USO Opens in Iraq
It’s about time. I’ve written about the need for a USO on my military blog. I’ve also contacted my Congressional and military leaders as well as sent letter to the USO itself. And now, it’s finally a reality:
Dear Friend of the USO:
The USO has opened its first center in Iraq, right in the heart of the combat zone at our big air base near Balad.
General David Petraeus, the Commanding General of Multi-National Forces in Iraq, stood shoulder to shoulder with Ned Powell, the USO’s president and CEO, to open this new center, which will serve our troops right where they need our services the most.
While cutting the ribbon to open the door to the USO’s newest center, General Petraeus remarked, “The troopers at Balad Air Base and LSA Anaconda will flock to this facility to feel a little touch of home and to be in touch with home… USO Balad will enable our troopers to stay connected with those they love at home.” (For more coverage of the Center’s opening ceremonies, click here.)
The new center is located just north of Baghdad, in an area that our soldiers have dubbed “Mortaritaville” because of its history of frequent mortar and rocket attacks. The 2,300 square-foot facility offers our men and women in uniform a comfortable lounge where they can forget about the war for a few precious moments and enjoy entertainment from home, such as video games, DVDs, movies and more.
There’s also a Cyber Café with free Internet and email access, plus telephone service with prepaid phone cards, so our troops can call home for free to hear the delightful sound of their child’s voice or to have a comforting chat with a friend or loved one. There is also a library where they can lose themselves in a book, and supporting it all—a kitchen stocked with goodies… because everyone wants a snack with a movie.
USO Balad is also one of the centers participating in the United Through Reading® Military Program, which helps military families stay connected. (For more information on United Through Reading, click here.)
The USO’s new Balad center was made possible, in large part, by thousands of donations from individual Americans who want to show their support for our troops. And as May is Military Appreciation Month, it’s also a good time to make a tax-deductible contribution to help us supply this new center, plus our 130 other centers around the world. In fact, many donors to the USO celebrate Memorial Day with a gift “in honor of” or “in memory of” a relative or friend who is serving, or has served, our country. It’s a great way to say “Thanks.”
The men and women of our armed forces risk their lives – every day – for us. Please help the USO fulfill our mission to support these magnificent Americans by making a donation of whatever you can afford today.
As Americans, we count on them. They count on us. I hope we can count on you.
Thanks to Anthony, who has also worked tirelessly on this issue for bringing the news to my attention.
