The Pioneer Valley USO was founded after the Gulf War when so many people
participated in the great "Welcome Home" at Westover Air Reserve Base.  Many
military and civilian people felt that with such a large military presence
in our area that a USO would be helpful.  The Pioneer Valley USO now serves
anyone in the military in Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut.
We have also served thousands of troops departing and returning threw
Westover Air Reserve Base and troops deploying from Barnes Air Base and
Bradley Air National Guard Base.  We now have Army Units deployed with more
to go this summer and also some Marines in our area will be leaving soon.

  The main offering at our small USO is our Food Pantry.  Any military
person or their families with a current military ID card is welcome to use
the Pantry twice a month.  No questions are asked and everyone, from every
branch of the service is welcome.  Since the conflict in Iraq the use of the
Pantry has more than tripled.  Last year donations were the highest we have
ever had and now, it seems that people have forgotten and our shelves are in
need of food.  We belong to the Western Mass Food Bank and their allotments
are never enough.  Many times we have to purchase food so the families can
get a good variety when they come in.   Most of the military in our area are
in the Guard or Reserves and have jobs outside of the military.  In many
instances families, or just a single person, looses money when they are
called to active duty.  Sometimes it is very difficult deciding what bills
to try and pay and still be able to feed the family.  The USO Food Pantry
helps to alleviate some of the stress.  Other activities provided by the USO
are Welcome Home celebrations, Holiday parties for the children, a Loan
Closet for people in need of household goods, Holiday Baskets and much more.

It is very difficult to say just how many people in our area are deployed at
this moment as it keeps changing.  We do know it is in the hundreds on any
given day.  If you can help us it would be greatly appreciated.  Checks can
be made out to the Pioneer Valley USO and sent to 100 Walker Ave., Suite 4,
Westover A.R.B., Chicopee, MA  01022.
The phone number is (413)557-3290 and the cell number is (413)222-5276.

By Sandy Wakefield of the Pioneer Valley USO