Photo By Andria Allmond | Sgt.1st Class John Finkey, the 56th Stryker Brigade medical readiness noncommissioned...... read more read more
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111th Attack Wing Public Affairs
Tech. Sgt. Andria Allmond
HORSHAM AIR GUARD STATION, Pa. – The USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey (Liberty USO) kicked off the holiday season for military members and their families here, Nov. 16.
Working with the Philadelphia Flyers organization and Mission BBQ catering, the USO held a luncheon inside the Pa. Army Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade gymnasium to donate traditional Thanksgiving Day grocery items to military members.
“Today we are giving out over 50 gift baskets of Thanksgiving items and a gift card for a turkey,” said Kristen Lowe, the USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey program and outreach manager here. “We’re also providing lunch to many of the military members on base.”
Senior Airman Christopher Breig, 201st Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer (RED HORSE) Squadron, Det. 1 heavy equipment operator, said the event served to promote a positive environment. This is especially helpful with the holidays – a possible stressor for some – just around the corner.
“It’s nice to know that someone is there for us. With events like this, you see people from the USO doing it because they want to, not because they have to.”
The event is one of many planned by the USO in their mission to enhance the quality of life for military personnel and their families. For Lowe, the mission is personal.
“I got started with the USO because my husband was in the military,” she said. “So, I’ve been on the other side of the fence. I know how much I appreciated [the USO] when I was going through a rough time or just needed to see a familiar face.”
Lowe continued by explaining that the USO in this region advances their cause by being physically present in the lives of military members and families. Not only do they create, plan and execute events, they attend those events to serve as a recognizable entity to military families.
That method appears effective.
“From what I’ve experienced, the USO has a history of doing great things throughout the years,” said Sgt.1st Class John Finkey, the 56th Stryker Brigade medical readiness noncommissioned officer. “When the 56th mobilized in 2009, they provided a lot of support for our deploying members and their families. Also, the cooperation they have with other organizations, like the Philadelphia Flyers, provides opportunities to our members that serve as a huge morale boost.”
Brad Marsh, Philadelphia Flyers director of community development and Flyers Alumni president, was part of a team that helped the USO make the day’s event come together. “We’ve struck up a strong friendship with the USO and, in turn, we’ve done a lot of great things with various military branches.
“Today we’re just helping out. Thanksgiving is here next week, so we’re here to help pack up some grocery items [for military families].”
Marsh remarked that serving as a liaison between all of the branches and the civilian community, the USO is the outlet when Philadelphia Flyers want to support the military.
“We know we can just call the USO and they make it happen.”
| Date Taken: | 11.16.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 11.17.2016 14:22 |
| Story ID: | 214972 |
| Location: | HORSHAM, PA, US |
| Web Views: | 110 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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