USO Center Spotlight - May 2008

 
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USO Balad

 

“Although the troops are so thrilled and appreciative to have the opportunity to connect with their families in such a precious way, it is truly our honor and privilege to have the opportunity to provide this program and see our troops so encouraged.”

– Shari Jenson.

USO Balad opened its doors in February 2008, extending USO programs and services to approximately 40,000 deployed troops and DoD civilians at Logistics Support Area Anaconda and Balad Air Base. Referred to as “Mortaritaville” because of the area’s history of frequent mortar and rocket attacks by insurgents, USO Balad is the USO’s first permanent facility in Iraq. The center officially opened with a ceremony attended by General David Petraeus, Commanding General of the Multi-National Forces in Iraq, USO president and CEO Edward Powell and several members of the USO World Board of Governors.

The 2,300 square-foot facility features entertainment and lounge areas where troops relax and enjoy a large screen television and DVD player. The computer room allows troops to check email and surf the Internet on 13 semi-private computer stations with Webcams. In addition, a phone room allows service members to connect with their families and friends back home. Service members can also be found playing their favorite Xbox 360™, Nintendo® Wii™ and Playstation® 3 games as Guitar Hero™ and Dance, Dance Revolution®.

Since February, USO Balad has provided a home away from home to more than 8,500 deployed service members.

 

 

United Through Reading® Military Program

 

USO Balad began offering the United Through Reading Military Program October 2007, shortly after USO staff first arrived in Iraq. With no official office or center to work from, all of the program books and supplies were kept in the staff’s living quarters, carefully packed in suitcases and carried back and forth to different filming sites. Over time, the program became more popular. Center staff often found themselves taping service members after midnight. By the end of December, they had taped more than 300 DVDs.

United Through Reading is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that works with the USO to provide this program at select USO centers worldwide, including USO Balad. The program allows deployed service members to stay connected to the children in their lives by reading children’s books aloud while being recorded on a DVD. The book and DVD are then mailed home to the family.

With the opening of USO Balad came a room dedicated to the United Through Reading Military Program. Over the past seven months, USO Balad has orchestrated 1,847 recordings for more than 3,500 children, providing service members the ability to stay better connected to their deployed loved one.

“Although the troops are so thrilled and appreciative to have the opportunity to connect with their families in such a precious way, it is truly our honor and privilege to have the opportunity to provide this program and see our troops so encouraged,” said USO Balad center director Shari Jenson. “I must also acknowledge the generous book donations we receive from families, friends, schools, churches and other organizations. Words cannot express the gratitude we feel in appreciation of the support we receive. Support of this program is a great way for people to help connect our American heroes with their loved ones back home.”