Sometimes it’s easy to forget about all the small moments that add up to a great USO experience, so we love getting notes like this from deployed service men and women.
If you or someone you know is deploying overseas, check out the full range of services we offer for Troops and their families. Not sure where a USO Center is located? Check out our Locations Directory and find one near you today!
Kuwait – The different units assigned to Camp Ali Al Salem started a Softball League and the USO sponsored their T-Shirts. Thomas Lee, a Duty manager at AAS, coordinated the all the logistics to make it happen.
Each team came up with a design and the USO got the shirts made in Kuwait City. The USO logo was placed on each shirt to help promote the USO and to make it all seem as real as possible. The Softball League was created to unite the units and as a way to help boost service members’ morale.
Players get ready to hit the diamond as part of the newly formed softball league in Kuwait.
Stuttgart, Germany – On Friday June 4 2010, USO Stuttgart partnered with FMWR, AUSA and other local organizations to welcome home the 554 MP Co after a one year deployment in Afghanistan. The USO Mobile Canteen served up hot dogs, the local American Legion grilled up hamburgers and pork steaks that were donated by the VFW. USO Stuttgart volunteers cooked up sides and salads, while the Center provided the desserts and cake. A disc jockey played music and a bouncing castle and inflatable jousting ring provided entertainment for the kids. In addition, USO Stuttgart raffled off four free entry registrations for our 19th Annual Golf Tournament in August, as well as amusement park tickets. We take great pride in serving those who continue to serve our great nation!
A USO banner is the perfect way to welcome home Troops returning from Afghanistan!
Kuwait – At Buehring sometimes we have the opportunity to do something a little out of the ordinary. A couple months ago someone asked me if I would hold onto a card for her boyfriend who would be coming through Camp Buehring in June. Being the last stop for all units going into Iraq, Buehring has a constant flow of transient troops. In the flow of troops, Sgt. Ball found me to ask if someone had left him a card…over two months later! It was great to be able to hand deliver the card to brighten his day and help two people make a connection after they both passed through our tent doors!
Reunited, and it feels so good: Sgt. Ball with his card!
Guam – La’Licia is a six year old native of Guam who continues to greatly grieve the loss of her beloved Uncle and godfather — Sergeant Gregory Fejeran –who died at the age of 28 in Operation Enduring Freedom.
When Alicia Yamzon, La’Licia’s mother, shared this information with the Guam USO and that La’Licia had an upcoming birthday, the Guam USO arranged a small party at the USO for La’Licia and her family. USO provided a birthday cake that read “To La’Licia — Happy Birthday — I Love You — From Daddy.” She received presents, and was then connected with her daddy in Afghanistan via Skype…Please click here to read the full story.
The birthday cake from Daddy was held up for him to see, along with the presents and other special gifts for all his children.
Posted in Centers, Europe, Pacific, Southwest Asia, Troops, US
Tagged Camp Beuhring, Kuwait, USO Guam, USO Stuttgart
In 2006, 12 NCAA basketball coaches traveled to Kuwait to coach soldiers in a March Madness-style basketball tournament as part of "Operation Hardwood II."
Operation Hardwood was created in by the USO in 2005 to boost morale and bring a touch of home to those in uniform. The USO has a long tradition of bringing sports figures and sports-related events to troops overseas,“Operation Hardwood” has deployed more than 35 NCAA basketball coaches and sports personalities to Kuwait and Japan.
Posted in Programs, Southwest Asia, Support, Troops
Tagged basketball, coaches, FOX Sports, Kuwait, Operation Hardwood, sports
It may be National Volunteer Week stateside, but our USO Centers in Southwest Asia are extending that celebration overseas by recognizing their volunteers, too! Here are some stories from the field…
To kick off National Volunteer Week the staff at Ali Al Salem (AAS) just so happened to be planning their quarterly volunteer recognition event. This time it was a day of fun in the sun, a pool party.
Duane DeVorak, AAS’s Volunteer Coordinator, planned the event over the past three months. “I think every USO employee knows how valuable our volunteers are. That’s why I wanted to plan something to recognize them and give back to them,” said DeVorak.
The Rock Air Force Base right next door has a swimming pool and volunteers did nothing but enjoy themselves throughout the day. “This was a much needed break from everything we have going on right now,” said Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Kenora Drake, a USO Volunteer. “I can’t believe they did all this for us.”
“We had great food, give-a-ways and all kinds of pool toys for everyone, said Cindy Glenn, Assistant Volunteer Coordinator. “It seemed like everyone had a great time and really enjoyed themselves.” In an effort to unite the centers here in Kuwait, DeVorak invited the volunteer coordinators and the top volunteers form Camp Virginia and Camp Buehring.
Volunteers from Ali Al Salem, Camp Buehring, and Camp Virginia enjoy a pool party thrown at Rock Force Air Base in honor of their efforts.
Baghdad USO would like to congratulate SSG Shaina Newton assigned to TF28th CSH, Sather AB Iraq; her home unit is Bravo Company 28th CSH Fort Bragg, NC and her hometown is Shreveport, Louisiana. Also we would like to thank SMSgt David Sopshier assigned to 447 ELRS Sather AB Iraq; his home unit is 96 LRS Eglin AFB FL, and his hometown is Charleston, SC.
They both started volunteering in January 2010 and are eager volunteers who display a special desire and responsibility for their duties, learning new programs, and volunteering for additional tasks without hesitation. They are valued members of our USO team and consistently exceed the normal expectations. We are very proud of their work here at USO Baghdad. Check out the pictures of Shaina and Dave!
SSG Shaina Newton and SMSgt David Sopshier celebrate 150 volunteer hours each!
And finally, Baghdad SO has been experiencing a water shortage and one of its many volunteers is helping out by recycling the water that is left behind from people passing thru BIAP and we are using it to mop and keep the USO buildings clean instead of going to the faucet to fill up. Below is a picture of Youssefian Parker doing his part and he is also rapidly approaching 1000hrs as a volunteer here at BIAP. THANK YOU PARKER!
Volunteer Youssefian Parker helps conserve water during a shortage at BIAP.
Posted in Recognition, Southwest Asia, Volunteers
Tagged Camp Sather, Iraq, Kuwait, National Volunteer Week, USO Baghdad, Volunteers
One of the popular requests for the USO2Go program is the athletic kit, which features recreational activity equipment including a putting green and portable putting set, volley ball and badminton set, horseshoes, frisbees, footballs, flag football belts, nerf balls, soccer balls and a magnetic dart board. Individual USO Centers often augment those offerings with sports equipment of their own. And sometimes they get really creative!
Camp Buehring, for example, recently had NASCAR-themed event inspired by the recent race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Right before the race began, troops signed up on the “Caution Lap Pool” to guess when the first five cautions would occur. Winners won prizes if they guessed correctly.
They also held their own race, right inside the USO! Troops competed against each other by racing remote-controlled cars throughout the cafe on a 550 cord race track. How cool is that? As one duty manager said, “Troops and staff had a blast at this event!”
It's not as easy as it looks! Just because they're lacking a full-size track doesn't mean Troops have any less of a good time racing remote-controlled cars through the cafe at USO Camp Buehring.
Over at the USO at Ali Al Salem, it was the Great American Pastime that brought together Troops. Staff and volunteers there hosted a day of festivities last week to say goodbye to the old command cell and welcome the new command cell. The events kicked off with a good old game of softball, with the old command cell winning the game 22 to 17. ”Take me out to the ballgame” now has a whole new meaning!
A serviceman knocks it out of the proverbial park, as the old and new command hit the diamond at USO Ali Al Salem. (USO Photo by Duane DeVorak)
Teammates cheer a running back to home base, as the old command cell defeated the new in a game of softball. (USO Photo by Duane DeVorak)
Finally, it’s not our story, but we think it’s a good one anyway. A group of Canadian and American hockey players from the NHL recently travelled to Afghanistan for a game of street hockey. And they brought along the Stanley Cup!
This friendly rivals have been playing a series of exhibition games organized by the Canadian government. Players past and present played alongside Troops in Kandahar, among other locations. This is the fourth time the Stanley Cup has visited the Persian Gulf. Keep updated with posts on the Toronto Maple Leafs’ website and take a moment to listen to a report from NPR.
With Team Canada's Lt. Cmdr. Lorne Hartwell (Royal Canadian Navy) close on his heels, Sgt. Francisco N. Aponte of the Kandahar Hawks (a maintenance noncommissioned officer with the 143d Expeditionary Sustainment Command) chases after the ball in a ball-hockey game against Team Canada March 4. Team Canada, comprised mostly of former National Hockey League players, visited Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, on a morale trip for troops. (Army photo by PFC Elisebet Freeburg)
Posted in Centers, Southwest Asia, Support
Tagged baseball, hockey, Kuwait, NASCAR, NPR, sports, Stanley Cup
