NSA Souda Bay and USO Celebrate the Opening of a New Unstaffed Center

The day a new USO opens is always a day filled with excitement, particularly among the men and women of the U.S. military. These spaces mean new opportunities for connection and relaxation for service members who are far from home and loved ones. On February 29th, military leaders, USO staff and volunteers and members of the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay community gathered to celebrate the opening of their very own USO unstaffed center.

Rather than having a permanent USO employee, unstaffed centers are maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers, predominantly consisting of service members. These centers continue to offer the same level of amenities and comforts as their staffed counterparts, ensuring a welcoming and supportive environment for all who visit. This new center will provide plenty of comfortable seating, tasty snacks, free Wi-Fi and TV.

After the ribbon was cut, Constructionman Electrician 2nd Class (CE2) Jeromy Harris, a seasoned Sailor, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the new unstaffed center stating, “the USO is the best part of the Navy. They saved my life.”

Looking back on his experiences, Jeromy vividly remembers a moment from October 2018 in Guam, when support from the USO made a significant impact during a challenging holiday period. “While I was in Guam on a mission in Tinian, the USO came out on a little Cessna plane with turkey and ham for Thanksgiving.”

A significant portion of offerings will include expeditionary support for U.S. Navy ships such as USO2GOs, Program in a Box and USO Care Packages. Also the USO volunteer program will be an option for people to help maintain the center and host fun programs.

I’ve been here for 3 years - we’ve needed this,” said Jeromy. “I’m excited for Sailors to have that USO comfort and taste of home here. Also, the volunteer opportunities for my Sailors - I will be sending this link out to them.

For Air Traffic Controller 1st Class (AC1) David Sudbeck, the opportunity to assist in setting up the USO unstaffed center held personal significance. He anticipated the positive effect the center would have on Sailors, particularly those navigating their first experiences in a foreign country.

"I wanted to help set up [this unstaffed USO center] because there are so many people that come through here,” David explained. “Coming here might be new, it might be a little scary. [This center] offers comfort. I’m excited to see Sailors come in here, especially Sailors around the base - seeing their smiling faces, letting them come in and decompress.”

NSA Souda Bay’s Commanding Officer, Captain Odin J. Klug, articulated the significance of the USO’s presence during his opening remarks, emphasizing its role in bridging geographical barriers and fostering a sense of connection akin to the Navy’s mission.

“This has been a labor of love to have this organization at NSA Souda Bay,” he said. “NSA Souda Bay provides support services to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines alike. In that way, our mission is a little bit like that of the USO. We’re excited to welcome USO as a part of Team Souda and are grateful for the comforts and conveniences that they will be able to extend to the forward deployed forces that rely on NSA Souda Bay.“

Applause filled the air as Capt Klug and Sabrina Pullido, USO Area Director, cut the ribbon together and initiated a new chapter in the USO’s mission - supporting the well-being of the people who serve in the U.S. military and their families.