USO News
PHOTOS: USO Camp LSA Brings Field Day to Kuwait
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
By Christian Pelusi
Breaking the day-to-day monotony is a point of pride for many USO centers that lift the spirits of troops who are serving overseas. Staffers and volunteers will do just about anything to get servicemen and women smiling and laughing and for USO Camp LSA (USO Ali Al Salem) in Kuwait, the staff went back to the future.
USO Camp LSA threw its first Field Day for troops last week, where each duty manager came up with an activity or event from their youth that the troops could compete in for prizes and bragging rights. The event entertained over 100 men and women with several fun competitions and a delicious cookout.
"If we can make our troops happy, even for a couple of hours or a day, then we have met our mission and our USO center is doing its job," said USO Camp LSA center manager Piper Hardin. "I realize quite often that I am a part of something much bigger than myself, but that personally I have the opportunity to positively affect someone else and with that knowledge comes incredible contentment knowing that I am involved in something meaningful and appreciated."
Piper adds her descriptions to some of the events pictured below.
 | "Two of our volunteers painted faces of any/all who wanted to participate. Whatever we asked for, they painted it!"
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 | Even in the heat of Kuwait, there's nothing like barbeque chicken, as some of the troops man the grill. It's easy to imagine why their planned Cinco de Mayo celebration is so hotly anticipated. "Probably because it will be a pool day!" Piper said. |
 | Talk about a mash-up. It's the inventive thinking that makes the American military the finest in the world that also comes up with Sumo Race. "Each person dressed in a air-filled sumo outfit and raced in the opposite direction of each other in a circle. Whoever reached base first was the winner." |
 | Funny how even in a desert, no one wants to get wet in the tug-of-war. |
 | The same can be said with the water balloon toss. That is, until a winner was crowned. "Everyone had a huge water balloon fight after the game." |
 | Five teams of six people battled it out for the dodgeball title and "Average Joe's Gym" shirts in honor of the popular movie "Dodgeball." Quite a day for all involved and Piper couldn't have been more pleased. "To me, seeing the service members participate openly and enthusiastically at our events is fully rewarding," she said. "It takes a lot of planning, preparation, work and man power to implement some of our programs and events, but it is all worth it when you see our service members -- old, young, male, and/or female -- smiling, laughing and asking 'What's next?' More than once we have heard them say, 'This is the best event LSA has ever had! When can we do it again?' " |
* Visit USO Camp LSA's Facebook page for more images from the event.
(Photos by Allyson Le Clair. Produced by Christian Pelusi)
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