Coalition Forces bow their heads in a moment of silence during a ceremony Sunday April 3, 2005 to open a United Service Organizations (USO) center at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan to honor the former NFL player and US Army Ranger Pat Tillman, who was killed in Afghanistan last year. The National Football League donated $ 250,000 to fund the center for the former Arizona Cardinal’s player. USO photo by Mike Theiler
I served as acting Center Director and Programs Manager at the Pat Tillman Memorial USO Center in 2007. When I first walked in the door I was very impressed with everything there. It provides such a respite for the Coalition Forces, military contractors and all those who visit. I miss being there, I miss meeting men and women from all over the world and doing whatever I could for them to make their downtime as relaxing as possible.
I was fortunate enough to meet Pat Tillman’s mom, Mary, here in Denver, while she was on a tour for her book BOOTS ON THE GROUD BY DUSK: MY TRIBUTE TO PAT TILLMAN. After the book signing I gave her a photo taken of me outside the center. She said that they had never personally seen the inside of the center but were hoping to someday be able to visit. She was a very nice lady.
To all those who volunteer at the Pat Tillman USO and all those who visit the center, KEEP UP THE GREAT JOBS YOU ARE ALL DOING! It is appreciated more than you know.