|
Blackanthem Military News
|
Last Updated:
Mar 19, 2010 - 6:16:21 PM |
|
|
Blackanthem Military News
 |
| Army Lt. Col. Eugene Shearer, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Shelton Williamson, Army Col. Marcus Cochran and Kevin Meade cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the USO's first portable facility at Forward Operating Base Shank in Afghanistan's Logar province, May 27, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Amber Robinson |
LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Shank here gathered May 27 for the dedication of the first "USO in a Box."
The facility was dedicated to the soldiers who serve, have served and to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Task Force Spartan soldiers from the 710th Brigade Support Battalion hosted a formal ceremony for the grand opening. Army Col. Marcus Cochran, personnel assistance officer in charge for Combined Joint Task Force 101 was the event's keynote speaker.
"The USO is a place where any soldier can go and it feels like home," he said. "It's a place that offers a break."
Though it's small and enclosed within a metal container, the new USO facility comes with all amenities included, making it an oasis for relaxation and fun. It includes a large-screen television, two phones for morale calls, two computers for personal e-mail access and three video-game consoles.
"This facility is the first-ever to be established anywhere in the world," said Army Capt. Pena De Lucia of the CJTF 101 personnel office, who had a large role in planning the event.
"We saw the need for a facility in this area," said Kevin Meade, vice president for USO facilities throughout Southwest Asia. "We did extensive research, and this is where our research showed we should establish the first center."
More portable USOs soon will follow. Two other units have arrived at Bagram Airfield and await transport to destinations in Kunar and Paktia provinces.
"We plan to have 10 facilities set up across Afghanistan, including this one," Meade said. "Ten facilities will be set up here, and 10 will be sent to Iraq."
The facilities are part of what Meade refers to as a "three-prong effect," which includes the portable USO facilities, gaming systems and "USO to Go," a program that sends soldiers packages of goodies, clothing, board games, and musical instruments.
"What we want is to provide outreach to those soldiers that are out on the more obscure FOBs," Meade said, "which is why we have made these portable USO facilities so durable, compact and easy to set up."
After the ceremony, soldiers had a chance to tour the facility. Without a word, they settled down in front of the large TV, dialed up their families or sat down to compete on the gaming systems.
None had to be asked; they all knew what to do: just come in and put their minds at ease for a moment at "a little piece of home" in the middle of their dusty forward base.
Comments
NO Soliciting.
Comments with links to websites or soliciting services will be removed.
Please read our Terms of use for more information.
John Lee
18 Jun 2009, 09:11
My brother is a civilian contractor charged with the task of repairing
Apache helicopters at FOB Shank. He hasn't been able to access the internet
since he's been there. Is he eligible to use this facility even though he
is no longer a soldier?
Cindy Bailey
06 Jun 2009, 12:49
I think that our men are so deserving of this. They're always in my
thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all and may God return you home
safely. Take care of each other. We are forever in your debt.
Linda Landry
06 Jun 2009, 11:17
Nice to see there is a slice of pleasant available in a very unpleasant
situation. May our Lord and Saviour
Bless the troops for protecting those
they serve.
dianne smith
05 Jun 2009, 08:42
God bless to you guys. Praying for you all to come home safely..I just got
an email from my friend telling me this was here. I am sooo proud of what
you guys do for them over there. It is a wonderful thing. God Bless You
all..Love you guys..
Dianne
Clarence Shearer
05 Jun 2009, 07:44
The First USO over there great.
I know that the soldiers are well
deserving of this facility.
"Good Luck and God Bless each of You;
A prayer to Keep You Safe to let you
fullfill your mission.
Addy Hotaling
05 Jun 2009, 05:15
These guys are doing a great job and this was wonderful idea and I am glad
to hear that it was put into place. I know that they will enjoy it.
Keep up the good work guys.
My prayers go out to you and your leaders.
Give them Hell and come home safe.
God Bless you all.
andrea edwards
05 Jun 2009, 03:30
i think it is a wonderfull thing for the men that are out there
trying to compete against all kinds of emotional exhausting times this is
something that will help them take their mind away from that, even if for
only 5 mins
god bless you
|
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
