HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Nov. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] employees and community members in Huntsville today prepared United Service Organizations (USO) winter Holiday Boxes for deployed military service members. The group of volunteers packed holiday snacks, decorations, movies, hand and foot warmers and cards from Lockheed Martin employees into 125 jumbo boxes, each of which will be shared with up to 50 soldiers.

The volunteer force numbered more than 50 employees to commemorate Lockheed Martin's 50 years of operations in Huntsville. The company held the packaging event in the first building it constructed in Huntsville in 1963. 

Rolling up his sleeves alongside of the other volunteers was Mat Joyce, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company vice president of Missile Defense Systems and deputy for Strategic & Missile Defense Systems. "These holiday boxes are a token of Lockheed Martin's thanks to our troops for all they do for our country," said Joyce. "We appreciate the sacrifices that they and their family members make. Most importantly, we send our deepest gratitude and heartfelt wishes for a safe return home."

The USO developed the USO Holiday Box program to provide a touch of home during holidays and special occasions for service men and women stationed in remote locations that do not have access to traditional USO centers. Decorations and treats brighten encampments in the spirit of the specific season.

Lockheed Martin hosts employee volunteer events across the United States to assemble USO care packages and winter holiday boxes for service members each year. Since 2008, Lockheed Martin volunteer have prepared more than 195,000 USO Care Packages for individual military service members, as well as approximately 400 USO Holiday Boxes for as many as 20,000 military service members.  

"USO Holiday Boxes deliver a touch of home to our troops serving in the most remote corners of the world," said Ed Shock, vice president, USO Warrior and Family Care. "Through their continuing support of the USO, Lockheed Martin and their employees are creating lasting holiday moments for our troops."

In addition to the USO, Lockheed Martin's support to organizations and events in the Huntsville area that serve active-duty military service members and veterans includes Still Serving Veterans, the Semper Fi Community Task Force of North Alabama and the annual Association of the United States Army veterans dinner. 

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 116,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products, and services. The corporation's net sales for 2012 were $47.2 billion.

Media Contacts:
Lynn Fisher, 408-742-7606; lynn.m.fisher@lmco.com 
Jeanette Alberg, 303-977-5841; jeanette.a.alberg@lmco.com

For more information: www.lockheedmartin.com

SOURCE Lockheed Martin