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The USO of Missouri
was established in 1981 and named for James S. McDonnell, founder
of McDonnell Aircraft.
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Initial funding for
the original facility was provided by the McDonnell Aircraft Foundation.
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Since 1981, over 3 million
traveling military and their families have benefited from the services
provided by the USO.
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The Dennis Jones Family
Foundation Mobile USO was added to the outreach efforts in 2005.
The unit travels throughout Missouri and Illinois to take the services
and the USO spirit straight to the troops.
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In mid-2006, the 18,000
sq ft. Ft. Leonard Wood USO was added to the services lines of the
USO of Missouri
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The USO provides services
and smiles to more than 200,000 military personnel and their families
annually.
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The USO of Missouri
and all outreach functions are governed by a board of directors.
History
of the USO (United Service Organizations)
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The USO, or United Service
Organizations, was founded on February 5, 1941 by President Franklin
D. Roosevelt.
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The USO is chartered
by Congress as a non-profit charitable corporation and endorsed
by the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense.
Each President of the United States has been the Honorary Chairman
of the USO since it's inception.
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During WWII, the USO
was best known as a place for coffee and donuts or relaxing at a
dance.
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Today's USO is a multi-program,
full-service agency, responding to the morale, welfare and recreational
needs of the military community.
Worldwide
Operations
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There are currently
over 120 USO centers around the world.
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Overseas centers are
located in Germany, Italy, France, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain,
Iceland, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Okinawa, Korea and the Virgin Islands.
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There are 33 independent
affiliated USO corporations located throughout the United States.
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An average of 5 million
patrons are served annually worldwide.
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USO World Headquarters
is located in Arlington, Virginia.
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