USO offers military a home on road

ONTARIO - For many men and women in the military, the USO facility at L.A./Ontario International Airport is a home away from home while traveling.

Troops going through the airport can stop by the 6,400- square-foot facility and eat, catch up on e-mails, watch a movie or get some sleep at no cost.

Sgt. 1st Class Martin Salazar of the California Army National Guard says for those who travel through airports "quite a bit," services like these are invaluable.

"The little things really make a difference," Salazar said. "It's not as much the food we get as the kindness that comes with it."

Three years ago, none of that was possible because the facility didn't exist.

On Wednesday evening, veterans, active servicemen and women, volunteers and city officials celebrated the USO facility's second year in operation at L.A./Ontario International Airport.

The open house event was a way to thank all those involved in making the facility possible, said Gordon Fawcett, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and acting director of the facility.

It was three years ago that Fawcett focused his efforts on opening the center in Ontario.

The facility, tucked away at the end of the Terminal 1 of the airport, is considered the largest one in the nation, he said.

Sitting in an area designated for computer use Wednesday night, Fawcett looked up and recalled how different the place looked three years ago.

"At that time, all there were spiderwebs," he said.

After $750,000 in donations, they were able to open the facility.

"It's beyond my dreams," Fawcett said.

Last year, the facility drew in 6,000 servicemen and woman, and in the first three months of this year, it's already had 5,300 visitors, Fawcett said.

USOs are chartered by the government but do not receive any government funding. All the funding to keep the facilities operating comes through donations.

One of the greatest supporters for the creation of the facility has been Los Angeles World Airports, operator of ONT, Fawcett said. LAWA agreed to a five-year contract to lease the space to USO at $1 a year.

Among the other supporters of the facility, Fawcett thanked, was the city of Ontario.

In attendance was Mayor Paul Leon, who also presented the USO a certificate from the City Council.

For Leon, the USO has a personal meaning. The mayor told the crowd he was in the Army from 1974 until 1977 and was stationed overseas for a bit.

During those travels, Leon said, if he had a long layover he would go to a USO facility to feel "grounded."

If he was in a new city, Leon said, he would go the USO to get help about lodging, eating and places to go.

"When you are a soldier the place to go is the USO," Leon said.

From Korea to Germany, Salazar said he has visited countless USO facilities and has been to the Ontario facility "quite often."

"I've been in the Army for 28 years, and the USO has always been that sanctuary," Salazar said.

Salazar, who is with the 1st Squadron 18th Cavalry in Azusa, said he knows soldiers traveling will get assistance from USO.

"This is a piece of home. When I get here I know I am amongst friends," he said. "I can let my guard down when I walk through those doors."

To donate to the USO, contact Sandi Moreno at (909) 390-4274.