Boeing, Chicago Bears and the USO of Illinois honor veterans, encourage fan support

CHICAGO, Nov. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its ongoing efforts to honor and support military personnel and veterans, Boeing (NYSE: BA), in partnership with the Chicago Bears Football Club, the USO of Illinois and the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, has launched "Home & Away," an initiative that extends the Boeing-Bears "Salute to the Military" in-game recognition that occurs at all Chicago Bears home games.

The goal of Home & Away is to create an avenue for active and retired military and their families, sports fans and civilians who are not in attendance at the game to share their support for U.S. armed forces personnel. Throughout the campaign, supporters can share their personal tribute by sending a message of gratitude and posting a salute – a simple gesture of thanks – at www.facebook.com/usoofillinois.

To highlight the importance of these salutes, Boeing and the USO of Illinois will share nine short digital features in the days leading up to Veterans Day on Nov. 11. The musical score in each of the features was composed by Orbert Davis, performed by Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, and was commissioned by Boeing specifically for this purpose. The Home & Away suite consists of three pieces: "The Star Spangled Banner", specially arranged for this recording, "Our Salute" and "The Face of the Enemy is Always Changing." 

Six of the eight digital features showcase first-person reflections of veterans who give their personal thanks to those who serve and their own unique perspectives on the meaning of service. The veterans in each feature volunteered to serve in the military and were selected to appear in the features by the USO of Illinois.

The seventh digital feature includes an individual civilian's message of appreciation, while the eighth features civilians in and around the city offering their heartfelt thanks to the troops. Residents were filmed over the summer and late fall months at the Chicago lakefront, Grant Park, Lincoln Park and other points of interest throughout the city.

The ninth digital feature showcases Bears fans saluting the military in a stirring tribute to all veterans, military members and families. The salutes were captured on game day at Soldier Field during the season opener and other home games.

The music will be available for download on iTunes and at www.chijazzphil.org/homeandaway. It will also be made available through the Boeing Store. Proceeds from every purchase will be donated to the USO of Illinois.

Contacts: John Dern or Peter Pedraza, 312-544-2002

SOURCE Boeing