United Service Organization of North Carolina The United Service Organizations of North Carolina ( USO of NC ) is the oldest continuously operating United Service Organization ( USO ) in the world ( founded April 23 , 1941 , in Jacksonville / Camp Lejeune ) as well as the first USO ( at Fort Bragg ) . The USO of North Carolina supports military , retired military and their families in or from North Carolina . The USO of NC today operates four centers at Jacksonville / Camp Lejeune , Raleigh Durham Airport , Charlotte / Douglas Airport and Fort Bragg / Fayetteville ; and a mobile center . North Carolina is home to nearly 25 percent of the United States armed forces – active , guard and reserve . The USO of NC is largely funded by donations from individual and corporate sponsors and operated by a small core of full - time employees and a network of approximately 700 volunteers throughout the state of North Carolina . The staff supports nearly a quarter million patrons each year at deployments , homecomings , Honor Support Team activations , airport lounges , Smiles over Miles , United through Reading and numerous other programs and services . Programs . Smiles Over Miles . The USO helps in supporting regular communication between deployed servicemembers and family members at home . The USO of NC and Privacy Data Systems partnered to create " Smiles Over Miles " , which allows servicemembers with access to an internet connection and a webcam to send large video , text , video or audio messages over an encrypted , completely secure connection to family or friends . United Through Reading . Each of the USO of NC centers offer servicemembers the chance to be videotaped reading a book for their children , which is then packaged into a DVD and mailed to family members free of charge . Travel - Based Centers . USO of NC operates two travel based centers , in the Raleigh - Durham and Charlotte - Douglas International Airports , which function as airport lounges for military personnel , military retirees and their families . Staffed by volunteers , the centers offer comfortable chairs , books , magazines , television , movies , video games , kid play areas , and refreshments . Internet and phone use available free of charge . Service - Based Centers . The Jacksonville / Camp Lejeune and Fort Bragg / Fayetteville centers serve as recreation centers , offering free pool tables , video games and Internet access to military ID - card holders . Center staff and volunteers also administer military / community outreach programs . Mobile Unit Support . The Mobile Unit is a Recreational Vehicle donated by a World War II veteran and is equipped with two large external flat - screen televisions , a small internal television , Direct TV satellite system , a DVD player , a Wii gaming system , four laptop computers with mobile internet , cell phone service and a gas grill . < ref name = " jdnews1 " / 14 : 18 , 15 October 2010 ( UTC ) Honors Support Team . On - call 24 / 7 , a team of volunteers renders planeside military - honors to fallen service members and assists family members and escorts , helping them navigate a busy airport at a stressful and overwhelming time . Deployment & Homecoming Support . Whenever groups of military personnel leave or return to North Carolina , the USO of NC volunteers are on - site to provide moral support and distribute deployment and homecoming care packages . Sports events . The USO of NC provides complimentary and reduced - price tickets and transportation to many sporting events . Single Warrior Birthday Cakes . USO of NC provides surprise birthday cake deliveries to single service members E - 5 and below upon request . Food Pantry . Non - perishables are available to assist young service members and their families during times of need .