Spirits Soared and Candy Poured: USO Fort Bragg Delivers Halloween Fun for Military Children

Pumpkins glowed, music played, and laughter echoed across the Soldier Support Center parking lot as the USO Fort Bragg transformed an ordinary evening into a Halloween celebration to remember. More than 3,500 service members and their families came together on October 18, 2025, for the third annual Trunk or Treat, an event that has quickly become one of the most anticipated family gatherings on base.

Unlike a typical Halloween outing, the USO’s Trunk or Treat is all about connection, offering families a safe, festive space to relax, make memories, and feel part of a larger community that understands the unique challenges of military life. Rows of creatively decorated trunks lined the lot, each one decked out in spooky themes, flashing lights, and overflowing candy bowls. Kids darted from car to car in costumes ranging from superheroes to storybook characters, while parents exchanged smiles and stories with neighbors old and new.

Rachel Taylor, Center Operations Specialist for the USO at Fort Bragg, said events like these serve a deeper purpose than just fun and candy.

“No matter the circumstances, our focus is on ensuring service members and their families continue to feel supported, connected, and cared for, and this Trunk or Treat is doing just that,” said Rachel. “The USO has and always will be a consistent presence, encouragement, and connection during uncertain times.”

The event featured a variety of family-friendly activities, including a rock climbing wall, cotton candy, a face painting station, and yard games that kept the crowd entertained between candy stops.

Forty pre-registered vehicles from community partners such as Sheetz, the Fayetteville Liberty pro development basketball team, the local YMCA and others joined the fun, each bringing their own unique spin on Halloween décor. From haunted house setups to glowing pirate ships, partners competed for the loudest cheers from delighted kids.

Among the hundreds of families attending was Brittany Anderson, a military spouse who recently moved to Fort Bragg.

“We just PCS’d here in July,” said Brittany. “We’ve been looking forward to this as soon as we saw it on Facebook, so we really appreciate y’all [the USO] having these events for us. It’s a little bit of a stress relief not to have to worry about community events for the kids because we’ve been very stressed about everything shutting down. It’s been nice to know that this is still going on, so thanks for doing that for us.”

For many attendees, the event was more than just Halloween fun, it was a moment of normalcy and joy amid the challenges of military life.

The USO Holidays program, under which Trunk or Treat falls, aims to create meaningful experiences that remind service members and families they’re never alone, no matter where duty calls. By blending celebration with connection, the USO continues to foster belonging and strengthen the well-being of America’s military community.

“For some families, holidays can serve as reminders of distance or uncertainty,” Taylor added. “By offering spaces where people can gather, laugh, and connect, the USO helps ease that burden and builds a sense of home wherever they serve.”

As the night wound down and the final pieces of candy were handed out, one thing was clear, the spirit of Halloween wasn’t the only thing shining at Fort Bragg. It was the enduring strength of a community that stands together, supported by the USO’s unwavering mission to keep service members and their families connected to what matters most.