CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -- The Hansen United Service Organization began serving personnel here, 34 years ago and celebrates its anniversary this month.
The USO was built on the camp back in 1976 and has since undergone renovations to continue to provide service members with a relaxing atmosphere, said Lee Kramvik, a retired Marine and center manager for Camps Hansen and Schwab USO's.
"Our main mission is to provide morale, welfare and recreation for the troops," said Kramvik. "The island USOs are places where friendly staff and volunteers welcome and interact with the troops to provide a comfortable place to spend some time."
On average about 6,000 to 7,000 Marines and sailors walk through the doors of those USOs a month. That number fluctuates even higher when service members from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are in port, he said.
Some of these service members come to the Hansen USO to enjoy the free flapjacks served the first Friday of every month from 6 until 9 a.m.
"I come every once in a while because it's somewhere I can go to relax," said Lance Cpl. Josh M. Pawlak, an S-4 Marine with the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force, who celebrated his 23rd birthday there Feb. 23.
The USO also offers entertainment in the form of pool, free internet and a very large flat screen television surrounded by 30 recliners.
The TV receives numerous cable channels and is available for service members wanting to watch a movie on it, commented Kramvik.
"Additionally, during this past NFL season, games were shown live via NFL Game Pass with free snacks for the die-hard football fans," he added.
The USOs are also trying to keep abreast with new computer technology and offer free Wi-Fi and free international phone calls through an internet-based phone service, a new addition last year, he added.
The service allows users to make voice calls to cell phones or home phones through the internet and is available for free to service member at the USO.
More than 38,600 free internet-based calls were placed from USO Okinawa centers since May 2009, saving service members more than $18,000, he said.
"I think it's a great place for all the service members to go to, and it gives everybody a little taste of home," said Pawlak.
For more information about the Hansen USO visit the web www.uso.org or call 623-5011.