Paul Skenes Reflects on Air Force Academy Days After USO Tour with Livvy Dunne
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/livvy-dunne-paul-skenes-uso5-12425-fad80626943445c59a24e15c3447886d.jpg)
Paul Skenes, pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, recently embarked on a USO Tour alongside his girlfriend Livvy Dunne, an elite gymnast, and viral content creator. The couple shared their exclusive insights with PEOPLE about how this eye-opening experience has impacted their perspectives on their careers.
During the tour, Skenes and Dunne visited sailors aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford and the USS Mahan, getting a firsthand look at the dedication and sacrifices made by the men and women serving in the military. For Skenes, a former Air Force Academy student, this experience brought back memories and made him question the reasons behind his career in baseball.
Reflecting on the tour, Skenes mentioned how interacting with young sailors fresh out of high school reminded him of his time at the Air Force Academy, where individuals from diverse backgrounds come together for a common goal. This experience gave the couple a deeper appreciation for the shared purpose and camaraderie among service members.
Skenes, who comes from a military family and briefly attended the Air Force Academy before pursuing his baseball career, found participating in the USO Tour to be a meaningful and humbling experience. Alongside his girlfriend, he engaged with over 1,300 sailors, learning about their missions, operations, and daily lives on the Navy’s advanced aircraft carrier.
The couple’s interactions with the sailors, including signing autographs, engaging in conversations, and even partaking in a handstand challenge, highlighted the mutual respect and admiration they have for the dedication and service of military personnel. This experience left a lasting impact on both Skenes and Dunne, leading them to reevaluate their own lives and goals.
For Skenes, the tour served as a reminder of the importance of having a strong sense of purpose in one’s endeavors. He expressed how speaking with sailors about their motivations and commitments made him reflect on his own reasons for playing baseball, urging everyone to find their “why” in whatever they do, both professionally and personally.
Dunne also shared her sentiments, emphasizing how the tour provided a new perspective on the sacrifices made by service members and how it put her own daily struggles into context. The couple’s shared experience on the USO Tour strengthened their bond and reinforced their appreciation for those who serve their country.
As they continue their respective careers in sports and entertainment, Skenes and Dunne have gained a deeper understanding of the values of dedication, sacrifice, and purpose. The USO Tour not only offered them a unique opportunity to connect with service members but also inspired them to approach their futures with a renewed sense of gratitude and perspective.