TITO ORTIZ TAKES ON HIS SECOND USO TOUR TO THE PERSIAN GULF

Posted on | December 11, 2007 | 1 Comment

?Huntington Beach Bad Boy? Tito Ortiz to Embark on Second USO Entertainment Tour to Persian Gulf

ARLINGTON, Va. ? Mixed martial arts favorite Tito Ortiz and fellow fighter Justin McCully are gearing up for their second trip to the Persian Gulf to visit troops as part of a USO/Multi National Corps – Iraq entertainment tour. In July 2007, Ortiz and McCully took time out of their schedules to visit wounded service members being treated in Washington, DC, and Bethesda, MD. In true patriotism, they also visited thousands of service men and women stationed at Camp Liberty in Baghdad and surrounding military installations, bringing smiles and a much needed break from day-to-day operations.

Touched by their USO experiences overseas, the duo vowed to continue supporting U.S. troops, reuniting to demonstrate insider fighting techniques, shake hands with U.S. troops and chat with those stationed abroad. The pair will also express their heartfelt gratitude, sign autographs and pose for pictures.

?I look forward to returning to the Persian Gulf with the USO to visit our nation?s troops,? says Ortiz. ?The truth is, they give me more than I could ever give them. They secure our borders, sacrifice their lives and fight for our freedom, and I?ll do what little I can to say thanks.?

A native of Huntington Beach, CA, Ortiz is a legendary mixed martial arts fighter. A former Light-Heavyweight champion, he spent most of his career fighting for the Ultimate Fighting Competition organization. Admired for his showmanship and athleticism, Ortiz has headlined numerous pay-per-view championship events, appeared on the covers of countless magazines and been profiled in such publications as ?The New York Times? and ?Sports Illustrated,? among many others. His acting ability and charisma have also earned him roles in several films and TV series, including CBS? ?NUMB3RS? and his much anticipated appearance on NBC?s ?Celebrity Apprentice,? airing January 3, 2008 at 9 p.m.

Ultimate Fighting Championship newcomer, McCully, nicknamed ?The Insane 1,? is an accomplished fighter and holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Far from an overnight success, McCully made his mixed martial arts debut in 1997 in Tokyo.

Since 1941, the USO has brought quality entertainment to millions of U.S. military service members and their families. In 2006, hundreds of celebrities donated their time and talents to help the USO boost troop morale and bring a touch of home to the men and women serving our country.

AT&T, Inc. is the official telecommunications sponsor of USO entertainment tours. For a list of recent and upcoming USO tours, visit http://www.uso.org/whatwedo/entertainment/. To find out how to support the troops, visit www.uso.org.

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About the USO
For more than 66 years, the USO (United Service Organizations) has been providing morale, welfare and recreational services to U.S. military personnel and their families. The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services. The USO is supported by Worldwide Strategic Partners AT&T Inc., BAE Systems North America, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, DRS Technologies, Inc., S & K Sales Co. and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381), have joined thousands of individual donors to support the USO. For more information on the USO, please visit our Web site at www.uso.org.

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