FORT SILL, Okla. (Dec. 15, 2016) -- Fort Sill opened the newest USO facility Dec 7, here. The opening of this center is significant because it is the only currently operating USO in Oklahoma. The USO is located at 3265 Crane Ave.
Along with post leaders, Jennifer Kirby, USO-Fort Sill director, cut the ribbon and officially opened the venue.
The mission, according to Kirby, of the USO is to strengthen America's military service members by keeping them connected to family, home, and country during their service to the nation. The USO operates centers at or near military installations across the globe, including combat zones.
As the granddaughter of a World War II veteran and the daughter of a Marine, Kirby said she has always been supportive of the military.
"I understand the sacrifice and when I learned the USO would be installing a presence here at Fort Sill, I felt it was the perfect outlet to work for something I am passionate about," she said.
Joe Gallagher, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill deputy to the commanding general, helped cut the ribbon.
"This facility provides a place for Soldiers to come play cards, play dominoes, play video games or watch a game, hang out with their peers and have a good time in a safe environment. It gives them a place to blow off steam and really relax," said Gallagher. "This has been a little while in coming about, the garrison team and the USO started planning about 15 months ago."
In the five months that Kirby has been at Fort Sill, she's managed to convert the old Impact Zone club into a modern and welcoming center.
With help from Marines from the Artillery Detachment, along with the Fort Sill Garrison, and the directorates of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation; and Public Works; along with the Fort Sill Public Affairs Office, Kirby completely transformed the facility.
She said that none of it could have happened without the support of the service members and garrison support team at Fort Sill.
Replete with computers that help service members and their families to stay connected, the Fort Sill USO has a gaming system wall, Play Stations, and a variety of family friendly board games.
Boasting a pool table and darts, the USO also offers snacks and refreshments to guests. Kirby expects there will be special event tournaments and family craft nights. A large television is available to watch sport events.
Coordinating with other events happening on post, Kirby hopes that the USO becomes a place for service members and their families to get a break from the mission.
"Everything within the center will always be free to our service members," said Kirby.
People who are eligible to use the USO include anyone with a Department of Defense ID card, so that includes retirees as well as active-duty service members and their families. Children are always welcome at the USO as long as they are under the direct supervision of their parents.
Kirby expects that single Soldiers and Marines who live in barracks on post will likely become regulars at the USO, since many of them don't have cars and they stay on post during off-duty hours and on weekends.
"It's a joy to be embedded with you," said Kirby, during her remarks. She told the crowd that, "After 75 years, the mission remains strong to strengthen service members by keeping them connected with family, home, and country throughout their service to our nation."
Although the USO has only been in Oklahoma for five months, the organization's reach has been great.
"We have welcomed home over 400 single Soldiers with toiletry kits for their first night home from deployment. We have greeted over 600 family members at basic training graduation days," said Kirby.
These are just a few examples of the outreach that USO aims to continue. Currently, the USO has partnered with the 434th Field Artillery Brigade to help with the exodus of basic combat training (BCT) Soldiers who are heading home during Holiday Block Leave (HBL). Kirby plans for the USO to help support those leaving by being with them while they wait for their transportation.
"We are looking forward to having a card station where they may choose complimentary cards to give to their families, a hot drink station, reading materials, and cookies for their enjoyment," said Kirby.
The USO has been gathering pre-packaged cookies, holiday cards, and magazines for the BCT Soldiers heading out for HBL.
Retired USO executive director for the Mannheim, Germany installation, Donna Clopton was on hand to lend her support as a volunteer. A native of Lawton, Clopton said, "My heart is with the USO. It's a wonderful organization."
She said that when she looks back, she knows the years she spent with the USO were the best of her life. "It was just wonderful to see the impact on our Soldiers and Marines," she said enthusiastically.
Clopton served as the executive director from 1985-1991. She recalled that her center served almost 300 service members a day, and feels thankful to have been a part of the organization for so many years.
"I'm here to help in any way they need me," she said.
Established just before America's involvement in World War II, the USO is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization that has helped to support service members and their families for over 70 years. President Franklin Roosevelt united several service associations into one organization with the hopes of lifting the morale of the nation's military. The USO is not part of the federal government, so it relies on the generosity of individual donations along with organizations and corporations to help support its activities.
Staffing for the USO is done on a volunteer basis. Volunteers are currently needed for the Fort Sill USO, and shifts generally run for about two hours. Interested individuals can contact Kirby or apply at the center. Interested volunteers can register on volunteers.uso.org for more information and to view specific needs.
People interested in donating to the USO should visit www.oklahoma.uso.org for more information.
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