The Editor's Vault: 'Service is our middle name' Published May 6, 2014 By Annette Crawford Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Editor's note: The following story was printed in "The Command Post," the base newspaper for Scott Air Force Base, Ill., in May 1982. The USO at the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport opened in September 1981, and I had the opportunity to see it in its fledgling status. Thirty-two years later, the USO in Terminal 1 is one of four USOs that comprise USO of Missouri, Inc. There's a satellite facility in Terminal 2, a mobile unit that takes support on the road throughout Missouri and Illinois, and an 18,000-square-foot facility at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. In 1982, the Terminal 1 USO had approximately 250 volunteers. In 2014, USO of Missouri, Inc., has more than 1,200. In 1982, you could check out a pillow and blanket if you wanted to take a nap. In 2014, the Terminal 1 USO has its own sleeping area with twin beds and wake-up service. Since 1981, more than 5 million traveling military members and their families have benefited from the services provided by USO of Missouri, Inc. Are you among that number? The USO, a home away from home for service people and their families, opened its doors in September at the St. Louis Airport. The center was named for James. S. McDonnell, the late founder and chairman of McDonnell Douglas Corp., whose world headquarters are adjacent to the airport. The facility was jammed with people that opening day - and it hasn't changed much since. "We see about 350 people a day, and that's a conservative estimate," commented Jackie Mullins, executive director. "Our patronage has increased tremendously since more overseas flights have been added." The Air Force began using the airport as one of two U.S. points for flights by service personnel to and from overseas assignments in January 1981. Inbound and outbound flights are scheduled Monday through Friday, and there is one outbound flight Saturdays. One unscheduled outbound flight also goes out one Sunday a month. Officials expect nearly 500,000 military people to pass through Lambert annually. A good number of those will stop in at the USO for a free cup of coffee and a kind word. 'Beacon of light' The spirit of enthusiasm and caring at the USO is contagious, and the volunteers aren't the only ones who have caught the bug. Bristly-haired troops, as green and stiff as a pair of starched fatigues, survey plates heaped high with home-baked goods with incredulous stares. "You mean all this stuff is free?" asked Army Pvt. 1 Barry Pfister, a freshly-trained combat engineer on his way to Germany. He looked around the USO, still wide-eyed, and grabbed a doughnut from the counter. "What does USO stand for anyway?" he asked. A seasoned NCO nearby answered, ""United Service Organizations." "Oh ... I always wondered what it meant," the private said, smiling. "This place is really something great! I can't believe all of the great things they have to offer." Suzanne Hebert agreed. She was a young wife with three children on her way to join her husband, Army Cpl. Steve Hebert, in Neu Ulm, Germany. "I just love this place," she said sincerely. "The USO is like a beacon of light. I don't know what I'd do without it." Her train of thought was often interrupted as she kept an eye on her children, 8-year-old Shelley, Steven Jr., a 4-year-old with an impressive cowboy hat, and Sherri, 2 years old and eager to explore. "This is my first move alone. My husband's been in the service for six years, but he's always been with me before," she added. "If the USO wasn't here, I'd have to sit out in the lobby and the kids would be running all over the place. I feel like I'm at home here." SrA Aaron Cornell and his wife, Gail, and 8-month-old Joshua, agreed with Mrs. Herbert. "I like the convenience," commented Airman Cornell, who was en route to Hahn AB, Germany. The Fort Worth native was excited about traveling to Europe after a two-year assignment at K.I. Sawyer AFB, Mich., and was happy that the USO was available - a place where his family could spend some time relaxing before the long flight. Needs of community There are 20 USOs around the world, but each operation is different depending on the needs of the community, Mrs. Mullins pointed out. She added the overseas facilities have outreach programs which offer varied courses and trips to acquaint a military family with their new environment. Mrs. Mullins recalled when she worked in Germany, the wives would often go on expeditions to the local butcher shop. The shop owner would explain the different cuts of meat, and then show the best way to cook them. After preparing lunch, the butcher and the wives would swap recipes. "But it's different stateside," continued Mrs. Mullins. "Our in-house programs provide a place where the people can get off their feet. We watch their luggage for them, and there are TVs, video cassettes, coloring books, nursery supplies and ..." The list is seemingly endless. Children's toys, cards, table games, books - the benefits go on and on - and Mrs. Mullins is obviously proud as she keeps adding to her roster. And then there's the food. It would take more than one visit to the USO for someone to sample all of the wares. The menu boasts a bounty of cookies, cakes, doughnuts, fresh fruit, beverages, soup and candy - all donated. Donations Everyone from Girl Scouts to veterans brings in boxes piled high with goods, but even though the supply seems endless, the USO still needs more. "You only have to see a smile on someone's face, or hear a small child traveling from home ask for another cookie, to know how much the donations are needed," Mrs. Mullins said. "The people who help us out are telling the military people and their families who are serving our country that they care. "We've had people bring in bags and bags of cookies. One family came in with three children - and each one presented us with a big box of homemade candy. "We even got a wedding cake once," she added. "The guests at the wedding had only eaten a little of the cake, so the father of the bride brought in the rest of it. I'd never seen anything like that before!" Volunteer's view Pat Christy, one of the 257 volunteers, spoke enthusiastically about her work at the USO. "I heard about the volunteer program through one of the Coast Guard Officers' Wives' Club meetings, and I felt like it was a good thing to do," she explained. "I've always been a flag waver and service-oriented and I enjoy people, so what better place to donate some time?" she asked. "My mother worked at a USO during World War II, but they were so different back then," she commented. But a lot of people still have a World War II-era conception of the USOs, added Mrs. Mullins. "People call us up all the time and want to know when our next dance is," she said. "I think they get this image from watching too many war movies!" But most of the people who use the USO probably don't even notice there isn't a dance floor. They're too busy watching a movie or munching a homemade chocolate chip cookie - just like mom used to bake. Some check out a pillow and blanket and sack out on the couch for a while, oblivious to the sights and sounds around them. 'We care' "We care about everyone who comes in," Mrs. Mullins said. "We try to help in any way possible. We can sew on a button or steam a uniform, and we can put on a bandage or patch something up." While Mrs. Mullins spoke, volunteer Rita Hardy ran busily around the center, mopping up a spilt soda one minute and pouring coffee for a young airman the next. The energetic Mrs. Hardy exemplifies the spirit of all the volunteers who donate their time and energy at the USO. Even though she lives in Highland, Ill., and has to get up at 4 a.m. to report to work, she finds the hour-long drive is well worth the effort. "I enjoy working here because I care about the people who come here," she commented. "If I can help just one person during my shift, then I feel my time was well-spent." And then off she ran again, not missing a beat as she greeted newcomers at the reception desk. Her vitality was characteristic of those who worked with her. It can best be summed up by a quote in the USO volunteer newsletter, put out by volunteer Nancy Bettis. "We are good and we know it - we are proud and we show it." "The Editor's Vault" takes a look at articles written by retired Master Sgt. Annette Crawford throughout a career in public affairs that began in 1982. Stories are run exactly as they were written at the time of publication.