Result Of Partnership Between USO, Airport, And Fort McCoy

A new USO lounge has been opened at La Crosse Regional Airport in La Crosse, WI that will give service members traveling to and from Fort McCoy a place to relax in privacy.

The lounge is the result of a partnership between the USO, the airport, and Fort McCoy, and was furnished in part by local businessman Don Weber.

The La Crosse Tribune reports that the airport first carved out a military lounge in 2010, and in 2013 began to make plans to improve the facility. The airport put up some walls to give service members some privacy, and Weber made a donation of several bar-height tables and chairs, as well as lounge chairs for the facility.

When USO Wisconsin Director of Operations Ellie Hazlett learned that the airport was looking for an organization to step up to run the lounge. She approached airport manager Clinton Torp, and then to USO Wisconsin President Daniel Toomey, who gave his unqualified blessing to the idea.

The USO will be providing video games, board games, and other entertainment in the lounge. Local musicians will occasionally play free of charge for the troops.

The USO says it needs about 70 volunteers to operate the lounge, and so far has applications from about half that number.

FMI: www.usowisconsin.org