Thursday, Jul 14, 2016

It’s Never Too Early for Chili Cheese Dogs at the USO

Eric Brandner

By Chad Stewart and Eric Brandner

ST. LOUIS-USO of Missouri, Inc. volunteer Pat Stinnett remembers an early morning when German troops arrived at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport hungry for the organization’s world-famous chili cheese dogs.

The service members were headed to nearby Fort Leonard Wood for training and had heard about the American delicacy all the way back in Germany. They stopped in the USO center – which is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – at 7 a.m. to find out what the buzz was about. Watch the video to hear Stinnett, a Vietnam War veteran, explain what happened next.

You can send a message of support and thanks directly to service members via the USO’s Campaign to Connect. Your messages will appear on screens at USO locations around the world.

Every day, America’s service members selflessly put their lives on the line to keep us safe and free. Please take a moment to let our troops know how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice.

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It’s Never Too Early for Chili Cheese Dogs at the USO

Stories in this Series

Healing After the 1983 Beirut Bombings at USO North Carolina-Jacksonville Center’s ‘Beirut Room’

The USO and the Boston Celtics Team Up to Honor Troops and Military Families

‘We Did Meet at the USO’: Volunteers Tie the Knot at the Fort Campbell USO

Here’s How the USO and RP/6 Created a ‘Movement’ in San Antonio

‘Leave it at the Door’: Night Out at the USO Brings Military Families Together Without Electronics

‘It's Unbelievable’: USO of Illinois, Blackhawks and Boeing Team Up to Salute Service Members and Veterans During National Anthem

The Smiles Say It All: Sunday Mornings at USO Great Lakes Offer a Taste of Home for Young Service Members

USO of North Carolina Delivers Birthday Cake Surprises to Single Service Members at Camp Lejeune

They’ve Gone Down That Path’: Retired Soldier Explains How the USO and RP/6 Put Him on the Road to a Successful Transition

USO at San Antonio MEPS is a Stress Reliever for Recruits and Families

'It’s Our Place to Escape': How the USO of North Carolina-Jacksonville Became One Special Needs Family's Oasis

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‘This Woman is Nothing Short of Incredible’: USO Volunteer Pushes on in the Face of MS

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USO Northwest Florida Wakes Up Early to Support Sailors

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The USO Route 75 Travelogue

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‘Made All the Difference’: USO Helps Coast Guard Family During 12-Hour Flight Delay

The ‘Walking History Book’ of the USO of Illinois

Behind the Scenes with the USO of Georgia’s Dynamic Duo

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USO San Diego Center Namesake Talks 75 Years of History

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‘The USO is My Family’: USO/RP/6 Connects Service Member to Community During Holiday Visit

Photos: Marines Flood USO of North Carolina on the Way to Camp Lejeune

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A Tasty Competition: USO Fort Campbell's Cupcake Wars Bring Military Families Together

A Look Inside the USO at MEPS Nashville

USO and Fisher House Team Up to Deliver on a Shared Mission

From Biker Bars to Coffee Shops, USO El Paso Volunteer Opens Doors of Support for Service Members

Hattiesburg USO was a Sanctuary During World War II

USO Arizona Volunteers Keep the Lights On for Stranded Service Members in Phoenix

Burrito Ambush! USO El Paso Program Surprises Soldiers on Fort Bliss with Free Meals

Bob Hope USO Brings the Super Bowl to Isolated Marines Training in the Desert

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Patches, Coins Draw in Visitors at USO Bay Area's San Francisco Airport Center

NFL, USAA and the USO Honor Service Members at Super Bowl Weekend Breakfast

Introducing USO Route 75

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