For the USO. April 2018.

By Sandi Moynihan

ERBIL, Iraq—Surprises are among the best things in life. When Army Sgt. Sarobar Thapa and his unit first arrived at their forward operating base in northern Iraq, he knew they were in for several days, if not weeks, of MREs and living without fresh toiletries, entertainment or connectivity. So he reached out to USO Erbil for help.

For the USO. April 2018.

Video by Sandi Moynihan.

Led by by Gen. Paul Selva, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the tour brought former “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart, UFC fighters Paige VanZant and Max Holloway, country music artist Craig Morgan, celebrity chef and TV host Robert Irvine, and Richard “Rip” Hamilton, a retired NBA All-Star, around the world to thank our troops.

For the USO. June 2019.

Video editing by Sandi Gohn.

Video by Sandi Gohn and Chad Stewart.

On any given Thursday, Army Sgt. 1st Class Uriah Britt is busy doing what he does best — serving as a soldier in the U.S. military. But last September, thanks to his then-upcoming PCS, Britt got a chance to head to the USO Wiesbaden Cottage to spend a rare weekday morning focused on his other full-time job—-being a dad.

For McClatchy Creative Lab. June 2017.

Video editing by: Sandi Moynihan
Video by: McClatchy Creative Lab
Reporting by: McClatchy Creative Lab and News Deeply

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, California—There are 300 community water systems in the state that face chronic water quality issues, according to the State Water Resources Control Board. Here are some of those residents' stories.

For the USO. May 2017.

Video by: Sandi Moynihan

YOKOSUKA, Japan—When Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeffrey Lee received an urgent call to head to his work station on the USS Ronald Reagan one morning, he thought there was something seriously wrong. Lee raced down five ladder wells and right past the USO’s camera crew before realizing he walked into his own surprise birthday celebration, courtesy of his wife, USO Yokosuka and the Operation Birthday Cake Program.

For the USO. June 2017.

Video by Sandi Moynihan and Joseph Andrew Lee
Video editing by Sandi Moynihan

CAMP WALKER, South Korea—Before he was sent to Camp Walker, South Korea, Army Maj. Patrick Caukin would read two his two young daughters, Ashley, 4, and Audrey, 2, every day. Now, thanks to the USO, he still reads to them several time a week, even though he is thousands of miles away. Watch the video to learn how.

For the USO. May 2016.

By Sandi Moynihan and Eric Brandner

ANCHORAGE, Alaska—Josh Revak always wanted to run his hometown’s signature race. But a 2006 injury in Iraq left him wondering if he’d be able to run again at all. The former Army tanker was severely wounded and nearly lost his right foot during a 2006 deployment to Iraq. Unable to be active on his salvaged foot, Revak put his marathon dreams behind him — until now.

For McClatchy Creative Lab. June 2017.

Edited by Sandi Moynihan. Filmed and Reporting by McClatchy Creative Lab and News Deeply.

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, California—There are about 300 communities in California whose drinking water violates health standards, according to the State Water Resources Control Board. And residents of rural, low-income communities in the valley face some of the worst water quality problems, as small and underfunded water systems struggle with contaminated groundwater.

For the NBA and the USO. February 2017.

Video by: Sandi Moynihan
Reporting by: Sandi Moynihan and Scott Howard-Cooper
Video editing by: NBA TV

BAGRAM, Afghanistan--NBA TV's "Beyond the Paint" headed to Afghanistan to capture how the USO and the NBA are coming together to connect service members to family, home and country.

For the USO. January 2015.

Video by: Sandi Moynihan

NEW YORK--When Larissa Klinger saw a USO Show Troupe audition advertisement in 2009, she knew she was meant for the gig.

For Klinger, who’s father served in the Army for 20 years, joining the group meant more than just providing entertainment to troops and their families. It meant giving back to the community she grew up in.

For The Washington Post. 2014.

Animation by: Sohail Al Jamea
Video by: Brad Horn
Video editing by: Sandi Moynihan and Brad Horn
Reporting by: Brad Horn and Tara Bahrampour

Someone told his story and saved his life. Now he wants to tell the stories of the kids who were left behind.