NBA Great Charles Barkley and NFL Star Roy Green Visit Troops on USO Tour to the Persian Gulf

Originally at: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050602/dcth042.html?.v=12

Thursday June 2, 11:16 am ET

WASHINGTON, June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Former NBA standout Charles Barkley and former NFL player Roy Green will embark on a USO tour to bring a boost of encouragement to troops stationed in the Persian Gulf region. The pair will meet and greet service members, sign autographs and tour job posts. Additionally, Barkley and Green will provide as much one-on-one interaction as possible, motivating troops serving far from home.

Charles Barkley, an 11-time NBA All-Star, is currently a studio commentator for TNT's NBA coverage and a frequent contributor to CNN's "Talk Back Live." An author as well, he recently released his new book "Who's Afraid of A Large Black Man." Originally from Leeds, Ala., he was the fifth pick overall in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. Known as "Sir Charles," he earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Team in his first NBA season. Eight years later, Barkley joined the Phoenix Suns, and in 1993, was named NBA Most Valuable Player. The two-time Olympic gold medalist finished his career with the Houston Rockets.

Born in Magnolia, Ark., Roy Green was named a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) All-American in 1978 while at Henderson State University in Arkansas. He began his NFL career the next year and proved to be a valuable asset to the St. Louis Cardinals. A two-time Pro Bowler, he tied the NFL record in 1979 with a 106-yard kick-off return. Nicknamed "Jet Stream," he led the NFL with 14 touchdown receptions in 1983; and, in 1984, he lead the league in reception yardage. In 1985, Green was the St. Louis Cardinals' 1985 nominee for NFL Man-of-the-Year. He retired from the Philadelphia Eagles in 1992 after a 13-year run in the NFL.

This tour continues the USO tradition of bringing celebrity entertainment to troops serving far from home. Several of today's stars have made trips for the USO this year, including Toby Keith, Jessica Simpson, Nick Lachey, Gary Sinise, Henry Rollins, Warrick Dunn (Atlanta Falcons), Larry Izzo (New England Patriots), Colin Quinn and Adema.

For more than 64 years, the USO (United Service Organizations) has been providing morale and recreation-type 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 World Partners Avon Products, Inc., AT&T Corporation, BAE SYSTEMS, Bass Pro Shops, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Computer Systems Center, Inc., Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Military Channel, Morgan Stanley, National Football League, Northwest Airlines, Inc., S & K Sales Company, TriWest Healthcare Alliance and The Walt Disney Company. Other organizations, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-0600), have joined thousands of individual donors to support the USO. For more information on the USO, please visit our Web site at http://www.uso.org