USO brings 'Sesame Street' to Edwards Aug. 10

  • Published
  • By Laura Mowry
  • Staff writer
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Military ID holders and their guests are invited to attend the "Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families" Aug. 10. Two shows will be held in the Oasis Community Center's Stripes Lounge at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

The show is free to all military ID holders and their guests and does not require any tickets.

One of the USO's longest running tours - Elmo, Grover, Cookie Monster, Rosita and a newly designed character named Katie, help families adjust to military life and overcome challenges.

According to the USO, Katie who was introduced for the first time in April of 2011 by Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Biden at a Joining Forces rally, successfully adjusts to her new way of life with the help of the "Sesame Street" crew.

Elmo is excited about the opportunity to visit Edwards and tour around the world, giving thanks to the military for all they do. He is looking forward to performing at Stripes Lounge and introducing his new friend, Katie.

"Elmo is so proud of all the military families. Elmo knows how hard it can be when a mommy or daddy has to go away and Elmo is so thankful for all they do," he said. "Elmo is so excited to see all of Elmo's military friends and to sing and dance for them. Elmo also can't wait to introduce everyone to Elmo's new friend, Katie!"

"Katie is so nice except she was sad when she found out she had to move away with her family. Elmo and all of Elmo's friends made her feel better by letting her know we will always be friends," he continued.

Throughout the 30-minute performance, the "Sesame Street" crew helps Katie and families in attendance to settle comfortably into the demands of military life. The "Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families" emphasizes to children that they are not alone in their journey.

"The USO is very excited to partner again with Sesame Workshop as we return the tour to the U.S. with a fresh new look, theme and character. Our nation's military community is our top priority, especially our youngest heroes. Elmo's new friend Katie helps military kids just like her learn how to make new friends wherever they are," said Sloan Gibson, USO president and chief executive officer.

The USO hopes to reach out to as many military families as possible. The highly successful tour continues to make a difference around the world for families adjusting to military life, with Edwards as the latest example.

According to the USO, the tour has reached more than 248,000 troops and military families, and performed 433 shows on 131 military installations. The "Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families" had been to 33 states and 11 countries.

"'The Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families' is near and dear to the heart of Sesame Workshop, and we are thrilled to call the USO our partner on this adventure," said H. Melvin Ming, Sesame Workshop president and chief executive officer. "Our goal is to reach as many military children and their families as we can with Elmo and Katie's messages of hope and resilience. And as we begin our sixth phase of this tour, we are proud to see the growing number of troops and their families reached by this effort."

As Elmo continues traveling around the world, he looks forward to the new friends he will make and sharing an important message with military families.

"Elmo loves to see all of Elmo's friends and make some new ones too! Elmo learned that it's important to talk about how you feel and you can always stay in touch, no matter how far apart you are," he said. "That's what Elmo told Katie when she was sad about moving and that's what Elmo wants to tell all of Elmo's military friends too!"

For more information, please contact Terry Stegman at (661) 275-2687.