“Our volunteers and I are determined to keep the center open every Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day,” said Mia Walthers, USO center manager. “Since the day we opened, we’ve never closed with the exception of inclement weather. But for any other reason, we are open 365 days a year so Airmen will always have a little bit of home away from home.”
The USO supports all active-duty military members, Guard, reserve and their families throughout the year by providing a place to relax and enjoy time away.
“We have quiet rooms upstairs where Airmen can study and work on their educational requirements, a game room with a pool table and an air hockey table, three large-screen TVs that are hooked up to game systems, other games and movies,” said Walthers.
In addition to its activities, the USO also has food that Airmen can heat and serve themselves.
On Thanksgiving Day, the USO will offer a full meal to those who are on base, including dorm residents, Fisher House guests and guests staying in billeting quarters.
“It’s one of those things that wherever you go, you see a USO and you know it’s a place you can go, be amongst friends and feel welcomed while hearing great stories, too,” said Walthers.
She also encourages retired military and other family members traveling here to visit their family member on base, to stop by to reminisce and discover what the Wright-Patterson USO has to offer.
Thanksgiving Day, the USO cyber café will offer a wide array of foods and desserts.
“I don’t purchase anything here at the USO. Everything that is in this building was either donated or money was donated so we could purchase it. So we operate 100 percent on donations,” said Walthers.
Walthers added the community donates everything to the USO as a way to show how much they love the military members at Wright-Patterson.
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