More than 70 years ago, the United Services Organization Inc, commonly known as the USO, was established to provide morale, welfare and recreation for our service men and women. The USO of Southern New Jersey and Pennsylvania is looking for patriotic volunteers to join them in helping our troops.

Southern NJ & Pennsylvania USO
Southern NJ & Pennsylvania USO (Facebook Liberty USO)
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USO representative Joe Brooks said they provide countless opportunities to show appreciation for our troops. He said one of those services impacts troops deploying from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. He explained "before those warriors get on that plane, they have opportunity for that last final home cooked meal and they have an opportunity for a friendly civilian face to tell them, thank you for your service and we'll be here when you come home."

He said they also have a contingent of USO staff members and volunteers at the Newark Liberty International Airport available to greet returning troop members. He noted that most of those volunteers are Vietnam Vets who were rejected upon their return from service. He says they want to make sure that never happens to this new generation of soldiers.

The USO has also launched its Every Moment Counts campaign that serves as an avenue across the United States to help create real, everyday moments for troops and their families through small gestures. In their press release, the USO list examples the special moments you can create which includes things like baby-sitting or mowing the lawn. The program also encourages Americans to share their ideas of creating special moments in their communities on Facebook and Twitter at #usomoments or at their web page at usomoments.org.

However, even through the USO is seven decades old, the organization doesn't stay stagnant. Brooks said they adapt its offerings to provide relevant programs for the troops. He said unique to McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst are the large numbers of National Guardsmen and women deploying multiple times. He said while their jobs are supposed to be here when they return, many times they're not. "So we're working with nonprofits like Hire Heroes USA to find new jobs for these warriors." Brooks said they're also working with organizations to provide family support services.

You can become a member of your local USO, make a donation or find lots of information about the organization and their projects at their web site: libertyuso.org, email them at mcguireuso@yahoo.com. Like them on Facebook: LibertyUSO or contact them through Twitter: #libertyuso

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