Video by Sandi Moynihan

SAN ANTONIO – After 75 years of welcoming service members home, the USO received a homecoming of its own.

After a grand opening ceremony on Nov. 10, USO San Antonio staff and volunteers officially welcomed guests into the new, state-of-the-art USO San Antonio center on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.   “This center is a new home to all branches and all ranks at Joint Base San Antonio,” said USO San Antonio Director Kristy Walston.

In addition to tasty treats and center tours, the center opening featured remarks by Army Lt. Gen. Kenneth Dahl, Army Maj. Gen. Clarence K.K. Chinn and Air Force Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle.

“It is an honor on behalf of this installation to reverse the role a bit and welcome the USO home,” said Pringle. “This is the first time the USO has been at Joint Base San Antonio and this is an outstanding facility.”

Like other centers, the USO at JBSA offers the same core services provided at other USO locations, like video games, Wi-Fi connectivity, comfy chairs and cable TV.

A view from the new USO center on Joint Base San Antonio.
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A view from the new USO center on Joint Base San Antonio.

Service members exercise at the new USO wellness center on Joint Base San Antonio.
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Service members exercise at the new USO wellness center on Joint Base San Antonio.

The new USO center on Joint Base San Antonio.
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The new USO center on Joint Base San Antonio.

The new USO center on Joint Base San Antonio.
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The new USO center on Joint Base San Antonio.

Service members exercise at the new USO wellness center on Joint Base San Antonio.
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Service members exercise at the new USO wellness center on Joint Base San Antonio.

Service members exercise at the new USO wellness center on Joint Base San Antonio.
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Service members exercise at the new USO wellness center on Joint Base San Antonio.

The demonstration kitchen at the new USO center on Joint Base San Antonio.
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The demonstration kitchen at the new USO center on Joint Base San Antonio.

The patio at the new USO center on Joint Base San Antonio.
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The patio at the new USO center on Joint Base San Antonio.

A look inside the new USO center at Joint Base San Antonio.
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A look inside the new USO center at Joint Base San Antonio.

A look inside the new USO center at Joint Base San Antonio.
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A look inside the new USO center at Joint Base San Antonio.

A view from the new USO center on Joint Base San Antonio.
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A view from the new USO center on Joint Base San Antonio.

The new USO center on Joint Base San Antonio.
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The new USO center on Joint Base San Antonio.

The new center also houses several unique amenities geared towards health and wellness, including a fully-stocked demonstration kitchen and a wellness center with spinning bikes, free weights, TRX bands, a slam wall and more. These new unique amenities will allow the USO to explore new programming focused on movement, exercise and stress relief which may be expanded to other USO centers around the world.

“We are so thrilled to be a part of this community and excited to work with base leadership to create new wellness programming to meet the changing needs of our military,” Walston said.

The USO location at JBSA will be open from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m, Sunday through Saturday.

You can send a message of support and thanks directly to service members via the USO’s Campaign to Connect. Your messages will appear on screens at USO locations around the world.