Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Friends and family can now send cheer and goodwill to service members deployed abroad and even grab a few slices of pizza while they’re at it – free.

Volunteers at the Jacksonville United Service Organization will record brief messages from friends and family, which will be sent to their deployed service member in a new program labeled ‘Smiles Over the Miles’ starting today from 5-8 p.m., said Sarah Beth Burchell, center director for the USO of Jacksonville.

“The idea is to boost the morale of the troops abroad,” said Burchell.

Burchell had been sending video messages to her husband during his deployment, but when a request from a local Marine to record more than 16 families left her without a solution, the USO worked to create this program, she said.

“I couldn’t support him and all the families, and it became apparent that there was an obvious need for this in this military community,” said Burchell.

Happening on the first Thursday of each month, the program will allow families to talk about home, family events or even to just say “I love you,” continued Burchell.

Families and friends are encouraged to bring in props or even sing, she said.

Visitors can also expect a free meal during their visit.

“The most memorable moment of the USO for me was watching a show, as a child, in an airplane hanger, while my father was deployed,” said Doug Troop, assistant manager of the Marine Boulevard Pizza Hut, who is donating pizza to the event. “I wanted to give back to a group that gave so much to me so I brought this up to the store and they signed off on it.”

Family members interested in attending can include a short letter in the package, but must bring the address of the deployed service member and have a Department of Defence identification or dependant card.

For more information, visit the Jacksonville USO at 9 Tallman St. or contact them at 455-3411.