Each year, the USO sends "care" packages to members of the U.S. military and this weekend, Jessica Forres watched as volunteers celebrated completion of the one and a half millionth package at Fort Belvoir in Virginia...



Inside a large warehouse, Skip Mielwoacki and other volunteers stuff packages of chewing gum, phone cards and deodorant into what resembles large plastic freezer bags....

MY SON-IN-LAW JUST GOT BACK FROM AFGHANISTAN AND HE TOLD US THAT IT'S SURPRISING THAT A LOT OF GUYS DON'T GET LETTERS FROM HOME SO WHEN THEY GET ONE OF THESE CARE PACKAGES YOU OUGHT TO SEE THE WAY THEIR FACES LIGHT UP.

[NAT: SCREAM, BELLS]

That's the volunteers celebrating the completion of the one and a half millionth "care" package.

USO president Sloan Gibson says it took five years to reach that milestone...

WHICH TELLS YOU THE PACE IS ACCELARATING IF IT TOOK US FIVE YEARS TO GET TO A MILLION AND A HALF AND WE'VE DONE A HALF A MILLION IN THE LAST YEAR.

The 10-thousand care packages filled this weekend will be shipped to service members around the world....

SOME OF THESE WILL GET HANDED OUT AT AN AIRPORT YOU KNOW WHERE A SOLDIER IS ON HIS WAYOVER FROM R AND R TO IRAQ OR AFGHANISTAN.

The USO started assembling the packages in 2001 after the Department of Defense suspended the practice of forwarding correspondence and packages from the general public.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

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The USO has reached another milestone in its long history of assisting members of the military.

This past weekend, the group completed its millionth and a half "care" package and celebrated with many of its local volunteers.

Jessica Forres reports...

[ NAT: BELLS.YELLING]

Inside a warehouse at Fort Belvoir in Virgina, dozens of volunteers cheer along with USO president Sloan Gibson....

THE PACE IS ACCELARATING. IF IT TOOK US FIVE YEARS TO GET TO A MILLION AND A HALF AND WE'VE DONE A HALF A MILLION IN THE LAST YEAR.

Each care package includes approximately $75 worth of items, such as prepaid phone cars, sunscreen and travel size toiletries.

Sloan is thankful for the support the public continues to show despite the faltering economy...

WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE THE SUPPORT OF THE USO AND PROGRAMS LIKE THIS AT THE USO HAS HELD STRONG AND I THINK IT'S A TESTAMENT TO THE SPIRIT OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

More than 40-thousand volunteers assist the USO worldwide.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News