A Few Great USO Stories... |
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Julia Simpson
This is a picture of the Simpson family just before they left Japan for a long flight to the states.
"My husband is in the Navy and was stationed in Atsugi, Japan. Our family was traveling from Atsugi to our new duty station in Rhode Island. We have two little girls 3 and 2 years old. We left Atsugi at 8:00 a.m. and FINALLY arrived in Seattle 17 hours later. To say the least, we were exhausted and because of the time zone changes did not get much sleep on the flight. We then had a seven hour layover in Seattle before our next flight. The Seattle USO was AMAZING. They deal with families with children who are traveling over to the Pacific everyday, so they knew just what to do. They warmly greeted us and could not have been more helpful. One of the ladies even played with our girls so that my husband and I could enjoy breakfast and check our e-mail. They understood how difficult the time zone change is on families who are traveling from overseas duty. They set us up in the "family room" where there are beds, a crib, children’s toys and a TV. Our whole family was able to get about four hours of much-needed sleep together. They woke us up in time for our flight (which we would have slept right through) and gave us a wonderful snack before we headed off to our gate for the second half of our trip. I am so grateful for the Seattle USO office and its staff....thank you for all you do for families who are dealing with the stress of overseas travel."
Richard Stelk
"I was first a volunteer at the San Francisco Downtown USO during the Vietnam era. As a veteran, I know what these guys are going through. I live part-time in Hawaii and part-time in Palm Springs, Calif. When I'm in Hawaii, I volunteer at the Honolulu Airport USO and when I'm in Palm Springs I volunteer at the Palm Springs International Airport USO, which opened nine months ago. The thing I like most about volunteering is meeting and talking to the military guys who come through the airports and helping them anyway I can. All total, I have more than seven years of volunteer duty and still going strong."
MKC Tony Balcer
"I recently had the privilege of using your services, and I just wanted to take a moment and give you some feedback. First, let me say that I sincerely appreciate all that you do for the American serviceman. Having been on active duty for more than 20 years, I know first hand the important roll you all play in providing support to our traveling solders and sailors. I have many times found airport USO's to be a safe haven during my travels. On July 22, 2007, I flew into Jacksonville, Fla. My destination was the Mayport Naval Station, where I was scheduled to meet my ship for deployment. I was very surprised to see that the USO was still open on a Sunday night. The volunteer (I can't for the life of me remember his name) was diligently working with a couple of soldiers that were going to be staying the night. I went in to inquire about a shuttle or some other means of transportation to Mayport. The gentleman that was working informed me that it was about a $60 taxi trip to Mayport. But he said that if I was willing to wait a little bit he would give me a ride when he finished up his work, because he lived near the base.
This one gesture of kindness is clearly a call above the line of duty. I feel that it epitomizes what your personnel are all about. Their level of commitment leaves me in awe. I wish to thank you all very much for your continued support over the years. Please know that you are making a difference."
Kristine Carpenter
"My daughter Anna Levanduski graduated from Air Force basic training at Lackland in March. The next day she was allowed to leave base for the first time after several very intense weeks of training. We took the bus from the base and it dropped us off right in front of the San Antonio USO. We went inside and were welcomed and befriended immediately. It's a great facility and the people were wonderful.
I'm sure anyone who has been through basic training knows that the transition out of basic training can be tough, and a friendly face is a wonderful thing. Anna felt at home and relaxed, and even though we had only a few hours before she had to be back on base, she was in no hurry to leave the USO. What a wonderful experience!
One of her friends who came to see her graduate is in the Army, stationed at Ft. Polk. He just had foot surgery and using crutches to get around San Antonio would have been difficult. The USO provided him with a wheelchair and even kept his crutches safe while we saw a little of the city. Thank you, USO!
I addition to the USO in San Antonio, my husband and I also visited the USO at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport. It was like stepping into a different world. Peace and quiet inside the chaotic airport. Mike spent 21 years in the Army and told me how the USO had provided him with comfort many times."
Abha Cole
Abha Cole and her husband
"I just wanted you to know that in August 2006 when I took my husband to DFW for his return flight to Iraq after his 2 weeks R&R, there was a very kind, gentle volunteer who took a picture of my husband and I as I was getting ready to burst into tears as he was the last one to board the plane. All I can say is that the USO volunteer took the time to ask me for my e-mail address and she told me that she would send me the picture and she did. I couldn’t believe it when I received it. The picture truly made my day as I was missing my husband very much, but it also allowed me to see the dedication and commitment of a USO volunteer. Thank you so very much for recruiting some of the best volunteers to serve the men and women of the U.S. military. Keep up the AWESOME work that you do."