USO: The Force Behind the Forces

  • Published
  • By Daniel Barney
  • Joint Base MDL Public Affairs

In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt wanted to synergize several service organizations into an organization that would honor and provide the utmost support to the U.S. military, both domestic and abroad.

This event gave birth to an entity called the United Service Organizations. For over 79 years, the USO, a congressionally charted and nonprofit organization, has always been the backbone of military support.

“The USO serves as a conduit between the American people in the local community and the U.S. military,” said MJ Flammer, USO Southern New Jersey regional manager. “Our organization currently has approximately 425 volunteers supporting our many activities. Volunteers work around the clock to provide service members and their families much needed support, regardless of their location.”

Located inside the AMC Passenger Terminal on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the USO center. The USO offers many services and programs to its service members and families around the world. Whether if it’s entertainment, familial, or educational services, the USO provides.

Operation Phone Home and, most notably, the Bob Hope Legacy Reading Program, are a couple examples that the USO offers to its members.

“All programs are open to currently serving service members and their families,” said Flammer. “Our USO center does not restrict access to [the USO] for anyone that has base access.”

According to USO.org, the Bob Hope Legacy Reading Program is one of the most popular program that USO enthusiasts want to know about.

Flammer explained that the Bob Hope Legacy Reading Program gives service members, who are getting ready for deployment or away from home, the opportunity to select and read age-appropriated books to their children, while recording themselves reading the book.

If you are interested in learning more about the USO and the programs they offer, you can go to USO.org or download the USO Mobile App.