[caption id=“attachment_2067” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Soldiers help Karl Murphy, FirstLight Federal Credit Union president, cut the ribbon during the grand opening ceremony on April 15, 2010. (USO Photo by El Paso Portraits)”][/caption]

The USO and FirstLight Federal Credit Union opened conjoined, brand new centers, continuing their commitment to service members stationed on Fort Bliss.   These new facilities will serve more than 37,000 troops and 53,000 military family members expected on Fort Bliss by 2012.   USO El Paso also supports troops stationed in New Mexico and on White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base.

Yolanda Castillo is the Director of USO El Paso and has this to say about the new center: “On-going community support of our new USO facility at East Fort Bliss has enabled the thousands of troops at Fort Bliss to find a true ‘home away from home’.  Our new center is bright and welcoming, and will offer troops a pleasant respite from their daily military duties. We are very grateful for the generous support from FirstLight Federal Credit Union and the El Paso community!”

Located at the northeast corner of Constitution and Sgt. Major Blvd, the new building is situated in the heart of Fort Bliss.  This is USO El Paso’s second location on Fort Bliss, creating one of the largest combined footprints on any military installation.  The new 6,400 square foot USO center boasts more than 30 Internet enabled computer stations, three flat screen televisions, Blu-ray players, six Xbox® 360 consoles, pool tables, a kitchen area, lounge, lending library, snack bar and large outdoor patio.

New Mexico Senator Jeff Bingaman said, “The new center on Fort Bliss will help meet the quickly escalating demand from the many soldiers and their families new to the base and the remaining thousands arriving in the next few years. The FirstLight-USO partnership is one that is above and beyond the usual, and one that will improve the lives of many in a meaningful way.”

Check out more photos below!

[caption id=“attachment_2070” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“The new 6,400 square foot USO center has 40 Internet enabled computer stations, 3 flat screen televisions, Blu-ray players, 6 Xbox® 360 consoles, pool tables, a kitchen area, lounge, lending library and outdoor patio. (USO Photo by El Paso Portraits)”][/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_2068” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“USO president, Sloan Gibson, acknowledges media during the USO El Paso and FirstLight Federal Credit Union grand opening celebration on April 15, 2010. (USO Photo by El Paso Portraits)”][/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_2066” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“USO El Paso Programs Manager, Robert Medrano ®, chats with a center volunteer during the USO El Paso and FirstLight Federal Credit Union grand opening celebration on April 15, 2010. (USO Photo by El Paso Portraits)”][/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_2069” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“The USO’s Mobile Canteen traveled to Fort Bliss to greet and serve troops and their families during the USO El Paso and FirstLight Federal Credit Union’s grand opening celebration on April 15, 2010. (USO Photo by El Paso Portraits)”][/caption]

[caption id=“attachment_2071” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Yolanda Castillo, director of USO El Paso, greets guests during the grand opening of USO El Paso and FirdtLight Federal Credit Union’s first conjoined center on Fort Bliss. (USO Photo by El Paso Portraits)”][/caption]