2025 was a year of firsts for Paul Skenes. His first Cy Young Award, his first 200-strikeout season, and now his first USO tour.
The Pirates ace and gymnast Livvy Dunne, his girlfriend, recently did their first USO tour aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford and the USS Mahan, meeting with more than 1,300 sailors at sea. The two toured mission-focused areas and daily life spaces, and met with the ships’ leaders and joined sailors for meals.
The couple spent time with the sailors, signing autographs, taking photos and expressing their appreciation for the sailors’ sacrifice.
“I am honored and incredibly grateful to have visited the service men and women aboard the USS Ford and the USS Mahan,” Skenes said in a statement. “Being able to tour the ships and see the incomparable facilities and equipment onboard was an unparalleled experience. Most importantly, being able to meet and spend time with so many brave and real-life heroes who have sacrificed so much to protect us was truly unforgettable and special. We can never thank them enough for all that they do.”
Skenes was the Pirates’ nominee for the Clemente Award this past season because of his work with the military community and first responders. He came into his NL Cy Young Award-winning season pledging $100 per strikeout to the Gary Sinise Foundation (he ended up setting a new franchise record for right-handers with 216 punchouts) and surpassed the $100,000 fundraising goal he set for the foundation. Some of those proceeds were used in September when the Gary Sinise Foundation and Grainger presented more than $100,000 in new equipment grants to four Pittsburgh fire departments.
“Opportunities like this are what the USO is all about, bringing talent like Paul and Livvy to meet service members where they are and share a bit of gratitude,” said Jennifer Wahlquist, USO Vice President of Global Entertainment, in a released statement. "This USO Tour on ships at sea not only gave sailors an opportunity to meet these special guests but also reminded them that there are people back home who appreciate their sacrifices and care about them."