Supporting our Troops at LAX
Today’s #WCW title belongs to South Bay resident, Melissa Klassen who designates time each month to give back to the troops.
In August of 2009, Melissa was inspired to do something that would allow her to feel a sense of happiness. She knew being in a military environment would feel most like home since she grew up as an Air Force Brat. (The child of an active-duty military personnel)
Melissa remembered the stresses that being in a military family had and this gave her an opportunity to find a way to give back to the whole family, active duty and retired. In result, Melissa decided she would volunteer with The Bob Hope USO at LAX.
The Bob Hope USO at LAX is similar to a hospitality center which provides comfort for those when traveling throughout LAX. There is a canteen (kitchen) where they provide all the comfort foods of home. As Melissa explains, “You would be amazed at how much a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich will make someone’s day. It seems so small but the guests are really appreciative.”
In addition, there is a front desk, where Melissa usually will work. Her duties include greeting guest, helping them make hotel arrangements, rebook flights if something was missed, locate lost luggage, hold babies and anything else to make their travel a little less stressful.
The USO also provides a place to search the web, watch TV, play video games or just get little shut- eye. Melissa expresses that, “Some are coming back from war zones and welcoming them back is priceless. Others are headed to war or leaving behind family for a remote assignment. Some are on their way to a wedding or a birth and we get to be a small part of that journey.”
The USO website explains, “In accordance with the policy of USO, Inc., we welcome active duty and reserve members of the Armed Forces, as well as dependent family members. We also welcome, on a space available basis, military retirees and their dependent family members. All must present valid military identification. Although we honor all who have served, we cannot serve all and ask that non-retiree veterans honor our mission, which since our founding in 1941, has been to serve current troops and their dependent family members.”
Melissa finds that no matter what or when she leaves her shift, she always feels great. “It is weird that donating my time does so much more for me than I feel like I give. I am pretty sure most our volunteers feel that way too. It is the weirdest feeling to be so appreciated for making a sandwich or booking a hotel when these men and women are literally putting their life on the line for us. When they say thank you I always say “my pleasure”, and REALLY mean it,” Melissa expresses.
The Bob Hope USO at LAX is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The staff primarily consist of volunteers and one staff- center manager. The services are free for guest and through donations, the facility is able to run.
Melissa believes that one can help give back to the troops I by simply stating that you support them, doing something regularly or even annually. The USO’s Mission Statement can be foundhere.
Despite volunteering every other Wednesday from 6-10 p.m., Melissa works as an
Executive Assistant for a Real Estate Association. Melissa works with some of the top selling agents in the nation in one of the most beautiful places in the country. Melissa explains that, “I try to do at my job what I do at the USO and just make people’s day a little easier with my help and guidance.”
Thank you Melissa for being another wonderful contributor in making the South Bay a beautiful place to live.
If interested in donating to the USO, please visit the website here.