Photo By Sgt. Shye Wilborn | Brig. Gen. Thomas Carden, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard thanks the USO...... read more read more
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ATLANTA - The third floor of the terminal atrium at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport was completely filled from top to bottom with blue and gold decorations for the 75th anniversary celebration of the USO.
In true USO hospitality, visitors were greeted after stepping off the elevator with a hug from a friendly volunteer who immediately asked if they could help with anything. Throughout the room were volunteers, community leaders, partners, Georgia Guardsmen and service members from every branch.
Georgia's Assistant Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Thomas Carden was the guest speaker at the event. He has seen first-hand the incredible support and hard work the USO of Georgia puts into providing a welcoming and stress-free environment to Soldiers.
“I still remember coming home from a deployment, going up the escalator and being welcomed by so many volunteers from the USO clapping and thanking us for all we do,” said Carden. “We appreciate all you do for our Soldiers, but what we appreciate the most is how you connect our service members with the American people."
Since Sept. 11, 2001, the Georgia National Guard has deployed more than 18,000 Guardsmen. At every departure the USO of Georgia has performed a farewell ceremony, providing snacks, coffee, juice, gift bags and even a hug sending well wishes with every Guardsman as they deploy.
Georgia Guardsmen, and service members from all branches have also passed through the USO facilities around the world before departing to their deployment area of operation. USO facilities can even be found at forward combat posts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Each of the facilities provide military members and families with a little piece of home and a getaway from their environment.
Hartsfield-Jackson Airport was the first airport in the nation to have a terminal USO facility. Today, almost every service member will, at some point in their career, travel through it. Many of these service members are looking for a place to call a loved one, grab a bite to eat, watch TV or simply a place to rest their head. The USO of Georgia provides that and so much more.
As such, the USO of Georgia deserves special recognition for operating a welcome center in the busiest airport in the world. Not only does Hartsfield-Jackson Airport receive the most passenger traffic with nearly 23 million passengers in 2015 alone, it also serves as the hub for military personnel traveling to training at Fort Benning, Fort Stewart, Fort Gordon and Fort Jackson in South Carolina.
Since 1941 volunteers of the USO have ensured each and every service member and their families feel appreciated for their selfless sacrifice and serve as a vital connection to home. 75 years later, the USO still successfully maintains that mission.
The Jean R. Amos USO Center at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is open to all veterans, service members and their families 365 days a year.
| Date Taken: | 02.04.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 02.09.2016 17:59 |
| Story ID: | 188409 |
| Location: | ATLANTA, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 86 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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