DallasCowboys.com
September 24, 2005 6:00PM (CDT)

WASHINGTON - The USO will send the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders on their 57th tour to entertain troops stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Sept. 26-Oct. 2. Members of the squad recently participated in a USO Care Package stuffing party, helping to assemble 3,000 packages for troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and those supporting Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Once in Cuba, the troupe will visit as many service members as possible, then perform their 90-minute Broadway revue-style show.

For 34 years, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have been internationally recognized entertainers, featured in movies, television and special events around the globe. These women also have committed themselves to entertaining America's armed forces. In 1979, the U.S. Department of Defense requested their presence on a USO tour to Korea. Since then, the squad has gone on more USO tours than any other entertainment group.

Often called "America's Sweethearts," the Cheerleaders recently visited troops recuperating from injuries at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center. In March, service members in Germany, Belgium, England and Iceland were treated to shows by the Cheerleaders. Last December, the group spent their 25th Christmas with troops in Korea. They also participated on the USO's first tour to Iraq in 2003. The squad has entertained troops stationed all over the world, including Kosovo, Germany, United Arab Emirates, Bosnia, Italy and Hungary. In 1991, the Cheerleaders were presented with the USO's 50th anniversary award, and, in 1997, the USO recognized their dedication with its most prestigious honor, the "Spirit of Hope" Award.

For more than 64 years, the USO (United Service Organizations) has been providing morale, welfare and recreational services to U.S. military personnel and their families. The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services. The USO is supported by World Partners Anheuser-Busch Companies, AT&T Corporation, Avon Products, Inc., BAE SYSTEMS, Bass Pro Shops, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Computer Systems Center, Inc., Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Military Channel, National Football League, Northwest Airlines, Inc., S&K Sales Company and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Other corporate donors, including Walgreens and the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-0600), have joined thousands of individual donors to support the USO. For more information on the USO, please visit our Web site at www.uso.org