An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

USO-Metro Recognizes Dunfords, Medal of Honor Recipients

You have accessed part of a historical collection on defense.gov. Some of the information contained within may be outdated and links may not function. Please contact the DOD Webmaster with any questions.

The USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore honored Medal of Honor recipients at the organization’s annual gala and also honored Joint Chiefs Chairman Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford and Ellyn Dunford for their lifetime of support to the group.

In addition, the USO recognized newly retired New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski for his contributions to the organization.

Miss America sings national anthem at banquet
Miss America
Miss America 2019 Nia Franklin sings the national anthem during the USO Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore 37th annual awards dinner in Washington, March 26, 2019. This year’s theme saluted Medal of Honor recipients.
Photo By: Army Sgt. James K. McCann, DOD
VIRIN: 190326-D-SW162-1247C

The gala was held at the Omni-Shoreham hotel, with Terry Bradshaw and USO-Metro President Elaine Rogers sharing master of ceremonies duties.

The Dunfords received the award on behalf of service members and their families everywhere. They also said they looked on it as an opportunity to thank the USO for all it has meant to service members over the general’s 40-plus year  military career.

Large screen in banquet hall shows Joint Chiefs chairman speaking from a lectern
Dunford Honors
Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks during the USO Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore 37th annual awards dinner in Washington, March 26, 2019. This year’s theme saluted Medal of Honor recipients.
Photo By: Army Sgt. James K. McCann, DOD
VIRIN: 190326-D-SW162-2135C
Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, talks to his wife
The Dunfords
Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, talks with his wife, Ellyn Dunford, during the USO Metropolitan Washington–Baltimore 37th Annual Awards Dinner in Washington, March 26, 2019.
Photo By: Army Sgt. James K. McCann, DOD
VIRIN: 190326-D-SW162-1780

The chairman said that if people had told him in 2001 that the military would still be fighting in 2019, he would have questioned whether an all-volunteer force could handle that strain. "But they have done it," he said. "They do it because they believe in the mission. They believe in our country. They do it because of the men and women on their left and right.

"They also do it for you," he continued. "Over the last 18 years, our men and women who have been in harm’s way have never had to look over their shoulders to wonder if they had support. There is no clearer physical manifestation of the support of the American people than the USO. For generation after generation now, men and women have gone around the world to do what our country has asked them to do, and the USO has been with them bringing a little piece of home to them wherever they happen to be."

Air Force Gen. Paul J. Selva, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stands next to a man holding an award
Amazing Award
Air Force Gen. Paul J. Selva, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, poses with former Army Staff Sgt. Ronald Shurer II, a Medal of Honor recipient, during the USO Metropolitan Washington–Baltimore 37th Annual Awards Dinner in Washington, March 26, 2019.
Photo By: Army Sgt. James K. McCann, DOD
VIRIN: 190326-D-SW162-1448

The USO is integral in connecting Americans with their sons and daughters serving overseas and at bases far from their homes. The men and women serving in Afghanistan or Iraq or in Djibouti or other bases "know that you appreciate and admire what they do," Dunford said.

The USO and the people affiliated with it are taking care of military families, the general said. "For that," he added, "Ellyn and I will be eternally grateful."

The event raised more than $1.4 million for the USO-Metro. In addition to the Medal of Honor recipients recognized at the event, Jon Stewart, Robert Irvine, Washington Redskins luminaries and WWE stars also lent their talents to the proceedings.

Jon Stewart speaks with Medal of Honor recipient
stewart Speaks
Comedian Jon Stewart speaks with Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Edward Byers Jr., who earned the Medal of Honor in Afghanistan, during the USO Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore 37th annual awards dinner in Washington, March 26, 2019. This year’s theme saluted Medal of Honor recipients.
Photo By: Army Sgt. James K. McCann, DOD
VIRIN: 190326-D-SW162-1829C
Soft focus on general in foreground introducing Medal of Honor recipient in background
Honored Introduction
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein introduces Army Maj. William Swenson, who earned the Medal of Honor in Afghanistan, during the USO Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore 37th annual awards dinner in Washington, March 26, 2019. This year’s theme saluted Medal of Honor recipients.
Photo By: Army Sgt. James K. McCann, DOD
VIRIN: 190326-D-SW162-1530C
Jon Stewart makes an introduction
Crowd Opener
Comedian Jon Stewart introduces Air Force Gen. Paul J. Selva, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during the USO Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore 37th annual awards dinner in Washington, March 26, 2019. This year’s theme saluted Medal of Honor recipients.
Photo By: Army Sgt. James K. McCann, DOD
VIRIN: 190326-D-SW162-2042C

Related Stories