Jon Stewart to Emcee USO Event in Arlington

Former Daily Show host Jon Stewart will serve as the co-emcee for a star-studded USO event in Crystal City this month.

The USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore is holding its 34th annual awards dinner on Tuesday, April 19 at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View hotel. The event will mark the USO’s 75th anniversary and will honor people and organizations that have “made a significant contributions to our country’s military community.”

Honorees and special guests expected at the event include WWE Superstar John Cena, NASCAR hall of famer Richard Petty, “Jackass” star Jason “Wee Man” Acuna, Korn lead singer Jonathan Davis and Medal of Honor recipient Florent Groberg.

Musical performances by Tony Orlando, the 82nd Airborne Chorus and Miss America 2016 Betty Cantrell, among others, are also planned.

The press release from the USO, after the jump.

Photo via Wikipedia

USO-Metro’s Special Salute:  Every year, the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore’s Annual Awards Dinner presents a “Special Salute” to an extraordinary group of people who have made a significant contributions to our country’s military community.  During the event, service members from each branch of service of U.S. Special Operations Forces will be honored.  This elite group of warriors epitomize the heroic work of those who quietly serve, often in the shadows, to protect the United States of America.

Legacy of Hope Award – Monster Energy:  Since the early days of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Monster Energy was one of the first companies to answer the call from USO-Metro for creative ways to support members of the Armed Forces.  Tapping into its extensive entertainment resources, Monster Energy deployed their action sports athletes, musicians and Olympians to boost the morale of our nation’s service members, their families, wounded, ill and injured troops and their caregivers. For more than a decade, Monster Energy has made available their talent to participate in USO-Metro’s celebrity handshake tours at military installations and local military hospitals throughout the Washington-Baltimore region.  Monster representatives will include President and COO, Hilton Schlosberg, NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty and Jason “Wee Man” Acuna, star of “Jackass”.  Lead singer of Korn, Jonathan Davis, will reunite with Medal of Honor Captain Florent Groberg.  During Groberg’s Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House, President Obama told the story of how Davis met Grober during a Monster hosted hospital visit Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=wHoOZEfUwwI (beginning at 1:25mins)

Legacy of Achievement Award:  John Cena, WWE Superstar and host of FOX television’s military-themed reality show AMERICAN GRIT.   John Cena’s heroics in the ring are only outdone by his humanitarian efforts around the world.  For nearly 15 years, Cena has recognized and saluted America’s servicemen and women by traveling to forward operating bases in active war zones and military installations around the United States as part of WWE’s annual “Tribute to the Troops,” a celebration that honor the nation’s Armed Forces’ commitment, dedication and sacrifice. In addition, Cena has visited wounded warriors at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and spent the holidays with troops stationed around the world.  Cena is also the host of “American Grit” on Fox, a competition show that highlights the skills and fortitude of the U.S. military.

Col. John Gioia Patriot Award:  Army National Guard Sergeant First Class Jon Meadows and his wife Melissa.  In 2013 SFC Meadows suffered a moderate traumatic brain injury while serving in Afghanistan.  His injury affected his vision, cognition and fine motor skills.  Melissa gave up her career as a nurse to tend to her husband and their four children.  After moving to Virginia, the couple visited the USO on almost a daily basis, adding that it has “literally been a home-away-from-home.”  USO staff encouraged Jon to participate in art programs and thus began his journey into the world of art.  Despite having no experience, it was soon discovered that Jon had an innate talent art, in particular sculpture art.  First Lady Michelle Obama was so impressed with Jon’s sculpture work that she commission a sculpture to give to President Obama.

The Boeing Company serves as the evening’s Presenting Sponsor, while DynCorp International is the event’s Gold Sponsor.  USO-Metro’s Annual Awards Dinner is attended by senior government and military leaders, celebrities and community leaders