USO dedicates lounge at Norfolk Airport

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The USO of Hampton Roads dedicated its new 'Military Lounge' on Tuesday at Norfolk International Airport.

Active duty and retired military and their families can go to the lounge to relax, read, watch television, play games, grab a snack and access the internet.

"This is the welcome center," Mike Nowakowski of USO Hampton Roads and Central Virginia told WAVY News 10. "This is where our military men and woman come into this area. They come in, it's a home away from home. They are greeted with a warm smile. There's a lot of things we do for these families every day."

Also during the Grand Opening, the GEICO Philanthropic Foundation committed $50,000 in each of the next three years to support multiple USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia (USOHRCV) programs as well as add improvements to USOHRCV centers across the state.

Officials say the USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia serves the largest concentration of military personnel in the country. More than 100,000 permanent active duty, National Guard and reserves along with a rotation of 100,000 students on temporary duty status are stationed on military bases throughout the state. In addition, there are more than 750,000 individual military and family sign-ins at USO centers at civilian and military airports in Richmond, Norfolk, Fort Eustis, Langley Air Force Base and the Norfolk Naval Station.

"The USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia is the premier support organization of the United States military and their families in our region," said Joe Thomas, GEICO regional vice president. "The sponsorship gives us a unique opportunity to build stronger ties with the USO as well as support the military communities that serve our country and protect our freedom each day."

Miss America 2011, Teresa Scanlan, who was in Hampton Roads on Monday and Tuesday to meet with military personnel and their families, also participated in the dedication ceremonies.

Last June, the USO also opened its new facility at the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport.

The USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia is a non-governmental, non-profit 501c (3) organization that depends on corporate and individual support to fund its programs and services. It receives no direct financial funding from the Department of Defense.