Fort Carson USO needs volunteers

Fort Carson's 9-month-old USO center is looking for a few good restaurants.

The center provides soldiers with everything from pool tables and phone calls home to a free lunch. With 5,500 soldiers coming through each week, center director Joe Aldaz said hungry GIs are eating their way through the center's budget.

"You can imagine what it takes to have that snack bar operating 12 hours a day," said Aldaz.

Started during World War II as a way for citizens to show their support for troops, the USO has seen a rebirth during the Iraq and Afghan wars. Once best known for the war zone tours of comedian Bob Hope, the charity now sends care packages to overseas bases and operates more than 130 centers worldwide to give soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines a taste of home wherever they serve.

"We've always been there, but now we have more of a role," Aldaz said.

Late last year, the charity opened its center at Fort Carson, which has quickly gained popularity with GIs. Staffed by volunteers, it offers movies, food and concerts.

On Friday, the center offered music by the blues band The Channel Cats alongside free barbecue fare.

But the center's most popular program allows soon-to-deploy soldiers to videotape themselves reading bedtime stories for their children to replay while they're apart.

An Air Force retiree, Aldaz said it's important to give soldiers, many of whom have served multiple tours at war, a place to take a break.

"It's a place where they can come decompress and relax for a few hours," he said.

The services are backed by local donations and corporate sponsorships, including cash from AT&T and aerospace giant BAE Systems.

"Anytime an airmen or soldier comes into a USO everything is free," Aldaz said.

That leads back to the restaurants.

"We're looking for local restaurants and fast-food establishments to take a day each week and serve their food within the center," Aldaz said.

A couple of restaurants are already on board, but Aldaz is hoping a few more restaurateurs want to give soldiers a free lunch.

"When they come back here we want to give them a very comforting environment," he said.
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