Vol. 17, No. 11, September 13, 2004

IN THIS ISSUE:

This Issue Home Page

The Friday Program: The USO, the Military’s Home Away From Home

Coming district Event

Hopelink Volunteers

Ethiopia Water Project

Raffle Update

Friday Potpourri

Cummings Classification Talk

Mahoney’s on Rotary Friendship Exchange

Steve Goodier: Concentrate on Today's Date

Web Fun

The Friday Program
The USO, the Military’s Home
Away From Home

The Executive Director of the Puget Sound United Service Organization — USO — gave a detailed description of what the endeavor does for military troops and their families. Krista Cossalter Sandberg leads the organization with two major centers — McChord AFB and SeaTac Airport.

“Prior to the beginning of World War II, the USO began when President Roosevelt decreed a need for support for our military beyond the barracks. The USO was formed in February of 1941. The goal was to bring together six organizations to help single soldiers and sailors. That’s why there are six stars in USO flag. The original six were Traveler’s Aid, Catholic Community Services, Salvation Army, a Jewish organization, the YMCA, and the YWCA.”

The USO is not a government agency and today operates as a not-for-profit, chartered in 1978 by Congress. After the Korean War, the USO generally disbanded, although your correspondent remembers a canteen run by USO while in the Army in 1956-58 in Germany. As the Viet Nam war heated up, more canteens began serving the troops.

Today, the USO operates a 2700 square-foot facility at SeaTac Airport, primarily to serve military personnel and their families in transit to new posts. There are bunk beds, a special baby area and food available for traveling families — up to five weeks of support. “Fort Lewis does our laundry and the Navy in Bremerton pays our phone bill,” Krista said.

In 1984, a unit was established at McChord and, since 9/11, operates as a full-time facility. “Prior to embarking, often the last person a soldier/sailor/marine sees is a USO volunteer, serving them a meal. We can’t function without our volunteers. During the past year, they generated 26,000 volunteer work-hours for the agency.”

Some of the new tasks given the USO is supporting “Reunification Seminars.” These are held across the state at military posts for families as they are re-united with their active duty member. The USO provides food and child care during these seminars. It also sponsors parties for the military, particularly for the kids whose parent is serving on active duty. It also provides help on family and financial issues ... raising kids, and parenting issues. It is a non-partisan organization.

“When and where families are making sacrifices, the USO is there to help. We offer a ‘home away from home.’ Current projects include the purchase of a mobile canteen. Acquiring this tool would help us provide service beyond our two Western Washington facilities. With the mobile canteen, we can take our services to the Yakima Training Center, Fairchild AFB, Bangor, etc. The mobile unit provides live feed videos between family members and their loved one serving overseas. Microsoft has donated X-Box systems to entertain the kids.” Krista said they are collecting the funds to make the mobile canteen a reality.

She read a couple of letters and emails praising the USO. Our volunteers range in age from 19 to 91. Our 91-year-old has been volunteering for 34 years. She has staffed a midnight-to-4 a.m. shift all that time. Each volunteer is asked to staff a four-hour shift per month. The agency has two full-time and two part-time staff and 260 volunteers. It maintains a $300,000 cash budget and $1.7 million dollars in in-kind donations annually. All the money is raised locally. Boeing and United Way provide a significant donation, while the balance comes from individuals.

The local military is always active and needs support. The units at Bangor and Bremerton have combined into what is now known as Naval Station Kitsap. A second Stryker brigade is going to Iraq over the next month, affecting 4400 soldiers. The 81st Brigade — a Washington National Guard unit, will be home on a two-week leave from Iraq this month.

Krista said the USO provides entertainment at its various facilities around the world. Military personnel look forward to the break of duties. She said, “Salsa dancing is the most popular pastime at the canteens. Many different entertainers visit our troops in far-off places. “Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders are huge ... (favorites)!”

During the Vietnam War, the USO took its services to the frontlines. “Our Mobile Canteen project needs to be fulfilled. A capital campaign begins in November.”

In response to questions, Krista said the USO is a franchised operation by the International USO, headquartered in Washington, D.C. It is responsible for its own entire fund raising. Each year, the USO holds a golf tourney and a gala auction. The USO gives support to US and, in many cases, allied troops.

The final question came from Bob Moloney: “What in the world is salsa dancing?” A groan went up from the audience. Obviously, they know that salsa dancing does not include taking off your shoes and squishing around in tomatoes and jalapeno peppers. Unfortunately, Bob did not receive an answer to his question!

For her presentation, Krista received a certificate indicating the BBRC has donated1100 pounds of food through Rotary First Harvest to area food banks. Thanks to Jim Gordon for his introduction.

TOP

CLICK HERE
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE BBRC CENTENNIAL PROJECT

Reveille | Reveille Archives | Meeting Information | Calendar | How to Join the BBRC | Officers & Directors | Committees | Online Member Directory | Short Directory PDF File | Directory Info Form | Set Up User Info | Forgot User Info | Meeting Make-Up Form | Attendance Statistics | New Member Application (PDF File) | Expense-Funding Request Form (PDF File) | Rotary Foundation Pledge Form | District 5030 Website & Newsletter | District 5030 Club Websites & Where-When They Meet | 2003 Raffle Winner | About the Raffle | Email Us