Microsoft, in Partnership With the USO, Announces 'Salute to Our Troops'

A special performance of the 75th Celebration of the 'Radio City Christmas Spectacular' for military families; show will be broadcast overseas Dec. 24 and 25.

NEW YORK and REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 5 -- This holiday season Microsoft Corp. is partnering with the USO to recognize and thank America's military community for its sacrifice by hosting an inaugural "Salute to Our Troops," a private, complimentary performance of the 75th Celebration of the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular." Microsoft has purchased an entire performance of the "Christmas Spectacular" to give the troops and their families 90 minutes of holiday entertainment at Radio City Music Hall on Nov. 12. The USO will invite active service members, their families, and some of the countless volunteers who help to brighten the lives of our military community. The American Forces Network will tape the show for broadcast on Christmas Eve and Christmas to 177 countries to all U.S. troops worldwide and their families.

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"The holidays are a time for family and sharing, and Microsoft is pleased to help make the season brighter for those who are giving so much," said Curt Kolcun, vice president of Microsoft Federal. "We hope the 'Radio City Christmas Spectacular' will be a memorable, one-of-a-kind experience for our service members, volunteers and their families, all of whom give so much for our nation."

"The 'Radio City Christmas Spectacular' and the Rockettes have a long-standing relationship with the USO, and we are honored that Microsoft and the USO will create this once-in-a-lifetime event," said Jonathan Hochwald, executive vice president, MSG Entertainment. "As we celebrate the 75th year of the 'Christmas Spectacular,' we hope the warmth and magic created at Radio City will relieve servicemen, servicewomen and their families for at least one evening of the burden they bear for our country."

The "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" is one celebratory element in a broader program organized by Microsoft in partnership with the USO to recognize volunteers who go "Above and Beyond" in brightening the lives of service members. "We're very pleased to be creating what we hope will become a holiday tradition. These events really do make a big difference to our service community," said Brian Whiting, executive director of the USO of Metropolitan New York.

For more information on securing tickets for "A Salute to Our Troops," military members, families and volunteers can visit http://www.usonyc.org/salutetoourtroops.

About the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular"

The 2007 edition of the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" promises to continue to create memories that audiences have come to treasure. However, this year will truly be a celebration...75 years in the making! The "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" creates wonderful memories for more than 1 million patrons each year and has been seen by approximately 62 million people since its inception in 1933, when it was originally performed as a holiday "gift" between movie screenings. The "Christmas Spectacular" has long since become the main event and draws people from all over the world who want to experience a quintessential New York City Christmas.

About the USO

For more than 66 years, the USO (United Service Organizations) has been providing morale, welfare and recreational services to U.S. military personnel and their families. The USO (http://www.uso.org/) is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.