USO Releases Statement on Passing of Robin Williams

The USO has released a statement on the passing of Robin Williams:

"The entire USO family is saddened by the news of Robin Williams' passing. One of the great comedic actors of his generation, Robin literally traveled around the world to show our troops and their families that America cares.

Robin was a natural fit for the USO, with a magical ability to connect with every servicemember he met - no matter what rank, no matter what branch. Thanking our troops was deeply personal for Robin and despite his comedic exterior, he took this responsibility very seriously. He shook every hand, signed every autograph, and hugged every person. He understood the energizing effect laughter has in times of stress and he channeled his incredible energy to help those experiencing the loneliness, fear and uncertainty of being far from home and loved ones the chance to relax and recharge.

Everyone who met Robin on a USO tour has a special memory, and we have been deeply moved by the influx of positive stories shared with us today by our servicemen and women.

Like so many in America and around the world, the USO holds Robin Williams and his family in our hearts today, and we thank him for all he did for those that do so much for all of us - the men and women of our Armed Forces. He will always be a part of our USO family and will be sorely missed."

USO TOUR STATS: ROBIN WILLIAMS

• Robin Williams first toured with the USO in 2002 and was among the first group of USO entertainers to travel to Southwest Asia.
• As of 2014, Robin Williams participated in six USO tours and entertainment tours, to include overseas USO tours, a USO hospital visit and a USO performance at the 2008 USO Gala - where Williams joined the USO in honoring service heroes from each branch of the U.S. military.
• Williams traveled to 13 countries on his six USO tours: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Spain, Turkey, UAE and the U.S.
• Throughout his 12+ years volunteering with the USO, Williams lifted the spirits and created special moments for more than 89,400 servicemen and women.
• A staple in USO entertainment, Williams traveled on four Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff USO holiday tours.
• Williams last USO tour took place in December 2010, when he accompanied then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen as well as several special guests (including Lewis Black, Kix Brooks, Bob DiPiero, Kathleen Madigan and Lance Armstrong) on a seven-day USO holiday tour to Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan and Bahrain.
• USO PHOTO LINK: https://uso.box.net/shared/2o2qjzr912

• USO ARTICLE LINK TO "HE BROUGHT THEM LIGHT:" http://www.uso.org/robin-williams-uso-tours/
• For more information on the USO, visit USO.org

Photo credit: USO photo by Dave Gatley