JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Since being chartered in 1941, the United Service Organizations has been boosting the morale of service members and their families around the world through programs, services and live entertainment.
However, the USO has come a long way since Shirley Temple and Marilyn Monroe headlined for the troops, making strides to better provide for the modern day military family.
“We understand that the needs of our families have changed,” said M.J. Flammer, the USO operations manager for Southern New Jersey. “As those needs change, the USO has adapted.”
The USO provides welfare, morale and services to military families year round, specifically at the MDL passenger terminal. However, the holiday season is really their time in the spotlight, explained Flammer.
“This time of year, it’s all about making our families feel good and lessen the burden that comes around with the holidays,” said Flammer.
The USO sets out to give military families the type of holiday they would not have otherwise; donating 200 full turkey dinners for Thanksgiving, and through the Adopt a Family Program over the Christmas season to help provide gifts.
“Military life is already stressful,” said Flammer, who retired from the Air Force Reserves after 33 years of service. “Most military families live paycheck to paycheck, and the USO is here to help.”
Taking in unwrapped gifts and donations, the USO helps families focus on keeping their lights on, said Flammer.
“The children never need to know that their gifts came from us,” said Flammer. “The parents get to remain the heroes.”
Members of the USO prefer to be seen as a safety-net rather than a charity, here to assist with the additional unique challenges service members and their families face, said Flammer.
“My favorite part of what we do is taking care of our families,” said Flammer, stressing that they are always in need of volunteers.
Through this holiday season and all through the New Year, Flammer and her team will continue to provide all they can to military families, constantly evolving to care for their unique challenges.
“We’re bigger and better, and we’re here to meet the needs of the families,” said Flammer. “We are not your father’s USO.”