USO Cuts Ribbon in Zagan with Help from Service Member Volunteers

The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as the afternoon sun cast its warm glow over Zagan, Poland. Amidst the savory aroma of breakfast burritos and the sounds of the Third Infantry Division Band, a gathering of military personnel stood witness to a significant moment – the ribbon cutting of a USO Center. This special day marked not only the inauguration of a new morale space, but also displayed the collaborative spirit of USO staff and service member volunteers who transformed a vision into reality for their teammates.

Among the faces in the crowd were Ssg Marcus Burke, a Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic with 11 years of service and Jacob O'Connell, a dedicated U.S. Army specialist. Both soldiers watched and listened as speeches were given, the ribbon was cut and the doors were opened to the center they helped build.

“Putting my time into this center was simply because I want my soldiers to have place they can get away from duty, relax and enjoy their time without having to leave post,” said Marcus. His first interaction with the USO was at Camp Atterberry in Indiana. Since arriving in Poland, he has seen the impact a USO center can have on connection to home and morale during a deployment.

Marcus has earned a reputation as the go-to handyman for the center. Whenever a new project or idea arises, he promptly takes charge, articulating the necessary tools or materials and swiftly making it happen. Marcus’s hands-on approach includes measuring and cutting wood pieces for a variety of display and decorative items strategically placed around the center, enhancing its comfortable atmosphere. He also accepted the challenging task of mounting the new USO Gaming signage—a hefty and delicate job that he executed with precision and skill.

Jacob, echoing his friend’s sentiments, shared, “I wanted to assist so that my fellow soldiers could have a place to hang out and relax.” With seven years of service, he recognized the importance of creating a space that goes beyond duty and provides a sense of home. “It makes the soldiers feel like it’s more of a home rather than a deployment.”

Jacob consistently proves to be a reliable resource for a myriad of tasks that seem to outnumber the hours in a day. Painting the center’s walls turned into a multi-day endeavor due to the expansive square footage, but Jacob persisted, diligently tackling the project day after day. His commitment extended beyond manual labor; Jacob also played a crucial role in brainstorming and implementing design ideas to create a more comfortable and inviting environment for service members.

When faced with the daunting task of enhancing the gaming room, the USO team enlisted Jacob’s expertise. Unsure where to start with the gaming consoles, Jacob took charge, providing valuable feedback on how they could elevate the gaming experience for service members. They navigated the complexities of adding games for Xbox, PS5 and Nintendo to their cart as a team. His contributions significantly contributed to the gaming room becoming a standout attraction for all customers.

Both volunteers recognized the significance of helping to create a haven where men and women could forge bonds, unwind and find solace. Jacob said particularly, the gaming area, kitchen and movie room have played such a large role in the morale of the troops. “I believe the overall morale will be much higher now, seeing as how small the town USO Zagan is located in. Having a small movie room will be greatly beneficial since the closest movie theater that plays movies in English is roughly an hour and half to two hours away.” This is why every USO space is carefully laid out and designed with service members in mind.

Marcus, no stranger to volunteering, draws parallels between his dedication to the USO and his involvement with the nonprofit organization "Cosplay for A Cause Foundation” back home. The opportunity to give back to his fellow soldiers, who work relentlessly to keep the military machinery running smoothly, is a source of fulfillment.

Volunteering at the USO gives me a chance to give back to my troops that work hard every day to keep these trucks rolling.

The challenges of a duty station in a quiet village like Zagan, amplify the importance of this center. “Seeing as there is not much to do in the village we are stationed in,” says Marcus, “this USO gives troops a chance to do more than work and sit in their rooms without having to travel and pay - to just have fun or find somewhere to relax and not think about the military for the night.”

As they hang the last photo and the doors swing open to the Zagan USO Center, Jacob, Marcus and the USO team look ahead with optimism. “I see this center as a steppingstone for what a [morale space] should offer,” Marcus shares. This vision of the USO is one of continuity, growth and an enduring legacy of support.