[caption id=“attachment_1611” align=“alignright” width=“218” caption=“USO Hawaii has served Troops since World War II. (Photo courtesy of USO Archives)”][/caption]

We are thrilled to announce that USO Hawaii will be honored at the State Capitol of Honolulu on March 31, during a Senate Proclamation Ceremony sponsored by Sen. Will Espero, chairman, Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee.  The USO is being recognized for its outstanding morale programs and services for Hawaii’s military members and families.

USO Hawaii, which operates two centers on Oahu – one at the Honolulu International Airport and one at the Hickam Air Force Base terminal – offers the enhanced services of a “home away from home” for all branches of the military.  In the past year alone USO Hawaii served the needs of 64,000 military personnel deploying to, or returning from combat and other worldwide military assignments.

For more than 69 years, the USO has provided support to active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces throughout the world. The USO’s mission is, “to enhance the quality of life for our brave men and women who serve to protect our country and our freedom.”  Through peacetime and various wars and conflicts, the USO continues to serve those who serve us, “Until Every One Comes Home.”

USO Officials Karl Kiyokawa, chair, USO Hawaii Advisory Council, Kyle Brockett, Chair-Elect, Tom Kolstad, Vice President-USO Pacific Operations and Eva Laird Smith, USO Hawaii director will be on the Senate Floor to accept the Proclamation Award on behalf of the nonprofit organization.

The community is invited to attend the Senate Proclamation Ceremony honoring USO Hawaii at the State Capitol Gallery at 11:30 a.m., Wed., March 31.

[caption id=“attachment_1610” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Al Shimizu, a USO volunteer, hands a slice of pizza to a deploying Soldier on an early Tuesday morning at Hickam Air Force Base. (Photo by Sgt. Bradley Rhen)”][/caption]