BURLINGTON, WI - Three “Mobile Canteens” manufactured by LDV have been delivered to the USO to help provide a place for troops and their families to relax and enjoy some time away from their military duties.
Two of the units have been funded through a portion of a $1 million donation from Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., the world’s largest gaming-entertainment company. The vehicles donated by Harrah’s will be operating in the Midwest and in the West. A third Mobile Canteen will serve the USO of Hampton Roads location in Norfolk, Virginia. All three will effectively extend the USO’s reach in these areas, allowing enhanced morale-boosting activities to U.S. troops.
“There is an overwhelming sense of pride to work with the USO on these unique vehicles,” said David Krause, president of LDV. “We’re used to building vehicles to help military personnel and homeland security professionals respond to emergency situations across the country and around the world. The USO project allowed us to be part of something that will bring pleasure to the people who risk their lives to ensure we all continue to enjoy the freedoms we take for granted.”
The Mobile Canteens feature a front slide-out area with comfortable bench seating and a large flat panel television monitor. The center of the vehicle includes four networked Xbox® gaming stations where users can compete against each other, or play video games on their own. A live internet link is available for users to surf the internet or send emails to friends and family.
The canteen’s rear section features a full-service food and beverage area that can be accessed by troops and their families from the outside. USO personnel will serve refreshments during stops at many locations within the region. Two 47-inch LCD screens are also mounted to the exterior of the vehicle to view gaming tournaments, live television or taped video, such as DVDs. Ultimately, troops and their families can relax and unwind in the USO Mobile Canteen.