News

USO lounge open for business to all

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Hubby
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  United Service Organizations support the military through many endeavors, such as lounges that provide services and supplies to servicemembers when they travel.

One lounge is located in the Dover Air Force Base's Passenger Terminal that provides a place for servicemembers and their families to relax while traveling on space available flights or prior to deploying.

This isn't the only service the USO offers at Dover, but it is one of the largest projects USO Delaware runs, said Lisa Stagg, USO Delaware program manager. The USO lounge at the passenger terminal is fully furnished with comfortable seating for relaxation, a snack area, computer room, children and infant room, a pool table and barbeque area. The snack area has volunteers to make sure the servicemembers needs are met.

"We are a mostly volunteer force," said Ms. Stagg. "We only have two staff members. Everyone else that works at the lounge or our other projects volunteer their time."

Due to the limited amount of volunteers, USO Delaware is looking for more volunteers for the lounge the lounge which is usually open from 8 a.m. until midnight. They would like to have it open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but right now they only have enough volunteers to do that on Fridays, thanks to the Dover Air Force Base firefighters, said Ms. Stagg. "The firefighters here at Dover have really stepped up and offered their time to make it happen."

The lounge's grand opening celebration is scheduled for February 2010, but the lounge is open to all servicemembers on base. There are also plans to install a high-definition theater system, food coolers, and a radiant heat and cooling system in the barbeque area.

"We really want to see more Airmen using our lounge," said Joan Cote, USO Delaware director. "We are more of a community center now than a departure lounge; we have pool and videogames for the servicemembers to check out. I invite all Airmen to come over and make themselves at home."