Military.com has a new Entertainment Blog!

Now you can keep up with all things cool + military thanks to our friends at Military.com! Click here to read about USO tours, military songs, videos and articles.

Toby Keith is even blogging about his Afghanistan trip at the moment. I saw him at a Hill reception hours before leaving for his 7th USO tour.

Take my new poll on USO entertainers. I'm curious who would lift your morale more!

G.I. Jess Inbox

I'm so flattered to have received the following email from a 3-star General:

"I was impressed by your blog, and by your clear commitment to your fellow members of the armed forces serving in a time of war. Excellent links to key sites and a positive take on the efforts we are trying to provide in support of those who serve. Thanks very much for your own service too."

Thanks for the kind words, sir. You really made my day!

V/r,
Jess

Couture for the Cure

It's no secret that I like to combine passion with fashion, and this event is the perfect example!

Though not a "military charity," I couldn't pass up the opportunity to bring to your attention this important cause. Your favorite military officer G.I. Jess will be modeling in this Georgetown fashion show next week. One of my good friends Yelena will be modeling as well, so this will be a fun night. The male models will be D.C. United soccer players - how wonderful that they're showing their support!

"Couture for a Cure" will honor eight individuals who are currently living with cancer, have survived cancer, or have lost a loved one to cancer. Ultimately, it will provide these amazing individuals a well-deserved day of beauty and glamour provided by James Cornwell.

Come join us on May 7th from 7:30 to 10:30 pm at the Peacock Grand Café. Tickets to this remarkable event are $55 in advance and $65 at the door. This tax deductible donation includes open bar for all sponsored drink items, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and the chance to win plenty of raffle and silent auction items. Because we want to end the evening on a high-note, your ticket will also get you admission to PUBLIC BAR where rail drinks are on the house until midnight for Couture for a Cure guests!

Thank you to Nadine Namoff for putting this event together. I'm sad to say, Nadine lost her father 13 years ago to leukemia. She is really a remarkable individual, and I'm honored to be a part of her big night.

Click here to purchase your ticket or donate!

GEICO Military Service Awards

The only problem I have with attending a military awards ceremony hosted by GEICO, is that I inevitably get all the cool commercial jingles stuck in my head. I didn't meet the Gecko, but, I did meet some other outstanding military service members.

This is the 21st year that GEICO has honored Noncommissioned and Petty Officers of the Armed Forces, by awarding one deserving member of each branch with a significant amount of money for their devotion to service in both their military and civilian communities.

Following the awards ceremony was a reception, both held at the Key Bridge Marriott in Rosslyn, VA with a gorgeous view of Georgetown.

Representing the Commandant of the Marine Corps was Major General Edward G. Usher III. He is the Deputy Commandant, Installations and Logistics at the Pentagon. I've worked with him in some capacity before, but hadn't met him in person until tonight. I look forward to attending the Evening Parade he will be hosting later this summer, at the legendary 8th and I Marine Corps barracks.

Representing the Army Chief of Staff was Lieutenant General David H. Huntoon Jr., Director of the Army Staff at the Pentagon. He was one of the best speakers I've seen in a long time, with a commanding, yet endearing presence. He got a kick out of the name of my blog. I hope he reads it!

The 2008 award recipients are:

Army - Ronald C. White

Marine Corps - John P. O'Donnell

Navy - Giovanni D. Balingit

Air Force - Robert W. Vanliew

Coast Guard - Christopher Rubinan

Navy Reserve - Jennifer D. Terry

Congrats to everyone, and thank you to GEICO, for recognizing the hard work the military does.

(in this photo l to r: BAE Systems Marty Kesner, me, FRA's Bob Washington)

Your Voice on Capitol Hill

Enlisted Shipmates,

Economic times are tough, and even the military is feeling the sting of budget cutbacks. Don't sit on the sidelines - your voice is important on the Hill, now more than ever.

Is the thought of writing to your Senator or Congressman a little intimidating? Don't fret! Your friends at the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) have a FREE guide just for you. It covers everything - how a bill becomes a law, how to send letters, emails, and contact information for your member of Congress (as well as who your Rep/Senators are). Send them an email and they'll mail you a pocket guide that you can fit inside your dungarees for reference anytime! Email your request to bethw@fra.org with your name, mailing address, rank and branch of service or call 1-800-FRA-1924.

In addition to the Communicate guide, FRA offers an online Action Center that allows visitors to send pre-written messages (or visitors can draft their own) to their elected officials, urging their support or opposition on proposals that impact current and former service personnel.

MilSpot of the Week

Soldier Show Ready to Entertain Troops

Head over to Fort Belvoir tonight to see these outstanding soldiers in action. Hooah!

The U.S. Army Soldier Show is scheduled to begin its 2009 tour April 24-26 with three performances at Fort Belvoir, Va.

The theme of this year's show is "Lights, Camera, Action!"

"The audience is going to have the rare experience of feeling and being in a live television studio, including commercial breaks," said Soldier Show production director Victor Hurtado, who spent much of the past year working on TV productions "Nashville Star," "America's Got Talent," "Clash of the Choirs," and country performing artist Michael Peterson's "My Real Life - Strong For America Tour," presented by the U.S. Army.

"Some of that comes from some of the experiences I've had this last year with network television, and just realizing what a great experience these audiences have and how the set changes are part of what makes it kind of cool before you go back on the air," Hurtado explained. "At the end of the day, an artistic director is just a vessel responsible for experiencing as much as he can and putting it into a product.

"The planets have aligned," Hurtado said - just in time for "entertainment for the Soldier, by the Soldier," the working motto of Army Entertainment Division, to embark on a 6 ½-month tour with more than 100 performances on 46 installations, including stops in Hawaii, Korea and the storied Warner Theatre in Washington.

The show will open with Kirk Franklin's upbeat "Declaration [This is It!]," co-written by Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald, which addresses survival of the everyday trials and tribulations through a positive declaration of one's purpose in life. "It makes use of the tune of Kenny Loggins' "This is It," Hurtado said. "But it has been completely redone in a very inspirational way."

Another scene features the new retro sounds of Duffy's "Mercy," Dominican Juan Luis Guerra's "La Llave de Mi Corazon," which translates in English to "Key to my Heart," and "I Decided," by Solange Knowles, younger sister of Beyonce.

"It has a little bit of English, a little bit of rap, it's all meringue - so it moves," Hurtado said. "There are also some really cool Kanye West and Rhianna numbers, with black lights and interesting drums - a lot of visuals."A lot of dance, rap, English R&B, visuals, patriotic tunes, movement, love of country - even a roller skater - will grace the stage of the 2009 U.S. Army Soldier Show during the 90-minute theatrical concert production.

Soldier-performers will wear traditional attire from India during "Jai Ho," a soundtrack piece from "Slumdog Millionaire," the 2008-09 Oscar Award-winning best motion picture of the year.

The Soldiers will perform Frankie Smith's 1981 funk song, "Double Dutch Bus," while playing the streets of Philadelphia-acclaimed jump rope game on stage. Raven-Symone covered the tune in 2008 and it was released to promote the film "College Road Trip." There also will be a throw forward to modernized versions of more '80s hits, complete with choreography and costuming reminiscent of the "Solid Gold" television show.

For the finale, the troops combined "The Warrior's Anthem," by Michael Peterson, with the late Robert Humphreys' "Warrior's Creed," and put it to music.

Go to http://www.army.mil/ to view their full schedule of performances at an Army base near you.

Beauty and the Battlefield

This past weekend I indulged in one of my favorite guilty pleasures - watching the Miss USA pageant. I got a group of my favorite ladies together and we were glued to the big screen at a lounge on Capitol Hill. While we watched these beautiful women model striking evening gowns, swimwear, and hold their own in the interview component (or attempt to, in some cases) it got me thinking about beauty queens who also served in the military.

I'm familiar with a few of them.

Miss Utah 2007, Army Sgt. Jill Stevens is a striking blonde combat medic who competed in last year's Miss America 2008. Sgt. Stevens is not the first military woman to compete in a beauty pageant, but she is the first that has seen combat. As a member of the Utah National Guard's 1st Battalion 211th Aviation Regiment, she's been deployed to Afghanistan. A chronicle of her preparation for the competition can be found on her blog, which is on the Army's own website. They are extremely proud of their soldier, and really position her as the role model she is.

Miss Arkansas 2007 First Lt. Kelly George was an active duty Public Affairs Officer in the Air Force, but recently switched to the Air Force Reserve to pursue her dream of working as a television news anchor.

Miss Tennessee 1992, Miss California 1992, Miss New York 2004 and Miss Rhode Island 2004 all have credentials in the military, from what I could find.

Pageant queens also spread a lot of good will to our troops serving overseas. They go on numerous USO tours and visit our wounded warriors in military hospitals. A recent Miss USA and Miss Universe tour to Guantanamo gained a lot of national attention by a quote taken out of context, but a spokesperson there tells me it was a very successful visit. The two are also set to visit troops at EUCOM in Germany coming up in May.

(top photo, Miss USA viewing party l to r: Donna Donella, Aimee Bosse, Michelle Fink, Barbara Saylor, me, Aidah Fontenot, Adri Scherer, Krisztina Scherer, Yelena Rozenberg, Melissa Jan)

(right photo: Sgt. Jill Stevens in Afghanistan)

**We are so proud of Miss District of Columbia 2009 Nicole White, for representing D.C. with class. You are a winner to us, Nicole!

(in this photo: Nicole and me at her fundraiser prior to heading to Las Vegas to compete in Miss USA).

Click here to see Nicole White's interview on Fox 5 news.

USO Mobile Makes Debut at Pentagon

Today I talked with Shalyn Bartelt with USO of Metropolitan Washington, organizer for the cool new "USO Mobile" program.

Thanks to a a generous grant from The Boeing Company, the brand new USO Mobile is on the road serving the home front. The 34’ fully-equipped vehicle is designed to take USO signature hospitality service on the road in support of the military personnel throughout the region. Events and activities include: Homecomings, Deployments, Operation Care Package sites, Training Exercises, Military Community Events, Command Air Shows, and many more. At the centerpiece of the program, the Mobile features a stainless steel kitchen, novelty snack machines, convection ovens, TV, sound system, video games, a giant coffee maker and plenty of cool supplies.

Here's the press release from today's event. I look forward to seeing them around ridin' around town!

The Pentagon, Arlington, VA – April 23, 2009

The USO of Metropolitan Washington (USO-Metro) and The Boeing Company today launched the new Mobile USO through a dedication ceremony at the Pentagon. The new Mobile USO will be a “deployable” USO center designed to deliver signature USO programs directly to local service members and their families.

General James Conway, Commandant of the US Marine Corps preformed the official ribbon cutting. Along with Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations, and Major General Ralph Jodice, Commander Air Force District of Washington who each delivered remarks as part of the dedication ceremony.

USO-Metro currently provides services to more than 500,000 service members and their families each year. The first of its kind in this region, the Mobile USO will enable USO-Metro to increase the number of military personnel served by 30 percent by allowing the organization to provide services to all regional military installations, including those without a traditional USO. The Mobile USO will support military community events, training exercises, deployments and homecomings as well as special requests from military installation commanders.

Elaine Rogers, President of the USO of Metropolitan Washington, said, “There are few times that you see an organization change right before your eyes. That happened today thanks to the generosity of The Boeing Company, which has not only donated the funds to make this project possible, but who’s employees are volunteering their time and energy to support the Mobile USO.”

The Boeing Company is the world’s leading aerospace company and manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined. Their commitment of $700,000 includes a grant for the first three years’ operating expenses as well as the necessary funds to construct the vehicle. In addition, company employees will serve as community volunteers.

Leo Brooks, Corporate Vice President, National Security and Space Group, The Boeing Company added, "As a veteran of 27 years in the uniform of the United States Army, I can personally attest to the wonderful things the USO does. There is great comfort in seeing a warm, smiling face and having a place of refuge for young service members and their family, especially when they are far from home. The Mobile USO is not just a corporate gift; this donation is a reflection of the company’s and employees’ personal desire to give back to those who give so much in protecting our country.”

The Mobile USO took part in the Presidential Inauguration this past January and can be found at upcoming events such as the Andrews Air Show and Marine Corps Marathon. Most recently, the Mobile USO supported wounded warriors and their families at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center Family Fun Day. The 34’ custom hi-tech vehicle was built in Gahanna, Ohio by LaBoit, Inc. with features such as a stainless steel kitchen capable of serving 300- 500 people, an exterior flat panel TV with satellite and video gaming, laptops with internet access and printing capabilities, and a stereo with a PA system for communicating with large crowds. The Mobile USO is the fourteenth USO-Metro support facility within the Washington, DC and Baltimore metro regions, including airport lounges and family support centers on military bases.

Support us through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC #63343) or United Way (#8202) or by donating online at http://www.usometro.org/. If you want to support the troops, support the USO of Metropolitan Washington, Inc.

Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue

Last night my colleagues and I attended the Military Officers Association of America’s (MOAA) awards ceremony, held in the Cannon Building on the Hill. MOAA honors members of Congress who have are strong supporters of national defense and the uniformed services community. This year, Sen Jim Webb, Rep John McHugh, and Rep Susan Davis were recipients of the prestigious Colonel Arthur T. Marix Congressional Leadership Award.

I brought along my good friend Barbara Saylor, who writes the effervescent Capitol B blog, thinking she might enjoy a change of scenery and a chance to learn a little more about current military issues. We enjoyed all the speeches, and then were stunned to see Country music sensation Toby Keith (!) step in to accept an award also. I wasn’t expecting to see him at this reception, but I’m certainly aware of his work with the USO and his love of the troops, via the hit song “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” a song he wrote in 2001 about his father’s patriotism that pulled no punches. Toby said he’d be leaving in two hours to head to Afghanistan for his 7th USO tour.

MOAA was the first military advocacy organization I joined upon receiving my commission. It is so important to support these non-profits that say and do the things that we in the military aren’t able to do ourselves. They tirelessly lobby on Capitol Hill to fight for our benefits and rights so that we remain and retain a strong military. I also love getting my edition of Military Officer magazine in the mail each month!

I was pleased to see VADM Dirk Debbink, the Chief of the Navy Reserve. He leads an exceptional Navy, where thousands of reserve Sailors around the world serve our country proudly, and selflessly deploy as Individual Augmentees (IA), including 65-year old physician CDR Bill Haggerson, who is leaving soon to deploy for a year. Follow MOAA and they great work they do at www.moaa.org.

MilSpot of the Week

Thank you for your service, Jim!

Special thank you to former Marine (I know, I know there's no such thing) Jim Lehrer, for sharing his fondness of the Marine Corps with us, and signing his new novel, Oh Johnny, at Politics and Prose tonight. Romance, war, and baseball ... my kind of book!

He said that he writes every single day...no doubt this newsman is busy - his 20th novel is coming out next year!

Sea-Air-Space Exposition 2009

Military Motherhood Award

This is one heck of a Mother's Day gift! From Operation Homefront:

Operation Homefront and Lockheed Martin are pleased to recognize the moms who manage to put their families first through all the challenges of a military lifestyle. We are now accepting nominations for our second Military Motherhood Award. Nominate your favorite military mom for a $5,000 prize and a trip to a Washington, D.C. for a reception in her honor.

Anyone can nominate a deserving military mom. Nominees must possess a current military ID. To nominate, please fill in the form below with an essay describing why she deserves to be recognized as a role model for her family and her community. Entries will be judged on the nominee’s circumstances, her accomplishments and the quality of the submission. Entries close midnight April 24.

Register here.

G.I. Film Festival

This will be my first year attending the G.I. Film Festival in D.C. and there are so many great things to see! You can get an all-access pass, or attend a movie or two as your schedule permits. They call it the "Sundance of the military." Every week they add new trailers, so be sure to continue to check their website. They will also be showcasing the HBO movie "Taking Chance" with Kevin Bacon. This year, they are planning on having several politicians (hopefully the Obamas), wounded soldiers, fallen family members, outstanding filmmakers, and of course invited guests Dean Cain (aka Superman series), Jon Voight, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise, Tom Cruise and others.

They have a Sponsor-a-Soldier program which they accept all year round...for $50 a solider gets a full day at the movies. For $100, a solider gets a weekend at the movies. For $200, a soldier gets a full four-day festival pass to the movies.

Looking forward to seeing you, co-workers, friends, and anyone who supports our troops...at this year's festival in Washington, DC 13-17, May 2009. This event will not disappoint and will be history in the making-- be a part of it today.

The GI Film Festival (GIFF), a 501 c(3) non-profit organization, is the first film festival in the nation to exclusively celebrate the successes and sacrifices of the American military through the medium of film.

Beyond politics, the headlines and the statistics, JERABEK is the personal story of one family, one marine unit and one community that must confront the tragedy of war.



P.S. Thank you, to Milinda Jefferson for emailing me today. Milinda is not only one of the top-notch volunteers for the event, she has seen the consequences of the military on a very personal level. Her brother-in-law was killed in Afghanistan back in 2005 while her sister was pregnant with twins. Her sister is still a Captain in the Army. Milinda has also decided to answer the call and enroll in ROTC Army this fall at Howard University. Best of luck on your new mission, Milinda!

MilSpot of the Week

LUKE'S WINGS AND GIN & TONIC KAROAKE NIGHT

Remember my first post about the fashion show? Another fun Luke's Wings fundraiser!! Hope to see you there! V/r, GIjess

You are cordially invited to "LUKE'S WINGS AND GIN & TONIC KARAOKE NIGHT."

This event will be a fundraiser for Luke's Wings, as we salute our armed services and raise money to bring a piece of home to the wounded, who are recuperating at military medical centers.

WHO: Luke’s Wings and Gin & Tonic

WHAT: "LUKE'S WINGS AND GIN & TONIC KARAOKE NIGHT,” An April Fundraiser for Luke’s WingsWHEN: Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 8:00 P.M.

WHERE: Glover Park’s Gin and Tonic, 2408 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington,

"LUKE'S WINGS AND GIN & TONIC KARAOKE NIGHT” will have a 50/50 raffle and drink specials including $30 Heinken Mini Kegs (14 Beers) and $6 Absolut drinks and martinis. Must be 21+ with valid ID for entrance and $10 cover at the door.

Fashion, Horses, and the Battle of the Coral Sea

Thursday night I attended a party at the Australian Embassy to countdown to America's Polo Cup: USA vs. Australia. This will have a great military turnout, since it's in conjunction with the anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea. This will be my first polo match (and I promise that my hat on this day won't disappoint.). It was great bumping into one of my favorite D.C. bloggers, Ms. Chandler Ramelli of A Not So Capitol Idea.
(in this photo: r to l - Chandler, her friends and me)

From the website:
When the United States hosts AUSTRALIA May 8th and 9th, 2009, Capitol Polo Club will be the site of a spectacular convergence of cultures. Among the Americans and Australians in attendance, you’ll find visiting dignitaries, elected representatives, United Nations members, Military partners, fashion lovers, horse fanciers, polo fans, and music devotees, all with one thing in common. A desire to be part of a world-class celebration.

The America's Polo Cup celebrates the relationship between each country, including Military partnerships with a opening air show which has grown to be the world largest polo experience in the sport, opening a new chapter for this exciting game whose earliest written accounts date back more than 2,500 years. Originally Polo was used by the military as a means to train officers to determine their ranks prior to World War II. Today, we honor this tradition with active partnerships by each branch of the Armed Services.
On May 8th, you will experience the hugely successful and popular "Rockin the Runway" Fashion show, a televised event.

Celebration will be enjoyed by Thousands of supporters and fans for the 2009 America's World Polo Cup, which will once again bring a day full of surprises, musical talent and festivities on stage at this years America's Polo Cup with opening ceremonial fly overs after the National Anthems of both countries performed. Returning will be the US Army, US Navy, US Coast Guard, US Marines, BlackWater USA Parachute Team, as well as the U.S. Park Police Aviation and Horse Mounted Division. A Surprise Air Show fly over will also occur honoring the Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea.

I was honored to meet CAPT Mike Ginter, one of the pilots for the Air Show, and who also works in the Pentagon. Check out his website on the authentic WWII Warbird he will be flying!

D.C. Book Signing

I cannot wait to go to Politics and Prose next Friday, April 17th at 7pm to meet former Marine Jim Lehrer and snatch up his new book, Oh, Johnny. As described on the Politics and Prose website:

"Our friend Jim Lehrer, anchor of the PBS NewsHour, returns with his nineteenth novel, the story of a young man being scouted for the Detroit Tigers who joins the Marines and ships out to the Pacific in World War II. Lehrer, a Marine himself, vividly describes savage combat on Okinawa. "

The last time I got an autographed copy from a book signing at Politics and Prose, it was a book written by my senator from Virginia, Sen Jim Webb (former Naval Academy grad and Secretary of the Navy). A Time to Fight: Reclaiming a Fair and Just America.

The next day, author Alison Buckholtz will be signing her new book, Standing by: The Making of an American Military Family in a Time of War, about a Navy wife whose husband deploys to the middle east and how she handles the culture shock of being a military spouse. I will be at a friend's birthday party, but these are two great signings to attend if you have a chance.

Follow me on Twitter @giJessDC next Friday, while I'm at Politics and Prose.

D.C. Race Season

Race season is officially here, with open registration for two of the most popular races in the country, the Marine Corps Marathon and the Army Ten-Miler. The Army Ten-Miler is the warm up of all warm ups for those that run the Marine Corps Marathon a few weeks later.

Whether you are an avid runner, or want to run in honor of someone...the 34th Anniversary Marine Corps Marathon on October 25, 2009 is the ultimate race in D.C. My friend, WUSA traffic anchor Angie Goff ran it last year in honor of a fallen Marine. This year, I'll be running the Army Ten-Miler on October 4, 2009 which goes to support Soldier Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs for the Army.

Sign up now...registration just opened and quickly sells out for both.
(in this photo: WUSA's Angie Goff after finishing the race in 2008)

Calling All Junior Officers!

As I mentioned in a previous post, I got together with the Reserve Officers Association (ROA) for a happy hour this week. I met up with fellow ROA members that were all different ranks and branches of service in the DC area, where we discussed an upcoming conference as well as issues that affect reservists. Retirement benefits, healthcare, and deployments were the hot-button issues.

Junior officer participation could be a little stronger, and ROA and Congress needs the young perspective. If you live in the DC area, please email me at gijessblog@yahoo.com for more information on our meetups.

(in this photo: Air Force Colonel Clancy Preston, Retired Navy Captain Phillip Hough, and me. Col Preston is one of my mentors, and CAPT Hough is a Naval Academy classmate of CJCS Admiral Mullen, Senator Jim Webb, and other notable military and political figures)

Update: A friend of Captain Hough's emailed the blog to inform me that he suddenly passed away last night. My heart goes out to his family, friends and Shipmates.

Together We Served

Today I received a personal phone call from Anthony Costello, the site owner of Navy Together We Served. I appreciated the grassroots effort of getting in touch with me for feedback about the site. I am on two sites for togetherweserved, so I had double the input for him. I remember first hearing about the site a couple of years ago, before Facebook was all the rage. The site originally was exclusive to members of the Marine Corps and Navy, but has opened up specific sites under the togetherweserved umbrella.

Navy Together We Served is the largest social networking site for Navy personnel. It's a database of sorts, for current and former shipmates, with message boards, a Navy Store, newsletters, and the list goes on. I think it's important that we support these websites that are for veterans, by veterans. The best part about it is that ONLY veterans can access the site. The military is all about camaraderie, so kick back, light a cigar, and join the community. If you're already on it, please encourage others to join.

If you have feedback for the site, you can email Anthony Costello at a.costello@togetherweserved.com

MilSpot of the Week