FOB Sharana USO is mission complete

By 1st Lt. Justin BrooksSeptember 19, 2013

FOB Sharana USO is mission complete
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan " U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Sadik Ibnmohammed sings the National Anthem during the United Service Organizations closure ceremony held, Sept. 11, 2013, at Forward Operating Base Sharana. (U.S. Army photo Sgt. Mark Moore III, 2... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
FOB Sharana USO is mission complete
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan " U.S. Army Col. Dennis S. Sullivan (left), commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Hector J. Font (right), command sergeant major, 2/10 Security Force Assistance Brigade, pose for a photograph with DJ Stanhope, Forward Operati... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
FOB Sharana USO is mission complete
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan " U.S. Army Lt. Col. Christopher Wendland, 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, presents DJ Stanhope, Forward Operating Base Sharana's United Services Organization center manager with the United States Army's Ce... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

"The USO on FOB Sharana was one of the biggest motivations for our Soldiers here during combat," said Command Sgt. Maj. Ernest Warner, of 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment. "It gave them a taste of home with all the activities the USO provided."

The USO could not have been possible without both the leadership of DJ Stanhope, the USO center manager on FOB Sharana, and the volunteers who gave their time and talents to serve their fellow Soldiers. For them, the closing of the USO is truly a bittersweet occasion.

"For my part it has been a wonderful privilege to serve this community, and in many ways this parting is bittersweet because I have come to view this place as home," said Stanhope in her farewell speech. "My heart is at Sharana not because I am so selfless or so special, but because you are and you have welcomed me and made me feel as though I am a part of your family."

The USO depends upon a symbiotic relationship with the FOB command team; the more they are supported, the more support they can give, in turn.

"From our president on down we are committed to serving our troops," said Bruce Burda, USO Regional Vice President, Southwest Asia. "We are as committed to them as they are committed to us, and so we were able to stay almost to the final closure date."

The relationship between 2-15 FA, who ran the FOB mayor cell in conjunction with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, and Stanhope, remained strong until the end.

"We were asked by the command to stay as long as possible," said Stanhope. "Typically we would leave 90 days out, but we decided to stay to support the troops as long as we could."

The Soldiers on FOB Sharana were glad to hear that the USO stayed. Being close to the time of FOB Sharana's transfer to multiple units within the Afghan National Security Forces, life on the FOB is getting tougher.

During this time of hardship Stanhope opened 'DJ's Combat Kitchen,' making use of all available food items donated to provide Soldiers a hot meal at least once a day.

"I go to the USO for a home away from home," said Pfc. Xavier Clayton, of 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, "and to hang out with DJ."

For Stanhope's services to the Soldiers on FOB Sharana, she received the Patriotic Civilian Service Award, which was presented to Stanhope during the closure ceremony.

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