USO re-opens at community center

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Emerson Nuñez
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea-- --  The United Service Organizations at Osan Air Base held a ribbon cutting ceremony at their new location in the community center July 3, 2013.

Their new central location is ideal for members and offers various opportunities to reach out to the local community.

"We came here today to celebrate the opening of this facility, and continue to look forward for it to grow within this community," said Lt. Gen. Jan-Marc Jouas, 7th Air Force commander.

From the new center, the USO will be able to support a larger number of service members, and will also make it easier to hold more and larger community events such as unit barbecues.

The center's new location will also make it easier for the USO to accomplish its mission and lift the spirits of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines that come to Osan as a new duty station or for training, said Jouas.

"The location we were in before really wasn't a great spot," said Sloan Gibson, USO president and chief executive officer. "Positioning a USO center is a lot like what they say in the real estate world, 'there are three important things in this world; location, location, location.' I think it's a great move and we are delighted to be here."

The Osan USO is a private, nonprofit organization which supports the military through many endeavors, such as providing helpful services for military members when they travel here. Osan's USO is unique in that it is the only USO that is located on an air base.

"It's important for you guys to understand that all of us back home appreciate what you do for us every day, and so we work hard at the USO to find ways to say thank you," Gibson said. "We work so we can show you gratitude instead of just saying thank you."

The USO has been an important member of the military in Korea for more than 60 years. More than 4,000 people per month are expected to pass through this new location.