Pioneer Valley USO volunteers hours, services ensuring military’s well-being Published April 2, 2012 By SSgt. George Cloutier 439th AW Public Affairs WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- The Pioneer Valley United Service Organization at Westover extends a warm invitation to all service members across central and western Massachusetts. "The mission of the USO is to improve the quality of life for our military personnel and their families," said Allan Tracy, Executive Director of the Pioneer Valley USO. "And that's basically been the mission of the USO since 1941." The USO at Westover provides a number of services, all free, to military members and their families: a food pantry, open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night; home-cooked dinners Monday nights from 5-7 p.m.; holiday baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas; troop Welcoming/Departures; Wounded Warriors; Fallen Heroes; Operation Care Package; Hospitality and Entertainment (books, videogames, movies, board games); Loan chest; Children's Holiday Parties; Email and Internet Service and United Through Reading. Tracy and his staff of volunteers have a long history of providing quality of life services to the service members of central and western Massachusetts. Last year the USO of the Pioneer Valley was host to over 35,000 servicemembers and their families. Today the USO of Pioneer Valley has over 70 volunteers and provides an estimated 4,000 hours of service annually. "The Pioneer Valley [USO] has been around for 20 years," said Tracy. "[Ret. Brig. Gen. Mike] Walker got us set up on base here at Westover. I'm an old Marine and Vietnam Veteran, and I love taking care of the troops. There's tons of support here for people who need it. Get it. It's there." For more information on these programs and all programs provided by the USO, visit the Pioneer Valley USO at Westover at 100 Walker Avenue, next to the Airman and Family Readiness Center or visit online at pioneervalleyuso.com or call Tracy at (413) 557-3290.