ARLINGTON, Va. (WUSA) --- Wounded warriors, active military and corporate sponsors gathered for a night of celebration by USO Metropolitan Washington at its annual fundraiser, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012.

The 9th Annual Stars and Stripes Night Fundraiser honored the top corporate sponsors including WUSA.

"I think USO services are more critical today than they have ever been," said Elaine Rogers, President of USO Metropolitan Washington.

"We have so many military who are serving overseas, coming home, going back re-deploying, their families are here. And the USO really is that home away from home."

The United Service Organizations is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting troops and their families. USO provides a variety of services including airport assistance, service care packages and entertainment. Over 5,000 volunteers serve USO Metropolitan Washington.

WUSA9's former General Manager, Allan Horlick, accepted the award on the station's behalf. Horlick also sits on the board for USO Metropolitan Washington.  

"The need of what the USO provides has gotten bigger and bigger every year as there are so much more people that could use help," he said.  

WUSA9 participates in the annual USO Turkeys for Troops, which raises money to provide military families with food baskets over the holiday season. 

Reported/Written by: Elizabeth Jia
WUSA 9 & WUSA9.com