Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Klestinski | Spc. Emilie Ortiz stands by to distribute USO care packages containing snacks and...... read more read more
Since Bob Hope entertained troops fighting overseas in WWII, the USO has been a source of comfort and support for U.S. military service members far from home.
For over 75 years, the USO’s work has ranged from organizing extravagant shows in combat zones with celebrity entertainers, to providing things as simple as a safe place to nap during a layover.
The USO continued that tradition on April 25, 2021, when Soldiers at Forward Operating Site (FOS) Powidz, Poland, received care packages that were part of an especially large shipment. Soldiers of the Florida Guard’s 50th Regional Support Group (RSG) from Homestead, Florida, distributed the kits provided by the USO.
“This was a big delivery because we estimated how many USO kits we’d need for the near future,” said Army 1st Lt. Henry Serrano, a strength manager assigned to the 50th RSG, which is currently deployed to multiple FOSes throughout Poland. “We accounted, not just for Soldiers currently on the ground, but to include kits for Soldiers in units that will rotate through over the next few months. We didn’t want anyone left out.”
The Soldiers who received these care packages are serving in Poland in support of Atlantic Resolve. Alongside military forces from NATO allies and partner nations, Atlantic Resolve maintains a combat-credible presence of rotating forces to ensure security throughout Europe.
“We received roughly 100 boxes, and each box has approximately 20 kits,” said Spc. Rose Georges, an administrative specialist deployed to FOS Powidz with the 50th RSG, who coordinated the delivery.
Care package deliveries to other FOSes differed in size, depending on the needs of specific locations.
“The kits make for cool gifts that make deployment a little more comfortable,” said Army Pvt. Randy Duong, a medic assigned to the Pennsylvania Guard’s 108th Medical Company Area Support (MCAS). “It’s a nice surprise to get things you can’t always find overseas.”
The USO kits contained snacks and personal hygiene articles that Soldiers not only recognized as “cool gifts,” but they also saw the kits’ practical uses.
“We move around a lot during day missions,” said Army Pfc. Sadullo Fayz, a medic assigned to the 108th MCAS. “These little kits are great. They come in handy because they have everything we need and they’re the perfect size to throw in a ruck sack.”
In addition to snacks and hygiene gear, 50th RSG Soldiers at FOS Zagan, Poland, also received a letter in their USO delivery from Evelyn, a seventh-grader in Waterford, Michigan, who wrote: “I’m so grateful to service men and women like you, who protect our country so we can keep living the lives we love... I will keep all of you in my prayers.”
“I always look forward to care package deliveries from the USO,” said Army Col. Ricardo Roig, 50th RSG commander. “This is my third deployment, and it’s nice seeing Soldiers’ faces when these packages bring them a little bit of home. It means a lot for morale.”
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| Date Taken: | 04.25.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.03.2021 08:52 |
| Story ID: | 395265 |
| Location: | POWIDZ, PL |
| Web Views: | 761 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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