USO brings Family Night to Belvoir with movie premier

By Paul Bello, Belvoir EagleNovember 19, 2010

USO brings Family Night to Belvoir with movie premier
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USO brings Family Night to Belvoir with movie premier
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FORT BELVOIR, Va. - Nov. 18, 2010 - Families from Fort Belvoir and the surrounding Washington, D.C. area enjoyed a special, private screening of the television movie "A Walk in My Shoes" Thursday night at Wood Theater. The movie, which stars Nancy Travis and Philip Winchester, premieres Dec. 3 on NBC and is part of an ongoing series of movies sponsored by Wal-Mart and Procter & Gamble to help families spend more quality time together.

The movie tracks the lives of four people whose paths unexpectedly come together - a schoolteacher, a struggling student, a single mom and a Marine beginning to adjust to civilian life.

Elaine Rogers, USO president, said the organization was thrilled when it was approached to help arrange an evening just for military families.

"This is our way of saluting military families and giving thanks to them. After all, November is Military Appreciation Month," Rogers said at the premiere. "The turnout is great and we're happy to bring a night like this to an installation like Belvoir."

Gary Profit, who serves as senior director of military programming for Wal-Mart, joined Rogers at the premiere and knows a thing or two about military life. He retired as a brigadier general from the Army after 31 years of service and now dedicates himself to providing families caring entertainment.

"This is a terrific partnership we have, here, and one of many things we plan on doing for military families in the future. For us, it's a matter of giving back," Profit said. "Having been in the service, I'm aware of the sacrifices families make each and every day. To have a night just for them is fantastic."

Richard DelCore, vice-president of Procter & Gamble's Entertainment Division, has been with the company for nearly 35 years. According to him, the occasion was the least that could be done for military families.

"We owe it to the people who provide us our freedom," DelCore said. "I have an enormous amount of respect for those who serve. If there's ever an opportunity to do something for them, I'm all for it."

As a bonus, those attending the free screening sat through a live performance from Brooke White, a former American Idol contestant. She appears in a similar, family-themed movie next month on Fox called "A Change of Plans." White said it was an honor to perform in front of Soldiers and their families.

"A free movie and live music. You can't beat that," said Staff Sgt. Michael Conner, a member of the Army Reserve who attended the event with his wife and two children. "This is a great thing for families and something different. It's been a blast for all of us."