I come from Military City USA (San Antonio, TX) so I knew supporting our service members was vital work—so vital that as a young boy I dreamed of following in the footsteps of my father, NBA Hall of Famer David Robinson, and enrolling in the Naval Academy as a midshipman.

My plans changed when a football scholarship to the University of Notre Dame came into the picture. I loved Notre Dame’s history of supporting the armed forces, their incredible ROTC program, and their motto “God, Country, Notre Dame” which I ended up inscribing on my class ring. In fact, my first memory of Notre Dame was watching a Navy game at Notre Dame Stadium with my dad! It was meant to be.

Now I’m a cook at Mélisse, a 2 Michelin starred restaurant in Los Angeles. As a working professional, I always kept an eye on Officer Candidate School or the JAG Corps, but I came to understand that dreams can be fulfilled in ways we can’t predict.

Although I didn’t serve in the armed forces like my dad, I support our service members from the kitchen through a legacy gift by leaving the USO as beneficiary of my shares of stock. Giving to the USO left me with a wonderful gift: fulfilling my lifelong dream with my dad by my side while wearing his old Naval Academy uniform from 40 years ago!

When Chris and Victoria Weiler decided to give back to the U.S. military community, it was more than just their belief in supporting the people who serve – it was personal. After all, Chris himself had served several years in the U.S. Navy, and Victoria’s family had a long, proud history of pursuing and supporting the American Dream.

A Legacy of Service and American Pride

Chris’ military journey first began when he attended the U.S. Naval Academy, where he was recruited to play football.

“I loved the well-rounded ‘be all you can be’ type of philosophy the military academies have,” Chris explained. “So, attending the Naval Academy gave me an opportunity to have a strong academic background along with serving the country, and at the same time playing for a legendary coach and a legendary program at the academy.”

Chris would go on to be awarded the MVP and Jeffrey Korn leadership and academic awards for the U.S. Naval Academy football team. Football, in fact, is a family affair. Victoria – a varsity high school athlete herself – also served as a football team manager at the University of Virginia (UVA). The couple’s youngest son played football at the University of North Carolina, their oldest son played Division 1 soccer at the University of Kentucky and the University of Virginia, and their daughter played Division 1 soccer at the University of Pittsburgh.

After graduating, Chris took his oath and officially joined the U.S. Navy in 1985. From there, he attended Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport, Rhode Island, and then later served aboard the USS Thomas C. Hart, as well as a U.S. Navy Senate Liaison Officer on Capitol Hill with the Office of Legislative Affairs in Washington, D.C.

In the midst of a busy Navy career, Chris and Victoria got married in 1986. As they began their lives together and began to build their own family, Chris’ duties to the Navy required them to spend time apart.

“I think in the 36 months or so that I was on the USS Thomas C. Hart, I was underway for 23 or 24 of those months,” Chris explained.

At one point during Chris’ deployments, Victoria moved 12 back in with her parents in Maryland after her assignment with a private contractor at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia, ended, all while also balancing the care of their two young children. Deployments are not just challenging for service members – they can also take their toll on military families, who must adjust to a new way of life without their loved one for months at a time, just as Victoria did.

After serving more than six years in the U.S. Navy, Chris transitioned out of the military and began his civilian career, eventually founding On-Site Sourcing in 1993 and KLDiscovery in 2005, serving as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He also coached high school football from 2004-2015. Recently, after 33 years of a successful career, Chris retired.

However, even after hanging up his uniform for the last time, Chris’ – as well as Victoria’s – connection to the U.S. Navy and passion for supporting the Armed Forces remains strong. Aside from Chris’ personal connections to the military, Victoria – as a first generation American – is especially passionate about supporting the people serving in the military. Her father immigrated to the United States from Greece in 1957, and growing up in a household so passionate about American values instilled a fierce pride in this nation and its troops.

“For us, when you love America, the U.S Navy, the troops – the men and women that go fight for our country and really maintain the guardianship of freedom and democracy – [donating is] kind of an easy thing to do,” Chris said.

While the Weilers support several military organizations, they were especially drawn to the USO’s initiative of building USO Centers aboard Navy ships.

“When we had the opportunity and the means to support the USO, we were more than happy to, especially with the program they put together,” Chris said. “We had donated before, but we really, really liked the USO Centers on U.S. Naval warships. I thought that was awesome,” Chris said.

Chris and Victoria’s donations led the charge of the initial building and furnishing of the USO Center aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. They have also committed to subsequent donations that will ensure the ongoing support of the Center aboard this ship, and other Navy ships with USO Centers.

These ship-based Centers have many of the same amenities of brick-and-mortar USO Centers, including internet connectivity, computers, TVs, electronic gaming equipment, snacks and beverages, libraries and more. These Centers also provide comfortable seating and a home-like environment that offer service members a break from the military atmosphere of a ship.

“It’s safe haven kind of thing. You go in there and you can get a cup of coffee or a soda or something like that and just chill out and no one’s going to bother you and they’re only going to help you,” he said. “I did that when I was overseas, and it was great,” Chris said.

During Chris’ deployments in the 1980s, “snail mail” was the main way to communicate, other than the occasional port visit in a foreign country that might have a phone booth. But now, with the help of the USO, sailors have more options for staying in touch with loved ones, aside from computers and internet connectivity, these newlyrenovated Centers have something else that has been truly revolutionary: phone booths.

“On the Truman, they have these soundproof telephone booths which, you go in there, you can’t hear anybody on the outside and people on the outside can’t hear you either,” Chris explained.

The idea of having both the ability to speak to a loved one and the privacy to do so while on a Navy deployment was an especially exciting notion for Chris, having been through those kinds of deployments himself.

Thanks to the generosity of everyday Americans like Chris and Victoria Weiler, thousands of U.S. service members will have crucial support aboard U.S. Navy ships while deployed at sea and undertaking great risks on behalf of this nation.

“I think that if anybody’s got an extra dollar around, why not give it to the USO? I mean, my God, every dollar is going to go to something great and it’s just a great opportunity to give back and put your money where your mouth is,” Chris said. “You want to support the armed services? Then why not support the USO?

In a world where service members face daily challenges and sacrifices, Leader, a gentle and loving Rottweiler, stands as a beacon of comfort, joy and unwavering support. More than just a therapy dog, she is a friend, a source of strength and a furry reminder of home for so many at Fort Eustis.

Since August 2023, Leader and her devoted handler, Renice, have given more than 136.5 hours of their time to the USO’s Canine Therapy Dog program. Whether it’s a deployment send-off in the early hours of the morning, an emotional homecoming or a morale-boosting event, Leader’s presence transforms these moments into something truly special. She doesn’t need words to provide comfort, her gentle eyes, wagging tail and steady presence say it all.

Leader has a special gift for making every person feel like they matter. She is adored by children, often seen pulling a little red wagon full of giggling kids who cherish every second with her. At deployment ceremonies, she stands by soldiers, offering quiet reassurance as they prepare for the unknown. Her soft fur has caught countless tears, and her presence alone eases the weight of separation.

But Leader’s heart of service doesn’t stop at Fort Eustis. She has brought warmth to more than 600 children at the TAPS National Seminar and TAPS Good Grief Camp, helping young ones navigate the pain of loss. She’s brought comfort to wounded warriors in Veterans Affairs hospitals and military treatment facilities, always ready to offer a paw to hold. She even steps aboard U.S. Navy ships through Mutts with a Mission, proving that no matter where our service members go, Leader is there to bring them a sense of home.

One of Leader’s most unforgettable moments came during the USO’s Friendsgiving dinner. With many young soldiers spending their first holiday away from family, Leader’s surprise visit filled the room with warmth and laughter. Soldiers gathered around her, some calling their families to share the moment, their spirits lifted simply by her being there.

Leader’s love and dedication haven’t gone unnoticed. “I am beyond proud and grateful that Leader has made it to the final round of voting for the 2024 USO Canine Volunteer of the Year,” said Nikki Jones, the USO center operations specialist at Fort Eustis. “For our center and our service members we support across the Virginia Peninsulas region, Leader is more than just a therapy dog—she is our family. Her recognition by Animal Planet and the USO team is a testament to the unwavering love and support she provides to our community.”

Beyond her role as a therapy dog, Leader is a playful, lovable pup with a knack for catching treats mid-air, especially her beloved freeze-dried liver. Her ability to bring laughter, love and healing makes her an irreplaceable part of the USO Canine Program.

The USO Canine Program is unlike any other. These therapy dogs don’t just visit service members, they become part of the military family. Their presence offers a sense of normalcy, love and connection, proving that sometimes, the best support comes in the form of a wagging tail and a warm, furry hug.

As Leader continues her journey of spreading joy, her mission remains clear: to bring comfort, smiles and unconditional love to those who serve. She may not wear a uniform, but her impact is immeasurable. One paw at a time, Leader is changing lives, and for that, she is truly a hero.

Cast your vote and show Leader some love! While she may not wear a uniform, she serves with every wag of her tail. Vote for Leader here: https://strawpoll.com/caninevote

After the violent moment inflicts its damage and pain, the thought comes: Things have changed. Maybe the realization hits in the field or at the hospital. Every wounded warrior travels a unique path between then and now, between whole and recovered, between “I was…” and “I will be…” – a hard journey that many Americans in uniform and their families are making.

Body armor and advanced battlefield medicine mean troops are surviving wounds that once would have been fatal, but injuries still shatter lives. Ask the more than 40,000 troops wounded in war, or the hundreds of thousands bearing the invisible scars of post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury.

Once home, these heroes often face months – even years – of medical care as they fight to rebuild their bodies and their lives. The aftershocks of combat strain them and their families in so many ways. This reality drives us to energetically engage with partners on behalf of wounded warriors.

To do more for troops and families, we partner with other organizations. Ride2Recovery propels wounded warriors forward. So do the Warrior Games, a service team competition hosted by the U.S. Olympic Committee and its Paralympics division. The National Military Family Association sponsors healing adventures that bring families closer. Hire Heroes USA teaches skills that smooth the transition to civilian work. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce helps with job searches. Our Caregivers Conferences frankly address the challenges facing wounded warriors and their families, from finances to compassion fatigue to suicide prevention. We are always trying to do more. We see progress, but we have far to go.

“There were so many points where I wanted to quit, but you see the person next to you or in front of you and they are pushing you, they are handing you water, they don’t let you quit.”

 

-A NAVY VETERAN AND PARTICIPANT IN THE 2010 WARRIOR GAMES