USO Community Center open for all base members, not just travelers

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scott P. Farley
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  (Editor's note: This is the first of a three-part series about the USO Delaware and its programs.)

The USO Community Center, inside the 436th Aerial Port Squadron Passenger Terminal, opened with a fizzle in February 2010, but not from lack of trying.

After two grand opening attempts foiled by Mother Nature, the doors to the former cafeteria and the pride of the Delaware USO simply opened.

"The hurricane and snow storms killed our grand openings, so we just moved forward with running the center," said Bruce Kmiec, the director of programs for USO Delaware.

The community center originally opened in the fall of 2009, but since then, it has quietly served its customers at the passenger terminal and the dignified transfer program.

A dignified transfer is the process by which, upon the return from the theater of operations to the United States, the remains of fallen military members are transferred from the aircraft to a waiting vehicle and then to the Port Mortuary. A dignified transfer is conducted for every U.S. military member who dies in the theater of operation while in the service of their country.

While the USO facilities keep busy with their work with dignified transfers, they are underwhelmed with what Joan Cote, the director of the Delaware USO, thinks is the bread and butter of their community center - local customers.

"Our dignified transfers mission has way higher numbers and has gone on way longer than we thought it would," said Ms. Cote. "We're hoping for a lull in that business. This center isn't just for deploying troops. We want to break that misconception and let the base community know that anyone can come in to use our facilities."

Ms. Cote said the center offers all the comforts of home for those who may need a quick break in the day or those waiting on space available transportation.

Space-available travel, also known as Space-A, is a program that allows authorized passengers to occupy seats on Department of Defense aircraft that are left over once all passengers with mission requirements have been accommodated. Due to mission essential travel, space available travelers often find themselves waiting in the terminal, a factor the USO director said they considered when planning the community center.

The USO center is fashioned after a contemporary living room with a lot of amenities.

"We want it to feel like someone's living room," said Ms. Cote, who added this new look is becoming more common in USOs across the nation. "We were trying to get away from the sterile cafeteria style."

The center offers plush furniture, televisions, an internet cafe, a high definition 20-seat theatre, numerous video game stations featuring all the major brands of video gaming systems, as well as refreshments, and a barbecue patio. Areas such as the patio and theatre can be reserved for group functions. There is also a separate play area for children, as well as an outdoor playground.

John Horsfall, a retired Air Force colonel, and his wife Martha, a retired educator, came to the passenger terminal from Lake Monticello, Va., to fly and visit their daughter in England. The couple hadn't flown from the Dover terminal since 2008 and found it to be quite different.

"(The USO) was just a small room the last time we were here," said Mr. Horsfall.

Mrs. Horsfall lauded the coziness of the facility and its kid friendly atmosphere.

"It really is a lovely facility," she said. "It has computer terminals and a children's area, which is really important to parents to have a place for their children. It's also a great place to make interesting acquaintances and share a lot of great stories."

Like other USOs around the country, the center here also hosts programs such as the United Through Reading Military Program, USO Family Programs and Operation Enduring Care, but it's still primarily an oasis for the Dover Air Force Base populous, space available travelers and traveling troops.

The center, which is staffed by USO volunteers, offers what Ms. Cote said is an excellent opportunity to volunteer.

"You can come in to volunteer and play video games or shoot pool with troops," said Ms. Cote. "The best way to give back is to help your own. The USO is a great way to volunteer for (enlisted performance reports, officer performance reports) and for high school and college students."

While the USO Community Center didn't get off to a grand start, its small staff and volunteers have fostered an environment that offers opportunities for the base and those abroad.

For more information about the Delaware USO, please contact the USO office at (302) 677-2491or visit www.uso.org.