Nov 16, 2009 6:13 pm US/Eastern
Soldiers Saluted At BWI Marshall USO Lounge
LINTHICUM, Md. (WJZ) ―
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More than 10,000 military members and their families find comfort between flights at the USO Lounge each month.
CBS
Military veterans, active duty and the people who care for them were celebrated Monday. It's the 10th anniversary of the USO Lounge at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.
Andrea Fujii reports in 10 years, the United Service Organization at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport has served 600,000 military personnel and their families.
Many call it a home away from home.
"You have all the amenities that you need here," said Staff Sergeant Edward Lopez, Air Force
Lopez and his family just returned from serving four years in Italy. The USO Lounge is their first stop back in the United States.
"We got off the rotator and people stood around clapping. That was a real nice experience," said Lopez.
The 5,000 square foot lounge has rest areas, computers and kids' activities. Like hotels, military personnel can get a wake-up call, but unlike a hotel everything here is free.
Veterans and their families were also saluted Monday as many of them are volunteers for the non-profit organization.
"If you're a military person and you are leaving to go off to the war or overseas, you must come through BWI to get on these charter flights. We serve hundreds of thousands of military and their families," said Elaine Rogers, USO president.
This is just a pit stop for the Lopez family on their way home to Denver, but they appreciate this special treatment.
"They treat you like family. It's very family-oriented and so they're going to take care of you," said Carolyn Lopez, airman's wife.
The BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport USO Lounge relies on donations to pay for its $1 million operating costs.
Reagan National and Dulles Airports also have USO facilities.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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