USO Brings Holiday Cheer to Service Members in Hungary and Slovakia

The USO Joint Expeditionary Team (JET) is made up of an energetic group of USO staff members who are passionate about the USO’s mission and want to bring comfort and connection to service members far from home. These individuals travel long distances—by air and sea—to physically visit these men and women who may not have access to quality-of-life amenities.

Joe Duran, Area Operations Manager for Central Europe, and Bernie Binning, Center Operations Manager for USO Camp Arifjan, recently loaded up the Europe Expeditionary Vehicle with activities, snacks and USO swag and hit the road to Hungary and Slovakia. Over the course of ten days, Joe and Bernie led programs filled with holiday cheer, heartfelt moments and memories that will resonate long after these service members return home.

Spreading Joy and Connection

The primary goal of this mission was to provide service members and their families with holiday-themed programming, the USO Reading Program and USO Gaming. These core programs promote a sense of connection and joy for those deployed far from home during a time typically spent with loved ones. The exciting thing about these programs is they can be taken anywhere, even to men and women in the field.

Their journey began at Camp Croft in Hungary, where service members enjoyed a delicious American barbecue complete with burgers, sodas and chips. Joe and Bernie also organized engaging, multiplayer games to bring people together. After lunch, service members had the opportunity to join the USO Reading Program, where they selected a book and recorded a heartfelt bedtime story for their loved ones. To make the experience even more special, the USO sent both the recording and a physical copy of the book home to their families. The USO team then set up the USO Rapid Response Gaming Kits—mobile kits filled with Nintendo Switches, controllers and exciting games—so service members could unwind and enjoy some friendly competition.

The next day, the team brought the same festive spirit to Lest, Slovakia, where Santa Claus personally delivered USO Holiday Care Packages, spreading holiday cheer to everyone present.

Throughout the mission, Bernie and Joe shaped the activities to make service members feel valued and connected. Day three included a few service member favorites—Thanksgiving-themed football watch parties in Lest and Camp Croft, featuring inflatable turkey suits, antlers and American snacks.

The team then traveled to Budapest, Hungary, bringing traditional Hungarian pastries and American-brewed coffee to security forces at the U.S. Embassy. Sharing delicious food is a heartwarming way to bridge cultures and encourage connection.

Meanwhile, in Lest, Slovakia, service members battling near-freezing temperatures at the M4 range were treated to a “Chilly Dog” lunch, featuring hot dogs topped with warm chili while they listened to upbeat music.

Deployments, rotations and remote duty stations take an immense toll on our service members and their families,” Bernie said. “Being away from their creature comforts, their vehicles, their personal space, their pets, their favorite foods, their family, etc. does a number on even the most resilient person.

At Papa Air Base in Hungary, families were overjoyed to see the USO vehicle arrive. The team set up a traditional nacho bar complete with salsa and jalapenos, then brought out holiday bingo for families to play and enjoy time together.

A family of five who participated in the program expressed heartfelt joy, sharing how the USO made the day feel like a traditional family Christmas. While the children played video games, the adults bonded over bingo and holiday tunes. They deeply appreciated the opportunity to spend quality time together, enjoying the American food, games and music.

Moments of Gratitude

The mission’s success was clear in the heartfelt responses from service members. At Camp Croft, Hungary, two young service members shared emotional stories of sending books home to children they’d never met due to deployment. And in Lest, Slovakia, a young soldier said to Joe, “This is the best meal I’ve had in two months.”

One particularly touching moment occurred at the U.S. Embassy in Budapest, where Marines decorated a Christmas tree after receiving USO Holiday Care Packages. Laughter, shared stories and holiday treats turned a simple act into a profound reminder of how the holidays feel at home.

“Service members at the M4 range in Lest, Slovakia were so grateful to have a hot meal while stuck outside in the near-freezing temperatures,” said Joe. “I had such a good conversation with them after the meal that I ended up walking down range with a few of them. We shared a meal, stories and a few laughs.”

A Mission That Resonates

Military leaders at every location expressed gratitude for the USO’s efforts to break the monotony of daily routines and boost morale. Service members frequently asked when the USO was coming back.

For Joe and Bernie, this mission was about more than delivering programs—it was about bringing joy and a sense of connection to home for those thousands of miles away. “By being boots on ground with our service members in these remote locations, we show them they’re not forgotten about,” said Bernie. “The USO is there for them, no matter where they go.”

Through thoughtful programs and meaningful connections, the USO Expeditionary team remains dedicated to supporting U.S. service members and their families. This mission to Hungary and Slovakia is a testament to their commitment, as the USO continues to find new and exciting ways to support service members, no matter where the mission takes them next.