Fort Cavazos USO turns 23, celebrates with week-long bash

FORT CAVAZOS, Texas - The United Service Organizations Fort Cavazos celebrated its 23rd birthday with the Fort Cavazos community with a week chocked full of events and activities.

"We decided that we wanted to celebrate the entire week and have everybody come in each day to experience what the USO is all about," said Patti Reece, center operations specialist for the Fort Cavazos USO.

The celebration kicked off Aug. 5 with games and playtime activities for the young, and young at heart, and free snow cones to beat the Texas heat.

Attendees were given punch cards to record each activity completed and turn in at the week's end for prizes.

Robin Mikel, who came out for the start of the week's activities with her sons Darren Cabrera, 7, and Dean Cabrera, 2, explained the USO provides a place to connect.

She stressed the importance of bonding with other military spouses, especially now that her spouse, Cpl. Michael Cabrera, 615th Aviation Support Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, is deployed.

"It helps you connect and get to know other military spouses," Mikel said. "You get to know what other families are going through. So, you're not so isolated and alone.

"It helps with my mental health," she added. "(My children) forget (my husband's) gone if they're busy and it helps time go by faster.

Fellow spouse Grace Fuchs, who shared this is her family's first duty station, agreed.

Her spouse, Staff Sgt. Jacob Fuchs, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cav. Div., is also deployed, and she is grateful for the support the USO provides.

"I've also made friends," Grace said. "Just having someone to talk to is important. And it's always nice to know the USO is here.

"I miss him a lot, they miss him a lot, so this helps keep their spirits up," she said of her sons Alaric Fuchs, 8, and Wolfric Fuchs, 6, about Jacob.

Reece noted that it's the last week before school starts, and she wanted youngsters to come in and enjoy themselves before embarking upon a new year.

Freedom Mortgage provided 60 backpacks, full of school supplies, just in time for the new school year Aug. 6 during the "Rucksacks to Backpacks" event.

The festivities continued midweek with free hotdogs, story time and a watch party.

Soldiers enjoyed some friendly competition at the end of the week with the Soldier Showdown Night pool tournament Aug. 8.

More than a dozen Soldiers competed in the tournament while enjoying pizza, drinks and snacks.

Spc. Sydney Cavanagh, Fort Cavazos Soldier Recovery Unit, shared he and a fellow SRU Soldier thought the pool tournament would be a good way to get out and do something they enjoy.

He shared he was injured while deployed and has been convalescing at the SRU.

"You get down on yourself, so it's a good way to joke around and meet new people," Cavanagh expressed.

Cavanagh noted he was an experienced pool player and was excited to show off his skills.

He praised the USO for lifting his spirits and wished the beloved organization many more trips around the sun.

"Happy Birthday USO," Cavanagh exclaimed. "I appreciate you!"

Staff Sgt. Pasang Sherpa, 15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cav. Div., didn't come to compete, but he welcomed the opportunity to connect with a few new four-legged friends.

Kiara, Leela and Eros from the GO TEAM Therapy Dogs made a special appearance at the event, much to the delight of visitors and USO staff.

Hailing from Nepal, Sherpa shared the USO provides the opportunity to meet others from across the globe.

"It's a great place to hang out and meet people from every part of the world," he said. "It's nice to meet other single Soldiers like (yourself), have fun and hang out, get to know each other and share experiences. Happy Birthday, USO."

The week-long festivities ended Aug. 9 with free cupcakes and prizes for those who turned in their punch cards.

For more information on USO Fort Cavazos events, visit fortcavazos.uso.org/events.

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