Stephen Cochran Assists ThanksUSA Treasure Hunt

11/21/2007 Stephen L. Betts   Country newcomer – and former U.S. Marine - Stephen Cochran is helping ThanksUSA launch its third annual online treasure hunt. The fun-filled online game is designed to excite Americans of all ages about learning American history, culture, and values; while bringing attention to the needs of our military families. The Treasure Our Troops hunt will be launched at 12 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, 2007. Individuals, classrooms, or youth groups can sign up at www.ThanksUSA.org. The hunt, which features more than 300 questions, is free to play and will run through August 15, 2008.  Thousands of Americans have participated in the first two hunts. The 2006 Grand Prize winner received a prize package including a $100,000 one-of-a-kind treasure chest filled with jewelry, gems and coins representing all 50 states contributed by Adeler Jewelers of Great Falls, VA; and a weekend in Washington DC provided by Northwest Airlines, The Willard InterContinental Hotel, the Washington Nationals and LaMay Limousine Service.   Stephen’s self-titled debut album was born after two tours of service in the United States Marine Corps, first in Iraq and then Afghanistan, where he lost a good friend to enemy fire. While Stephen was serving his country in combat, he was seriously wounded during an ambush. “The ThanksUSA effort to thank the troops means something. As a musician, I will do my part to help award scholarships to military families,” says Stephen. “As a veteran, I know how much 'thank you' means to the men and women that serve this country.” Created in 2005 by nine- and eleven-year-old sisters from McLean, Virginia, the nationwide Treasure Hunt signals the beginning of the annual scholarship drive benefiting the families of active-duty status military personnel. ThanksUSA has awarded nearly $4 million in need-based, post-secondary scholarships to more than 1,300 spouses and children of military members serving on active duty status.  Scholarships have been awarded in all 50 states, and the District of Columbia, to families representing all branches of service including the Guard and Reserves. Prizes will be awarded for each “chapter,” including laptops, iPods and gift certificates. Winners will be selected randomly from those who answer the “chapters” correctly. The game is free but individuals, corporations and foundations are encouraged to make donations to the 2008 college scholarship fund. Founded in the fall of 2005, ThanksUSA is a non-partisan, charitable effort to mobilize Americans of all ages to “thank” the men and women of the United States armed forces by providing college, technical and vocational school scholarships for their children and spouses. The organization provides need-based, posts-secondary education opportunities to the children and spouses of active duty status military personnel through competitive scholarships. For more information visit www.ThanksUSA.org.