Kicking the New Year Off Right!

It was New Year’s Day at the USO Vicenza center, and already shaping up to be a momentous year. As the sun rose above the horizon and glimmered off the snowcapped mountains, patrons lined up with excitement for the first brunch of 2023. Behind the scenes, USO Vicenza staff and volunteers were busy at work preparing a delicious meal for the service members and families. Like busy bees in a hive, the volunteers flittered about cooking tasty food, gathering items to serve, and decorating the center to make this event a memorable one. Finally, it was time to kick things off, the doors opened, and the brunch and fun began. Patrons clamored over an array of home-cooked food, such as pancakes, eggs, and ham sliders, paired with refreshing “famosas” (orange juice with sparkling cider), and some Italian holiday treats.

As people sat down to enjoy their meal, they were surrounded by holiday decorations with New Year’s Music softly playing in the background, reminding them of home. Once finished with eating, the service members and their families enjoyed talking with old friends and making new ones, helping them to feel connected during the holiday festivities. Young children skipped around and happily played with each other, after building up extra energy from the meal. The song may say “Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?” but there were plenty of new acquaintances made at the center that day and helping them to create beautiful memories for the start of 2023. This event was the perfect way to finish the holiday season and kick off the New Year.