Cheering on Team USA from Korea to Paris: USO Camp Humphreys Hosts a Watch Party in Support of Local Military Family

Considered the hub of U.S. Forces Korea, United States Army Garrison (USAG) Humphreys is home to the Eighth U.S. Army, the Second Infantry Division and several tactical and direct support units. Located along the western coast of South Korea, USAG Humphreys is about 40 miles south of Seoul. Seoul is over 5,500 miles, as the crow flies, from Paris, France, the host city of this year’s Summer Olympics and Paralympics. For one soldier, traveling that distance was well worth it.

Sgt. Jeric Winnett is currently stationed at USAG Humphreys as part of the Alpha Detachment, 524th Military Intelligence Battalion. Though having lived in Korea for about a year, Jeric and his wife, Taylor, have experienced overseas life a little differently than others. For them, it has been a tale of over 6,000 miles apart – the distance between USAG Humphreys and Colorado Springs, Colorado where the United States Olympic and Paralympic Training Center is located and Taylor’s home as she trained for the 2024 Paralympic games.

The Paris Paralympic games welcomed over 4,000 athletes from around the world to compete from August 28 to September 8. Team USA was represented by 220 athletes, one of which was Taylor as she competed in four events: 100m Butterfly S10- Women, 400m Freestyle S10 – Women, 100m Backstroke S10 – Women and 200m Individual Medley SM10- Women.

“This is my wife’s first time competing in the Paralympics. She has participated in the open water race in Italy and the Parapan American Games before,” explained Jeric. In fact, Taylor was the most decorated U.S. athlete of the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile, achieving three gold and four silver medals.

Though Taylor has yet to visit her husband in Korea, the couple were reunited in Paris for the Paralympics as Jeric’s Detachment made it possible for him to support her in person.

“I can’t express how thankful I am to my Detachment as a whole for supporting me in this experience. This has been one of the best organizations I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with,” expressed Jeric. “Capt. Waldron and his family have been extremely enthusiastic and supportive in helping me get to Paris. He has provided support on an individual level that I have never seen from a commander before. I am extremely thankful.”

The support from Jeric’s unit didn’t end with his arrival in Paris. It was only the beginning.

Alpha Detachment, 524th Military Intelligence Battalion teamed up with USO Humphreys-Sentry Village to throw a high-spirited Paralympic watch party. On September 6, fellow soldiers, their family members and other Paralympic fans donned their best Team USA apparel and cheered on Taylor as she competed in multiple categories. Despite the time difference, party goers were able to watch Taylor race live. The 57 attendees were treated to pizza and drinks in a lively atmosphere draped in stars and stripes decorations with the competition displayed on multiple TVs in the dining and living areas of the center.

The Summer Olympics and Paralympics only come around every four years. The games serve as an avenue for people from countries throughout the world to come together in celebration of athletic triumphs. It is a unique opportunity for a USO center to host a watch party of this caliber, but even more rare to cheer on someone attached to that base. For USO Humphreys, it provided another chance to bring a touch of home to service members living overseas.

“Although Taylor didn’t win the competition, the event was still incredibly meaningful. It brought people together, allowing them to socialize and show their support. The atmosphere was positive, and the sense of community was strong as everyone united to cheer, not only for Team USA, but for one of their own,” explained USO Humphreys Center Operations and Programs Manager Sara Jung. “It was a great reminder of the importance of solidarity, especially in a military community.”

The atmosphere was a display of pride for the United States, for an athlete accomplishing a goal and for a couple of their own – a Solider and military spouse. However, the greatest pride comes from Jeric himself, “I would just like to say how thankful I am that I have such an amazing wife. She is my best friend, motivation and the most wonderful woman I’ve ever met. I can’t wait to see her swim and do what she loves.”

USO Indo-Pacific had the opportunity to speak with Jeric prior to his trip to Paris.