USO to Expand Facility at Los Angeles Airport

Los Angeles World Airports Press Release via BUSINESS WIRE ^ | Monday July 21, 9:17 pm ET | Nancy Suey Castles

[anymouse]

The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners today approved a five-year lease with the Greater Los Angeles Area branch of the United Service Organization (USO) dba the Bob Hope Hollywood USO at LAX for 3,600 square feet of modular facilities to serve military personnel and their families traveling through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

In return for the services provided by the non-profit USO at LAX and its proposed $250,000 capital investment in facility improvements, LAWA will charge a nominal annual rent of one dollar ($1.00).

"This new lease allows the Bob Hope Hollywood USO Center at LAX to expand its facility and to improve its services for military personnel and their families who pass through LAX. We're honored to have this opportunity to recognize the personal sacrifices made by those who protect us overseas and at home," said Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn.

According to retired Brigadier General Michael R.S. Teilmann, executive director of the USO at LAX, approximately 25,000 military personnel and their families take advantage of the USO's renowned "touch of home" each year during their stop-overs at LAX. The number of military travelers has significantly increased since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, as the nation's military responds to terrorism and other missions worldwide.

The non-profit Bob Hope Hollywood USO Center is a leading service provider to traveling U.S. military personnel and their families. Since 2000 it has occupied 1,351 square feet of office space in a modular facility located in a parking lot north of and adjacent to the Theme Building. Until March 2002, USO had subleased the facility from American Airlines, at which time the air carrier deeded the modular facility to Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). The new lease allows the USO to occupy an additional 2,249 square feet in an adjacent space recently vacated by another non-profit, passenger assistance organization, the Travelers Aid Society of Los Angeles, which recently relocated to the Theme Building.

The USO expects to complete its expansion and capital improvements by fall 2003.

[anymouse]

Ocassionally something good happens in LA.

[anymouse]

USO Cantina ping.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

USO to Expand Facility at Los Angeles Airport PING

Any Southern CA FReepers ever considered FReeping the military here?
Just a thought folks.

[Soaring Feather]

bump

[boxerblues]

While they may not be as useful as days gone by, they do serve the few who do use it, both my boys have found the USO great help.

[Bob J]

Excellent!

[WestPacSailor]

I must respectfully disagree with Mr. spongebob...I have spent the last 19 years of my life on active duty in the United States Navy and have used USO facilities on numerous occasions. I have visited the USO in at least five states and over a dozen foreign countries. They provide safe, quiet, inexpensive places for service members and their families to relax. They have sponsored concerts by famous bands, not to mention the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders, all over the world. More often than not when my ship would arrive in a foreign country the USO folks were among the first people waiting to board the ship and offer all sorts of services to the Sailors and Marines.

I, for one, will continue to support the USO and encourage others to do likewise.