PureCombat announces its partnership with The United States Entertainment Force, www.theusef.org . A Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation 501(c) (3) tax exempt organization dedicated to serving those who keep our Freedoms Safe and Free and the Family members who sacrifice everyday to help accomplish the mission they have been given. The USEF is led by the United States Veteran of The Year, Jerry Payne, and his passion to make a difference in the lives of those who have chosen to serve. The U.S.E.F. not only provides entertainment for our active duty but helps with providing food and clothing, employment for those leaving the military and housing for the Disabled Veterans who need it.
The U.S.E.F. is a coalition of Entertainers, in all fields of entertainment, coming together in a very special union in order to accomplish the U.S.E.F. goals of compassionate caring, support and providing a helping hand. By forming this very special alliance with publicists, managers, agents, and press they are able to pool all the talents of this select group and affect positive change in the lives of so many.
Inspired by the courage and valor shown in the face of battle from all of those who serve and sacrifice so much for our freedoms, The U.S.E.F. felt it necessary to reach out to our Military and say Thank You in a very special way. The U.S.E.F. began a program in which they present an autographed guitar to a deserving soldier. Staff Sgt. Steven J Russell was nominated by his peers and will be presented one such guitar at the next PureCombat event July 25, 2009 at the Visalia Convention Center. Staff Sgt. Russell has completed 3 tours of duty in Iraq as a rifleman, vehicle gunner and in his last tour, as a squad leader. His military awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal of Valor, The Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Expert Infantryman's Badge and the Basic Parachutist's Wings.
PureCombat is pulling out all resources in which to have this guitar autographed and is offering the stars in the MMA community the opportunity to show their respect and support by saying “Thank You” as well. Those autographs collected so far are Forrest Griffin, Jason Von Flue, Josh Koscheck, Josh “The Punk” Thomson, Jake Shields and Paul Buentello. The first to sign this particular guitar is not from the MMA world but of the Country Western world, Tracy Lawrence. He signed the guitar at the Exeter Ca. Fair when he performed there in April. With little time left until the HOME TURF event at the Visalia Convention Center on July 25th, we are in hot pursuit of other autographs to make it even more memorable for the soldier.
