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HONOLULU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT — Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle Bartlett remembers a more comfortable six-hour layover in Atlanta, thanks to the United Services Organization, which celebrated 70 years of service on Feb. 4.
The aviation warfare systems operator from Commander, Patrol and
Reconnaissance Wing 2, had people to chat with, computers to check e-mail, and food and drinks available at the USO airport center.
Bartlett now coordinates volunteers from the unit every week at the USO center at the Honolulu International Airport.
“The USO’s a great program,” Bartlett said. “It never stops helping people. Not only does it help people between flights and airports — [the USO provides] great programs for military members across the world.”
Last year, the USO Hawaii raised more than $250,000 in funds to provide various programs and services for service members.
The USO has two locations on Oahu, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and at the Honolulu International Airport, where service members can rest while in transit. The airport center, which celebrated its grand re-opening in 2009, has many comforts of home, including internet access, TV and a shower.
The Hawaii chapter of USO has more than 325 volunteers who work at the two centers.
“Being a military spouse, I know what it’s like to have to ‘pick up and go’ and arrive at a strange, new place,” said Cassy Fellowes, of Chicago. “I felt my compassion and knowledge would help those families [and] service members coming in to the center, whether on vacation, orders or [rest and recreation]. It feels great to give back to a community you belong to.”
Fellowes has been a USO volunteer for at least six years. Her family has made use of the USO centers at various locations across the U.S. Fellowes’ husband received a USO care package while deployed in Afghanistan, receiving items such as candy, socks, foot powder,
and baby wipes.
“I started volunteering with my wife and I also like to give back to the
troops,” he said. “I’m a troop myself and I appreciate the USO very much.”
Fellowes has volunteered for numerous USO events such as the JustJazz talent competition, and regularly volunteers at the airport center.
Outside of the centers, the USO has had a presence in the community, including a drive at Windward Mall for holiday gifts to Hawaii’s wounded warriors and their families, and a makeover event for
military spouses.
Marine Corps Base Hawaii has also hosted a number of USO sponsored
events, including December’s Seether concert, and most recently, the
Lieutenant Dan Band concert Feb. 11. Last year the USO also brought actor Kal Penn and former Philadelphia Eagles player Chad Lewis to the base to meet the Marines and sailors.
The organization anticipates another busy year in Hawaii, including a Military Appreciation Day at the Zoo and a gala tribute at the USS Arizona Memorial’s new visitor center.
The USO was established in 1941, during World War II, originally called USO Club Shows, Inc. to entertain troops worldwide. There are now more than 150 USO centers around the world.
“Under our mission, we continue to evolve, stay relevant and be in tune with the times and with our constituency,” said Eva Laird Smith, director, USO. “Whereas we were largely known for our great touring entertainments at the front line, we now serve our troops through greater connectivity via the World Wide Web and other digital technology that continue to connect our troops and soldiers to their families across the miles.”
| Date Taken: | 02.25.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.25.2011 16:30 |
| Story ID: | 66097 |
| Location: | HONOLULU, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 54 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Happy Birthday, USO! Non-profit turns 70 in style, by Kristen Wong, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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