Gregory Family Selected as USO Riverfest Gala Honorary Chairpersons

Local family selected for long-standing support of USO

The USO Riverfest Gala executive committee announces the entire Gregory family—Dean and Hedy Gregory; Tom and Pam Gregory; Vickie Gregory; Evan and Terry Andrews and Matula Gregory—will collectively serve as the honorary chairpersons for the largest fundraiser benefiting the USO of Metropolitan Washington, located outside of Washington, D.C. The committee selected the Gregory family for its long-standing support of the USO.

The Gregory family annually hosts the USO Riverfest Gala at their Montgomery Inn Boathouse restaurant location on the banks of the Ohio River. Additionally, the Gregory family hosts an annual barbecue at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., celebrating the Army’s birthday. At the event, hundreds of guests, including recovering service personnel, medical staff and high-ranking military officials enjoy the world-famous Montgomery Inn barbecued ribs, pulled barbecued chicken, coleslaw and Saratoga chips.

“We as a family want to support the USO and host this event because we want to give something back to the individuals and their families who have sacrificed so much,” said Dean Gregory on behalf of the Gregory family. “This is our opportunity to say thank you.”

The Cincinnati fundraiser has raised more than $1.4 million over the gala’s five-year history. The Gregory family plans to welcome attendees to the sixth annual USO Riverfest Gala, honoring U.S. military personnel on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009.

“The Gregory family is synonymous with supporting the USO, going back to patriarch Ted Gregory and his relationship with Bob Hope,” said Elaine Rogers, president of the USO of Metropolitan Washington. “We appreciate all the Gregorys have done for the USO through their support of the Gala and the barbecue.”

Meet the Committee

The committee for the 2009 USO Riverfest Gala is hard at work planning and preparing for our annual event.

Pictured here following a planning meeting at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse:

Back row (LtoR): Karen Kilgore, Kathy Bechtold, Tom Kunkemoeller, Tony Dellecave, Tom Starr, Cori Rothenbach, Nancy Blum, Linda Gawne, Brad Wenstrup
Front row (LtoR): Jack Rubenbauer, Julie Heidt, Diana Dupont, Karen Cassidy, Anne Kereiakes, Sarah Kelley, Sue Mayer

Not pictured: Steve Lee, Craig Combest, Jessica Bechtold, Traci Bolte, Keith Daniels, Duane Hickerson, Amberly Jackson, Myra Kays, Dean Gregory, Pattie Kushner, Robert D. Lindner, Sr., Marc Stout and Trevor Furbay.

2009 Gala Preview Information

The sixth annual USO Riverfest Gala will be held Sunday, Sept. 6, 209 at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse. Featuring a patriotic tribute recognizing military personnel and honored military guests who have been recently injured in the line of duty, this year’s gala will be emceed by former Cincinnati Bengals and Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz.

Attendees will be treated to a seated dinner, live entertainment and a spectacular view of the Cincinnati Bell/WEBN fireworks display.

The USO Riverfest Gala has raised more than $1.4 million for the USO of Metropolitan Washington in its five years of operation. All proceeds benefit USO of Metropolitan Washington, funding programs and services supporting troops and their families