25, 2009. DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
  • The U.S. Armed Forces Color Guard presents the nation's colors for the singing of the National Anthem during United Service Organizations of Metropolitan Washington 27th Annual awards dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Arlington, Va., March 25, 2009. DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
  • U.S. Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, left, and Academy Award winning actress Renee Zellweger share a conversation during the United Service Organizations of Metropolitan Washington 27th Annual awards dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Arlington, Va., March 25, 2009. DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
  • U.S. Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, right, his wife Sandee, center, and other guests applaud the festivities during the United Service Organizations of Metropolitan Washington 27th Annual awards dinner in Arlington, Va., March 25, 2009. DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
  • President and CEO of the National Football League Alumni Office, Frank Krauser, and fellow NFL alumni accept the Legacy of Hope award during the United Service Organizations of Metropolitan Washington 27th Annual awards dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Arlington, Va., March 25, 2009. DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
  • U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen congratulates U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Barrows, left, after being pesented with a Special Salute award at the United Service Organizations of Metropolitan Washington's 27 Annual Awards dinner, Arlington, Va., March 25, 2009. DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
  • Chief of Naval Operations U.S. Navy Adm. Gary Roughead, right, congratulates U.S Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Luis E. Fronseca, Jr., left, for receiving a United Service Organizations of Metropolitan Washington Special Salute award during the USO-Metro 27th Annual awards dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Arlington, Va., March 25, 2009. DoD photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
  • U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Waiters received a United Service Organizations of Metropolitan Washington Special Salute award during the USO-Metro 27th Annual awards dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Arlington, Va., March 25, 2009. DoD photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
  • U.S. Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is serenaded by an American Belle performer during the United Service Organizations of Metropolitan Washington 27th Annual awards dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Arlington, Va., March 25, 2009. DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
  • The American Belles finished their singing performance of patriotic numbers to a rouse of cheers and applauds at the United Service Organizations of Metropolitan Washington 27th Annual awards dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Arlington, Va., March 25, 2009. DoD photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
  • U.S. Air Force Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, Air Force chief of staff, presents U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Zachary Rhyner, left, with a United Service Organizations of Metropolitan Washington Special Salute award during the USO-Metro 27th Annual awards dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Arlington, Va., March 25, 2009. DoD photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
  • U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. Duane Thiessen, right, the deputy commandant of the Marine Corps for programs and resources, presents U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Joseph Perez, left, with a United Service Organizations of Metropolitan Washington Special Salute award during the USO-Metro 27th Annual awards dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Arlington, Va., March 25, 2009. DoD photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden