One of the many things we're proud of at Veterans Outreach Center is being able to provide a space of comfort for our nation's heroes. No matter where a veteran has been or what they're going through, we welcome them with open arms and caring hearts. The letter below is from a veteran who, after using our Morale Center, was reminded of the care and compassion he received at a USO Center while in the Army.
Did you ever visit a USO Center? I had the opportunity once. I was 18 years old and traveling to my second duty station, the USS Richard S. Edwards (DD-950), in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This was back in the day before commuter airlines. On long cross-country flights, the major airlines performed that function.
Flying from Rochester, the plane made multiple scheduled stops at different cities before reaching its destination of San Francisco. By then it was 10:30 p.m. PST. I had left Rochester eleven hours earlier. I had missed the last flight out that day to Honolulu, and the next flight was not until 8:30 a.m. the next day. I was tired and didn’t have much money, so I couldn’t afford a taxicab or a hotel room. That‘s when someone directed me to the USO Center at the San Francisco International Airport. I walked in and explained my situation. Instantly I was welcomed. I was offered food, conversation, and friendship. I was told that while they didn’t have a bed to offer me I could sleep in one of the chairs and someone would be there all night if I needed anything.
Going to the Veterans Outreach Center as I did today (I did my laundry there this morning) reminded me of that long-ago experience. Whichever staff I encounter there it is always a wonderful and welcoming experience.
For confidentiality purposes, the veteran's name was omitted and a stock photo used.
