USO Center Spotlight |
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USO Kuwait: Camp Virginia
Delivering the comforts of home to troops in Kuwait since 2006, USO Camp Virginia is a welcome resting area for service members. Completely renovated in early 2008 by "Man Caves," a TV show on the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Network, USO Camp Virginia is an oasis located in the Kuwaiti desert, 45 miles from the Kuwait-Iraq border. Last year, USO Camp Virginia’s staff and 38 volunteers hosted more than 84,000 troops passing through on their way to or from Iraq.
The “new” center was furnished by Gallery Furniture, and features a cinema, sound proof recording studio, Internet café, two United Through Reading® Military Program taping areas and 15 video gaming console areas. Camp Virginia’s large gaming area was key in giving service members the opportunity to go head-to-head with professional athletes during recent Pro vs. GI Joe tournaments.
A service member watching his child entering the world.
New Fathers Program
Welcoming a loved one into the world is often a joyous occasion. However, for service men, it also can be a time of sadness, as they are not able to celebrate with family. To fill this void, USO Camp Virginia’s “New Fathers Program” puts new fathers in touch with their wives and relatives, allowing them to be a part of the exciting and demanding experience.
Once the service member identifies himself with the USO staff, he is given a pack of celebratory cigars, a gender-specific congratulatory message and phone card, all wrapped in pink or blue ribbon. A photo of the troop celebrating is taken and e-mailed home to his family members. USO Camp Virginia hopes to soon expand this program to include gift baskets sent to the mothers back home.
The New Fathers Program boosts troop morale and assists in strengthening and maintaining family bonds, despite distance. Given the difficulty of missing a child’s birth, troops are always extremely grateful to USO Camp Virginia for helping them experience the occasion with the people they love most.