Photo By Staff Sgt. Gaspar Cortez | United Service Organization (USO) personnel posture for a photo at Royal Air Force...... read more read more
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ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England – The United Service Organization (USO) is scheduled to host a grand opening at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, on Nov. 4, 2021.
Even though it is not completed, it is currently open for business to all service members and their families during the day.
The grand opening will be an open house event with the CEO and president of the USO, J. D. Crouch, along with USO leadership from Arlington, Virginia in attendance. There will be a ribbon and cake cutting to mark the occasion.
The 48th Fighter Wing was first a considered for the USO in 2016, but a lack of space and other obligations for deployed personnel at the time put the idea and vision on hold. Located in Liberty Plaza in the same building as the Great Little Pizza Place and across from the Shoppette Express, this USO is the first to open in the United Kingdom.
“We have always wanted to have a foot print here in the UK, and we never have until now,” said Geno Mendiola, Lakenheath USO temporary Center Operations Manager. “It’s really good to finally be here so we can assist in keeping military members connected with families, home, and country while serving, and we do that in many ways here at the USO.”
The USO also offers and provides programs for military members to access, such as the new transition assistance program for those entering and exiting the military.
There is also Wi-Fi, multiple TVs for entertainment through movies, music, and video gaming, care packages, free snacks and beverages, a pool and pingpong table, instruments to play, and a full kitchen for events.
“We have a series of celebrity events planned for the future. We are also going to be part of returning deployments moving forward,” said Mendiola. “We just want to give back to the community in any way we can. We want to make everyone, regardless of rank, feel like they’re at home.”
If you need any information, please contact the USO at 226-1795 or visit their website at lakenheath@uso.org.uk.uso.org.
| Date Taken: | 10.20.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 10.20.2021 09:25 |
| Story ID: | 407600 |
| Location: | BRANDON, SUFFOLK, GB |
| Web Views: | 498 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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