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Cherry C.
Senior Member
Username: Cherry
Post Number: 6436
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 71.163.18.160
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2010 - 07:56 pm: | |
My husband Tom and I attended today's official opening of the new USO "lounge" at Andrews, along with more than 100 others ranging from a Major General and high-ranking USO executives on down to some of us lowly SPATs.
The only other red bandannas we spotted were being worn by pepperd.com members Lee and Jody Russler, who drove all the way down from central Pennsylvania to scope out the facility, and with whom we enjoyed swapping space-a info. Lee took some cell phone pictures and Jody is going to see if she can figure out how to upload them to the board.
As has been previously reported here by a member who came through Andrews recently, the new space is really just a glassed-in corner of the main waiting area (that's why I put "lounge" in quotation marks above). However, it has a remarkable amount of helpful stuff fitted in -- 2 computers plus a printer, a small fridge and microwave oven (there's another microwave around the corner by the vending machines), some snacks and a modest amount of reading material (I didn't get inside the ribbon to check exactly what all was available). I gather there is no wi-fi from something someone said during the speeches, but they hope to add it.
The most exciting news for me was casually mentioned during a speech -- apparently there are plans (although who knows when, if ever, they might come to fruition?) to build a new, much larger terminal at Andrews, in which there would be a dedicated area for a full-service USO.
In the meantime, we all can be grateful for that organization and its 5000+ volunteers (many of them members of this board) around the world who cheerfully help military personnel and families wherever they go.
BTW, the Andrews facility would welcome more volunteers -- currently they are staffing the new space only from 0800 to 1600, M-F. |
Cherry C.
Senior Member
Username: Cherry
Post Number: 6402
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 71.163.18.160
| | Posted on Sunday, May 30, 2010 - 12:17 am: | |
See the first post in this thread for your invitation to attend the ribbon-cutting on June 9 at Andrews' terminal's new USO.
Deadline to R.s.v.p. is this coming Tuesday, June 1.
Be sure to wear your red bandanna! |
Bob Dart
Senior Member
Username: Bobdart
Post Number: 1533
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 76.29.23.90
| | Posted on Friday, May 21, 2010 - 11:05 pm: | |
I had not seen this thread so I was surprised and pleasantly so when I flew in from Charleston yesterday afternoon and entered the pax terminal from the flight line to see a USO facility. It's right in the corner to your left next to the flight line door as you enter. It extends down from the AMC desk. It's partitioned off from the rest of the terminal room and would be very crowded if more than four people were in it. There are two Internet computers, coffee, and snacks. To sit you have to go across the room to the regular seating area. They also moved the vending machines around the corner toward the Hertz concession since my last visit. Other than these modifications nothing else has changed that I could see. |
Lee Russler
Intermediate Member
Username: Lrusslerjr
Post Number: 94
Registered: 11-2007
Posted From: 72.72.162.165
| | Posted on Friday, May 21, 2010 - 05:28 pm: | |
I plan to to attend. |
Cherry C.
Senior Member
Username: Cherry
Post Number: 6354
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 71.163.18.160
| | Posted on Sunday, May 16, 2010 - 10:45 am: | |
I'm bumping this thread up in the hopes that all members in the Washington metro area will see it and consider attending -- AND perhaps signing on as volunteers at this potentially VERY useful new USO location.
Details of the celebration and info on responding are in the first post below. |
Elaine G
Intermediate Member
Username: Tripper
Post Number: 138
Registered: 08-2008
Posted From: 97.112.135.251
| | Posted on Friday, May 14, 2010 - 11:37 pm: | |
We were at Andrews recently and the USO lounge is located in one corner of the terminal, sectioned off from the rest of the area by a large glass divider. If you are facing the Passenger check-in counter, it would be on the left. It is pretty small. It has a desk for the volunteer and three computers for passenger use, a counter which has coffee and snacks, and a small bookcase with books to 'borrow'. The volunteer said, I think, that it has been open since March. Volunteers staff it in shifts from 8am till noon and noon to 4 pm. |
Cherry C.
Senior Member
Username: Cherry
Post Number: 6348
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 71.163.18.160
| | Posted on Friday, May 14, 2010 - 09:48 pm: | |
I have no idea where the new USO is/will be at Andrews, except that it is IN the terminal -- somewhere. As anyone who has flown from there knows, it's not a very large facility. (The last time I was there everything was still under reconstruction. Our most recent space-a trip did not involve Andrews, and I lack reasons to drop by there since I live across the river in Virginia, so I'm not up on the latest developments.)
Maybe someone who lives closer, or has flown in and/or out recently, can enlighten us? |
Leland
Senior Member
Username: Leland
Post Number: 6220
Registered: 05-2006
Posted From: 98.218.147.237
| | Posted on Friday, May 14, 2010 - 06:04 pm: | |
Cherry, do you know where the USO will be in the terminal? |
Cherry C.
Senior Member
Username: Cherry
Post Number: 6346
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 71.163.18.160
| | Posted on Friday, May 14, 2010 - 05:53 pm: | |
The long-awaited official opening ceremony of the new USO lounge at the AMC terminal at Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility Washington, located at 1245 Arnold Avenue on base, is scheduled for Wednesday 9 June, at 1:30 PM (1330 for you military types), with a reception to follow.
ALL SPATs RESIDING IN THE WASHINGTON METRO AREA -- OR ELSEWHERE! -- ARE WARMLY INVITED TO JOIN IN THE CELEBRATION.
In order to make adequate preparations, the organizers request that you let them know if you intend to attend, even though you -- unlike the various VIP civilian guests -- will presumably not require special clearance to get on base.
You can respond via the elegant "e-vite" located at https://einvitations.afit.edu/USOLounge/anim.cfm
and then clicking on the "R.s.v.p." button,
OR you can go directly to the acceptance form at
https://einvitations.afit.edu/USOLounge/rsvp.cfm
You are requested to R.s.v.p. by 01 June 2010
For additional information if needed, the POC is Ms. Nichols, 89 AW/CCP, 301-981-6007
Attire:
Military: Uniform of the Day
Civilian: Business Casual |
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