Page 36 - Jo Dee C Jacob Girl Scouts CEO

SAN DIEGO WOMAN

CONGRATULATES
THE SAN DIEGO USO ON THE OPENING OF THE NEIL ASH CENTER
LARGEST USO AIRPORT CENTER IN THE WORLD OPENS ITS DOORS.

36 Neil Ash and Wife June Neil Ash
Cutting the Ribbon of the USO Neil Ash, Airport Cente
USO San Diego and the San Diego County Regional Airport families worldwide and to create a cooperative relationship between
Authority recently held its Grand Opening of the new USO Neil Ash U.S. military communities and involved or supporting civilian com-
Airport Center. munities.

On June 26, 2013 The USO San Diego, in partnership with the San The USO San Diego’s programs and services positively reached
Diego County Regional Airport Authority, held the grand opening San Diego’s military community more than 378,000 times in 2012,
of the new USO Neil Ash Airport Center. Spanning nearly 10,000 and are funded primarily through the generosity of individuals, busi-
square feet, this facility is the largest USO airport center in the nesses, organizations and foundations within the community. The
world. funds raised directly support USO San Diego programs, and vital
services for military service members and their families. Volunteers
Open 365 days a year, the new airport center will provide donated more than 29,000 hours of their time.
support and services to well over 125,000 military service members
and their families annually. A “home away from home” for traveling
military personnel, the center features a variety of services, includ-
ing a friendly and comfortable place to relax, high-speed wireless
Internet, Skype access, and complimentary refreshments. The new
center also includes contemporary furnishings and an expansive
outdoor courtyard for guests to get some fresh air during their
travels.

The center is named in honor of Neil Ash, a dedicated supporter of
our nation’s military service members and the visionary behind the
creation of the first USO center at San Diego International Airport.
During World War II, Mr. Ash was commissioned as an Ensign in
the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific. He was later called back to
active duty during the Korean War and earned the rank of Lieuten-
ant Commander. His decades-long support of troops in the San
Diego area and his admirable leadership, resulted in the opening of USO Directors from left to right
USO San Diego, President & CEO John Dooley
the first USO Neil Ash Airport Center in 1990 and now this cutting- USO San Diego, Board Chairman Charlotte Jacobs
edge facility 23 years later. Mr. Ash is a longtime resident of Rancho USO Neil Ash Airport Center, Director Sgt Maj Bobby Woods USMC (Ret)
Santa Fe.
The mission of USO San Diego (www.usosandiego.org) is to en-
hance the quality of life for U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their