Anna Kournikova To Travel With The USO For Celebrity Education - Page 2

Free Radical · 04-14-2012, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeryanadam

...should have gone in to Afghanistan long before Iraq.

Which "rights and freedoms of the U.S." would that have protected?

romania · 04-14-2012, 05:55 PM

News

KOURNIKOVA BRINGS SMILES, EMPATHY TO DEPLOYED MILITARY CHILDREN

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

By Christian Pelusi*

It didn’t take much for Anna Kournikova to become involved with the USO. Actually, if the USO didn’t meet her, it sounds like she was going to find a way to meet them.

“I was in Washington for another charity event [in 2008] and I met with some people from the USO and I just thought this was something that I wanted to do,” the former tennis star and model said in a recent phone interview. “I just wanted to show my appreciation and felt that connection to the military families. For those living in Guam, Turkey, Germany. What about them?

“It was a natural match for me, to go and hang out with them.”

Anna could empathize. Growing up in Russia while it was still a part of the Soviet Union, the tennis prodigy left for America at age 9 to train at the famous Nick Bollettieri tennis academy and by the age of 14, she was flying around the professional tennis circuit. So moving to a new land and being asked to grow up a lot faster than most kids their age are situations that Kournikova and military children can relate to and share.

“It’s hard for children, when they start developing friendships and relationships; it gets really hard for them. It’s just a tough life, that’s why I think it’s important to have organizations like the USO to make their time away from home as comfortable as possible.”

And for Anna, the USO joins the Boys and Girls Club of America and Population Services International as the main benefactors of her time and passion. After her pro tennis career ended, Anna was adamant about finding worthy causes to assist, to give back to those who gave her so much.

“I’ve always felt close to kids, [ages] 14, 15, 16 or even the little ones, a lot of times it’s hard for them to talk to adults around them or their parents so I think it’s great for others to come in and have them open up, knowing I’m not going to tell anyone what they say or what they ask and give them support and give any help or advice I can and share my experiences.”

She still has the same smile that made the tennis world fall for her, but now she’s bringing it to a generation that sees her as more than just another pretty face. She’s a friend.

Now, after not being able to participate in a USO tour in 2011 due to her work on NBC's "The Biggest Loser," Anna prepares to visit U.S. bases in Spain on April 14-18 on her fourth USO tour. And in conversation, she leaves no doubt how anxious she is be back out on the road to see the kids.

"It’s my way to give back to America and the American people for how much America has given to me."

uso.org

Free Radical · 04-14-2012, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by romania

"It’s my way to give back to America and the American people for how much America has given to me."

Of all the utterly ghastly and horrific premises roiling through the culture these days like shit through a goose, that one ("Oh!... I must give something back!!") is among the very most contemptible and disgusting.

You've already paid for what America gave you. You (or your parents) paid for your tennis coaching. You earned your $3.6 million career prize money by winning matches. You earned your tournament appearance money by raising ticket sales and TV ratings. You earned your tens of millions of endorsement money by increasing the profits of Adidas, Omega, etc.

You owe no outstanding debt to America. In fact, given the extortionist levels of tax you paid to Uncle Sam, it's likely quite the reverse.

Oberlaender · 04-21-2012, 12:07 PM

A better Organization than the USO:

IRAQ VETERANS AGAINST THE WAR:
http://www.ivaw.org/

A Warrior against the Iraq and Afghanistan war: OBERLÄNDER

Free Radical · 05-14-2012, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeryanadam

I have a little different beliefs than jojoseph but I thank him for his staement "don't blame the troops".

PersonA: "I don't support the war, but I support the troops."

PersonB: "I don't support rape, but rapists are heroes."

04-14-2012, 05:55 PM	#12
romania Super Moderator Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 5,230 Thanks: 28 Thanked 345 Times in 151 Posts	News KOURNIKOVA BRINGS SMILES, EMPATHY TO DEPLOYED MILITARY CHILDREN Wednesday, April 11, 2012 By Christian Pelusi* It didn’t take much for Anna Kournikova to become involved with the USO. Actually, if the USO didn’t meet her, it sounds like she was going to find a way to meet them. “I was in Washington for another charity event [in 2008] and I met with some people from the USO and I just thought this was something that I wanted to do,” the former tennis star and model said in a recent phone interview. “I just wanted to show my appreciation and felt that connection to the military families. For those living in Guam, Turkey, Germany. What about them? “It was a natural match for me, to go and hang out with them.” Anna could empathize. Growing up in Russia while it was still a part of the Soviet Union, the tennis prodigy left for America at age 9 to train at the famous Nick Bollettieri tennis academy and by the age of 14, she was flying around the professional tennis circuit. So moving to a new land and being asked to grow up a lot faster than most kids their age are situations that Kournikova and military children can relate to and share. “It’s hard for children, when they start developing friendships and relationships; it gets really hard for them. It’s just a tough life, that’s why I think it’s important to have organizations like the USO to make their time away from home as comfortable as possible.” And for Anna, the USO joins the Boys and Girls Club of America and Population Services International as the main benefactors of her time and passion. After her pro tennis career ended, Anna was adamant about finding worthy causes to assist, to give back to those who gave her so much. “I’ve always felt close to kids, [ages] 14, 15, 16 or even the little ones, a lot of times it’s hard for them to talk to adults around them or their parents so I think it’s great for others to come in and have them open up, knowing I’m not going to tell anyone what they say or what they ask and give them support and give any help or advice I can and share my experiences.” She still has the same smile that made the tennis world fall for her, but now she’s bringing it to a generation that sees her as more than just another pretty face. She’s a friend. Now, after not being able to participate in a USO tour in 2011 due to her work on NBC's "The Biggest Loser," Anna prepares to visit U.S. bases in Spain on April 14-18 on her fourth USO tour. And in conversation, she leaves no doubt how anxious she is be back out on the road to see the kids. "It’s my way to give back to America and the American people for how much America has given to me." uso.org __________________ From Russia with love!

04-21-2012, 12:07 PM	#14
Oberlaender Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 172 Thanks: 7 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	A better Organization A better Organization than the USO: IRAQ VETERANS AGAINST THE WAR: http://www.ivaw.org/ A Warrior against the Iraq and Afghanistan war: OBERLÄNDER __________________ RON PAUL FOR PRESIDENT OR FEMA CAMPS. LAST CHANCE AMERIKA. END THE BRUTAL AND DUMB WARS ALL OVER THE WORLD. STOP KILLING THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT WOMAN AND CHILDREN IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ AND PAKISTAN. STOP ALL CYBERWARS. WORLDPEACE FOR OUR PLANET.