Camp Foster USO bring a taste of home to the military community with a Thanksgiving Dinner

By Pfc Kelcey Seymour, Marine Corps Installations Pacific Public Affairs

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CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – The Camp Foster USO hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for service members and their families Nov. 21 at the USO aboard Camp Foster.

The USO is a home away from home where the military community can go to relax and unwind. During the holidays, the USO offers a multitude of events across Okinawa for service members stationed away from family and friends.

“We are here for [the military community],” said Becky Thomas, the Camp Foster USO field program manager. “Our mission statement is to connect service members and their families to family, home and country. Your family is away, so we want to be your family and your home can be here as well.”

The USO strives to create a comforting and relaxing environment for all its visitors. Around the holidays, they help combat homesickness by welcoming service members for home cooked meals and a festive environment.

“Having a home cooked meal helps with homesickness because it remind us of home and it shows that there are people out there who take time out of their day to make service members food for a holiday,” said Lance Cpl. Eric Peterson, a tactical date systems technician with Marine Corps Installation-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. “I know many of us miss meals like this and it’s nice to receive it.”

The USO provided comfort foods many would have on their Thanksgiving table back at home, from the turkey and stuffing, to cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving is a time for togetherness and the USO provided a place where the military community could gather during the holiday season.

“The USO does these events and I’m thankful for all that they do for us,” said Gunnery Sgt. Anthony Roundy, a motor transportation maintenance chief, with 3rd Transportation Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “This shows that the Marine Corps really is a family and it doesn’t matter where you’re at.”

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