USO Center Spotlight - September 2008 |
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USO Okinawa
Serving troops in since 1962, USO Okinawa offers more than just a meeting place for service members. Through its five centers, USO Okinawa actively fosters community involvement and cultural understanding, creating programs that unite troops, their families and local residents. USO centers at Kadena Air Base and AMC Terminal, Camp Hansen, Camp Schwab and Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, provide a home away from home to more than 100,000 service members and their families each year.
In addition, USO Okinawa operates a Mobile Canteen to deliver morale-boosting programs, entertainment, good food and fun. The Mobile Canteen features a lounge area for up to eight people, internal and external 42-inch flat screen televisions to play movies and games, kitchen area and a stage on the roof for entertainment performances.
Flap Jack Fridays
Friday mornings have become much anticipated for troops stationed in Okinawa. Also known as “Flap Jack Fridays,” four of USO Okinawa’s centers serve free pancakes, sausage and juice to troops every week. The first was held in March 2006, serving 145 USO patrons. Currently, this program serves an average of 550 troops per week, over 2,000 per month. In 2007, USO Okinawa served more than 30,000 pancakes in four USO centers.
Due to program demand and with the help of USO Okinawa’s Mobile Canteen, Flap Jack Fridays hit the road in May 2008, making the last Friday of every month “Mobile Flap Jack Fridays.” Taking the program on the road has created an exciting event for troops. With the help of program sponsor AT&T, USO has served nearly 1,000 troops on the road.