Cover Story: Miss America Supports You

As a new Miss America is crowned January 29th, one thing is for certain: Whoever wins, she will be joining a legacy of exceptional support for the U.S. Military.

In recognition of its storied past, the Miss America Organization received the "Legacy of Hope" award this year, named after long-time USO supporter Bob Hope, for its continued support of the U.S. armed forces. "This is a complete honor for us," Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry said, accepting the honor. "The Miss America Organization has supported the USO for years, and it’s great to be a part of that. I’m just one of many Miss Americas who’ve been a part of this wonderful organization."

Berry said she has a special place in her heart for the military because her father and both of her grandfathers served in the Army. "I have a great appreciation for what the military does," she said at a USO ceremony in March, 2006 (pictured above, with vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Navy Adm. Edmund Giambastiani).

"On behalf of America, I thank them and their families for their sacrifice, dedication and service before self, and I hope they know that every single day I will be thanking them and praying for them and I will continue to do that long after the crown has retired."

She then spoke to base personnel on the importance of integrity, service, volunteering, and excellence in all you do, emphasizing the similarities of her values to the Air Force Core’s Values — Integrity first, Service before self, and Excellence in all we do.

HISTORY

The pageant began in 1921, but its formal connection with those who serve was formalized in the 1960s. Although the pageant was heavily criticized for the 1967 launch of the ’Miss America U.S.O. Troupes’ into Vietnam and around the world, the Miss America Organization to this day maintains its support of the US Armed Forces. (Miss Wyoming 1967, Patricia Ann Martinez singing to the troops during the first U.S.O. tour, pictured, left).

They toured with movie stars, performers, athletes and their unofficial leader Bob Hope himself, as the USO Troupes followed in the footsteps of our military operations around the world.

In 1972, two Miss America USO tours were formed across Asia and Europe. Some noteworthy personalities who became enthusiastic supporters of the military include broadcaster & former First Lady of Kentucky Phyllis George (who won as Miss Texas in 1971), actors Delta Burke (contestant & former Miss Florida, and a 2007 judge) and Susan Anton, who toured as Miss California.

The first post-9/11 winner, Katie Harman (2002), adopted patriotism and the USO as one of her causes. She visited Ground Zero immediately after winning the crown, and joined the USO Homeland Freedom Tour, visiting military bases round the world.

On the heels of winning Miss America in 2000, Heather French Henry’s lobbying efforts with Congress influenced passage of the Homeless Veterans Assistance Act of 2001 and raised significant funds for special veterans’ initiatives.

The daughter of a disabled Vietnam Vet, Heather is a passionate supporter of those who have served and sacrificed for this country. Her father was wounded in Vietnam and for many years suffered from PTSD. Motivated by the impact of his illness on the family and lessons learned from these experiences, she founded the Heather French Foundation for Veterans, and was appointed to the Veterans’ National Homeless Advisory Council by the Secretary of the Department. Heather is the only reigning Miss America to win the Woman of Achievement Award, honoring her accomplishments on veterans’ issues during her reign. Heather now lives in Louisville, Kentucky with her husband, Kentucky’s Lt. Governor Steve Henry, MD and their two daughters. In Heather’s own words: “I will always be the daughter of a veteran and therefore I will always honor those who fell by continuing to serve those who live.”