Your USO at Work (2009, Issue 2) |
|
Message from Sloan Gibson, USO president
Sloan Gibson discusses troop support with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Mike Mullen during 2008 Holiday Tour
USO Photo by Dave Gatley
The celebration of the USO’s 68th birthday on February 4 gave us a chance to look back on a great history and to look forward to an even brighter future. Of course, we are even more aware of the members of the U.S. military and the roles they play in protecting our liberty and freedoms. They remind us of the long line of heroes who step forward each generation to serve our country.
But, we all know they are more than Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. They are volunteers. They are fellow citizens who fight our wars when asked, and serve as our greatest ambassadors around the world.
It is the USO’s privilege to serve them, to lift their spirits and to exceed their expectations whenever they come to a USO center. At 135 locations around the world, the USO is a welcoming beacon, representing the support provided by donors, USO staff members, and thousands of committed volunteers.
As we move forward, we have some great things to report. Soon, troops in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan will have greater access to the Internet and to better telephone service. We will be providing more robust and more reliable broadband service at USO locations across the Persian Gulf region.
Just before publication of this newsletter, the first three USOs in a Box were loaded onto an airplane bound for Afghanistan. In a matter of weeks, these transportable USOs will be at remote, forward operating bases there. Troops will be able to watch movies, email home or just relax for a while. More of these units will be delivered later this year.
Our USO2Go program has sent goods to troops at more than 100 locations from the Philippines to the Sinai, as well as to bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. This small touch of home reminds them that we’re thinking of them, no matter where they serve.
Our Mobile Entertainment Gaming Systems (MEGS) are up and running at locations across Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. These units make it possible for a number of troops to watch DVDs or play video games in their off-duty hours.
When those programs are added to the wealth of options provided to troops and their families everywhere, a new and bolder commitment to serve them comes into focus. The men and women of the military – active duty, Guard and Reserve – are standing watch for each of us in locations in every part of the globe.
They tell us with great pride about helping to rebuild essential infrastructure in Ramadi, Iraq, and about building schools in Khost, Afghanistan. They reflect with humility on times they helped people in those countries by providing school supplies or access to health care and clean water. They are also among the first to arrive after tsunamis or earthquakes around the world.
These ambassadors are also our neighbors – today more than at any other time in our memory. They do more than walk among us. They repair our cars one day, and service heavy military equipment half way around the world a month later. They stand by our side after natural disasters or during national emergencies. They voluntarily place our welfare ahead of their own. That is why we have a duty to support them.
I am proud to have celebrated my first USO Birthday with such a talented, committed and caring group of colleagues. Our challenge is to fulfill our potential – to constantly find ways to do more as we support U.S. troops and their families.
USO photo by Mabee William and Ben Adams
USO Osan, the troops' newest center in South Korea, officially opened for business February 4. This new facility on Osan Air Base is the sixth South Korean center and will serve more than 8,400 troops and their families.
"The USO is excited to serve the 51st Fighter Wing and Seventh Air Force at Osan," said Sloan Gibson, USO president. "As we open another much-needed center, we are thrilled to provide a home away from home for even more service members and their families."
Troops visiting the 2,100 square foot facility during the grand opening took advantage of their new home away from home, making full use of the 16-seat theater room, television section and snack bar. The center's cyber cafe gives visitors free email and Internet access, and the United Through Reading Military Program videotaping area will help troops stay connected with their children at home. Center staff and volunteers are also excited to host and organize various events, like cookouts, game nights and new arrival orientation tours.
"The Osan USO center is a great opportunity to bring USO programs to the many service members and their families serving in Korea," said Tom Kolstad, USO's vice president for Pacific operations. "It truly is an honor to serve those who serve."
Osan staff and volunteers extended their sincere thanks for the generosity and support they've received from sponsors, the Osan community and the 51st Fighter Wing commander, Col. Jon A. Norman, who went above and beyond to make this center a reality.
Mary Nelson Adams (center) recieves proclamation from the Savannah City Council naming February 12, 2009, as 'Mary Nelson Adams Day'
Photo courtesy of Carol Miller, Savannah Public Information Office
Mary Nelson Adams, recipient of the 2008 USO World Volunteer of the Year award, was recently celebrated by the City of Savannah, Georgia, which recognized her tireless work on behalf of America's service members by declaring February 12, 2009, as "Mary Nelson Adams Day" in the city of Savannah.
"The City of Savannah is very proud of one of its own earning the USO World Volunteer of the Year award. Mary Nelson Adams is recognized throughout the community for her volunteer work and leadership in serving the troops," said Ray Gaster, Board Chairman-USO Savannah Council. "Savannah's city council wanted to formally honor her for her work, as she epitomizes the dedication of many USO volunteers."
Adams began volunteering with the USO in the 1950's. In her travels as an Army wife, she visited many stateside and overseas centers, supporting them in any way she could. She returned to the USO of Georgia in 2003 and took on additional responsibilities by serving as chairperson for volunteers in 2005. Adams currently works at the USO Council of Georgia's southeastern locations, which include centers at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, Hunter Army Airfield and Fort Stewart.
She is known as the "never miss gal," because she never misses an opportunity to serve America's troops. Those who know her well say that she embodies the spirit of the USO because, no matter the circumstances, she always makes service members feel at home and appreciated. In addition to this newest honor, Adams was also the recipient of President George W. Bush's "Call to Freedom Award," as well as being recognized by the Chatham County (Georgia) Commission with a certificate of outstanding citizenship.
The USO family congratulates Mrs. Adams on her accomplishments and dedication to our troops and their families.
Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex react as the Pittsburgh Steelers score against the Arizona Cardinals late in the fourth quarter of Superbowl XLIII.
Photo courtesy of DVIDS
Watched by more than 95 million viewers worldwide, Super Bowl XLIII was the second-most-viewed championship game in NFL history. As people around the globe watched the Super Bowl from the comfort of their living rooms, thousands of service members in the Persian Gulf awoke in the middle of the night and piled into neighboring USO centers to cheer on their favorite team.
Among some of the centers visited were USO Camp Buehring, a newly renovated state-of-the-art facility located in the Kuwaiti desert, and the Pat Tillman USO Center at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. Named after the former Arizona Cardinal safety who put his NFL career on hold to become an Army Ranger and was killed in action in 2004, the Tillman Center held a Super Bowl party in celebration of Tillman’s military service. The event was a roaring success and Tillman's Cardinals jersey on display in the center reminded everyone of the service and sacrifice of America's troops, as well as the long tradition of the NFL supporting our troops through the USO.
The only facility of its kind in Afghanistan, the Pat Tillman USO Center opened in 2005 and has served more than 107,000 service members. Funding for the facility was made possible by the NFL, which donated $250,000 to the USO for the construction of a recreational building for troops in the region.
Since World War II, more than 1,200 NFL players, coaches and team owners have interrupted or delayed their professional football careers to serve in the U.S. armed forces. Twenty-four of them, including Tillman, gave their lives.
The first sports organization to send players overseas to boost troop morale, the NFL teamed up with the USO in 1966. Today, the league’s commitment to the U.S. military is as strong as it was more than four decades ago. In 2008, the NFL deployed eight sports figures abroad and lifted the spirits of more than 8,600 troops in five countries. As this newsletter goes to press, another contingent of NFL players is visiting with troops in Southwest Asia.
To view the latest in NFL-USO entertainment, check out the current NFL Tour Blog.
(L to R) General James Lovelace poses for a photo alongside 2008 Patton Award recipient Mary Louise Austin and Command Sergeant Major John Fourhman during a luncheon at Fort McPherson, GA, on December 5, 2008.
USO photo by David Fisher, USO volunteer
At the height of the Vietnam War in 1969, Mary Louise Austin of Pennsylvania left her career in education to join the USO. Today, more than forty years later, Austin now serves as president and CEO of the USO of Georgia, which helps support more than 400,000 service members and their families annually. She oversees the operations of USO Columbus, USO Savannah, USO at Robins Air Force Base and the Jean R. Amos USO Center. She also is responsible for overseeing funding and implementing various programs and services throughout these centers.
Initially deployed to a USO center in Biloxi, MS, Austin went on to work various assignments in and outside the U.S., including time at the USO World Headquarters when it was based in New York City. A true USO veteran, she also helped establish several USO centers in Germany and spearheaded the USO’s Hurricane Katrina relief task force.
“We are very fortunate to have Mary Lou in the USO family,” said Sloan D. Gibson, USO president. “By lifting the spirits of uncountable troops and military families during her 40 years of service, she has demonstrated her great love for our service members and her commitment to enhancing their lives. We are extremely proud of her accomplishments and are inspired by her example of generous service.”
The recipient of numerous awards, Austin was recently bestowed the 2008 Patton Award by the commander of the United States Central Command for her outstanding support of the military community. She was also honored with the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service and the General Creighton W. Abrams Medal, among other accolades.
Married for more than 30 years to a retired Colonel in the U.S. Army, a man she met while working for the USO, Austin’s love affair with America’s armed forces runs deep.
“I can’t believe it has been forty years,” said Austin. “It feels like just yesterday I was looking at the USO job listing in the newspaper and traveling to New York City for an interview. Working for the USO and serving our men and women in uniform has been a dream, and I look forward to many more years to come.”
The USO salutes Austin for her forty years of dedicated service and continued support of service members and their families. As a result of her leadership and patriotism, along with the help of thousands of USO volunteers worldwide, the USO continues to provide a home away from home for America’s troops.
To learn more about the USO of Georgia, visit http://www.usogeorgia.org/. For a list of USO centers located stateside, visit http://www.uso.org/whoweare/findyourlocaluso/uslocations/.
Free subscription to the online newsletter
"Your USO at Work" is a free e-mail newsletter delivered every 4-6 WEEKS. It includes up-to-date information on the USO, including USO center events, upcoming entertainment tours, partner and sponsor information, and programs and services. To ensure that you receive the newsletter we recommend adding to your list of safe contacts. Newsletters are sent from this e-mail address. We distribute newsletters in-house using Bronto software.
USO World Headquarters values your trust in our organization and your information is kept confidential. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE READ THE USO PRIVACY STATEMENT. Subscribe to our online newsletter and get up-to-date information on the USO. You’ll receive regular updates on USO center events, entertainment tours, programs and services, and partner and sponsor information.
Questions or comments? Contact us via e-mail at newsletter@uso.org.