Kadena USO makes every moment count

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zade C. Vadnais
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  The USO provided service members and their geographically-separated loved ones an opportunity to connect this Valentine's Day by offering to take and send free photos during the first half of February.

The project aims to help service members and their families minimize the impact of being separated on a day traditionally dedicated to showing affection for those close.

"Service members and their families can write a Valentine's Day message on our whiteboard and we'll take a picture of them, then we'll post the picture on Facebook and they can tag whoever they want, or we'll email it to their loved one," said Michelle Winning Cade, USO Kadena duty manager. "It's just a little something that we can do for the service members and their families to connect."

This is the first year the USO has undertaken the Valentine's Day photo project, which is part of the USO's ongoing "Every Moment Counts" campaign, a global effort to ensure service members and their families are able to share special moments even across long distances.

"It's really just about being there for every part of the service member and their family's time in the service," said Winning Cade. "Since Valentine's Day is all about love, we want to make sure (service members and their families) feel loved."

Senior Airman Robert Drew, 353rd Special Operations Support Squadron client systems craftsman, said the project was a great way to connect with loved ones he can't interact with face-to-face.

"I think it's a really great idea," said Drew. "It's a cool way for me to let people back home know I'm thinking of them and I'm sure my mom will love it."

The event took place at USO facilities worldwide, including all five locations on Okinawa.

"We're just sharing the love," said Winning Cade.