USA Basketball's Hoops for Troops Program Teams with Department of Defense's America Supports You

PRESS ADVISORIES from the United States Department of Defense

No. 024-06 Wednesday April, 05, 2006 USA Basketball's Hoops for Troops Program Teams with Department of Defense's America Supports You _--Initiative to Tip off with Basketball Clinic on April 6---

In an effort to show its support for U.S. military personnel serving around the globe, USA Basketball's "Hoops for Troops" is joining with the Department of Defense's (DoD) "America Supports You" program for a collaboration that will extend through the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.

"America Supports You" is an ongoing nationwide program created by the DoD that is designed to encourage Americans to show their support for the U.S. Armed Forces.

WHO: Mike Krzyzewski, Head Coach, USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team; Jerry Colangelo, Managing Director, USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team; and Val Ackerman, President, USA Basketball Val Ackerman.

Former Olympians Ruthie Bolton, Chuck Daly, Chasity Melvin, Chris Mullin, David Robinson and Buck Williams.

Several DoD officials will be in attendance.

WHAT: Joint press conference with Coach Mike Krzyzewski and senior DoD officials.

As part of April's "National Month of the Military Child," a special basketball clinic for children of deployed and active duty military members will take place. Approximately 40 children, between the ages of 8-12 from Andrews Air Force Base, Fort Belvoir and Quantico will participate. Several children will attend as part of "Kids Serve Too" an Alexandria, Va., based non-profit organization created by military families to provide resources that support military children.

WHEN: April 6, 2006 at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Pentagon Athletic Center

Media Notes: Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the North Parking entrance only. Plan to arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the event and please have proof of affiliation and two forms of photo identification. Please call (703) 697-5131 for an escort into the building.

"America Supports You" is an ongoing nationwide program that helps showcase America's support for the men and women of the armed forces. Since its launch in November of 2004 by DoD, the "America Supports You" program has welcomed over 200 grassroots organizations and more than 20 corporate sponsors to its team. Many "America Supports You" team members support the troops through letter writing, care packages, helping the wounded when they return home, assisting military families, sending an email or kind gesture. To learn more about how you can support military personnel, please visit www.americasupportsyou.mil.

"Kids Serve Too" recognizes the sacrifices children make when a parent is deployed by holding events around the country for the children, working with public schools to make them aware of the issues facing these children, and by easing financial pressure for military families by providing grants for children to maintain their extracurricular activities during deployments. "Salute Our Services, Inc." is a national non profit 501 (C) (3) founded in 2001 by military families, for military families to support service members and their families during deployments. The "Kids Serve Too" program relies on support from the community. For more information, please visit www.saluteourservices.org [http://www.saluteourservices.org/] .

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