Photo By Staff Sgt. Ruth McClary | North Carolina Army National Guard Capt. Scott Browne (right), the 130th Maneuver...... read more read more
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STEM, N.C. – The USO of North Carolina mobile unit visited the soldiers of the North Carolina National Guard’s 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in order to provide a welcome break from the summer heat and tough, realistic training at Camp Butner National Guard Training Center during the unit’s Annual Training here.
The USO-NC, founded in 1941, is the lead organization responsible for supporting military service members in the state of North Carolina during training and/or deployments at home or abroad.
As the USO-NC volunteers filled coolers full of drinks, the smell of grilled hot dogs lured soldiers from their annual training to enjoy a little TV (equipped with video games), corn hole beanbag toss challenges and all the candy bars, donuts and chips they could carry.
“I thought it was pretty neat,” said Army Pvt. Matthew Townsend of Statesville, N.C. “We got to play, listen to music and eat some good food. I thought the USO was mainly for deployments, but it was a nice break.”
Bob Brown, USO-NC Mobile Coordinator, shared stories and a bit of history on the mobile unit from his spot at the grill. Brown also served the soldiers last year in Charlotte, N.C., when the 130th MEBs’ military police supported the Mecklenburg County Police Department at the Democratic National Convention.
“Nobody drives [the mobile center] but me,” said Brown. “It was donated by World War II veteran [John Lewis Goff, Jr.]. It was his personal vehicle and when his wife passed away he donated it and Bank of America funded the first year grant to run it.”
After Hurricane Sandy, the mobile unit came to the aid of U.S. Marines who mobilized without warning to help the victims of the storm. When the mobile unit rolled in, the Marines were sleeping in their vehicles. The unit provided a valuable morale resource by giving the Marines access to phones and computers to speak with loved ones.
After observing soldiers shiver in the cold as they watched TV on one of his excursions, Brown pursued funding for a custom gaming trailer. He said that that his design would be cheaper to maintain, have better access to remote areas, store more equipment and is in line with the USO motto: ‘We need them, They need us, We need you, It’s that simple.’
Capt. Scott Browne, the 130th MEB Company Commander, made sure food was transported to soldiers who could not leave their training to enjoy the festivities.
The mobile center also returned during the second week of training for soldiers who missed the first trip. It also gave Libby Snyder, a USO-NC volunteer and ‘the Head Hot Dog Roller’ as she calls herself, a chance to return.
Snyder, who has a son who is currently serving in Kuwait, and her daughter Annie like to show their patriotism and support by volunteering whenever they can.
“If it was up to me I would do this every day,” said Libby. “I love it.
Although the soldiers thanked each volunteer throughout their visit, Brown, who asked the USO to come, expressed the unit’s gratitude.
“We can’t thank you [volunteers] enough for all you do to support us,” Brown said as all the soldiers applauded.
If you are interested in volunteering with the USO in North Carolina, visit their website at: http://uso-nc.org/.
| Date Taken: | 07.17.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 07.17.2013 09:05 |
| Story ID: | 110303 |
| Location: | STEM, NC, US |
| Hometown: | STATESVILLE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 149 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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