Meet the committee members: Steve Lee

For the past five years, committee members have worked tirelessly to make the USO Riverfest Gala a success. Each member has a unique path that led them to become involved in the event. Below is Steve Lee’s story about why he keeps coming back.

“This whole event got started because of a dinner I had with several retired military servicemen. I had seen a television program about Ward 57 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and I asked them what kind of challenged these injured men and women would face going forward. That question led to a five hour conversation that night, and another five hour conversation the next day. After talking to these men, all I could say was ‘How can I help?’

A few weeks later I had the privilege of talking with the President of the USO, Elaine Rodgers, and visited Walter Reed. When I got back, Dean Gregory and I got together and thought the Labor Day Weekend fireworks would be a great time for an event. From there we made some calls, and those people made calls; the first year we had 650 guests and were off to a really good start. Since then we have raised more than $1 million, and all that money helps finance USO-Metro programs, specifically at Walter Reed and Bethesda, for wounded soldiers and their families.

The Riverfest Gala is a way for everyone to support the soldiers. The freedoms we enjoy in this country are paid for by their courage, bravery and blood. This is a chance to visit with and touch a soldier and personally thank them for the sacrifices they make.

The Soldier’s Creed really sums up why I do this event; one line reads ‘I will never leave a fallen comrade.’ They are certainly our comrades, and we will never leave them behind. We can’t let them think for a minute that there aren’t people everywhere in this country that care about and appreciate what they are doing for us. One of the last lines in the creed reads ‘I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.’ We need to make sure all the countries of the world know how the American people feel about our military.

When you meet these soldiers and their families Labor Day weekend it will be one of the best weekends you will ever spend in your life. The smiles on their faces are because they know the people of Cincinnati appreciate them.”

Steve Lee is Senior Vice President at a major financial services firm and has served on the board of directors at USO-Metro for the past four years.

Live and Silent Auction to Benefit Troops Recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital

This year’s guests at the USO Riverfest Gala will get the chance to bid on items during a silent and live auction that benefits U.S. troops and their families. Below are just a few of the exciting items expected to be available in 2009:

Live Auction:

J.T.M. Party for 100: Includes everything you need to serve up a meal to 100 of your friends, family or coworkers. Work with J.T.M. to choose two main courses (burgers, Italian sausages, ribs, pork barbecue or Mexican fiesta), two sides, a dessert and drinks. J.T.M. will provide everything necessary to prepare the food and serve guests. Package includes two corn-hole game sets, which will be gifted to the host, and a banner welcoming guests. Party can be indoors or outdoors on a mutually agreeable date. Donated by J.T.M.

Reds Game for 30 in the Pilot House: Spectacular view for a Cincinnati Reds game on a mutually agreeable date in the Cincinnati Bell Pilot House in Great American Ballpark, including 30 tickets, food and beverages. Donated by Cincinnati Bell.

CBS NFL Show as Guest of Boomer Esiason: New York hotel accommodations for four on Friday and Saturday night followed by a Sunday morning visit to the CBS NFL Show with Boomer, Dan Marino, Shannon Sharpe, James Brown and Bill Cowher. Package includes an autographed photo of Boomer. Donated by the Boomer Esiason Foundation

Silent Auction:

• Carson Palmer autographed football, jersey and photos. Donated by Cincinnati Bell.
• Bottle of Jack Daniel’s Whiskey, one of 264 single-barrel bottles produced especially for the 1-101st aviation regiment during Operation Iraqi Freedom IV. Donated by Julie and Scott Akin.
• Two-night stay and one round of golf for two. Donated by The Broadmoor.
• Coach Purse. Anonymous donor.

Miss America 2009 to attend USO Riverfest Gala

The USO Riverfest Gala executive committee is excited to announce that Miss America 2009 Katie Stam will be attending this year's event. Guests and honorees at the Gala will be given the opportunity to meet, greet and take pictures with Indiana native Stam on Sunday, September 6 at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse.

During her Labor Day-weekend visit to Cincinnati, Stam will also attend a barbeque at the Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Sunday, she will enjoy the Cincinnati Bell/WEBN Fireworks during the USO Riverfest Gala.

Stam is the national goodwill ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network and is the official spokesperson for Zerosmoke, a smoking cessation product. Her platform issue for 2009 is promoting community service and involvement.