USO weekly troop lunches bring comfort and support to the hard working troops in Sigonella

At the Sigonella Naval Air Station passenger terminal, the USO resumed to their signature weekly Troop Lunch program. Service members of all branches know to stop by the center, for the comforts of home and a delicious meal, inclusive sweets and drinks. The USO troop lunch program on a hot day, represents an oasis for these troops and more importantly demonstrates a return to normalcy.

For the past three weeks, the Sailors, Airmen, Soldiers and Marines of Sigonella have been working overtime to assist in Operation Allied Refugee. During which the base received, processed, fed, clothed and took care of over 4,000 Afghani nationals. Amid this time of controlled chaos, the USO and countless volunteers, provided meals throughout the day and night for the troops involved in this delicate operation.

They also erected and supplied “refueling” stations of food and beverages in strategic locations around the base. At these locations service members who were unable to leave their post, could grab a quick bite and have a small respite from the nonstop activity. Finally, with just a handful of travelers left on the instillation, life began to slow down, and the 12–16-hour shifts were in the rearview mirror. A big part of getting back into the swing of things is the weekly stop by the neighborhood USO for a bite to eat, a cold drink and some good conversation.