BALTIMORE—The USO of Metropolitan Washington (USO-Metro) celebrated the 10th anniversary of the USO lounge
at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport on November 16. The day also marked the sixth annual Salute to Veterans and Families, hosted in partnership with BWI Airport.
Since the USO lounge at BWI Airport opened in 1999, over 600,000 service members and their families have walked through the doors. Every month, this “home away from home” welcomes up to 10,000 military personnel and family members who are traveling through BWI. A team of 200 loyal USO volunteers has donated over 164,000 hours of their time to the USO Lounge.
The ceremony opened with Miss America 2009 Katie Stam performing the national anthem. Elaine Rogers, USO-Metro president, thanked all those who serve.
At USO-Metro, we have the immense honor of serving those who serve, and their families every day. At the USO Lounge at BWI Airport, we also have the privilege of working with hundreds of truly remarkable volunteers from all walks of life who salute our nation’s heroes and their families, each and every day, by giving their time and spirit to our organization,” said Rogers.
Maryland Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown added, “We are here today to celebrate ten years of extraordinary service at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. The USO staff and volunteers work with the entire airport community to support military service members and family who travel through here each day.”
“The first people we see when we get home from a deployment are USO volunteers. Service members are greeted with two simple, but powerful messages, ‘Welcome home’ and ‘Thank you,’” said Lieutenant General Carroll Pollett, director of the Defense Information Systems Agency, who delivered the keynote remarks. “These heartfelt words show our service men and women hat they are appreciated. Now I want to say thank you to the USO staff and volunteers for their years of service.”
A sign unveiling and reception in the USO lounge followed the ceremony.
at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport on November 16. The day also marked the sixth annual Salute to Veterans and Families, hosted in partnership with BWI Airport.
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