Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, left, applauds the five troops the USO honored at its 2008 USO World Gala in Washington, D.C., Oct. 1, 2008. From left to right, the honorees are Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Phillip N. Waldron, Army Spc. Monica L. Brown, Marine Sgt. Richard E. Reyes, Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua E. Simson and Air Force Staff Sgt. Shawn A. Ryan. DoD photo by Samantha L. Quigley