The Signature
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Sigonella USO Stays the Course Story by Megan Mills, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
T
he United Service Organizations, more commonly known as the USO, has been alongside America’s military through a variety of challenges since its founding during World War II, so the speed and capability with which it has adapted to the new normal of COVID-19 is not surprising. As Italy, followed by the rest of the world, imposed restrictions to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus, the USO quickly found new ways to continue its mission of keeping service members “connected to family, home and country throughout their service to the nation.” A non-profit organization that works closely with the United States Department of Defense, the USO has more than 250 locations around the world. Here at NAS Sigonella, the USO center has been providing valuable programming since 2016. In addition to regular flight support at the terminal, they have hosted weekly free lunches, the Taste of Home meal event for unaccompanied service members, trivia and game nights at Umberto’s, the Teddy Bear Club for families with young children, and more. As USO Center Director Brian Coyle puts it, “We do things to put a smile on people’s faces and lift their spirits.” Their work relies on the efforts of a dedicated and trained volunteer force, mostly made up of active duty military members, as well as three full time staff members.
Changing with the Times
Many of these activities were halted when the lockdown was enforced, but that didn’t stop the USO from finding ways to support NAS Sigonella’s community. First, the USO Italy Area began presenting virtual programming, followed by the higher levels of the organization. This initiative quickly took off; in the month of July alone, the USO has hosted virtual events with Jeff Gordon, Kenny “The Jet” Smith, Tamron Hall, David Boreanaz, Charlize Theron and Kiki Layne,
Stephanie Quayle, Chef Joel Gamoran, Craig Morgan, and a star-studded Independence Day special online event and recently a Call of Duty tournament. Many of our local USO programs have adapted with virtual components as well. USO Sigonella began hosting daily cyber challenges, weekly meditation, online trivia and bingo with winners picking up prizes in person, and the Teddy Bear Club became a live video event for families to follow at home with craft kits available from the office. USO Italy has also been hosting Speed Friending online with great success. Now, as restrictions have eased, several in-person programs have resumed with new safety measures in place. Before the pandemic, the USO hosted a weekly Tuesday lunch that served upwards of 70 people with free hot dogs, chili Photo by Jaymi Schap dogs, chips, drinks, and chance to relax and connect with fellow service members. These weekly lunches have resumed, but are now grab and go out of the Air Terminal on NAS II. Some new initiatives borne of the pandemic are quite creative. You may have seen a dinosaur roaming NAS II; that was the USO premiering Insta-Trivia, in which Programs and Volunteer Coordinator Jaymi Schap and her prehistoric helper brightened unsuspecting sailors’ days by surprising them with tricky questions to win fun prizes. A twice-monthly Cup of Joe with coffee and breakfast treats outside the barracks is a new event that has also proven popular, as well as the Appreciation Drops in which they surprise various commands with gift baskets.
Flight Support Continues
Photo by Clara Jenkins
One program USO Sigonella maintained throughout the pandemic has been its flight support program. “We have seen six or seven flights a week since March,” said Coyle. “We’re the only center that has stayed open the entire lockdown, though with modified hours of course,” he added. For arrivals at the air terminal, the USO provides snacks, water, WiFi, and a place to relax. With the new restrictions, the USO continued this program in a “contactless” fashion. In just one weekend, they provided this support more than 600 in-transit military members.
