'The USO is open for the holidays': USO facility at Fayetteville Airport reopens
After closing during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the USO facility at the Fayetteville Regional Airport is now open.
The facility, located in the B Concourse of the airport, reopened during the third week of November, a city of Fayetteville news release stated.
The facility serves active-duty American service members and retirees.
It features a lounge area with a TV, charging area, kids' room, snacks and drinks.
The Airport USO, staffed by volunteers, offers information services and unit support for soldiers and their families.
“We look forward to serving our nation’s finest as they travel from the center of the universe to wherever they are heading,” said Brian Knight, USO center operations and programs manager for the Sandhills area.
The facility is open from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. daily.
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All travelers must wear a mask while in the lounge and throughout the airport terminal, the city’s news release stated.
“I am extremely happy that the USO is open for the holidays,” Airport Director Toney Coleman said. “The airport ridership returned to pre-COVID levels in June of this year, and we are happy to see the USO return as well to serve our military travelers.”
USO officials said as travel and demand increase, they hope hours for the facility can be extended back to pre-COVID 19 levels.
In the meantime, they are seeking volunteers to fill extra time slots required to open for afternoon and evening flights.
Anyone interested in volunteering can download the USO Volunteer Community app to register.
Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.
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This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: USO facility at Fayetteville Regional Airport reopens after COVID
