Capital Wheel Event at the National Harbor
By: Emily Witter, USO-Metro
On May 22nd, in partnership with the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore, the Peterson Companies invited more than 30 military families to be among the first to ride on the Capital Wheel at the National Harbor during its grand opening festivities.
Standing 180 feet tall and with 42 white air-conditioned gondolas (including a VIP glass bottom gondola) the impressive Capital Wheel was quite the spectacle, especially with its red, white and blue lighting. From the lively band to the unicyclist and the patriotic men on stilts, the evening event was the perfect way to kick off a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.
USO-Metro's very own Center Manager of the Warrior and Family Center at Fort Belvoir, Ms. Ranna Armstrong, served as the guest speaker. She spoke about the appreciation the USO has for supporters like Peterson Companies that make what the USO does for the military community possible.
"All of us at USO-Metro are extremely thankful to you for putting your trust in us and for making it possible for us to do all we can do to ensure that our troops and their families know how much the American people appreciate and support them," said Armstrong.
In addition to inviting military families to be a part of their grand opening festivities, the Peterson Companies made a $5,000 donation to USO-Metro. USO-Metro provides programs and services to troops and their families at six USO centers and four USO lounges at local airports throughout the Washington-Baltimore region.
Erick Bartels from Andrews Air Force Base was at the event with his wife, son, daughter, and sister in law. When asked what he liked about the USO he said,
"The USO is great for military families because it provides us the opportunities to do things that most people don't get the chance to do."
Army Sgt. Jason Garber said about the USO, "They spend all their time taking care of troops and their families. I appreciate everything they've done."
The Capital Wheel grand opening celebration is the second partnership between USO-Metro and Peterson Companies. Last Christmas, Peterson Companies invited military families to light the National Harbor's 65-foot Christmas tree.
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