Palazzo offers public kiosk to write letters to troops

If you're looking to channel your patriotic feelings into something worthwhile on the eve of Independence Day, the Palazzo has the machine for you.

And no, we're not talking about a slot machine.

A few weeks ago, the Palazzo installed an electronic kiosk in the resort's atrium, enabling the public to write letters of support to American troops. And they didn't stop there. Management installed a letter-writing program on 2,500 internal computers, giving employees the means to write their own notes.

The letters will be given to the local chapter of the USO for distribution.

Patriotism and community service aren't too often associated with Strip casinos. But Sheldon Adelson started changing that when he decided to host a group of Wounded Warriors at The Venetian three years ago. The service members stayed in suites, enjoyed fine dining and experienced the best that his hotels had to offer, says Dawn Britt, the director of public relations for The Venetian and Palazzo.

The Venetian has hosted six Wounded Warrior groups during the past three years. When staff members were planning this year's event, they wanted to do something a little extra, Britt says.

The driving force of the USO is to provide troops with homey touches through care packages and letters from home, notes Doug Bradford, director of the USO Las Vegas center at McCarran International Airport, so the Palazzo's plan was a welcome effort.

"Messages that come from home really mean a lot to our troops who are in a war zone, because it shows them that people still support them," Bradford says.

The USO will distribute some letters to troops who are passing through the airport to either deploy or return home. The majority of the notes are to be placed in care packages along with gum, razors, shampoo and other personal items, Bradford says. The USO is working with other Strip casinos on future letter-writing campaigns.

Since installing the writing kiosks in May, the Palazzo has received about 500 letters from a variety of contributors, including children and veterans. The campaign runs through Monday, Britt says.

"I was amazed at how the Palazzo decorated the entire area with red, white and blue. It's just marvelous. It gives you a sense of pride, and these are the kinds of things that strengthen our community."

Contact reporter Sonya Padgett at spadgett@ reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4564.