USO HRCV Mobilizes to Support Deployed Military Assisting in Operation Allies Welcome

Wherever duty calls, the USO is only a call away to support our military. USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia (USO HRCV) provided a boost to the soldiers of 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment “Red Currahee” and other deployed service members that are in support of Operation Allies Welcome, the ongoing effort to bring Americans home, and to bring vulnerable Afghan evacuees to the United States and support their resettlement.

The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command, and in support of the Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening, and general support for at least 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities, in permanent or temporary structures, as quickly as possible. This initiative provides Afghan personnel essential support at secure locations outside Afghanistan.

At a moment’s notice, dedicated USO HRCV volunteers and staff mobilized by gathering snacks, beverages, toiletries and leisure items to fuel service members along their mission. Starting at the USO Norfolk International Airport center, to the USO Fort Lee center and onward, these items were picked up by USO HRCV staff and transported to Fort Pickett, Va.

“Upon seeing the smiles on the faces of these young soldiers as they unloaded our truck, I had to turn away with the emotion of it all,“ said Paula Moran, Executive Director of USO HRCV. "This is what USO mission delivery is all about – when there is a need, we move mountains to fulfill it.”

The USO HRCV team met with Command Sergeant Major Leonard Zawisza to arrange the distribution. “First off, myself and the entire team here at Fort Pickett which includes the 1-506IN BN out of Fort Campbell and our Navy personnel out of Norfolk would like to thank the entire USO team for your support. The soldiers absolutely loved unloading the truck and seeing all the stuff that was donated.”

“It’s amazing knowing that the USO has and always will be there for our Soldiers when we have to deploy and leave our families behind,” said Zawisza.

Without the generosity and urgency of volunteers and donors, USO HRCV would not be able to provide this rapid support. As Operation Allies Welcome continues to unfold, USO HRCV plans to continue their support of deployed service members.