Tag Archives: USO2GO

Special Delivery!

Posted on July 24, 2012 by | 2 Comments

The USO is preparing our next big USO2GO shipment. It weighs a ton — literally.

That’s because it’s filled with the comforts of home — items that can help our troops transform remote forward operating bases in Afghanistan into a place where they can organize a pick-up football game, play guitar, or just relax in a beanbag chair.

We need your help to make this delivery possible. And, when you send a gift, we’ll add your name to a huge “thank you” banner that will be included in the shipment.

Help send a special USO2GO shipment and we’ll include your name on a banner so our troops know how much you appreciate their service.


The USO2GO shipment we’re putting together is more than a collection of items our troops can really use. It’s also a huge “thank you” from a grateful nation.

And this time, you can play a personal role in delivering that thanks by adding your name to our USO banner included in the shipment.

Imagine how our troops will feel when they unpack the boxes to find your name and the names of thousands of other USO supporters on a banner letting them know their country is standing proudly behind them.

And every day, as they enjoy some of the comforts of home you’ve helped provide in this USO2GO shipment, they’ll see your name and know there are people out there caring for them, supporting them and honoring their service.

Give our troops a one-of-a-kind USO2GO shipment and we’ll add your name to a banner that will be included in the shipment.

I know how strongly you stand by our troops and I hope you’ll take part in this great campaign today.

Thanks for all you do,

Kelli Seely, Senior Vice President, Chief Development Officer, USO

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Posted in Fundraising, Programs, Southwest Asia

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Bringing Comfort to Those Saving Lives in Afghanistan

Posted on July 6, 2012 by | 3 Comments

Optimal levels of comfort achieved!

At a remote forward operating base in Afghanistan, a small team of medical officers, surgeons, nurses and corpsman stand in harm’s way, always at the ready to save the lives of our frontline troops

They live as close to the action as possible. It’s a life of hurry up and wait. But with few luxuries available in a combat zone, they pass the time sitting on tires, playing cards and eating MRE’s.

True to our mission, the USO recently provided much needed furniture, toiletries, energy drinks and entertainment to lift the spirits of the 629th Forward Surgical Team at FOB Orgun-E, on the eastern border of Afghanistan. The unit received a USO2GO shipment which included coffee makers, video games, bean bag chairs and more, bringing them a much-needed touch of home.

“We can’t thank the USO enough,” said Army Capt. Phyllis Thieken of the 629th FST. “We are a team of medics, doctors, CRNAs [Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists] and nurses who are devoted to taking care of the wounded, and it makes me feel good to know that with the help of the USO, we are able to help other soldiers here on the FOB.”

The medical team is using the care package to further pay it forward to Special Operators passing through their base.

“Some come here just to get a shower after being out on missions,” she added. “By supplying simple packets of Gatorade to these guys who have been eating MREs, we get such a good feeling. Their faces light up over Gatorade!”

“Little things like furniture—comfortable places to sit—are often taken for granted out here. Most every piece of furniture is hand built from scrap wood and sleeping mats. Outside we were sitting on tires, so with the folding chairs and bean-bag chairs you gave us, we’re now able to actually sit and be comfortable, especially when we have meetings or training as a group. It’s made a huge difference in our everyday lives.”

Right now the unit is engaged in a fierce Call of Duty tournament on the X-Box 360. The combat shooter has been a constant source of rivalry within the unit and gives them something to look forward to each day.

“That X-Box is hands down the most coveted piece of equipment in that box,” said Thieken. “If that thing broke we would have a riot on our hands. It’s our number one source of entertainment, and it really helps us pass the time.” -  Joseph Andrew Lee, USO Staff Writer

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Posted in Centers, Programs, Southwest Asia, Support, Troops

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Message from the USO President Sloan Gibson

Posted on November 12, 2010 by | 4 Comments

“Wherever we are, we deliver a message of thanks to troops far from home and those here at home.” Sloan Gibson, President of the USO

Courtesy of Media Planet:

Message from the USO President Sloan Gibson

Send your Thank From Everywhere by clicking the banner below!

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Posted in Programs, Support

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Photos from the Field – September 2010

Posted on September 27, 2010 by | 2 Comments

Periodically, we’re bringing you the best in USO photography from around the world.  Enjoy this latest installment of our photo essays!

(P.S. – if you know any of the photographers of images that don’t credit one, please let us know!)

A panoramic shot of the recently built center at USO Fort Riley. What a view! (Photo by Virginia Hagin of HaginPhotography)

A group of Marines serving in Afghanistan enjoy some comforts of home courtesy of their USO2Go kits. (Photo by their Command Chaplain)

Flyover in formation as part of Korean Air Force training for Armed Forces Day. (Photo courtesy of USO Korea Facebook page)

Morning rising above Sather Air Base, home of the USO Baghdad. (USO photo by Richard McCarty, via USO Baghdad Facebook page)

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Posted in Troops

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Soldiers Enjoy New USO at FOB Konduz

Posted on September 3, 2010 by | 1 Comment

Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Division deployed from 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y., enjoy a movie during their off time in the recently reopened FOB Konduz United Service Organizations. The building was recently remodeled and opened to the Soldiers. (U.S Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Megan P. Lyon)

By Staff Sgt. Megan P. Lyon, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KONDUZ, Afghanistan – When Soldiers deploy, what to do during the rare time off is not something many spend time thinking about.

But thanks to the work of Capt. Tony Hampton, chaplain for 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment deployed from 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y., and numerous volunteers, Soldiers have a spot at the FOB Konduz United Service Organizations to get away from it all, even if it’s just for an hour or two.

Long before members of the Soldiers stepped off the plane, coordination had begun to secure “a bit of home away from home” for the Soldiers.

“Before we left Fort Drum, I contacted the USO and asked if they would send us a USO2GO pack,” said Capt. Hampton. “When we arrived on the ground, boxes started appearing.”

Inside those boxes was everything a Soldier could ask for to be entertained.

According the USO’s webpage, inside of the USO2GO delivers the USO’s most popular services to troops in the remote and restricted areas. Included are beanbag chairs, snacks, and coffee, toiletries, DVDs as well as gaming platforms.

“Everything you see in the USO, came from the USO2GO packs that they sent us, said Capt. Hampton.

When Soldiers first arrived, the building set to house the USO had been left unattended and required several days to renovate. During that time the interior was painted, new furniture brought in and arranged in the building. Different areas were set up to accommodate numerous activities including a section to watch movies or play video game, a reading area, a ping-pong table, a foosball table and a music area complete with guitars and a karaoke machine.

“The greatest thing for me is just seeing the Soldiers coming and having a place to relax,” said Capt. Hampton. “They can watch a movie, play a [video game] and get something to eat. Just seeing them come in, get off their feet and relax is the biggest reward to me.”

The decision to update the facilities was an easy one for the chaplain.

“Part of my job description for the battalion is the morale and spiritual welfare of the Soldiers, said Capt. Hampton. “If they go out there and fight, when they come back in, they should have some where that feels somewhat like home, that they can come and relax.”

“They can come in here and watch movies or play video games, “said Pfc. Andrew Taylor, 1st Brigade, 87th Infantry Regiment medic, who volunteers his time to help run the USO.

“It’s like a slice of home in a way,” he added.

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Posted in Southwest Asia, Support, Troops

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Tell Us About Your Favorite Program!

Posted on July 11, 2010 by | 9 Comments

Many people know the USO for our celebrity entertainment tours and USO Centers in airports around the world.  But did you know that we have a variety of programs that can be enjoyed by service members far beyond the reaches of a center or tour.

And we continue to grow!  Our newest program – Operation Enduring Care – is a “comprehensive long-term initiative to support America’s Wounded Warriors and their families.”  And many local USO Centers also offer programs and services that are unique to the populations they serve.   Your USO is changing…but the fact that we support our Troops and their families will always remain.

Take our quick poll to let us know which program is your favorite, or which one your family enjoys the most.  We’re always looking for feedback and love to hear your personal stories.  PLUS, two lucky blog comments will be chosen at random to win a special USO Prize Pack!  (Sorry, but USO employees and their families are not eligible)

Vote for your favorite above, add your original idea below, and be sure to check out this short video that shows USO2GO in action!

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Posted in Programs, Support

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