Cincinnati USO Fundraiser Honors Troops Injured in the Line of Duty

The USO Riverfest Gala committee today announced the military honorees who will be recognized at the 2007 USO Riverfest Gala, Sunday, September 2, at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse. Benefiting the USO of Metropolitan Washington (USO-Metro), each year the USO Riverfest Gala honors all U.S. military personnel and pays tribute to the selected servicemen and servicewomen recently injured in the line of duty. The event was conceived and developed by an all-volunteer committee and is presented this year by Betty & Robert Lindner, Edyth & Carl Lindner and honorary co-chairs Dean & Anne Kereiakes and other generous sponsors.

The 2007 USO Riverfest Gala Honorees include:

• Specialist Sue Downes, U.S. Army of Tazewell, TN
• Specialist Natasha McKinnon, U.S. Army of Ashtabula, OH
• Sergeant Nathan D. Toews, U.S. Army of Kingsburg, CA
• Corporal Chad Watson, U.S. Marine Corps of Mount Zion, IL
• Specialist Richard Yarosh, U.S. Army from Upstate New York

Each honoree has a unique story about his or her service to our country, but collectively they share a commonality of dedication and valor. Attendees of the USO RiverfestGala will have the opportunity to meet these outstanding individuals and hear their stories.

Specialist Sue Downes, U.S. Army of Tazewell, TN, deployed to Afghanistan in February 2006 with a military police company. Spc. Downes was part of a convoy of Humvees headed for a humanitarian relief mission in a remote village, when two mines with the added power of mortar and rocket-propelled grenades detonated under the road. She sustained a fractured femur, two shattered kneecaps, shrapnel wounds and suffered internal damage. Her injuries required amputation of both legs and 10 surgeries.

Specialist Natasha McKinnon, U.S. Army of Ashtabula, OH, joined the Army in 2003 after attending Kent State University. Trained as a logistics supply specialist, she deployed to Iraq in June 2005 to perform security duties for convoy missions. As a passenger in a Humvee convoy mission, an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded through the front seat. Spc. McKinnon sustained injures to both her legs, requiring the amputation of her left leg and surgery for shrapnel injuries to her right leg. In 2006, Spc. McKinnon participated in the Paralympics.

Sergeant Nathan D. Toews, U.S. Army of Kingsburg, CA, enlisted in 2003 and trained as a mechanic. Following an eight-month deployment in Iraq, Sgt. Toews was deployed to Afghanistan, supporting the 10th Mountain Division. While serving in Afghanistan, his convoy was ambushed and caught in firefight lasting more than 24 hours, and a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) injured Sgt. Toews. In addition to shrapnel that peppered his body, Sgt. Toews suffered a traumatic brain injury and life-threatening injuries, putting him in a two-week coma. His recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center has included multiple skull and eye reconstructive surgeries.

Corporal Chad Watson, U.S. Marine Corps of Mount Zion, IL, joined the Marine Corps Reserve in 2004 while attending Indiana University. After only two months in Iraq during 2006, an IED detonated under his Humvee while patrolling Fallujah. Cpl. Watson suffered a traumatic amputation of his right leg, along with shrapnel wounds to his face and right arm. Following eight surgeries, he is receiving physical therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Cpl. Watson has received a Purple Heart and a promotion for his actions in Fallujah.

Specialist Richard Yarosh, U.S. Army from Upstate New York, joined the U.S. Army as a calvary scout in 2004. After deploying to Iraq, he volunteered to serve as a gunner on a Bradley Fighting Vehicle. In 2006, his Bradley was hit with an IED, causing an explosion igniting the fuel cell. Flames immediately engulfed the Bradley. Spc. Yarosh suffered third-degree burns to 60 percent of his body and lost a portion of his leg. After spending months in intensive care, he has been receiving physical therapy at the Intrepid Center at Fort Sam Houston.

Over the prior three years, the USO Riverfest Gala has recognized and honored 12 military heroes. Previous USO Riverfest Fireworks Gala honorees and veterans are expected to be in attendance at this year’s benefit.

Previous local honorees include White Oak native Lance Corporal Carl J. Schneider, U.S. Marine Corps; Staff Sergeant John Borders, U.S. Army, of London, Ohio; Grosbeck native Corporal Daniel Hamberg, U.S. Marine Corps; Staff Sergeant Paul Brondhaver, U.S. Army, Ohio National Guard; U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Ryan Groves of Ravenna, Ohio; and U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sergeant Joseph Bowser of Georgetown, Kentucky.

Injured Troops Welcomed to the Jungle

USO and Cincinnati Bell to Host Honored Military Personnel at Bengals vs. Colts Game

The USO and Cincinnati Bell are teaming up to introduce military stripes to tiger stripes at the Cincinnati Bengals’ August 31 preseason game against the defending NFL champions, the Indianapolis Colts.

Cincinnati Bell President and CEO Jack Cassidy will host Sgt. Nathan Toews; Spc. Natasha McKinnon; Spc. Sue Downes; Spc. Richard Yarosh; and Cpl. Chad Watson on the field at Paul Brown Stadium. The troops will be given access to Cincinnati Bell’s skybox and will be able to spend time on the field during the pregame.

The service men and women are in town as Honorees for the 4th annual USO Riverfest Gala on September 2.

2007 Event Sold Out - Support Still Welcomed

Thank you to everyone that have purchased tickets for the 2007 USO Riverfest Gala. We are proud to announce that we are officially SOLD OUT as a result of the generosity of our supporters. Donations are always welcomed and raffle tickets are still available.

We have also established a wait list and you can continue to contact Kathy Bechtold to be added to the list.

The Downtowner Features Lance Corporal Carl Schneider

The Downtowner Pulse publication is featuring 2006 USO Riverfest Gala Honoree Lance Cpl. Carl Schneider as their cover story this week. Schneider survived the deadly attacks on the U.S. Marine Lima Company from Columbus in May of 2005. He has a tremendous spirit and outlook on life and I am proud to have had the honor of meeting him. Zachary Petit from the Downtowner goes into greater detail, so be sure to check out his article at:

http://www.pulsedt.com/blogs/default.asp?Display=747

We are looking forward to Lance Cpl. Carl Schneider joining us at this year's USO Riverfest Gala as our guest. Schneider is pictured left with his family at the 2006 USO Riverfest Gala.

Cincinnati Bell Dedicates Fireworks to the Troops and Raises Funds for the USO

As the new title sponsor of the WEBN Fireworks, Cincinnati Bell is doing more than simply sponsoring the annual Cincinnati Labor Day tradition. The hometown company is dedicating the 2007 fireworks event to the men and women of the U.S. armed forces who serve our country locally and worldwide.

Cincinnati Bell has also established opportunities for the Tri-State to give back to these individuals and their families through contributions to the USO.

Cincinnati Bell Wireless customers will be able to participate in the “Download for Donations” program and with each purchase of exclusive fireworks ringtones or wallpapers, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the USO.

In addition, all official 2007 Cincinnati Bell/WEBN Fireworks T-shirts purchased at a Cincinnati Bell retail store will generate a $1.00-per-shirt contribution to the USO.

To find the closes retail store visit: http://www.cincinnatibell.com/customer_support/locations/

Never Forgetting the Price of Freedom

Each year, the USO Riverfest pays tribute to individuals that have been recently injured in the line of duty by honoring them at the annual Gala. US Army retired Staff Sergeant Paul Brondhaver was an honoree during our inaugural year, 2004 pictured here receiving recognition from Anthony Munoz and the crowd in attendance.

Staff Sergeant Brondhaver was hit by a grenade while serving in Iraq, receiving shrapnel wounds, but continued to deliver orders to help save the lives of other soldiers. SSG Brondhaver, while retired, is still looking out for his fellow man. He recently introduced Army Specialist Richard Yarosh who also has a miraculous story of survival following a tank explosion.

SSG Brondhaver shared these thoughts:

To all of you,

Let me first say, Thank You!!! What you do on a volunteer basis is amazing. I know many times soldiers and Marines may not have an opportunity to say Thanks, but I know it is appreciated. I realize the work you do can be tiresome and like an emotional roller coaster. You all have a wonderful heart. You are doing your part. Let me know if I can ever help in anyway with anything you ever do. Attached are some photos of Rick Yarosh. I am committed to looking out for Rick for the rest of my life. Rick has many dreams and I am going to be there for him to achieve those dreams. My injuries of 300 holes from metal and bullets, brain contusions, blown ear drums, and a cracked pelvis are nothing to the injuries Rick has sustained. Rick has surgery on his lips, eyes, and hands on August 9th. My hope is he can travel in September. If not, when I do get him here to visit, I want to introduce you to one of my heroes. It takes all of us to make this country great. You are all doing your part, our troops and Rick are doing and did their part, now let's together make sure the rest of America does their part by never forgetting the price of freedom.

SSG Paul Brondhaver
U.S. ARMY, (RETIRED)
OIF 2003 - 2005

2006 USO Riverfest Gala Photos