2009 PHF USO Exodus

by Brian Wilson

On Dec.19 & 20, the nine Kiwanis Clubs of Division 23 once again combined forces to man the USO at Patrick Henry Field (PHF ). This annual event kept the USO open around the clock for 32 hours, as hundreds of military trainee men and women from all services descended on the airport, all with the common goal of "Getting Home For Christmas".

The nine Kiwanis Clubs had thirty members and friends donate one hundred and twenty eight (128) man and women hours to the 2009 USO EXODUS. The entire operation went flawlessly in spite of the horrible weather. In fact, the bad weather made The Kiwanis presence all the more necessary, as there where many flight cancellations at all local airports, leaving many soldiers stranded overnight and longer. In addition to providing comfortable chairs and access to the Internet and TV, the Kiwanians kept the coffee and sodas and a seemingly endless supply of cookies flowing. One Kiwanis couple even took two soldiers home for the night for a little first class R&R.