The USO: A Way to Support Our Troops

The USO (United Service Organizations) was created in 1941, during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Administration. It's purpose now and for the past 67 years is to provide morale, support, welfare and recreation services to U.S., military personnel and to their families around the world. To provide a "home away from home" to these fine, young men and women. New York is the birthplace of the USO and was comprised of six civilian agencies at the time of it's inception:

The Salvation Army
The YWCA
The YMCA
The NCCS (National Catholic Community Service)
The NTAA (Travelers Aid Association)
The NJWB (National Jewish Welfare Board)

Presently the USO is led by president and CEO Edward A. Powell, and is comprised of more than 26,000 dedicated volunteers and 240 paid staff members who donate and estimated 371,417 hours annually to service to our military personnel.

While the USO is well known for providing entertainment to the troops by bringing Hollywood celebrities and volunteer entertainers to perform for them, but they also provide information referral services, Internet and e-mail access, housing and emergency assistance and support groups. They provide a place to go for dances and social events, for movies and music, for a quiet place to talk or write a letter home, or for a free cup of coffee and an egg.

Surprisingly, the USO also provides computers to our troops through their "Mobile USO Program" This program consists of a large RV, hence the reason they accept RV contributions, which has been equipped to accommodate 10 adults. The RV includes a lounge, Internet cafe and gaming area, and a canteen in the rear.

The RV comes equipped with a 46" LCD TV, 360 XBox with satellite, 10 laptop computers, books, magazines, playing cards, game board games, 2 refrigerator/freezers, and 2 microwaves. Amazing how they can get all this equipment into an RV and still be able to accommodate 10 people as well.

According, to the USO website, the organization "currently operates more than 130 centers worldwide, including ten mobile canteens located in the continental United States and overseas. Overseas centers are located in Germany, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Qatar, Korea, Afghanistan, Guam, and Kuwait. Service members and their families visit USO centers more than 5.3 million times each year. The USO is the way the American public supports the troops."

Across the United States and around the world, the American military knows that the USO is there for them. . It is so important to them now than ever that they know that they are remembered and supported."

Through contributions the USO offers a number of programs to our military personnel:

"Operation Phone Home" -enables our military personnel to contact their loved ones.

"Operation Mail Call" -enables military personnel to send 10 free greeting cards to loved ones (includes postage).

"Operation Enduring Care" -provides recovery needs of the injured military personnel, their families and the medical personnel who care for them. Also provides support for funeral escorts, mortuary personnel and honor guards for the fallen.

"United Through Reading Program" -allows military personnel to videotape themselves while reading a children's book. The book is mailed to the child back home in the form of a DVD, a copy of the book, instructions, as well as information on the United Through Reading program. All recording equipment, books and packaging materials are supplied by the USO.

The USO accepts contributions through their website, or by telephone at 1-800-876-7469, or by mail at :

USO World Headquarters at
Department WS
PO Box 96860
Washington, DC 20090-6860

Civilians can also support our troops by writing letters, volunteering to work for the USO, by making a monetary donation in any amount, by donating your used vehicle, boat, trailer or RV, by donating pre-paid phone cards, by purchasing a $25 care package at their website, by making a tax deductible stock donation, or by making a "legacy" gift.

Remember our soldiers give so much to our country and our freedom.