Far From Home, Never Alone: How the USO Supports Service Members Deployed to Lithuania

By Brittany Laursen

In September 2024, the USO opened its first staffed Center in Lithuania, establishing a consistent presence in the Baltic region for the first time. In the year since then, the USO has become an important part of the military community in this area, supporting service members while they train and operate in austere field conditions. The U.S. has maintained a presence in Lithuania and the Baltics since 2019, and the USO’s arrival soon after has added a layer of connection and support for those stationed there.

This support has become especially meaningful in the wake of a recent tragedy that claimed the lives of four U.S. Army soldiers in Lithuania. In difficult moments like these, our Centers become spaces of comfort and connection, where service members can come together, support one another and find a sense of community far from home.

Emily Ramsey, Center Operations Specialist at USO Pabrade, Lithuania, has been on ground since day one of the Center’s opening. The Center supports service members on Pabrade, which includes Camp Herkus and Camp Taurus. Emily ensures the Center is welcoming, well-maintained and stocked with all the comforts of home. Emily also leads morale-boosting programs catered to what service members enjoy — like Bingo, crafts, tie-dye, board games and trivia — and often brings that same energy to the field, delivering coffee and snacks to support service members during long duty days.

“Whenever I know they’re out in the field, I think ‘hey I’ve got a Jeep, I can get through the tank trails. I have hot water and coffee packets. I can go to them,'” said Emily.

In addition to off-roading and delivering support directly in the field, Emily finds the greatest reward in seeing service members feel truly at home at the USO.

“Watching someone choose to spend time in our Center rather than stay in their bunk — that means everything to me,” she said. “One holiday season, we were all watching Christmas movies when a service member dozed off. One of his buddies quietly put a blanket over him. It was such a simple moment, but it showed how safe and comfortable they felt. That’s what the USO is all about.”

Many of the military sites in Lithuania are remote, with limited amenities and very few options for entertainment nearby. In some areas, the closest source of entertainment is over 45 minutes away. That’s where the USO steps in, offering safe, fun ways for service members to relax and recharge, especially after a long, high-tempo day carrying out their missions.

“The presence of our USO partners in Lithuania has proven vital to the morale of our soldiers stationed at our remote forward operating sites,” said Lt. Col. Erick Buckner of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. “From the beginning of our rotation here, our soldiers viewed the USO as their home away from home. Their events also help to build camaraderie between our battalions.”

Instead of wondering where to go or how to spend their downtime, service members can count on the USO to bring the fun directly to them. Emily and her team of volunteers regularly organize barbecues, video game competitions and sports tournaments like basketball and volleyball.

For soldiers like Alexa Ruiz, the USO Center at Camp Herkus serves as a much-needed outlet in a high tempo operational environment.

“It can get tough during a deployment, to say the least, and having a place to step away from duty, even briefly, makes a big difference,” Alexa said.

During the most meaningful times of year when the distance from home feels especially heavy, the USO steps up to ensure service members feel remembered and appreciated. Whether it’s a holiday meal with grilled favorites and games, or singing “Happy Birthday” to someone celebrating while deployed, the USO team goes the extra mile to make each moment special.

From the moment they deploy to the day they return home, the USO is there to help service members stay connected to the people who matter most.

“At Camp Taurus, our Center is one of the few places service members can get Wi-Fi, so they come here to talk to their family,” said Emily.

The USO also creates meaningful moments through the USO Reading Program, which gives service members the opportunity to record themselves reading a story to send back to their young loved ones. It’s a simple gesture, but one that can leave a lasting impact on families far from home.

Whether in the Center or out in the field, USO staff and volunteers stand ready to provide comfort, connection and care to the people who serve. As deployments continue and the mission evolves, one thing remains constant: service members in the Baltics may be far from home, but thanks to the USO, they are never alone.