USO at JIA Recognizes and Thanks Builders Care

Northeast Florida Builders Association Builders Care received a special gift from the Greater Jacksonville Area USO on Fri., November 21, 2008, at their JIA center.

It has been one-year since the grand opening of the new USO center at JIA. Builders Care built a new center for military men and women serving our country. They were honored for their great work. John Shockley, executive director for the Jacksonville USO, expressed his gratitude by presenting a plaque to the Builders Care staff.

"Through the extraordinary and gracious efforts of Builders Care, the Jacksonville International Airport USO is now the class of airport USOs throughout the country," Shockley said. "Over 1,800 service personnel visit the center and it is truly a home away from home."

Dennis Wright, 24, who has been in the United States Air force for the last six years, didn't even know JIA had a USO Center until he asked an employee at the airport, after finding out his flight to Las Vegas, NV was delayed. Wright has been stationed in Alaska, Japan, and Guam. He is now stationed in Valdosta, Georgia with his wife and two girls.

"This USO Center is incredible. It's my first time here. It's almost too nice and you feel like you're home," said Wright. "I appreciate the sacrifice of all the volunteers who come here to help. He also added that the USO Center is great for military families to relax while waiting for flights.

The plaque has been placed in the USO Center by the front door. Military personnel who pass through will now always know who built such a center.