USO Central Florida

🎸⚓ Day Two of our USO Adventures at Sail 250 New Orleans NOLA Fleet Week 2026 is coming to a close, and what an incredible day it has been!

As we reflect on today’s activities, it’s hard not to be amazed by the connections, music, and memories created at the USO Central Florida Hospitality Center.

One of the highlights of the day was welcoming the incredible veteran-led nonprofit band Vetted, along with special guest John Moyer of Disturbed, for an intimate acoustic-style session that had service members from around the world singing, clapping, and connecting through the universal language of music.

In a truly unforgettable moment, members of the Colombian Navy arrived with their own instruments and joined the performance, sharing their culture and music with everyone in attendance. The energy in the room was electric as Aaron kept the crowd engaged and excited throughout the event.

To top it all off, a Sailor from the Chilean Navy went home with a brand-new guitar generously donated by Vetted—a gift that will undoubtedly carry memories of New Orleans and Fleet Week for years to come.

Events like Rock the Waves remind us why we do what we do. They create community, build friendships across nations, and provide moments of joy and connection for those who serve.

Tomorrow, we’re excited to continue the adventure with Vetted’s performance at the National WWII Museum. If you’ve never heard of Vetted, be sure to check them out. They are an incredible nonprofit rock band made up of veterans who understand firsthand what it means to serve and sacrifice.

Thank you to Vetted, John Moyer, our volunteers, partners, and all the service members who made today so special.

⚓🎸🇺🇸🇨🇴🇨🇱

Day one in the books as USO Central Florida and USO Louisiana - Mississippi along with members of our development team, senior leaders and corporate partners teamed up to ensure Sail 250 New Orleans had a incredible kick off. Reminder that we stand united one team one mission Serve the people who serve wherever they go!

We love introducing fun treats to our coalition forces!

🍪🌙🇺🇸🤝🇨🇱 A Sweet Taste of America!

One of the greatest parts of supporting our military and coalition partners is sharing not only hospitality, but also a little bit of culture along the way.

This week, the USO the privilege of welcoming Sailors from the Chilean Navy training ship Esmeralda, and we discovered something surprising — many of these incredible service members had never tasted Girl Scout Cookies or Moon Pies before!

Of course, we couldn’t let that opportunity pass us by. 😄

With smiles, laughter, and plenty of curiosity, our Chilean friends sampled two iconic American treats for the very first time. Watching their reactions was a reminder that sometimes the simplest moments create the strongest connections. Whether it’s sharing a snack, exchanging stories, or learning about each other’s cultures, these small interactions help strengthen the bonds between our nations and the service members who proudly represent them.

The USO Central Florida is honored to support not only America’s military, but also our coalition partners and allies who serve alongside them around the world.

To the crew of the Esmeralda: Thank you for your friendship, your service, and for letting us introduce you to a few American favorites! ⚓🍪🌙

Everyone is excited to visit the USO Sail 250 New Orleans Fleet Week!