Go exploring with the USO

Classes, tours and more offered this summer

By Karl Weisel

U.S. Army Garrison Hessen Public Affairs Office

Wherever and whenever service members deploy, the USO is not far away providing services, hot coffee and a welcome respite from the stress of deployment.

The USO is also a one-stop source of cultural entertainment, classes, tickets and tours, as many military families have discovered.

“Our mission is to support the U.S. Soldier in a variety of ways,” said Fred Jeter, director of the Rhein Main Area USOs, explaining that providing community and cultural opportunities, language classes and a host of other services are all aimed at ensuring service members and their families feel comfortable wherever they are stationed.

“We have a great variety in what we offer,” Jeter said, describing local city tours geared toward orienting people to their new surroundings and other offerings. “After one of our city tours we want people to realize that this isn’t so foreign after all.”

Wine tasting trips, kardio kickboxing, Latin dance, cooking classes, Rhein River cruises, belly dancing classes, basket weaving, karate and even piano lessons are among current offerings at Rhein Main Area USOs.

Flexibility is key

“We have to be adaptable,” said Jeter, explaining that the USO staff remains flexible to meet demand. While the majority of Soldiers are deployed in communities such as Friedberg and Giessen, the USO staff steps up its efforts to provide programs and services geared more to families such as a recent karate camp.

“We recently opened a small USO center in Building 4 on the Giessen Depot across from Army Community Service. It’s a great location for us to serve the community,” Jeter said.

Providing affordable trips to such notable European cities as Paris and Amsterdam, Berlin and Prague are part of the USO’s appeal. “We try to provide services and opportunities for everyone — quality tours at an affordable price. We also try to target three-day weekends, so that people won’t have to take leave to enjoy one of our tours. So far all the overnight tours we’ve done have been sold out,” he said.

“We also offer different types of tours — tours that have historical significance and address military history,” he said, detailing trips to Bastogne, Verdun and the Maginot Line.

Trips to view the flowers at the Keukenhof gardens in the Netherlands and the Black Forest are especially popular, said Bob Morrissey, tours and advertising manager for the Rhein Main Area USOs. “Prague is our most exciting tour coming up (editor’s note: it is scheduled for July 21-23). We have an ambitious express tour schedule including trips to Brussels, Paris and Amsterdam all for $99.”

Express shopping trips to locations such as Poland are also popular, Morrissey said (a Poland express shopping trip takes place Aug. 19). “People are overseas for a limited amount of time and they like to stock up on gifts for families and friends back home.”

Signing up well in advance of trips ensures they won’t be canceled, Morrissey added. “Our most recent emphasis has been on timely sign up. We hate to cancel a tour because of procrastination,” he said.

More involvement

“We’ve increased our range,” said Meredith Mall, Rhein Main Area USO programs and events coordinator, about the many different classes featured. “We’re trying to get people more involved.”

Engagement in local community celebrations and observances is another vital feature of the USO. Whether it’s participation in Independence Day festivities, Dexheim’s Stork Strasse or local events, USO volunteers ensure their success.

“We do need volunteers,” said Mall. “People can walk in and we will train them. Through their involvement with the USO they are also eligible for recognition through the Army Volunteer Corps.

“We have all kinds of volunteers,” she said, “people from several different countries and all age groups.”

“Volunteers continue to be the backbone of the USO,” said Jeter. “They multiply the good work we do. USO Rhein Main Area recognized 19,000 volunteer hours in 2005.”

In addition to classes and tours, Soldiers and their families can find Internet access, discount tickets to amusement parks such as Holiday and Europa Parks, and tickets for NFL-Europe football games at their local USO.

“We’re always looking for feedback for new tours and services,” Jeter added. “People have an opportunity to give feedback and make suggestions.” Tourgoers are asked to fill out follow-up questionnaires.

For more information about USO highlights visit the USO centers in Wiesbaden’s Hainerberg Housing (the Cottage), at Wiesbaden Army Airfield (Building 1023W), Hainerberg Shopping Center, Dexheim (Building 6460), Hanau’s Pioneer Kaserne (Building 19), Giessen Depot (Building 4) or at the Frankfurt Airport (Hall C Arrivals). Pick up the latest “Eine Brücke” or visit www.uso.org/rheinmain online and click on “Things to do” for a list of the latest USO offerings.