Photo By Patrick Buffett | Hold-over paralegal Soldiers from Juliet Company, 266th Quartermaster Battalion, relax...... read more read more
FORT LEE, Va. - Kasinda Thomas clearly understands her role as a representative of the 75-year-old organization that has dedicated itself to supporting the military community and making troops and their families feel appreciated.
She not only exudes confidence but downright giddy enthusiasm while discussing the accomplishments of the United Service Organization, or USO, Center she has overseen at Fort Lee since it opened five years ago this week.
“The thing I’m most proud of,” she said while taking a break from her hosting duties at a celebratory open house Monday, “is the impact we’ve had on advanced individual training students here. Quite a few of them have come back to us years later (after graduation and returning to Fort Lee for advanced courses) to express their thanks for what we provided while they were here attending training.
“We offer them a place (the center) where they can relax, hang out and relieve the stress of military schooling,” Thomas said. “It’s just one of the ways we touch the lives of service members. It’s all about building that positive experience … letting them know what they’re doing is appreciated by this nation.”
A burst of laughter erupts from a nearby breakroom. Seven hold-over paralegal Soldiers from Juliet Company, 266th Quartermaster Battalion, are swapping stories about barracks life, what they saw on social media and what assignment they hope to get when their orders are finally processed.
“There was little doubt from the beginning as to what our role would be in this community,” Thomas continued. “We jumped in with both feet to do the things USO is known for all around the world. We became a fixture at deployment ceremonies and have proudly stood alongside families to welcome the troops home. We established the adopt-a-service-member program here – about 500 personnel enjoyed Thanksgiving meals with local families in November.”
Regular support of installation morale-building activities and community observances is on the roster of the center’s support efforts as well, and Thomas emphasized a special program –United Through Reading – that is often overlooked by military members at Fort Lee.
“We make a DVD of a parent reading a children’s story and send the book and the recording to the child back home,” Thomas explained. “It’s one of those programs that makes me emotional every time I talk about it. I was a military spouse, and I know what it’s like to have a loved one so far away from home.”
Thomas praised the Fort Lee community for its support over the past five years, saying “they welcomed us with open arms and have not once hesitated in providing assistance if it’s within their ability to do so.” She also gave a nod to the many volunteers who “serve as the backbone” of the operation.
“I cannot emphasize it enough … everything we’re able to accomplish is the direct result of volunteer support,” Thomas said. “Our (the USO’s) reputation was built on the character and commitment of community members who donate their time to support activities and staff centers around the world. It’s likely to be the first person a customer will see when they walk in the door, and I can assure you they’re the ones who will not let anyone leave without a smile on their face or at least feeling satisfied they have received the best service possible.”
Looking ahead to the next five years, Thomas said her “wish-list” starts with a bigger and more modern facility.
“I would love to have a place where we could accommodate a lot more AIT students on weekends,” she noted. “Right now, we’re seeing about 2,000 students a month at the center, and supporting around 5,000 community members across our full range of programs. If we had additional space, maybe even a location on the Ordnance Campus, I’m pretty sure we would see that average top the 7,000 mark on a regular basis.”
The USO Center is located on the corner of B and Mahone avenues. Its hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Sunday, noon - 6 p.m. Weekend hours are for military training students only. For more information, call (804) 765-3045.
| Date Taken: | 01.14.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 01.14.2016 10:03 |
| Story ID: | 186270 |
| Location: | FORT LEE, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 58 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Fort Lee USO Center celebrates five years of installlation support, by Patrick Buffett, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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