73rd Annual Liberty USO Gala
The 73rd Annual Liberty USO Gala was held at the Marriott Downtown Saturday night, as the hotel filled with uniformed military personnel, guests, and supporters of the USO. Outside in the street were military vehicles, including a tank which attracted a lot of people wanting to take photos with it.
The USO makes sure help goes to those who need it the most: troops serving in combat, their families, wounded warriors and their families, and families of the fallen.
The evening began with a cocktail party, where service people “warriors” from various military branches enjoyed a small-plates buffet while bidding on the silent auction. The dinner program recognized several military members including Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Jessica L. Garfola Wright (recipient of the Liberty Award), who told heartwarming stories of how the USO is always there, doing all they can for the soldiers and their families.
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HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.