Reputation is made in minutes, character is made in a lifetime

The above quote is on the wall at the B Terminal in the DFW Airport USO.

"The USO (United Services Organization, http://www.uso.org/) is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the troops by providing morale, welfare and recreation-type services to our men and women in uniform. The original intent of Congress — and enduring style of USO delivery — is to represent the American people by extending a touch of home to the military. The USO currently operates more than 135 centers worldwide, including ten mobile canteens located in the continental United States and overseas. Overseas centers are located in Germany, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Qatar, Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Guam and Kuwait. Service members and their families visit USO centers more than 6.9 million times each year. The USO is the way the American public supports the troops."

I spent some time in the USO on my trips to and from Iraq. What they do is simply fantastic. They also really help out with the R and R flights by greeting you when you come back to the airport and by making sure you have everything you need to go back, to include some food. Inside the USO in DFW (there is actually a USO in all four terminals), there is a movie room, a sleep room, a place to get some food, a place to email/call home, a place to charge your cell phone (or video game/computer...) and a friendly face. All of the people who work there are volunteers, and only the upper management of the USO is paid. I have been in some other USO service centers in Kuwait, and up on BIAP, and received the same great reception and service. Everything they offer Service members is free, all paid for by donations.

Once I got back to Iraq, we finally had some entertainment make it down to us. Three USO-sponsored comedians hoofed it out to the boonies to see us, and they put on an hour show in 100+ degree heat. Scott Kennedy and Jackie Kashan from Comedy Central, and Nate Bargatzi (up and coming, had been on Late Show and some other stuff) were super. This was Scott's 31st time to visit Iraq and do shows for the Troops. The Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders and Steven Colbert only do the big FOBs. The comedians were very funny, and we very much appreciated their effort to make it out to us when many other groups had cancelled.

The USO exemplifies character and supporting the troops. Lots of people say it, and lots of people make money off of the 'support the troops' slogan, but the USO truly does it, and they do it very well.

If you are looking for a way to support the troops, make a donation to them. They truly make a difference.

Hope you are well- take care and stay cool.

Ron