A Veteran’s Day Salute

By Teresa Carlson, Vice President, Microsoft Federal 

Veteran’s Day is a time to give thanks to the brave men and women that serve and protect our country, and on Monday we were honored to partner with the Washington Capitals, Federal News Radio and the USO of Metropolitan Washington for Operation USO Care Package Day.  Chris Clark, Mike Knuble, David Steckel and Brian Pothier of the Caps joined over 100 Microsoft and USO volunteers to stuff over 5,000 care packages for our troops serving all over the world.  The wounded warriors “Sled Dogs” team from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center even came out for photos with the Caps!

Elaine Rogers, President of USO of Metropolitan Washington, and I with the Caps! 

Alex Ovechkin with the Sled Dogs! 

 David Steckel stuffing care packages

As part of Microsoft’s Salute to Our Troops program, the event also launched the Courage Caps initiative, which is in its third season and has raised nearly $70,000 in its first two years. Courage Caps are team-branded hats that will be sold through December at Capitals home games with all proceeds benefiting USO-Metro troops and their families.  You can also go to WashingtonCaps.com to support this great cause. 

Tonight the festivities continue as 50 wounded soldiers will be treated to a special Veteran’s Day Capitals game!  Caps owner Ted Leonsis blogged about the Wounded Warriors program here, and we can’t thank him enough for his support.  Once again we are so happy to bring this event to the DC Metro area and to let our service men and women know how much we appreciate all that they do for us.  For more information on the program and how you can get involved, visit http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/Salute_to_our_Troops/