USO Helps Wounded Soldiers Attend CMA MusicFest

6/2/2008 Lisa Ann Schleipfer The Country Music Association has partnered with the USO to send 80 military families to this year's CMA Music Festival, which takes place June 5-8 in Nashville. The winners will be chosen from a base just outside Nashville, Ft. Campbell, home to one of the largest populations of wounded soldiers in the United States. A mobile USO unit will be at the Festival's Fun Zone, where participants can gain a perspective of organization and how it helps families and soldiers around the world. Guests can participate in "Messages from the Homefront," by writing a few words to troops on a Kellie Pickler poster from her recent tour to Iraq. The poster will be displayed on future USO tours. "The Country Music community has always been a vocal supporter of our troops. It is our hope that they will come away from the CMA Music Festival with a better understanding of how we work together to bring a piece of home to the brave men and women of our military and their families," said Edward A. Powell, USO president and CEO. The USO and CMA have also partnered with Borders to donate CDs and DVDs to soldiers. CMA Fest attendees can purchase the products at Borders locations through the Festival. The USO will deliver these to troops serving overseas.