By Christian Pelusi
Roughly
two years ago, USO Europe Regional Vice President Walter Murren
challenged the USO Rome staff to look for ways to increase its
interaction with the 10 Marines assigned to guard the U.S. Embassy in
Rome and their families.
Despite limited field budgets, Murren
pushed the goal further, asking USO Rome to devise new programs to
further bind the USO and Marines with the Roman community.
USO
Rome answered the call with the “Meet the Parents” program. Now in its
second year, USO Rome awards two trip packages annually to two Marines
through generous in-kind donations from local businesses. USO Rome flies
the Marines’ families to Rome for a one-week reunion, complete with
lodging, tours and other services. The trips take place in February
during President’s Day week.
“When solicited by USO Rome, none
of the local donors could say ‘no’ to this noble initiative,” USO Naples
and Rome Area Director Sabrina Pullido said. “Hotels, transportation
companies, restaurants and tours companies all came together to make
this a reality. … The community at the Embassy was enthusiastic to learn of this initiative, as they are very supportive of their Marine unit.”
Among the local partners that support “Meet the Parents” are B&B il Passetto, B&B Holiday House, Tour Company: Through Eternity and Da Vito e Dina restaurant.
Marines
protect U.S. Embassies around the world on three- to four-year
obligations, working 10- to 12-hour days, being combat-ready at all
times.
“We’re
the first ones people see when they enter the U.S. Embassy for the
first or the last time,” said Sgt. Donald R. Fowler, one of this year’s
recipients of the award.
Their long commitments make trips home difficult, making this initiative very cherished among the Marines.
“With
the ‘Meet the Parents’ program, that was just icing on the cake for us,
because like many others, our parents have no idea what we do as
Embassy guards and have never come to Italy,” Sgt. Fowler said. “So it’s
extremely special to have something like this because we all live and
work overseas and because of our jobs, family time is sometimes second
of the list.”
Fortunately for the Marines, they are always first on USO Rome’s list.
“The
USO means a lot to the Marines because it’s hard to talk to people that
have never experienced or know what your job represents,” Sgt. Fowler
said. “The USO personnel do so much that other people take for granted,
on their own time. So for us, the Marines in Italy, we love to have them
around.”
For USO Europe Regional Vice President Murren, the initiative is a point of pride he shares with USO Rome.
“They’ve
done a wonderful job in Rome and execution of the ‘Meet the Parents’
program is but one of the great examples of the talent we have in
Patriana Zancani, the Center Operations Manager, and her wonderful staff
in Rome,” Murren said.
For more information, visit USO Rome’s Facebook page or its website.
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