From staff reports

The USO at Ramstein Air Base has developed a reputation for being there for military families in trying circumstances.

They came through again last week, assisting nearly 700 military family members as they were evacuated from Turkey over three days.

USO staff and volunteers played a big role in last week’s evacuation of military families from Turkey. | Photo credit USO

USO Kaiserslautern Area Director Konrad Braun and his team made sure the family members – including children, several pregnant women and 280 family pets – were taken care of when they landed in Germany over the course of three days.

“Once again, the USO ‘did the right thing’ by supporting these military families who had endured a very difficult eight months in Turkey,” Braun wrote in an email after the evacuations were complete.

Photo credit USO

USO staff and volunteers played a big role in last week’s evacuation of military families from Turkey.

The USO had at least 10 volunteers on hand for all six flight arrivals, with many volunteers staying until 2 a.m. – and in one case, 5 a.m. – to see the families off on flights to the United States or to their temporary lodging. The USO provided signature services like snacks and drinks, while also bringing toiletries, books and magazines and laptops for evacuees to use.

USO partner TKS provided free wireless internet access for evacuees during their layovers. The company is also contributing free internet access to 31 families that will stay on base in Germany so their children can finish their current Department of Defense’s school year.

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.